Electric Load Mode Identification Using VI Trajectory Features
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for characterizing and identifying operating modes of electric loads are inaccurate, robustness is a concern, and they fail to differentiate between parasitic and low power modes, leading to inefficient energy management.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses steady state and voltage-current (VI) trajectory features, along with membership functions to characterize and identify operating modes of electric loads, including the use of processors, voltage sensors, and current sensors to determine the specific mode based on membership functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If basic power quality signatures and current threshold methods are used to identify load operating modes, then the implementation is simple and low cost, but the accuracy is insufficient and the robustness is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operating mode identification process into multiple distinct stages: (1) data collection from voltage and current signals, (2) feature extraction including steady-state features and voltage-current trajectory features, (3) mode classification using multiple membership functions. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving high accuracy without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces voltage-current trajectory features as an additional dimension beyond traditional steady-state current analysis. By plotting and analyzing the trajectory of voltage-current pairs in phase space, the system captures dynamic operational characteristics that single-point measurements miss, significantly improving mode identification accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If current threshold methods are used to detect standby mode, then the implementation is straightforward, but the system cannot differentiate between parasitic mode and low power mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple membership functions that evaluate different parameter combinations: steady-state current magnitude, voltage-current trajectory characteristics, and power consumption patterns. By changing which parameters are emphasized in different membership functions, the system can accurately distinguish between parasitic mode (low current but non-zero power), standby mode (very low power), and active mode (normal operation).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces voltage-current trajectory features as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple current measurement and complex power analysis. The trajectory analysis serves as a mediator that captures the dynamic relationship between voltage and current, enabling differentiation of operating modes that have similar steady-state current values but different operational characteristics.
3Reliability
If simple current value comparison is used to identify operating modes, then the computational load is low, but the reliability is poor under varying load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining multiple membership functions with specific thresholds and characteristic ranges for different operating modes. During real-time operation, the system only needs to evaluate these pre-configured functions against current measurements, avoiding complex real-time calculations while maintaining high reliability across varying load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring voltage and current signals and adjusting mode classification based on the evaluation results from multiple membership functions. The feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing load conditions while maintaining reliable identification, as the multiple membership functions provide redundant verification of operating mode status.
Data Source
AI summary
A system characterizes and identifies one of a plurality of different operating modes of a number of electric loads. The system includes a processor; a voltage sensor providing a voltage signal for one of the electric loads to the processor; a current sensor providing a current signal for the one electric load to the processor; and a routine executed by the processor and structured to characterize the different operating modes using steady state and voltage-current trajectory features determined from the voltage and current signals, and to identify a particular one of the different operating modes based on a plurality of operating mode membership functions of the steady state and voltage-current trajectory features.