Inductive Power Supply for Cable Link Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical cable link apparatuses face challenges in providing a power supply to electronic sensing devices in inaccessible environments, such as deserts, where traditional power sources are unavailable, due to the need for electric power to operate diagnostic equipment.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs inductive coupling with the current flowing in screen conductors to generate a supply voltage using a toroidal inductor device, connected to a voltage source with an AC/DC converter, allowing for power supply even when the network line is disconnected from a load, and includes sensor and managing modules for parameter detection and data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional power sockets are used to supply electric power to sensing devices, then the sensing devices can operate reliably, but they cannot be deployed in inaccessible environments where power sockets are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device powers itself by harvesting energy from the screen conductor current through inductive coupling. The toroidal inductor device extracts power from the existing current flowing in the screen portion, eliminating the need for external power sockets while enabling deployment in inaccessible environments like deserts.
2Reliability
If separate power systems are provided for sensing devices, then reliable power supply is ensured, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply function is merged with the existing screen conductor system. The toroidal inductor device is integrated around the screen portion, and the AC/DC converter combines the inductive power extraction with the sensing device power requirements, eliminating separate power systems and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen conductor serves dual purposes: its primary function for cable screening and its secondary function as a power source for sensing devices through inductive coupling. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated power infrastructure while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If inductive coupling is used to generate supply voltage from screen conductor current, then power supply is achieved without external power sources, but the system requires additional inductor devices and voltage conversion components
Solution Approach 1:
The toroidal inductor device acts as an intermediary between the screen conductor current and the sensing device power requirements. It couples inductively to extract power without direct electrical contact, and the AC/DC converter mediates the transformation from induced AC voltage to usable DC power, enabling independent operation while managing the added complexity through functional intermediaries.
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
This solution enables efficient power supply to electronic sensing devices, reducing the need for separate power systems and minimizing energy consumption, while allowing for easy installation and high protection against water and dust, facilitating diagnostic operations in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
The Applicant has found that the electrical power to be supplied to the electronic sensing device installed in an electrical cable link apparatus can be obtained by inductive coupling with the current flowing in the screen conductors connected to the electrical link apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical cable link apparatus includes a first electrical conductor structured to conduct a first electrical current from a first screen portion of a first external electrical cable; an electrical linking module connected to the first electrical conductor and structured to implement a cross-bonding/earting link; a first inductor device inductively coupled to the first electrical conductor and able to generate a supply voltage.