Inductive Energy Harvester With Threshold-Based Rectifier Control
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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 inefficient energy utilization.
Innovation Solution
An energy harvesting system that includes a conductor, a transformer, energy storage devices, and a rectifier with control circuits to manage charging and discharging based on voltage thresholds, utilizing MOSFETs and DC-DC converters to optimize energy storage and utilization across multiple levels, reducing power losses and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing energy harvesting solutions are used to power control and monitoring devices in distribution networks, then the devices can be powered by the distribution network, but the energy harvesting efficiency is low and the system cannot operate across a wide range of voltages and currents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different energy storage devices (capacitor and battery) based on real-time voltage and current conditions. The system transitions from capacitor-only storage at low voltages to battery charging at higher voltages, and dynamically adjusts power flow directions to optimize energy harvesting efficiency across the full operating range of the distribution network
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting switching states of MOSFETs and controlling the DC-DC converter based on voltage thresholds. It transitions between different power flow configurations (capacitor charging, battery charging, bidirectional power flow) to adapt to varying voltage and current conditions in the distribution network
2Loss of energy
If existing energy harvesting systems operate at limited voltage ranges, then the system design is simpler, but power losses increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy storage function into two distinct devices: a capacitor for rapid energy storage and voltage stabilization, and a battery for long-term energy storage. This segmentation allows each device to operate in its optimal range, reducing overall power losses while distributing the complexity across manageable functional blocks
Solution Approach 2:
The DC-DC converter acts as an intermediary between the transformer, capacitor, and battery, enabling efficient power conversion and bidirectional power flow. This intermediary component manages the complexity of coordinating multiple energy storage devices and optimizing power distribution across different operating conditions
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 and stores energy, reducing power losses and startup time, while maintaining high efficiency during excess power clamping and low voltage operations, thereby enhancing the overall performance of energy harvesting in power distribution networks.
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
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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.