WO2005043189A1

WO2005043189A1 - High-voltage line warning/detector assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2005043189A1
Application number: PCT/ES2004/000484
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ricardo Palacios De La Olla
Original assignee: Ricardo Palacios De La Olla
Priority date: 2003-10-31
Filing date: 2004-11-02
Publication date: 2005-05-12
Also published as: ES2241467B1; ES2241467A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a high-voltage line warning/detector assembly. The invention comprises a detector module (36) and a warning module (37), the latter module displaying the information received from the detector module (36) and transmitting same to the user. The detector module comprises three independent directional antennae (2, 3, 4) which detect the electric field generated by a high-voltage electric line and which are connected to the detector module (36). The detector module is equipped with a variable-sensitivity electronic block (1) which is used to process the detection signal captured by the antennae and which comprises amplifiers for the detected signals (2, 3, 4), said amplifiers having high input impedance and high gain. In addition, the detector module (36) and the warning module (37) comprise respective signal multiplexers which are provided with wire or wireless communication means.

Description

D E S C R I P C I Ó N "High Voltage Line Warning Detector"

Technical Sector of the Invention The present invention relates to a high voltage power line detector detector, comprising a detector module and a warning module, whereby the information received from the detector module is externalized and transmitted to the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The detection of high voltage lines is very useful when flying close to them, so their detection is applicable to all types of aircraft or aerial devices (light aircraft, helicopters, "ultralight", "wing delta "," paragliders ", parachutes, balloons, airships, etc.), so that the detection of high voltage lines in the vicinity of aerial devices avoids collisions that can be of dreaded consequences. Although, fortunately, these accidents are not as frequent as traffic accidents, they have a very large impact because they can affect entire populations, causing deaths, injuries, fires and innumerable damages of all kinds. In the field of the detection of high voltage lines in the aviation industry some detectors of overhead voltage lines are known, based on their essentiality in laser type detectors, as described, for example, in EP patent documents 0 391 328, GB 2 123 643, EP 1 348 981 and US 8 887 063. These systems are based on the detection of cables as a physical obstacle and, even if they are of correct functionality, they are not completely exempt from inconveniences, derived mainly from the complexity of the systems and the cost. Some detectors and warning devices are also known, such as the one developed by the Spanish utility model document ES-U-0200652, consisting of a helmet equipped with a warning system for the proximity of high voltage overhead lines. Its main drawback is its short range, since the electronic circuit used is coil and therefore can not be applied to aerial devices. The object of the present invention is to provide a warning detector of presence of long-range high-voltage lines, capable of warning, for example, to the pilot of an aerial apparatus with sufficient time for it to modify the trajectory and avoid collision. Explanation of the invention For this purpose, the object of the present invention is a high voltage power line detector detector, of the type comprising a detector module and a warning module, whereby the information received from the detector module is externalized and it is transmitted to the user., a new concept and functionality, and that in its essence is characterized in that it comprises independent directive antennas sensing the electric field generated by a high-voltage power line, linked to the detector module, which comprises a block electronic treatment of the detection signal picked up by the antennas, and means of communication of the detector module with the warning module. The warning detector of the invention thus bases its diagnosis on the detection of the electromagnetic fields generated by the high voltage lines around it, with the added advantage that the higher the voltage of a line, the greater the warning of the danger. of collision, giving time to rectify the trajectory and thus avoiding colliding. The module, detector is fully directive, being able to, in this way, indicate, in what position is the tension line and thus obtain a faster response. For example, in a light aircraft, the warning module indicates if the line is on the left, right, up, down, in front or with intermediate orientations. The high voltage power line detector detector can comprise at least two independent directive antennas, or at least three independent directive antennas, whereby the position and distance of the high voltage line can be determined with great accuracy by the known technique of " triangulation. " According to another characteristic of the invention, the electronic block comprises power supply means and amplifiers of the detected signals, of high input impedance and high gain, with corresponding and respective amplified outputs. According to another feature of the warning detector of the present invention, the detector module comprises a multiplexer for multiplexing the signals. The output and input signals of the electronic block. Said input signals may comprise a sensitivity level adjustment signal and a detector on / off signal, from the warning module. A significant advantage of the present invention derives from the fact that it is thus provided with a sensitivity regulator, which provides the possibility of adjusting this, as necessary, thus defining the minimum safety distance between the air craft, when this is the application, and the nearest high voltage line. According to another feature of the invention, the warning module comprises power supply means; user interface means; an electronic block for signal processing; and a multiplexer for multiplexing the electronic block of the inputs, transmitted by the detector module and outputs transmitted to the detector module. In this case, the inputs include information inputs related to the electric field detection warning by the corresponding antennas. Likewise, the input signals include an information input corresponding to the warning of the need to change a power battery that the detector module is provided with. The outputs may include an information output corresponding to the variable sensitivity level setting, „and… one. information output corresponding to the activation and deactivation of the warning detector. Preferably, the interface means comprise one, several or all of the following elements: an activating and deactivating switch of the warning detector; a switch to adjust the sensitivity level of the block; optical indicators to show the electric field from high voltage lines detected by respective antennas; at least one acoustic electric field indicator from a high voltage line detected by any of the antennas; an indicator with electric field vibrating motor from a high voltage line detected by any of the antennas; a multi-position switch for regulating the sensitivity of the block; an audible self-test warning indicator of any anomaly in the detector warning bell; and an optical warning self-test indicator of any anomaly in the warning detector. According to a preferred embodiment of the communication means of the detector module with the warning module, these are wired and comprise a wired data input / output linking the multiplexers. Alternatively or in addition, the communication means of the detector module with the warning module are wireless and comprise an antenna integrated in the receiving module and an antenna integrated in the warning module that communicates the multiplexers by radio signal. The directive antennas can be exterior or interior. According to a preferred embodiment, the warning module may comprise at least one voltmeter or volume meter provided with segments that gradually