Non-Contact Voltage Sensing via Capacitive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for measuring AC voltage require direct electrical contact with the conductor and a reference potential, limiting their accuracy and applicability.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact capacitive coupling system that uses a sense plate to measure AC voltage without physical contact, employing capacitive coupling to determine the coupling capacitance and recover the AC waveform, allowing for accurate voltage sensing and simultaneous energy harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional contact-based voltage measurement is used, then the measurement path is established, but the conductor must be interrupted and contact points required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based voltage measurement system with a non-contact capacitive coupling system. The sense plate couples capacitively to the conductor through insulation, eliminating the need for physical contact and conductor interruption while enabling voltage measurement through electrical field interaction
2Productivity
If non-contact capacitive coupling is used, then conductor interruption is avoided, but coupling capacitance must be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the determined coupling capacitance is used to scale the sensed waveform to recover the actual line voltage. The system continuously monitors and adjusts measurements based on the measured coupling capacitance value, enabling accurate voltage recovery despite the non-contact interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sense plate as an intermediary element that capacitively couples to the conductor through insulation. This intermediary enables the measurement system to interact with the electrical field without direct contact, bridging the gap between the conductor and measurement circuitry
3Measurement precision
If accurate voltage sensing is achieved, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements energy harvesting from the conductor through the capacitive coupling system. The same coupling capacitance that enables voltage sensing also allows energy transfer from the conductor to power the measurement system, making the system self-powered and eliminating external power requirements
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 accurate measurement of AC line voltage without interrupting the conductor or relying on other AC signals, improving measurement precision and energy efficiency by harnessing energy from the conductor.
Implementation Method 1
A non-contact capacitive coupling system that uses a sense plate to measure AC voltage without physical contact, employing capacitive coupling to determine the coupling capacitance and recover the AC waveform
Implementation Method 2
allowing for accurate voltage sensing and simultaneous energy harvesting
Data Source
AI summary
A non-contact electric potential meter system to determine voltage between an AC conductor and a reference potential without direct electrical contact to the conductor. A housing provides a shielded measurement region that excludes other conductors and holds power supply means; an AC voltage sensing mechanism includes a conductive sense plate and an electrical connection to the reference potential. Waveform-sensing electronic circuitry obtains an AC voltage waveform induced by capacitive coupling between the conductor and the conductive sense plate. Capacitance-determining electronic circuitry obtains a scaling factor based on the coupling capacitance formed between the conductor and the conductive sense plate. Signal processing electronic circuitry uses the AC voltage waveform and the coupling capacitance-based scaling factor to obtain the voltage between the conductor and the reference potential.