EMMC Pulse Waveform Generation With Lower Energy Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic stimulation devices require high power consumption and generate significant waste heat, limiting their usability and portability due to large power supply requirements and inefficient energy use, while conventional multilevel converters like EMMC are limited in generating continuous or smooth output voltage waveforms.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using an exponential modular multilevel converter (EMMC) with individually optimized module voltages and switching states to generate a predetermined electromagnetic pulse, allowing precise resemblance of desired voltage waveforms by dynamically adjusting module states to minimize deviation from the desired waveform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional resonant circuit topology is used for magnetic stimulation, then high power pulses can be generated, but waste heat losses are significant and energy efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by implementing a circuit topology where energy that would normally be dissipated as heat in the stimulation coil is recovered and stored in a second capacitor. The circuit switches the coil between two capacitors, allowing the energy in the coil's magnetic field to be transferred to the second capacitor rather than being lost, thereby recovering useful energy that would otherwise be wasted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the function of energy storage and energy recovery by using a second capacitor that serves dual purposes: storing energy for subsequent pulses and recovering energy from the coil's magnetic field. This combination of functions reduces the total energy that must be supplied by the power source and minimizes waste heat losses.
2Power
If high pulse powers are used for magnetic stimulation, then effective neuron stimulation is achieved, but the stimulation coil heats up excessively limiting session duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of the coil's magnetic field energy (which causes heating when dissipated) into a beneficial resource by recovering this energy and storing it in a second capacitor. The energy that would normally be wasted as heat is instead captured and reused, reducing the thermal load on the coil and extending usable session duration.
3Power
If conventional magnetic stimulation devices are designed for high power output, then effective treatment is achieved, but the devices are large, heavy and unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
By recovering energy from the stimulation coil and storing it in a second capacitor, the patent reduces the total energy that must be supplied by the power source. This energy recovery mechanism allows for smaller power supply units and reduces the overall size and weight of the device while maintaining effective treatment output power.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If high capacity power supply units are used for magnetic stimulation, then sufficient energy for treatment is available, but the devices become unwieldy and unsuitable for portable use
Solution Approach 1:
The energy recovery mechanism using a second capacitor significantly reduces the total energy capacity required from the power supply units. By capturing and storing energy that would otherwise be wasted, the system can achieve the same effective treatment output with smaller, lighter power supplies, thereby improving portability and ease of operation.
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 achieves high precision in generating electromagnetic pulses with reduced energy consumption and smaller hardware requirements, enabling efficient and portable magnetic stimulation devices.
Implementation Method 1
Magnetic stimulation is usually based on the principle of magnetic induction. A conductive coil, the so-called treatment coil or stimulation coil, is placed in the vicinity of a patient and a current that varies over time flows through it, so that a correspondingly time-varied magnetic field is established, which penetrates the tissue of the patient and induces electrical fields that vary over time therein.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method of generating a predetermined electromagnetic pulse using a voltage source (32) comprising a chain of N switchable modules (12), the method comprising the steps of: determining a desired voltage pulse waveform which is suitable for generating said predetermined electromagnetic pulse when applied to said load (33); determining an individual start module voltage for each of said N modules, based on said desired voltage pulse waveform; charging an energy storage device (18) of each module (12) such as to acquire the corresponding determined start module voltage, and generating a time-dependent output voltage at the voltage source resembling said desired voltage pulse waveform by selectively switching said switchable modules (12).