Bidirectional Power Converter for Capacitive Energy Recovery

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power conservation methods in computer systems and portable devices waste energy due to frequent charging and discharging of capacitors during voltage reductions, as most voltage regulators can only unidirectionally pass power, leading to energy dissipation in capacitive loads.

Innovation Solution

A bidirectional power converter capable of quickly and accurately regulating voltage, allowing energy stored in capacitors to be returned to system power sources, reducing energy loss by reversing the flow of power when capacitive energy is no longer needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If voltage is reduced to conserve power in temporarily unused system components, then power consumption is reduced, but energy stored in capacitors is dissipated without useful work

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacitive energy dissipationVSAvoidpower converter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies bidirectional power flow capability to the power converter, allowing it to reverse the normal direction of energy transfer. Instead of only delivering power from source to load, the converter can now extract energy from the capacitive load and return it to the power source, effectively inverting the energy flow direction during voltage reduction cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers the energy that would otherwise be discarded in the capacitive load during voltage reduction. By implementing bidirectional power flow, the system captures the stored capacitive energy and returns it to the power source, transforming what was previously wasted energy into a recoverable resource.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Loss of energy

If frequent voltage cycling is implemented to conserve power, then power savings increase, but energy loss from repeated capacitor charging and discharging increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenet power savingsVSAvoidenergy consumed by capacitor cycling

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers the energy that would otherwise be discarded in the capacitive load during voltage reduction. By implementing bidirectional power flow, the system captures the stored capacitive energy and returns it to the power source, transforming what was previously wasted energy into a recoverable resource.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that energy is not lost during voltage cycling. The bidirectional converter enables continuous energy recovery during each voltage reduction cycle, making the power conservation strategy sustainable even with frequent on-off cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of energy

If unidirectional power regulators are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but capacitive energy cannot be returned to the power source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacitive energy recoveryVSAvoidpower converter capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies bidirectional power flow capability to the power converter, allowing it to reverse the normal direction of energy transfer. Instead of only delivering power from source to load, the converter can now extract energy from the capacitive load and return it to the power source, effectively inverting the energy flow direction during voltage reduction cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly reduces energy waste by enabling the recovery and reuse of capacitive energy, making short on-off cycles more energy-efficient and practical, particularly in server farms and portable devices.

Implementation Method 1

A bidirectional power converter capable of quickly and accurately regulating voltage, allowing energy stored in capacitors to be returned to system power sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBidirectional power flow:

Implementation Method 2

Each time such capacitors are charged, energy is imparted to them

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS8134347B2Apparatus and method for recycling the energy from load capacitance

Publication Date: 2012.03.13 COGNIPOWER LLC

AI summary

The present invention provides a voltage regulator/power converter capable of bidirectional power propagation, fitted with controls capable of raising and lowering voltages with unprecedented speed and accuracy. The bidirectional capability allows energy stored in capacitors to be returned to system power sources. In one embodiment of the invention power is supplied from a power source (on a first port of the power converter) to the load (on a second port of the power converter) through the converter and then, when load voltage is reduced or turned off, energy in the load capacitance is returned from to the power source. In an alternative embodiment energy from load capacitance is stored or used by a device on a third port of the power converter.