Capacitor Life Diagnosis via Output Voltage Ringing Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capacitor life diagnosis methods face challenges in accurately determining the deterioration of electrolytic capacitors due to small ripple voltages, making it difficult to assess their condition effectively.
Innovation Solution
A capacitor life diagnosis apparatus that includes a ringing detection circuitry to detect output voltage ringing and a signal generation circuitry to indicate capacitor life based on the detected ringing, utilizing a microcomputer and analog-digital converters to control the gate voltage of a field effect transistor and evaluate the electrolytic capacitor's health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a ripple detection circuit is used to determine capacitor deterioration, then the capacitor life can be assessed, but the detection accuracy is insufficient when ripple voltage is small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrical vibration (ringing) instead of relying on small ripple voltages. By intentionally generating ringing signals through switching operations and detecting these vibrations, the system achieves high-accuracy capacitor deterioration detection even when normal operating ripple voltages are too small to measure reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic switching operations to generate ringing signals at specific frequencies. By performing switching operations periodically and detecting the resulting periodic ringing responses, the system can accurately assess capacitor health through frequency-domain analysis, overcoming the limitation of small continuous ripple voltages.
2Stability of the object's composition
If ripple voltage is kept small for stable power supply, then power quality is improved, but capacitor deterioration becomes difficult to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent decouples power supply stability from detection capability by using vibration-based detection. The system maintains small ripple voltages for stable power output while separately generating and detecting ringing vibrations through switching operations, allowing both stability and detection accuracy to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ringing detection as an intermediary mechanism. Instead of trying to detect deterioration through the small ripple voltage that ensures stability, the system uses switching operations to generate ringing signals as an intermediate test stimulus, which provides clear detection signals without compromising the small ripple voltage needed for power stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitor life diagnosis apparatus includes ringing detection circuitry that detects ringing of an output voltage of a power source including a capacitor at an output end, and signal generation circuitry that generates a signal indicating a life of the capacitor based on the ringing detected by the ringing detection circuitry.