Fault-Managed Power Controller With Isolated Sample-Period Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Fault Managed Power (FMP) systems face challenges in maintaining continuous power and communication with loads during fault conditions, especially in multi-vendor systems where interoperability is limited, and require improved safety measures for human contact and fault detection.

Innovation Solution

A controller for FMP systems that operates in both high-power and low-power modes, allowing continuous communication and control functions by isolating from the transmission line during sample periods and using modulated data pulses, with an interface for user interaction and sensor data processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the controller isolates from the transmission line during sample periods to perform safety functions, then fault detection capability is improved, but continuous power delivery is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detection capabilityVSAvoidcontinuous power delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller implements periodic isolation during sample periods to perform safety functions while delivering power during transfer periods. This alternating pattern allows the system to maintain both fault detection capability and continuous power delivery by operating in distinct time intervals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that power delivery continues uninterrupted through the use of energy storage capacitors that supply power during isolation periods, while safety functions are performed during dedicated sample periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the system uses high voltage DC pulses for power transmission, then power efficiency is improved, but safety risks during fault conditions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidsafety risks during fault

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses low-power pulses during sample periods that are intentionally limited in energy content to ensure safety, while high-power pulses are used only during confirmed safe transfer periods. This differentiation allows efficient power transmission when needed while minimizing hazards during monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes voltage and power parameters based on operational mode - using high voltage during transfer periods for efficient power delivery and low voltage during sample periods for safe monitoring and fault detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the controller performs multiple functions (power delivery, communication, user interface) during transfer periods, then operational versatility is improved, but complexity of control increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational versatilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller segments its operations into distinct transfer periods and sample periods, with each period dedicated to specific functions. This temporal segmentation simplifies control logic by preventing function conflicts while maintaining operational versatility through multi-function capability during appropriate time windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the system isolates the output control circuit during sample periods, then safety is improved, but communication capability is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcommunication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary communication exchanges during transfer periods before isolation occurs, ensuring that necessary data is transmitted before the output control circuit is disconnected during sample periods for safety functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250273958A1Digital Electricity Controller

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 VOLTSERVER INC

AI summary

A method for operating a controller in a fault managed power (FMP) system, includes connecting the FMP front-end circuit of the controller electrically in parallel with the FMP transmission line, receiving power by the FMP front-end circuit and the output control and conditioning circuit of the controller from the FMP transmission line when the FMP transmitter transmits power over the transmission line during power transfer periods, in the low power and the high-power modes. It includes electrically isolating the output control and conditioning circuit from the FMP front-end circuit and the FMP transmission line during power sample periods and it causes the controller to perform one or more of receiving input data from a human operator, receiving sensor data from a sensor, presenting output data for the human operator to observe, or transmitting data to and receiving data from the FMP transmitter.