Power Conditioner Prevents False Shutdown Triggers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Process control components often experience false shutdown triggers due to temporary power disruptions, leading to frequent cycling and unnecessary operation of reserve power units.
Innovation Solution
A power conditioner is coupled between the power source and the process control component to provide temporary power during disruptions, preventing false triggers by allowing the component to remain operational until the disruption passes, and ensuring a smooth transition to a shutdown position when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reserve power unit is used to provide power during disruptions, then reliability is improved, but false shutdown triggers occur due to temporary power disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The power conditioner performs preliminary action by detecting power disruptions before they trigger false shutdowns and providing compensating power during the disruption period. The system proactively monitors power quality and intervenes with backup power from capacitor banks or other energy storage devices, preventing the reserve power unit from being incorrectly activated during temporary disruptions rather than waiting for a complete power failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The power conditioner acts as an intermediary device between the main power source and the reserve power unit. It filters out temporary power disruptions and only allows genuine, prolonged power failures to trigger the reserve power unit. This intermediary layer prevents false triggers by absorbing transient power anomalies and providing conditional power maintenance during brief disruptions.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the reserve power unit is triggered during temporary disruptions, then power continuity is maintained, but unnecessary cycling and wear occur
Solution Approach 1:
The power conditioner performs preliminary detection and response to power disruptions, providing compensating power before the reserve power unit would be triggered. This preliminary action maintains power continuity during temporary disruptions without involving the reserve power unit, thereby preventing unnecessary cycling and mechanical wear on the shutdown mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The power conditioner provides beforehand cushioning by having backup energy storage devices (capacitor banks) ready to immediately compensate for temporary power disruptions. This cushioning effect absorbs the impact of transient power failures and prevents them from propagating to the reserve power unit, eliminating harmful cycling while maintaining power continuity.
3Reliability
If power conditioning is added to prevent false triggers, then false shutdowns are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power conditioner serves as an intermediary layer that adds minimal complexity between the power source and reserve power unit. By implementing relatively simple detection circuitry and energy storage devices, the system achieves sophisticated false trigger prevention without requiring complex control systems or multiple redundant components throughout the entire power distribution network.
Solution Approach 2:
The power conditioner implements self-service by automatically detecting power disruptions and activating energy storage devices without requiring complex external control systems. The system monitors its own input power conditions and autonomously provides compensating power, eliminating the need for sophisticated centralized control while maintaining high shutdown accuracy.
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 power conditioner effectively prevents false shutdowns by providing backup power during short power disruptions, reducing unnecessary cycling and maintaining system stability by ensuring accurate detection of prolonged power outages.
Implementation Method 1
the power conditioner includes a capacitor bank that is charged from the power source when power is supplied by the power source
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for enhancing reserve power units are described. An example apparatus includes a power source to operate a process control component and a power conditioner to provide power during a disruption of power from the power source to prevent a false trigger of a shutdown function of the process control component.