illuminate as the electric field increases as the warning detector approaches the high voltage line in question, so that the number of illuminated segments is indicative of a distance to the high voltage line. The warning detector of the present invention may comprise alert means, which emit an alert signal when a predetermined one of said sectors is illuminated, representative of a predetermined minimum safety distance. . . The warning module can have an analog output of variable voltage between which mV to mV marks the approach level equivalent to the corresponding voltmeter segments, so that the variable voltage is used to visualize the electric field that the system receives in any type of screen. According to a preferred embodiment, the detector module comprises means for modifying the directivity of the antennas when the electric field is more intense. Thus, for greater accuracy as regards the indication of the direction from which the electric field comes, the detector part is equipped with a system that makes the antennas more direct when the electric field is more intense, because it is considered to be interest when the adopted configuration uses several antennas. It is noteworthy at this point the great importance of the invention in all types of flights with poor visibility, whether it is caused by fog, smoke, dust or darkness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The attached drawings illustrate by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of the object of the present invention allowing a greater understanding thereof, in whose only figure, Fig. 1, a case study of the constitution of the warning detector of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In Fig. 1 it is shown that the high voltage power line detector detector of the present invention comprises a detector module 36 of the power lines and a warning module 37, by which the information received from the detector module 36 and is transmitted to the user. In the same Fig. 1 the electronic scheme of the warning detector can be seen. The detector module 36 consists of an electronic block 1 which contains several high impedance input and high gain amplifiers (not shown). In this case, three inputs linked to three antennas 2, 3 and 4 are represented, although the number of antennas can be expanded or reduced according to the needs of the installation. In this case where three antennas are available, the detection of the electric line is carried out through. the triangulation of the three detection signals, detected by the three antennas, of the magnetic field generated by the power line. The electronic block 1 also includes a self-test system that checks all the inputs and outputs of block 1 itself, transmitting the self-test signal through outputs 7, 8 and 9, which also transmit the corresponding information to the antennas 3, 4 and 4. The antennas 2, 3, 4 are independent directive antennas, and can be external or internal in module 36, depending on the specific needs of the application, being connected to three different inputs of the block 1. Block 5 contains in its interior a long-lasting alkaline battery and a voltage measuring circuit intended to carry out the corresponding warning, when the battery needs its replacement. Note that said battery feeds the electronic block 1 and a multiplexer 12, which is explained below. Reference 6 shows the information output of block 5. The output 7 of the electronic block 1 corresponds to the antenna 2, the output 8 to the antenna 3 and the output 9 to the antenna 4. The input 10 of the block 1 corresponds to the variable sensitivity level setting, which the user can select in a switch 31 located in the warning module 37. The input 11 of the block 1 corresponds to the activation and deactivation of the complete system, controlled by a switch 32 located in the warning module 37. The detector module 36 comprises said multiplexer block 12, provided of inputs and outputs of data, of block 1 for the connections with this module (6 to 11). The multiplexer 12 also has wired data input-output 15 and wireless data input-output by antenna 13, integrated within the detector module 36. The warning block 37 has another multiplexer 16 with data input-output of an electronic block 23 , for the internal connections with this module (17 to 22). The electronic block 23 fulfills the function of externalizing by means of interface devices with the user the information received from the detector module 36, transmitting it to the user, while allowing it to activate and deactivate the detector module 36, by means of a switch 32 , and adjust the sensitivity level of the. block 1, by means of a switch 31 The multiplexer 16 has a wired output 15, of wired communication with the multiplexer 12, and a radio communication antenna 14 with the antenna 13 of the multiplexer 12. The multiplexer 16 and the block 23 have the following connections: 17: information input to block 23, corresponding to the alkaline battery change warning notice found in block 5 of detector module 36. 18: information input to block 23, corresponding to the warning message for electric field through antenna 2. 19: information input to block 23, corresponding to the electric field detection warning through antenna 3. 20: information input to block 23, corresponding to the electric field detection warning through antenna 4 21: information output to block 23, corresponding to the setting of the variable sensitivity level, selectable in switch 31. 22: information output to block 23, corresponding to the activation / deactivation of block 1 and therefore of detector module 36. The interface means of the warning block 37, connected to the block 23, are the following: 24: acoustic indicator informing of the need for replacement of the alkaline battery of the detector module 36. 25: optical indicator informing of the need for replacement of the alkaline battery of the detector module 36. 26: optical indicator informing that the antenna 2 has detected electromagnetic field from a high voltage line. 27: optical indicator informing that antenna 3 has detected electromagnetic field from a high voltage line. 28: optical indicator that informs that antenna 4 has detected electromagnetic field from a high voltage line. 29: acoustic indicator that informs that any of the antennas 2, 3, 4 has detected electromagnetic field from a high voltage line. 30: indicator with vibrating motor that informs that any of the antennas 2, 3, 4 has detected an electromagnetic field from a high voltage line. . 31: multi-position switch, which regulates the sensitivity of block 1. 32: general switch that activates and deactivates the entire system. 33: acoustic warning self-test indicator of any anomaly in the warning detector; guaranteeing maximum safety in this way. 34: optical indicator of self-test warning of any anomaly in the warning detector. 35: battery or battery that feeds block 23 and multiplexer 16. 38: voltmeter or volume meter, provided that segments light up gradually as the electric field increases as the warning detector approaches the high voltage line in question, so that the number of illuminated segments is indicative of a distance to the high voltage line. If necessary, the invention can use a switch such as 31 for each antenna of the detector module 36, to adjust the sensitivity of each of them independently. The warning detector may be provided within the warning module 37, of one or several meters 38 of a dozen or more segments each, which are turned on one by one, when the electric field increases as the ship incorporating the detector warning, is approaching the high voltage line in question. In a way that makes the mission of determining safety distances easier with a single adjustment command, which decides from which segment the warning module 37 will warn that it has exceeded the predetermined safety distance. In addition, the system can have an analog output of variable voltage between which mV to mV marks the approach level equivalent to the corresponding volumetric segments, in this way the variable voltage can be used to visualize the electric field that the system receives in any type of screen, by using the necessary intermediate electronic circuits.

