Abstract: The present application is directed to an electrical system including a housing configured to hold electrical components within an internal volume. In one aspect the electrical system is a power transformer. A sensor is mounted to the housing and is configured to sense a parameter associated with one or more electrical components during operation of the electrical system. A control system including a communication unit and a data processing unit is operable for analyzing the sensed parameter and comparing the sensed parameter to a predetermined minimum or maximum threshold value.

Abstract: A tether control system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The tether system includes a tether connected between the inspection vehicle and an electronic controller. A controllable buoyancy system associated with the tether is operable for moving the tether in a desired location. The controllable buoyancy system includes one or more floating bodies having a propulsion system and one or more buoyant elements having variable buoyancy capabilities.

Abstract: An inspection vehicle operable for performing one or more maintenance and repair operations in a housing filled at least partially with a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The inspection vehicle includes a propulsion device operable in the liquid medium and includes at least one sensor operable for sensing and transmitting data associated therewith. A control system including an electronic controller is in electronic communication with the inspection vehicle to transmit and receive communication signals to/from the inspection vehicle. One or more maintenance tools operable with the inspection vehicle are configured to perform maintenance and/or repair operations within the liquid filled housing.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, manipulating and displaying inspection data obtained by sensors associated with submersible inspection vehicle within a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. A control system including an electronic controller is operably coupled with the inspection vehicle and is configured to display data transmitted from the sensor and overlay input data from an operator on the display to facilitate real time analysis during the inspection event.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for providing recommendations to address design flaws of power system equipment and/or model design flaws for equipment model types of power system equipment. For example, historical sensor data and/or historical field test data, collected from power system equipment, may be analyzed to identify a design flaw of the power system equipment (e.g., a design flaw of a seal ring). A redesign cost to redesign the power system equipment, a failure impact of a failure from the design flaw, a maintenance repair and/or replacement cost, a manufacture alternative component cost to use an alternative component for manufacturing the power system equipment, and/or other factors may be taken into account to crate and provide a recommendation to address the design flaw.

Abstract: A deployment system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The deployment system includes a mount connectable to the housing through an aperture formed in a wall thereof. An extendable arm is connected to the mount and positioned within the housing. A tether is slidably coupled to the extendable arm and adapted to connect with the inspection vehicle. A control mechanism is operable to control deployment of the tether and the position of the extendable arm.

Abstract: A submersible inspection device used for inspection of, for example, liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras for imaging the internal structure of the transformer. The submersible can be configured to communicate to a base station using a number of wireless transmitters and receivers. Signals transmitted to the submersible include command signals useful to effect an action on the submersible but also a heartbeat signal to indicate health of the transmitted signal. A redundant channel selection logic is provided to switch from a channel which no longer receives a heartbeat to another channel that includes a current heartbeat. Multiple signals can be received and evaluated in software, and another signal received via a firmware radio.

Abstract: A transformer system includes a transformer and a transformer tank. The transformer tank houses the transformer in a bath of a dielectric fluid. The transformer system also includes a controller, and a fiber optic pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the controller. The fiber optic sensor is disposed in the dielectric fluid and operative to provide an output that varies with the pressure of the dielectric fluid. The controller is operative to determine the pressure of the dielectric fluid based on the output of the fiber optic pressure sensor.

Abstract: A tether control system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The tether system includes a tether connected between the inspection vehicle and an electronic controller. A controllable buoyancy system associated with the tether is operable for moving the tether in a desired location. The controllable buoyancy system includes one or more floating bodies having a propulsion system and one or more buoyant elements having variable buoyancy capabilities.

Abstract: An inspection vehicle operable for performing one or more maintenance and repair operations in a housing filled at least partially with a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The inspection vehicle includes a propulsion device operable in the liquid medium and includes at least one sensor operable for sensing and transmitting data associated therewith. A control system including an electronic controller is in electronic communication with the inspection vehicle to transmit and receive communication signals to/from the inspection vehicle. One or more maintenance tools operable with the inspection vehicle are configured to perform maintenance and/or repair operations within the liquid filled housing.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, manipulating and displaying inspection data obtained by sensors associated with submersible inspection vehicle within a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. A control system including an electronic controller is operably coupled with the inspection vehicle and is configured to display data transmitted from the sensor and overlay input data from an operator on the display to facilitate real time analysis during the inspection event.

