Intermediate Circuit Energy Storage for PoE Audio Amplifier Peak Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power-limited energy sources, such as PoE, restrict the peak power and sound pressure level of network-operated devices like loudspeakers, and make it difficult to measure the actual power consumption due to non-resistive and frequency-dependent loads.
Innovation Solution
A device that stores electrical energy in an intermediate circuit with a higher voltage than the input voltage, allowing for temporary increases in power delivery through an upconverter and downconverter, enabling higher pulse power and precise power measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If PoE is used to supply power to network-operated devices, then cable complexity is reduced and installation is simplified, but the peak power and sound pressure level are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing electrical energy in a capacitor during periods when power demand is low. This stored energy is then released during high-demand periods to provide peak power bursts. The capacitor is charged from the PoE supply when the audio signal power requirement is below the PoE maximum power level, and discharged when the requirement exceeds this level, enabling the system to deliver higher peak power than the PoE supply can provide continuously.
2Use of energy by moving object
If PoE supplies power with limited current, then power consumption is controlled, but the effective power for distortion-free operation is restricted to low values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the alternating charging and discharging cycles of the capacitor. During periods when the audio signal power requirement is below the PoE maximum power level, the capacitor charges from the PoE supply. When the requirement exceeds this level, the capacitor discharges to supplement the power. This periodic charge-discharge operation allows the system to maintain controlled average power consumption while delivering higher effective power during critical periods.
3Ease of operation
If the load is non-resistive and frequency-dependent, then power measurement becomes complex and inaccurate, but simple measurement methods are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the capacitor as an intermediary element that simplifies power measurement. By measuring the charging and discharging current of the capacitor, the system can indirectly determine the power consumption of the complex non-resistive load. The control unit calculates power based on the capacitor's electrical characteristics (voltage and current) during charge/discharge cycles, providing a simple measurement approach that remains accurate despite the load's frequency-dependent impedance.
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
Enables the delivery of significantly higher effective power to devices for short durations, improving sound pressure levels and allowing for precise power measurement, while maintaining compliance with power-limited energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate circuit energy storage element (340) which is chargeable with the intermediate circuit voltage (VDCL)
Data Source
AI summary
Power supply units e.g. in network operated loudspeakers are tailored to peak values that are reached only relatively rarely and then in pulses. With an intermediate storage of electrical energy in an intermediate circuit energy storage element it is possible to provide a significantly higher amount of power at least for a short period of time. The intermediate circuit energy storage element may be a capacitor or accumulator, for example, which is connected to an intermediate circuit voltage that is higher than the input voltage, and that is generated by an upconverter. A downconverter generates the output voltage of the power supply unit from the energy stored in the intermediate circuit storage element. The output voltage of the power supply unit is used as power supply for an audio amplifier. The power supply unit may provide for a short period of time a higher current or more energy respectively than the actual energy source, for example the network node. Correspondingly, the device operated with the output voltage of the power supply unit, for example the audio amplifier, can have a significantly higher effective power than previously possible for the short period of time.