Each meter of the warning module 37 and each analog output represents the electrical level that the corresponding output detects so that antenna + detector form an autonomous unit that connects to a single warning module, providing the possibility of mounting different configurations "on demand" . That is, it can cover 90 °, 120 °, 180 ° etc., combining several autonomous units according to interest, depending on the use to which it is intended. Example: in the case of wanting to keep a helicopter at a certain distance, (preset by the user himself) only and exclusively above the high voltage lines, it will only be necessary with the configuration of a single detector + antenna. If it is desired to keep said ship at predetermined distances on both sides, the configuration requires a minimum of two autonomous units. And if what is intended is to achieve wide coverage, a configuration of several combined autonomous units will be needed.

Therefore, the possibility of mounting different configurations offers a wide range of possibilities for the use of the system in air navigation.

The display screen of the warning module 37 can represent as many volometers as autonomous units (antenna + detector) containing the configuration adopted, so that it will give a fairly accurate picture of the electric field surrounding the ship. For greater accuracy as regards the indication of the direction from which the electric field comes, the detector module 36 is provided with a system that makes the antennas 2, 3, 4 more directive when the electric field is more intense, because it is considered of great interest when the configuration adopted uses several antennas.

In the warning module 37, several progressive levels of safety distances can be selected which may be preset and the system will warn if they are exceeded. Being able to notify with a pre-alarm before the alarm to make its use more comfortable and safe. The physical form of the invention can be very diverse, adapting to the needs of the installation. In case of using the system object of this invention in aerial devices without structure, it can adopt a form adaptable to the user's body, alerting the user of the danger by means of optical, acoustic indicators (with direct sound or through headphones) or vibrators. Logically, if the aerial device has a structure, the system will adapt to it for a more comfortable and rational use. Finally, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the present invention is applicable to all types of aircraft or aerial gadgets: light aircraft, helicopters, "ultralight", "hang gliding", "paragliders", parachutes, balloons, airships, etc. . Describing sufficiently the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is stated that everything that does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle is subject to variations in detail.

