Loop-Powered Isolated Contact Input Circuit for Wide Voltage Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact status sensing devices are inflexible and inefficient, requiring isolation from control systems due to high wetting voltages, limited to narrow voltage ranges, and unable to adapt to changing environments, leading to dissatisfaction with previous approaches.
Innovation Solution
The development of power-efficient contact status sensing circuits that operate across a wide range of wetting voltages (15 Vdc to 250 Vdc) and can process both DC and AC voltages, using a universal approach with smart loop-powered, high-resolution measurement capabilities, galvanic isolation, and real-time monitoring to detect open, shorted, or grounded field cables, and convert sensed voltages into digital representations for accurate diagnostics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high wetting voltage is applied to electrical contacts for detection, then contact status can be determined, but galvanic isolation is required as a safety measure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an isolated contact input circuit as an intermediary device between the high voltage contact and the control system. This circuit includes isolation components that safely transfer contact status information across galvanic isolation barriers, enabling detection while maintaining safety and reducing complexity in the overall system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If previous sensing devices are used, then they can detect contact status, but they are limited to narrow voltage ranges and cannot adapt to changing environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal contact input circuit capable of operating across a wide voltage range (e.g., 15V to 250V DC, and various AC voltages). The circuit incorporates adjustable parameters and multiple operating modes that allow it to adapt to different voltage sources and environmental conditions, making it versatile for various industrial applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing circuit employs dynamic parameters such as adjustable reference voltages, configurable threshold levels, and adaptive current sources that can be modified based on the specific application requirements. This dynamic capability allows the circuit to optimize its operation for different voltage ranges and contact types.
3Power
If external power sources are used for sensing circuits, then adequate power is available for operation, but power dissipation increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact input circuit is designed to be self-powered by drawing operating current directly from the contact circuit itself. The circuit extracts sufficient power from the existing wetting voltage and current to operate all its internal components including isolation, signal conditioning, and output stages, eliminating the need for separate external power sources and reducing overall power dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power needed for sensing operations directly from the contact circuit's existing voltage and current. By taking out only the necessary amount of power from the contact circuit to operate the sensing electronics, the system avoids adding external power sources and minimizes additional power dissipation while maintaining adequate power availability for all sensing functions.
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
The solution provides accurate and flexible contact status monitoring across a wide voltage range, enabling detection of small voltage variations, real-time line voltage monitoring, and improved diagnostic capabilities, reducing power dissipation and eliminating the need for external power sources, while maintaining high resolution and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A voltage is sensed at a switching device and the voltage is associated with a status of a switching device
Implementation Method 2
Detecting the voltage is an indication that the electrical contact is on or off. A wetting current is associated with the wetting voltage. Various problems have existed with previous devices. For example, the contacts need to be isolated from the control system due to the application of high wetting voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage is sensed at a switching device and the voltage is associated with a status of a switching device. The sensed voltage is converted to a useable voltage regardless of the value and type of the sensed voltage. At a single self-contained integrated circuit that is powered by the sensed voltage, the usable voltage is converted into a digital representation. The digital representation is configured to be usable by a processing device to determine the value of the voltage at the switching device.