Capacitive Voltage Sensor Tuning Circuit for Phase and Amplitude Accuracy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing capacitive voltage dividers in electric energy distribution networks suffer from phase and amplitude errors due to signal parameter influences, necessitating complex and costly calibration for each sensor, and large primary capacitors complicate manufacturing and handling.

Innovation Solution

A capacitive voltage sensor arrangement with a tuning circuit comprising passive components adjusts signal characteristics to meet accuracy requirements, reducing the need for active components and allowing for smaller primary capacitors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a high primary capacitance is chosen to meet accuracy requirements, then measurement precision is improved, but the size of the primary capacitor becomes very large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage measurement accuracyVSAvoidprimary capacitor size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A tuning circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the capacitive voltage divider and the measurement device. This tuning circuit compensates for phase and amplitude errors without requiring a large primary capacitor, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and capacitor size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the tuning circuit (resistance, capacitance, inductance values) to optimize the compensation of phase and amplitude errors. By adjusting these parameters, accurate voltage measurement is achieved with a smaller primary capacitor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If correction circuits are used to correct amplitude and phase errors, then measurement precision is improved, but installation effort and time consumption increase due to individual calibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase and amplitude accuracyVSAvoidinstallation and calibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tuning circuit is designed to automatically compensate for phase and amplitude errors without requiring manual calibration. The circuit self-adjusts to meet accuracy requirements, eliminating the time-consuming individual calibration process while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The tuning circuit is pre-configured with component values that enable automatic compensation. This preliminary setup allows the system to function accurately from installation without requiring subsequent calibration activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If a large primary capacitor is used to meet accuracy standards, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and handling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor manufacturing and handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tuning circuit serves as a mediator that enables accurate measurement with a smaller, more manageable primary capacitor. This resolves the contradiction by providing the necessary error compensation without requiring a large capacitor that would be difficult to manufacture and handle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the parameters of the tuning circuit components, the system achieves accurate measurement with optimized capacitor values that are easier to manufacture and handle while maintaining precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution provides an easy plug-and-play solution that meets international accuracy standards for phase and amplitude errors, simplifies installation, and reduces sensor size by half.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitive voltage divider, which comprises a primary capacitor arranged between the first input terminal and a first node, and a secondary capacitor arranged between the first node and the second input terminal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4614162A1Capacitive voltage sensor arrangement having a tuning circuit and voltage sensor system
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP4614162A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4614162A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4614162A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a capacitive voltage sensor arrangement for an electric energy distribution network. The capacitive voltage sensor arrangement comprises a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a first sensor output terminal and a second sensor output terminal. Further, the capacitive voltage sensor arrangement comprises a capacitive voltage divider, which comprises a primary capacitor arranged between the first input terminal and a first node and a secondary capacitor arranged between the first node and the second input terminal and electrically connected in series to the primary capacitor. The voltage sensor arrangement further comprises a tuning circuit arranged between the first node, a second node, a third node, and a fourth node. The second node is connected with the first sensor output terminal, the third node is connected with the second input terminal, and the fourth node is connected with the second sensor output terminal. Further, the tuning circuit comprises only one or more passive components.