Multi-Port Ethernet APL Power Supply for High-Demand Sensor Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Ethernet APL power-class limits are restrictive for some field devices, preventing them from providing sufficient power for devices with higher power demands in hazardous environments.
Innovation Solution
An Ethernet APL compatible field device with multiple ports and power decoupling units that collect and condition energy from multiple Ethernet APL ports to supply sensor units with increased power, while maintaining compliance with hazardous area requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Ethernet APL power-class limits are applied to field devices, then compliance with hazardous area requirements is achieved, but sufficient power for high-demand sensors cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The field device is divided into multiple independent power decoupling units, each connected to a separate APL port. Each unit independently decouples power from its respective port, and all decoupled power is aggregated to supply the sensor unit, thereby providing sufficient total power while maintaining compliance with individual port power limits
Solution Approach 2:
Power from multiple APL ports is combined through the power decoupling units and aggregated in the power conditioning unit. This merging of power sources allows the system to exceed the power limits of individual ports while still complying with APL power-class requirements for each connection
2Power
If multiple APL ports are used to increase power availability, then sufficient power for high-demand sensors is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each power decoupling unit is designed as a universal module that can be independently connected to any APL port. These modular units perform multiple functions: decoupling power from data, conditioning the power, and aggregating it with other units. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite using multiple ports
3Power
If power decoupling units are added to each port, then power aggregation capability is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses identical, standardized power decoupling units for each port that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. This segmentation into modular, interchangeable components simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing mass production of standard units rather than custom assembly of complex integrated systems
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 solution allows field devices to provide sufficient power to both smaller and more power-hungry sensors, ensuring compliance with APL-class definitions and providing data and energy redundancy, enhancing functionality, availability, and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first and a second power decoupling unit, connected to the corresponding field device port
Implementation Method 2
a first power conditioning unit, connected to the first and the second power decoupling unit and being configured for being connected to the sensor unit, and configured for supplying the sensor unit with energy
Data Source
AI summary
An Ethernet APL compatible field device is configured for supplying a sensor unit with energy from an APL field switch. The field device comprises a first and a second field device ports configured for being connected to a corresponding port of the APL field switch, a first and a second power decoupling unit connected to the corresponding field device ports; and a first power conditioning unit connected to the first and the second power decoupling unit and being configured for being connected to the sensor unit and configured for supplying the sensor unit with energy.