Intermediate Energy Storage Circuit for Soft-Start Power Buses
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Solution Overview
Problem
High inrush currents during startup of high-power equipment can cause damage and generate electromagnetic interference, and existing solutions either require bulky capacitors or reduce equipment performance.
Innovation Solution
A charge management system with an intermediate energy storage circuit and a controller that connects/disconnects energy storage capacitors to/from a power distribution bus circuit, managing energy distribution to minimize peak current draws and stabilize voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If capacitors are increased to limit voltage drops during high-power delivery, then voltage stability is improved, but the circuit becomes heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the capacitor system into two segments: a first capacitor connected to the voltage source and a second capacitor connected to the voltage regulator. This segmentation allows each capacitor to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the total capacitance required while maintaining voltage stability during high-power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The first capacitor acts as an intermediary energy storage element between the voltage source and the second capacitor. It charges during normal operation and discharges during high-current demands, mediating the power delivery to reduce voltage drops without requiring excessive total capacitance.
2Reliability
If inrush current is reduced during startup, then damage to circuit and equipment is prevented, but startup performance and speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The first capacitor is charged in advance during normal operation before high-power demand occurs. When the load requires high current, this pre-charged capacitor immediately supplies energy, enabling fast startup without creating damaging inrush current spikes from the voltage source.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor network provides beforehand cushioning by storing energy that can be rapidly discharged to meet sudden load demands. This pre-positioned energy buffer cushions against the need for high inrush current while maintaining reliable and fast equipment startup.
3Speed
If high inrush current is allowed during startup, then equipment can start quickly, but electromagnetic interference is generated and circuit damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-current pulse function from the main power supply path and relocates it to the capacitor-based power delivery path. The capacitors absorb and deliver the high inrush current locally, taking out the harmful current spike from the voltage source circuit and preventing electromagnetic interference.
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 effectively distributes energy to high-power loads while reducing inrush currents and electromagnetic interference, allowing for smooth startup and operation without excessive load on the power supply.
Implementation Method 1
a first capacitor C1 coupled between the voltage source V1 and a voltage regulator V2; a second capacitor C2 coupled between the voltage source V1 and the voltage regulator V2
Implementation Method 2
a transistor switch S1 for connecting the first capacitor C1 to the voltage source V1 and disconnecting it from the second capacitor C2 and the voltage regulator V2
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A charge management system including a power distribution bus circuit for distributing energy from a power source to a load, and an intermediate energy storage circuit operably connected to a power distribution bus circuit for aiding in distribution of energy to the load. A charge management system controller may be configured to control the discharge of energy between the intermediate storage circuit and the power distribution bus circuit during one or more modes. Such a charge management system may enable the power distribution bus circuit to receive energy from the intermediate energy storage circuit before the power bus voltage drops in response to load demand, which may enable the power source to respond to perturbations in the power bus voltage and minimize inrush current from the power source. The system also may be used to soft-start high-power equipment, or absorb energy spikes associated with shut-down.