Fault-Managed Power Loop Isolation Without Source-Side Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power fault management systems in electronic devices and building technologies face challenges in managing power faults without requiring synchronization between power transmitters and receivers, often leading to inefficiencies and increased implementation burdens.

Innovation Solution

A fault managed power (FMP) system that operates without power-source-side switching, utilizing asynchronous operation between power transmitters and receivers by periodically isolating the load to monitor current levels on a current loop, ensuring safety checks are performed within predetermined time intervals, and controlling connectivity based on these checks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If power-source-side switching is used for fault management, then safety can be ensured, but system complexity and synchronization requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower fault management safetyVSAvoidsynchronization mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The load performs self-isolation during predetermined time intervals to enable current monitoring, eliminating the need for external power-source-side switching. The system serves itself by having the load voluntarily disconnect to allow safety checks, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic isolation of the load at predetermined time intervals to perform safety checks. This periodic action allows the system to monitor current levels regularly without requiring continuous synchronization or complex switching mechanisms, achieving safety through rhythmic, predictable disconnection events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If continuous power delivery is maintained, then productivity is improved, but safety risks increase during fault conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous power delivery efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical shock and fire risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system rapidly isolates the load during predetermined time intervals to quickly pass through potential fault conditions. This brief interruption skips over dangerous states where faults could cause electrical shocks or fires, allowing the system to resume power delivery safely afterward, thus minimizing both safety risks and productivity impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs safety checks during periodic isolation intervals before resuming continuous power delivery. This beforehand cushioning ensures that any potential faults are detected and addressed prior to re-energizing the circuit, preventing harmful effects while maintaining overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If synchronization between transmitter and receiver is required, then power management control is improved, but implementation burden and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management controlVSAvoidimplementation burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the safety check function from the continuous power delivery function. By separating these operations into distinct periodic isolation intervals and continuous power phases, the system eliminates the need for synchronization between transmitter and receiver, greatly simplifying implementation while maintaining effective power management control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the safety check function from the synchronized power management framework. By removing the requirement for transmitter-receiver synchronization and implementing independent periodic isolation at the load side, the system reduces implementation burden while preserving essential power management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20260074511A1Supplying fault managed power

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Presented herein are techniques for power fault management that operates without power-source-side switching. A power transmitter is configured to provide power to a current loop, and a power receiver is configured to receive the power from the current loop. The power receiver is configured to, on a periodic basis, disconnect from the current loop to stop pulling power from current loop for a period of time to enable a safety check to be performed by the power transmitter. The power transmitter is configured to monitor current on the current loop, determine whether the current level on the current loop passes the safety check within a predetermined time interval since a determination that the current level was not within a safe range, and control connectivity of the power to the current loop based on whether the safety check has or has not passed within the predetermined time interval.