Abstract: A deployment system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The deployment system includes a mount connectable to the housing through an aperture formed in a wall thereof. An extendable arm is connected to the mount and positioned within the housing. A tether is slidably coupled to the extendable arm and adapted to connect with the inspection vehicle. A control mechanism is operable to control deployment of the tether and the position of the extendable arm.

Abstract: A submersible inspection system for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers having a wirelessly controlled submersible inspective device. A submersion depth of the submersible can be controlled using a ballast system. The system can also include an input/output selector to switch between camera images from the submersible. A heartbeat signal indicative of a health of the transmitted signal can be transmitted to the submersible, and redundant channel selection logic can facilitate switching to a channel that includes a current heartbeat. A plurality of status interrogation systems disposed on the submersible can capture data regarding inspection procedures performed on the transformer, and the submersible can include tools for repair procedures. Data transmitted from the submersible, and overlayed with input data from an operator, can facilitate real time inspection analysis. The system can also form a model of an internal in the transformer, as well as produce a three-dimensional field of view.

Abstract: A launching tube for use with a liquid filled tank can be sized to accommodate a submersible vehicle for dispensing into the liquid tank. The tank can be an electrical transformer or any other liquid containing tank such as but not limited to a chemical tank. The launching tube can include a valve for insertion into a launching chamber, and a tank side valve for launching of the submersible into the tank. In one form the launching tube includes an antenna for communication with the submersible and/or a base station. The launching tube can also include a sensor such as a camera, as well as an agitator. The agitator can be used to facilitate bubble removal from the inside of the launching tube.

Abstract: A submersible remotely operable vehicle used for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras and sensors for mapping and navigating the internal structure of the transformer with liquid coolant remaining in the transformer. The remotely operable vehicle can be wirelessly controlled to perform various inspection functions while the number of cameras provide video streams for processing to produce a three dimensional field of view based on an observation position of the remotely operable vehicle.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting a machine includes an inspection vehicle constructed for wireless operation while submersed in a dielectric liquid medium. The inspection vehicle is self-propelled. A controller is operative to direct the activities of the inspection vehicle. A plurality of status interrogation systems is disposed on the inspection vehicle. The status interrogation systems are operative to capture inspection data regarding a plurality of inspection procedures performed on the machine.

Abstract: A dynamic assessment system for monitoring high-voltage electrical components, which includes a computer system that is configured to receive data from a plurality of on-line sensors configured to monitor various operating parameters associated with the operation of a plurality of electrical components such as a plurality of electrical transformers. The computer system is configured to automatically and continuously correlate the data from the on-line sensors with data from various off-line databases and supervisory networks associated with monitoring the operation of the power distribution network, so as to generate dynamic operating condition assessments, including risk of failure assessments, of each of the monitored electrical components.

Abstract: A transformer system includes a transformer and a transformer tank. The transformer tank houses the transformer in a bath of a dielectric fluid. The transformer system also includes a controller, and a fiber optic sensor communicatively coupled to the controller. The fiber optic sensor is disposed in the dielectric fluid and operative to provide an output that varies with the level of the dielectric fluid. The controller is operative to determine the level of the dielectric fluid based on the output of the fiber optic sensor.

Abstract: A transformer system includes a transformer and a transformer tank. The transformer tank houses the transformer in a bath of a dielectric fluid. The transformer system also includes a controller, and a fiber optic pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the controller. The fiber optic sensor is disposed in the dielectric fluid and operative to provide an output that varies with the pressure of the dielectric fluid. The controller is operative to determine the pressure of the dielectric fluid based on the output of the fiber optic pressure sensor.

Abstract: A transformer system includes a transformer and a transformer tank. The transformer tank houses the transformer in a bath of a dielectric fluid. The transformer system also includes a controller, and a fiber optic sensor communicatively coupled to the controller. The fiber optic sensor is disposed in the dielectric fluid and operative to provide an output that varies with the level of the dielectric fluid. The controller is operative to determine the level of the dielectric fluid based on the output of the fiber optic sensor.