Claims

1.- High voltage power lines warning detector, comprising a detector module (36) and a warning module (37), through which the information received from the detector module (36) is externalized and transmitted to the user, characterized in that it comprises independent directive antennas (2, 3, 4) sensors of the electric field generated by a high voltage power line, linked to the detector module (36), which comprises an electronic block (1) for processing the detection signal picked up by the antennas, and communication means of the detector module (36) with the warning module (37).

2. Warning detector of high voltage power lines, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two independent directive antennas.

3. Warning detector of high voltage power lines, according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises at least three antennas (2, 3, 4) independent directives. 4. Warning detector of high voltage power lines, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic block (1) comprises power supply means (5) and amplifiers of the detected signals (2, 3,

4), high input impedance and high gain, with corresponding and respective outputs (7, 8, 9) amplified.

5. High voltage power line warning detector, according to claim 4, characterized in that the detector module (36) comprises a multiplexer (12) for multiplexing the output signals (7, 8, 9) and input signals (10, 11) of the electronic block (1).

6. High voltage power line warning detector, according to claim 5, characterized in that said input signals comprise a sensitivity level adjustment signal (10) and an activation / deactivation signal (11) of the detector, coming from the warning module (37).

7 - High voltage power line warning detector, according to any one of the preceding claims, because the warning module (37) comprises power supply means (23); user interface means; an electronic block (23) for signal processing; and a multiplexer (16) for multiplexing to the electronic block (23) of the inputs (17, 18, 19, 20) to the block 23, transmitted by the detector module (36) and outputs (21, 22) transmitted to the detector module (36).

8. Warning detector of high voltage power lines, according to claim 7, characterized in that the inputs include information inputs (18, 19, 20) relating to the warning of detection of electric field by the corresponding antennas (2, 3, 4 ).

9. - High voltage power lines warning detector, according to claim 7, characterized in that the input signals include an information input (17) corresponding to the warning of need to change a power battery (5) that is provided the detector module (36).

10.- Detector warning of high power lines. voltage, according to claim 7, characterized in that the outputs include an information output (21) corresponding to the variable sensitivity level setting, and an information output (22) corresponding to the activation and deactivation of the warning detector.

11. - High voltage power line warning detector, according to claim 7, characterized in that the interface means comprise one, several or all of the following elements: a warning switch activator and deactivator (32); a switch (31) to adjust the sensitivity level of the block (1); optical indicators (26, 27, 28) to show the electric field from high voltage lines detected by respective antennas (2, 3, 4); at least one acoustic indicator (29) of electric field coming from a high voltage line detected by any of the antennas (2, 3, 4); an indicator with electric field vibrating motor (30) from a line high voltage line detected by any of the antennas (2, 3, 4); a multi-position switch (31) for regulating the sensitivity of the block (1); an acoustic self-test indicator (33) warning of any anomaly in the warning detector; and an optical self-test indicator (34) warning of any anomaly in the warning detector.

12.- High voltage power line warning detector, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said communication means of the detector module (36) with the warning module (37) are wired and comprise an input / output ( 15) wired data linking the multiplexers (12 and 16).

13.- High voltage power line warning detector, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said communication means of the detector module (36) with the warning module (37) comprise an antenna (13) integrated in the receiver module and an antenna (14) integrated in the warning module that wirelessly communicates the multiplexers (12 and 16) by means of a radio signal. _{. .} . . . ... . , ... „„,. „,. . ...

14.- High voltage power lines warning detector, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the directive antennas (2, 3, 4) are external.

15.- High voltage power lines warning detector, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the directive antennas (2, 3, 4) are external.

16.- High voltage power line warning detector, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the warning module (37) comprises at least one voltmeter (38) provided with segments that gradually illuminate as the field increases electric when approaching the warning detector to the high voltage line in question, so that the number of illuminated segments is indicative of a distance to the high voltage line.

17.- High voltage power lines warning detector, according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises alert means, which emit an alert signal when a predetermined one of said sectors is illuminated, representative of a predetermined minimum safety distance .

18.- High voltage power line warning detector, according to any one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that the warning module (37) has an analog output of variable voltage between which mV to mV marks the equivalent approach level to the corresponding voltmeter segments, so that the variable voltage is used to visualize the electric field that the system receives on any type of screen.

19.- High voltage power lines warning detector, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detector module (36) comprises means for modifying the directivity of the antennas (2, 3, 4) when the electric field is more intense.