Capacitor Peak Load Management for Farm Implements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Farm implements often exceed the electrical power capacity of standard connectors, which are rated for low sustained current but struggle with peak loads, necessitating special cabling and connectors to ensure safety and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A farm implement with an electrically actuated device, an electric capacitor, and an electric control unit that selectively controls electricity supply through a standard connector, allowing intermittent high current delivery from the capacitor to meet peak loads beyond the sustained capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If standard electrical connectors are used to supply power to farm implements, then the connectors can provide sustained current flow, but they cannot handle peak electrical loads exceeding their current rating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and reliabilityVSAvoidpeak electrical load capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor is charged in advance during periods when the implement's power demand is below the connector's sustained current capacity. This preliminary energy storage enables the system to handle peak loads later without requiring the connector to continuously support high current.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the temporal distribution of current flow parameters. Instead of requiring the connector to continuously supply high current, the capacitor absorbs current during low-demand periods and releases it during high-demand periods, effectively decoupling the connector's sustained current rating from the implement's peak power requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If special heavy capacity cabling and connectors are provided to handle peak loads, then peak power capacity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeak electrical load capacityVSAvoidcabling and connector complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the standard electrical connector and the implement's power consumers. It buffers the mismatch between the connector's limited sustained current capacity and the implement's peak power demands, eliminating the need for heavy-duty cabling and connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By introducing the capacitor, the system changes how power is delivered temporally. The capacitor absorbs excess current during low-demand periods and releases it during peak demand, allowing standard connectors to serve high-power applications without requiring upgraded heavy capacity infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If the vehicle supplies all power continuously, then power availability is ensured, but the connector current rating must be oversized for peak loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capacityVSAvoidcurrent flow magnitude

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic charging and discharging of the capacitor. During periods when implement power consumption is low, the capacitor charges from the vehicle's electrical system. During peak demand periods, the capacitor discharges to supplement the vehicle's power output, creating a periodic exchange that smooths the current demand on the connector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables farm implements to manage peak electrical loads efficiently by storing energy during low demand and releasing it during high demand periods, reducing the need for special cabling and ensuring safe and reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

an electric capacitor; an electric control unit operably connected with the electrical connector through the electrical power conductor and with the capacitor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS8106529B2Farm implements with capacitor for peak electric loads

Publication Date: 2012.01.31 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A farm implement towed or pushed by a vehicle includes at least one electrically actuated device mounted for operation and a high capacitance capacitor connected in circuit with the device and with a source of electricity on the vehicle. Electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the implement at a nominal rate to charge the capacitor and/or operate the device. The capacitor is selectively discharged to either supplement the electric power supplied by the vehicle to the device or to completely power the device such that the device is provided with electric power for operation at a peak rate exceeding the nominal rate electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the capacitor and/or the device.