Adjustable Frame State Timeout Control for Power Applications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power application control systems have fixed frame state timeout intervals, which cannot be adjusted to accommodate varying application sizes, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies, and require cumbersome and costly firmware modifications to adapt to different site requirements.

Innovation Solution

A control system with a configuration tool that allows adjustable frame state timeout intervals without modifying the overall frame rate, enabling end-users to modify these intervals based on specific power application needs through a user-friendly interface, while ensuring password protection and validation to prevent incorrect timeout conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If frame state timeout intervals are fixed, then system stability is maintained, but adaptability to different power application sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different power application sizesVSAvoidfirmware modification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic frame state timeout intervals that can be adjusted based on the specific power application requirements. The control module allows system developers to modify timeout values for different frame states (input, output, application, idle) without requiring firmware re-building, enabling the system to adapt dynamically to varying application sizes and complexities while maintaining operational stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timeout interval parameters from fixed to adjustable values. System developers can modify the timeout values for each frame state according to the specific power application being controlled, allowing the system to accommodate different application sizes and complexities without hardware or firmware changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If frame state timeout intervals are extended to accommodate larger applications, then application execution accuracy improves, but time utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication execution accuracyVSAvoidunused timeout interval time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different timeout interval values to different frame states based on their specific requirements. The input frame state, output frame state, application frame state, and idle frame state can each have customized timeout values, allowing optimal time allocation for each function rather than using a uniform timeout value across all states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If frame state timeout intervals are customized for each site, then system reliability improves, but development time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliability for specific site requirementsVSAvoidfirmware re-building time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a configuration file approach where timeout interval settings are stored as software parameters rather than being hard-coded into firmware. System developers can create and modify configuration files for different sites and applications, allowing rapid customization without the time-consuming process of firmware re-building and re-release

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2613208B1Control system for a power application
Publication Date: 2016.06.22 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2613208B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2613208B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A control system 10 for a power application is provided, including a control module 22 and a configuration tool 20. The control module is in communication with the power application. The control module includes control logic for controlling the power application by a plurality of frame states. All of the frame states are executed within a period of time referred to as a frame rate. The control module 22 includes control logic for allotting an adjustable amount of time for each of the frame states. The configuration tool 20 is in communication with the control module. The configuration tool includes control logic for modifying the adjustable amount of time of each of the plurality of frame states without modifying the frame rate.