LC Sensor Excitation Control Without High-Speed Clock Drift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inductive (LC) sensors in fluid metering applications face challenges with high power consumption and sensitivity to Power Voltage-Temperature (PVT) variations, particularly due to the use of high-speed clock sources for energy transfer, which affects measurement time and robustness.
Innovation Solution
The method involves accumulating excitation energy for the LC sensor until a charge threshold is reached, allowing for efficient energy transfer without a high-speed clock, using closed-loop control to manage PVT variations and ensure robustness, by employing electronic switches and a reference capacitor to control energy transfer and oscillation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-speed clock source (e.g., 4 MHz) is used to control energy transfer during excitation, then measurement speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a clock source to periodically switch the electronic switch, accumulating excitation energy in discrete time intervals. This periodic switching enables controlled energy transfer to the LC sensor while allowing for optimization of the clock frequency to balance measurement speed and power consumption requirements.
2Productivity
If high-speed clock source is used for energy transfer, then excitation efficiency is improved, but sensitivity to PVT variations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through closed-loop control that monitors the excitation energy accumulation and adjusts the switching control accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain stable operation despite PVT variations by dynamically compensating for changes in the LC sensor characteristics during the excitation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by using a dynamically controllable electronic switch that can adjust its switching characteristics in real-time. This dynamic control allows the excitation process to adapt to changing conditions and maintain optimal performance across varying temperature, voltage, and frequency conditions.
3Power
If time-based excitation with high-speed clock is used, then energy transfer control is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging a capacitor to store excitation energy before transferring it to the LC sensor. This preliminary energy accumulation phase allows for rapid energy transfer during the actual measurement, reducing the total measurement time while maintaining precise energy control through the electronic switch.
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 approach reduces power absorption, makes the system less sensitive to PVT factors, and enhances robustness against variations, enabling more efficient and reliable operation in fluid metering applications.
Implementation Method 1
accumulating excitation energy for an inductive-capacitive (LC) sensor
Implementation Method 2
inductive sensing is based on an inductor-capacitor resonant circuit
Implementation Method 3
the inductor acting as a sensing coil
Implementation Method 4
currents are generated in the object depending on various parameters such as, e.g., the material and dimensions of the object and/or the distance to the sensing coil. The currents thus generated form a magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an inductive/LC sensor device includes: an energy storage device for accumulating excitation energy, an LC sensor configured to oscillate using energy accumulated in the energy storage device and transferred to the LC sensor, an energy detector for detecting the energy accumulated in the energy storage device reaching a charge threshold, and at least one switch coupled with the energy detector for terminating accumulating excitation energy in the energy storage device when the charge threshold is detected having been reached by the energy detector.