Power Conductor Disconnect Circuit for Safe Remote DC Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

In distributed antenna systems, the remote power distribution over electrical conductors poses safety concerns due to regulations limiting direct current delivery, requiring complex safety measures like high voltage distribution and protection conduits, which increase installation difficulty and cost.

Innovation Solution

A power distribution system with a current measurement circuit and controller circuit that disconnects power when an excessive current is detected, ensuring safety by preventing current flow in case of human contact, allowing for safe operation and reduced installation complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If high voltage distribution is used to overcome DC delivery limits, then power delivery capability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to required protection conduits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters by using high voltage (up to 600V DC) instead of traditional low voltage DC distribution. This parameter change enables higher power delivery capability while the system manages safety through controlled operation modes rather than requiring complex protection infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different operational states (powered state, test state, fault state) based on real-time conditions. The controller actively manages the power distribution state, enabling high voltage operation when safe and automatically transitioning to safe states when hazards are detected, thereby avoiding the need for permanent complex protection structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If high voltage distribution is used to overcome DC delivery limits, then power delivery capability is improved, but installation cost increases due to required protection conduits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By changing to high voltage DC distribution parameters, the system achieves higher power delivery without requiring expensive protection conduit infrastructure. The high voltage enables lower current at the same power level, reducing I²R losses and allowing simpler distribution architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/protection-based safety approach (protection conduits) with an electronic/control-based approach. The controller circuit and current measurement circuit provide intelligent safety management, substituting physical protection structures with electronic monitoring and control mechanisms that reduce installation cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If power is continuously delivered to remote units, then operational reliability is improved, but safety risk increases in case of human contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidsafety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors current draw through the current measurement circuit and provides feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of abnormal conditions (such as human contact causing unexpected current draw) and triggers automatic disconnection, maintaining safety while allowing continuous power delivery during normal operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a test state that activates before full powered state operation. During this preliminary test phase, the system checks for proper load connection and absence of hazards. Only after successful testing does the system transition to full power delivery, preventing hazardous conditions before they can cause harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11843246B2Safety power disconnection for power distribution over power conductors to power consuming devices

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 ANI ACQUISITION SUB LLC

AI summary

Safety power disconnection for remote power distribution in power distribution systems is disclosed. The power distribution system includes one or more power distribution circuits each configured to remotely distribute power from a power source over current carrying power conductors to remote units to provide power for remote unit operations. A remote unit is configured to decouple power from the power conductors thereby disconnecting the load of the remote unit from the power distribution system. A current measurement circuit in the power distribution system measures current flowing on the power conductors and provides a current measurement to the controller circuit. The controller circuit is configured to disconnect the power source from the power conductors for safety reasons in response to detecting a current from the power source in excess of a threshold current level indicating a load.