Power Supply Apparatus for Field Devices with Manual Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field devices in industrial processes often require power in locations where traditional two-wire process control loops are not available, necessitating alternative power sources and efficient power management to conserve energy, especially in explosive zones and situations where wireless communication is desired.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a local user input and monitoring circuitry that provides electrical power to field devices via a first electrical connector, allowing manual activation and efficient power management, including the use of a power supply unit and communication circuitry to detect actuation and generate activation signals for power delivery, compliant with safety standards like Ex or ATEX.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If field devices are powered using stored power (battery) or solar cells to enable wireless communication, then wireless communication capability is improved, but power consumption increases and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply unit alternates between active power delivery state and sleep mode, providing power only during periodic intervals when communication is needed. This periodic power supply reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining wireless communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring circuitry automatically detects wake-up signals and triggers power delivery without manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously managing power state transitions based on detected communication requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If field devices are kept in sleep mode to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but response time to provide measurement values increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring circuitry remains in a low-power ready state, continuously listening for wake-up signals. This preliminary monitoring state allows the system to transition quickly from sleep mode to active state upon receiving a wake-up signal, minimizing response time while maintaining power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic wake-up signals to activate the field device only when needed, balancing between power consumption and response time by activating the device in regular intervals or upon signal detection.
3Reliability
If manual power activation is implemented to conserve power in explosive zones, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring circuitry is integrated with the existing power supply unit and communication interface, combining multiple functions into a single unified system. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining safety through manual activation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring circuitry serves multiple functions: detecting wake-up signals, triggering power delivery, and enabling manual activation for safety compliance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for supplying power to a field device, comprising: a first electrical connector adapted to electrically couple a field device to the apparatus, a power supply unit electrically coupled to the first connector and adapted to provide electrical power to a field device via the first connector; a local user input, e.g. a manually operated switch, adapted to be actuated by a user; a monitoring circuitry electrically coupled to the local user input and adapted to detect an actuation of the local user input. The monitoring circuit is adapted to generate an activation signal causing the power supply unit to provide electrical voltage to the first electrical connector for powering a field device electrically coupled to the first connector.