Digital Load Control for Stochastic Energy Without Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave energy conversion (WEC) devices are complex, fragile, and costly, making them inefficient and expensive to operate, and they often require electrical energy storage devices to stabilize the variable power output.
Innovation Solution
A system that harnesses stochastic environmental energy, such as waves, by dynamically adjusting the electrical load of a network of computers or other steady-power-dependent circuits to match the variable power output of the energy source, thereby omitting the need for electrical energy storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If electrical energy storage devices are used to stabilize variable power output, then power stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes electrical energy storage devices from the system entirely. Instead of adding buffering components, the invention extracts the stabilization function and implements it through direct load modulation - the digital load dynamically adjusts its power consumption to match the instantaneous variable power output from sources like wave energy converters or wind turbines, eliminating the need for batteries or capacitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital load serves itself by autonomously modulating its power consumption based on real-time feedback from the variable power source. The load monitoring circuit continuously measures available power, and the digital processor adjusts operational parameters (clock frequency, voltage, task scheduling) to self-regulate power intake, making the system self-adapting without external storage buffering.
2Stability of the object's composition
If electrical energy storage devices are used to stabilize variable power output, then power stability is improved, but operational lifetime is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By removing electrical energy storage devices like batteries from the system, the patent eliminates the primary component that limits operational lifetime. Energy storage devices have finite charge cycles and degradation characteristics that constrain system lifespan; their complete removal allows the system to operate indefinitely as long as the renewable power source and digital load remain functional.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using energy storage devices to cushion power variability, the system employs real-time load modulation as a proactive strategy. The digital load continuously adapts its power consumption profile to match available power before mismatches occur, preventing the need for buffering and avoiding the lifetime limitations of storage components.
3Device complexity
If digital devices are powered directly from stochastic energy sources, then system cost is reduced, but power consumption stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where a load monitoring circuit continuously measures the instantaneous power available from the stochastic source, and this information feeds back to the digital processor. The processor uses this feedback to dynamically adjust operational parameters of the digital load, creating a self-regulating system that maintains power consumption stability despite variable power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital load transitions from static power consumption to dynamic power consumption. The system continuously varies operational parameters such as clock frequency, voltage levels, and task execution timing based on real-time power availability. This dynamic adaptation allows the digital devices to operate directly from stochastic sources while maintaining effective power consumption stability through continuous adjustment.
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 system allows for the efficient use of variable energy sources by matching the power consumption of steady-power-dependent circuits with the available energy, reducing costs and extending the operational lifetime of the devices.
Implementation Method 1
A generator, which rotates in response to the flow, thereby causing the generator to produce electricity
Implementation Method 2
Water from this reservoir flows out of the buoy back to the body of water through a turbine
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus that adapts the rate of its computational work to match the availability of energy harvested from a stochastic energy source; and, with respect to some types of energy harvesting, regulates the rate of energy capture, the rate of energy conversion, and the rate of consumption of stored potential energy, through its alteration, regulation, and/or adjustment, of that same computational work load.