Well-Site Motor Voltage Isolation Using Ground-Separated Attenuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring and control systems for well sites require expensive isolation components to measure conditions associated with pump systems, and they can suffer from saturation effects and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A pump system with a data acquisition unit that includes an isolation circuit with a first side referenced to a first ground and a second side coupled to an attenuator circuit referenced to a second ground, where the first ground is isolated from the second ground, allowing for phase voltage power signals to be provided to the attenuator circuit and resulting in phase voltage sense signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional step-down power transformers or transformer isolated hall effect sensors are used for measurement isolation, then isolation requirements are met, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the isolation function from traditional heavy transformers and hall effect sensors, implementing it instead through a combination of resistive attenuator circuit and galvanic isolation. This removes the need for expensive magnetic isolation components while maintaining the essential electrical isolation requirement, directly reducing system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a functional copy of the isolation effect using resistive voltage division and galvanic isolation rather than magnetic transformation. The attenuator circuit with galvanic isolation replicates the isolation functionality of transformers without requiring magnetic cores, windings, or complex magnetic shielding, thereby eliminating the high costs associated with conventional isolation components.
2Reliability
If traditional isolation components are used, then measurement isolation is achieved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex magnetic isolation components (transformers with multiple windings, magnetic shields, and saturation protection circuits) and replaces them with a simple resistive attenuator network combined with galvanic isolation. This extraction of the essential isolation function from its traditional complex implementation dramatically reduces device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex, and bulky magnetic isolation components with inexpensive resistive elements and simple galvanic isolation circuitry. The resistive attenuator network uses basic resistors that are cheap, small, and easy to implement, eliminating the need for large magnetic components and reducing overall system complexity.
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 solution provides cost-effective isolation for high voltage applications, avoids saturation risks, and allows for more precise and varied measurements without the need for bulky and expensive isolation components.
Implementation Method 1
an isolation circuit having a first side referenced to a first ground and a second side coupled to an attenuator circuit referenced to a second ground, wherein the first ground is isolated from the second ground
Implementation Method 2
the attenuator circuit provides phase voltage sense signals
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods provided herein relate to a power system, such as a system for a motor. A digital acquisition unit is configured to receive current sense signals associated with a motor and phase voltage power signals associate the motor. The data acquisition unit includes a module coupled to a first ground and an attenuator circuit coupled to a second ground. The first ground is isolated from the second ground. The phase voltage power signals are provided to the attenuator, and the attenuator provides phase voltage sense signals to the module.