Power Control System for CPE Reverse Feeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reverse power feeding of remote network nodes faces inefficiencies due to limitations in power delivery from customer premises equipment (CPE) devices, leading to potential disconnection of power sources and increased demand on remaining CPE devices, resulting in suboptimal usage of available power and larger energy storage device requirements.

Innovation Solution

A power control system that uses a controller to regulate power flow between CPE devices and an energy storage device based on input parameters such as power drawn, operating power requirements, and available energy, activating charger or discharger converters to manage power distribution and storage efficiently, ensuring power is directed from CPE devices to the energy storage device or vice versa, depending on reference values set to prevent power limit violations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If reverse power feeding is implemented without active power control, then power can be drawn from nearby CPE devices, but power delivery inefficiencies occur and CPE devices may disconnect due to power limits being exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery efficiencyVSAvoidpower source stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power control system continuously monitors the total power drawn from CPE devices and compares it against power delivery limits. When the limit is approached or exceeded, the controller actively adjusts power distribution by directing excess power to the energy storage device or reducing power to individual CPE devices, preventing disconnections and maintaining stable power delivery throughout the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively manages power distribution by predicting when CPE devices might exceed their power delivery limits. The controller preemptively redirects power to the energy storage device before disconnections occur, cushioning against potential power failures and maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Duration of action of moving object

If larger energy storage devices are used to compensate for insufficient instantaneous power from CPE devices, then prolonged operation can be maintained, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation durationVSAvoidenergy storage device size
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the role of the energy storage device based on real-time power conditions. Rather than requiring a large fixed-capacity storage device, the controller flexibly manages power flow between CPE devices and the energy storage device, allowing the storage device to buffer power deficits temporarily while maintaining prolonged operation with a smaller, more cost-effective unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller changes operational parameters by adjusting power distribution ratios between multiple CPE devices and the energy storage device based on their individual power capacities and current demand conditions. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes the utilization of available power resources, extending operation duration without requiring oversized energy storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If power is continuously drawn from CPE devices without management, then instantaneous power demand can be met, but suboptimal usage of available power occurs and remaining CPE devices face increased demand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstantaneous power availabilityVSAvoidpower usage efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs preliminary assessment of each CPE device's power capacity and current status before allocating power demands. By pre-coordinating power distribution and proactively managing the energy storage device charging/discharging cycles, the system ensures optimal utilization of available power from all CPE devices while meeting instantaneous power requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The energy storage device acts as an intermediary buffer between multiple CPE devices and the power-consuming system. The controller mediates power flow through this intermediary, balancing the load across all CPE devices and preventing any single device from being overloaded, thereby optimizing overall power usage efficiency while maintaining instantaneous power availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 optimizes power usage by efficiently charging and discharging energy storage devices, reducing the size requirements for energy storage and enhancing system robustness against temporary power interrupts, while ensuring safe operation within power delivery conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a charger power converter configured for directing power from the number of CPE devices to the energy storage device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery charging: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

a discharger power converter configured for directing power from the energy storage device to the power consuming system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery discharging: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP3208969B1Power control system and method
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP3208969B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3A
  • EP3208969B1 patent drawingFigure 3B
  • EP3208969B1 patent drawingFigure 3C

AI summary

A power control system for controlling reverse power feeding of a network node from a number of customer premises equipment, CPE, devices being subject to power delivery conditions; wherein the network node comprises a power consuming system and an energy storage device; the system comprising: a charger power converter configured for directing power from the number of CPE devices to the energy storage device; a discharger power converter configured for directing power from the energy storage device to the power consuming system; and a controller configured for: receiving a first input indicating power drawn from the number of CPE devices; receiving a second input indicating operating power for the power consuming system; receiving a third input indicating available energy in the energy storage device; and based on the received first, second and third inputs, controlling at least one of the charger power converter and the discharger power converter.