Loading State Determiner for Impedance Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining the no-load voltage of electric generators in energy harvesting applications are complex, power-consuming, and often require indirect measurements, making it difficult to achieve optimal load matching and maximize power output efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A loading state determiner that includes a voltage drop determination circuit and an evaluation circuit to detect the instantaneous current and terminal voltage, providing a load state signal indicating whether the terminal voltage is at or deviates from half the no-load voltage, allowing for real-time adjustment to achieve impedance matching and maximize power output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional gradient-based control algorithms with repeated power measurement are used to achieve load matching, then maximum power output can be obtained, but the system complexity and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex gradient-based algorithms. Instead of implementing full power measurement systems with current and voltage sensors plus computational algorithms, the invention extracts only the terminal voltage measurement, which alone suffices to determine loading state when source impedance is known. This extraction eliminates unnecessary measurement components and computational complexity while preserving the ability to achieve load matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by using the generator's own terminal voltage signal for load matching determination. The terminal voltage, already present at the generator terminals, serves dual purposes: it is both the output signal and the measurement signal needed for load matching. This eliminates the need for separate measurement systems and reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability to maximize power output through proper load selection.
2Measurement precision
If simultaneous current and voltage measurement is performed to determine power output, then accurate power measurement is achieved, but the power consumption and circuit complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from dual current-voltage measurement to single voltage measurement. Since source impedance is known, only terminal voltage measurement is needed to determine loading state and calculate power output. This extraction eliminates current sensors and their associated power consumption while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for load matching applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses source impedance as an intermediary parameter that links terminal voltage to power output. Instead of directly measuring both current and voltage, the known source impedance acts as a mediator that allows current to be inferred from voltage measurements alone, thereby reducing measurement complexity and power consumption while maintaining the ability to determine power output for load matching.
3Measurement precision
If indirect measurement methods are used to determine no-load voltage, then the measurement can be performed, but the determination process becomes complex and less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using terminal voltage measurements taken during normal loaded operation to directly determine loading state. Instead of performing separate no-load measurements or using indirect inference methods, the invention uses the terminal voltage signal that already exists during operation to immediately assess whether load matching is achieved, simplifying the measurement process and improving reliability.
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 efficient and low-power determination of the loading state, allowing for continuous optimal operation of electric generators, reducing internal power consumption and improving overall system efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage drop determination circuit (110), which is implemented to provide, based on a detection of an instantaneous current provided under load by the power source (104) to a load (106), an electric quantity (112) describing a voltage drop at the known source impedance (108) of the power source (104)
Implementation Method 2
an evaluation circuit (120), which is implemented to obtain, based on the electric quantity (112) describing the voltage drop at the source impedance (108) of the power source (104) and an electric quantity (122) describing a terminal voltage of the power source (104), a load state signal (124) carrying information on an instantaneous relation between the terminal voltage of the power source (104) and a no-load voltage of the power source (104)
Data Source
AI summary
A loading state determiner for determining a loading state of an electric power source including a source impedance includes a voltage drop determination circuit which is implemented to provide, based on a detection of an instantaneous current provided under load by the power source to a load, an electric quantity describing a voltage drop at a source impedance of the power source. Further, the loading state determiner includes an evaluation circuit which is implemented to obtain, based on electric quantity describing the voltage drop at the source impedance of the power source and an electric quantity describing a terminal voltage of the power source, a load state signal carrying information on an instantaneous relation between the terminal voltage of the power source and a no-load voltage of the power source.