Inductive Energy Harvester With Threshold-Based Charge Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy harvesting systems for powering control and monitoring devices in power distribution networks are inefficient and unable to operate across a wide range of voltages and currents, leading to significant power losses and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An energy harvesting system that includes a conductor, a transformer, an energy storage device, and a rectifier with switches and diodes, along with a control circuit to manage charging and prevent excess power from being provided to the storage device, utilizing a DC-DC converter to control voltage levels and multiple energy storage levels to reduce power losses and improve efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing energy harvesting systems are used to power control and monitoring devices, then the devices can be powered by the distribution network, but the systems are inefficient and incapable of operating across a wide range of voltages and currents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different energy storage devices (capacitors and batteries) based on real-time voltage and current conditions. The system continuously adjusts which storage device is active, enabling operation across a wide range of distribution network conditions while optimizing efficiency and minimizing power losses at each operating point.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different energy storage technologies (capacitors for high power/short duration, batteries for low power/long duration) based on voltage and current thresholds. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain high efficiency across varying network conditions rather than operating at fixed parameters.
2Use of energy by moving object
If energy is harvested from the distribution network, then control and monitoring devices can be powered, but existing solutions are inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy storage function into multiple specialized components: capacitors for high-power transient storage and batteries for steady-state energy storage. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal efficiency range, with capacitors handling rapid charge/discharge cycles and batteries providing baseline power, thereby minimizing overall power losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors voltage and current conditions and self-adjusts which energy storage device is active without external control. The control circuit continuously evaluates network conditions and switches between capacitors and batteries autonomously, ensuring optimal efficiency is maintained across all operating conditions without manual intervention.
3Productivity
If a single energy storage device is used, then the system is simpler, but it cannot efficiently handle varying voltage and current conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal energy storage system that can handle multiple operating conditions using both capacitors and batteries. The dual-storage architecture provides multi-functionality: capacitors serve for high-power transient responses and quick voltage stabilization, while batteries provide sustained energy storage and long-duration operation, together covering the full range of distribution network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of coordinating multiple energy storage devices. It monitors voltage and current conditions and intelligently switches between capacitors and batteries, absorbing the complexity of multi-device management while presenting a unified, efficient energy storage interface to the rest of the system.
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 system efficiently harvests energy by minimizing power losses during excess power clamping and low voltage operations, reducing start-up time, and maintaining high efficiency across varying voltage and current conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer that outputs a second current based on the first current flowing through the conductor
Implementation Method 2
a rectifier configured to convert an alternating current (AC) harvested from a conductor into a direct current (DC)
Data Source
AI summary
An energy harvesting system including a conductor that conducts a first current, a transformer that outputs a second current based on the first current flowing through the conductor, an energy storage device, and a rectifier connected between the transformer and the energy storage device, the rectifier including a first switch, a second switch, a first diode, and a second diode. The energy harvesting system further includes a control circuit communicatively coupled to the first and second switches, the control circuit configured to turn on the first and second switches to prevent charging of the energy storage device when a voltage across the energy storage device exceeds a threshold and turn off the first and second switches to charge the energy storage device with a DC current output by the rectifier when the voltage across the energy storage device is less than the threshold.