Galvanic Isolation in Current to Voltage Converter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 4 mA to 20 mA current loop receivers are bulky, heavy, and difficult to integrate into compact devices, and they lack independence between components, making them unreliable and prone to failures affecting each other.
Innovation Solution
A converter with a galvanically separated first and second region, using a voltage transfer component with a first circuit driven by a single-polarity electric supply voltage, and an output terminal in the second region for converting input current to output voltage, with an electric power provider for efficient energy transfer and amplification, ensuring independence between components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If prior art current loop receivers use dual-polarity power supply and traditional circuit architecture, then they can convert current to voltage, but they become voluminous and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power supply parameter from dual-polarity to single-polarity, eliminating the need for negative voltage generation circuits. This parameter change reduces component count and enables miniaturization while maintaining the current-to-voltage conversion function through modified circuit topology
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the dual-polarity power supply requirement, keeping only the essential single-polarity power supply. This extraction eliminates bulky voltage inversion circuits and associated components, directly reducing the receiver's volume and weight
2Loss of information
If components are galvanically connected for signal processing, then signal transmission is achieved, but failure of one component affects other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the circuit into galvanically isolated regions (first region for current input, second region for voltage output) connected through galvanic isolation. This segmentation creates independent failure zones where component failures in one region cannot propagate to other regions, enhancing system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces galvanic isolation as an intermediary between the first and second regions. This intermediary transfers the essential signal information while blocking direct electrical connection, thereby preventing failure propagation while maintaining signal transmission functionality
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 results in a compact, lightweight, and reliable converter that can convert input currents within 0 mA to 20 mA to output voltages within 0 V to 5 V, maintaining component independence and reducing the risk of failure propagation, thus enhancing integration and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a second region galvanically separated from the first region; a voltage transfer component for transferring the output voltage from the first region to the second region
Data Source
AI summary
A converter for converting an input current to an output voltage may include: a first region; a second region galvanically separated from the first region; an input reference node in the first region, wherein the converter allows a flow of the input current through a device to the input reference node; a circuitry for generating, based on the input current, the output voltage relative to an output reference electric potential, the circuitry including a voltage transfer component for transferring the output voltage from the first region to the second region, wherein the voltage transfer component comprises a first circuit in the first region and a second circuit in the second region, wherein the first circuit is driven by a first electric supply voltage relative to a first supply reference potential; and an output terminal, located in the second region and connected to the second circuit, for outputting the output voltage.