Power Control System Voltage-Based Overcurrent Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power control systems face inefficiencies due to current sensing methods that cause power losses when monitoring for overcurrent events, as they require sensing output current, which decreases system efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A power control system that detects overcurrent events based on output voltage and power utilization information, eliminating the need to sense output current and thereby reducing power losses, by using a controller with an overcurrent protection module that determines a power utilization factor from sensed voltages to trigger protection modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current sensing circuitry is used to detect overcurrent events, then overcurrent protection is achieved, but power losses increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the current sensing function from the traditional current sensing circuitry and relocates it to the primary side of the transformer. By sensing the primary current instead of the secondary current, the system eliminates the need for secondary current sensing circuitry and achieves overcurrent protection without the associated power losses in the output stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the transformer as an intermediary to transfer the overcurrent detection function from the secondary side to the primary side. The transformer's magnetic coupling allows the controller to infer secondary current conditions from primary current measurements, enabling protection without direct secondary current sensing.
2Loss of information
If output current is sensed to monitor power utilization, then accurate power monitoring is achieved, but additional power losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power utilization sensing function from the output current path and relocates it to the primary side. By measuring primary current and using the known transformer turns ratio, the system calculates secondary current and power utilization without inserting sensing elements into the high-current output path, thereby eliminating associated power losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical current sensing in the output stage with a magnetic field-based sensing approach on the primary side. The controller uses voltage and current measurements on the primary side, combined with transformer parameters, to calculate power utilization information without direct contact with the high-current output path.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power control system reduces power losses by utilizing an over current protection method that detects an over current event based on a power utilization factor PUTIL and an output voltage of an output stage of the power control system. In at least one embodiment, the power control system detects the over current event without sensing an output current in an output stage of the power control system. Since the output current is not sensed, the power control system avoids power losses otherwise associated with sensing the output current. The power control system includes a power factor correction (PFC) stage and an isolation stage. A controller determines the power utilization factor PUTIL using voltages sensed from the PFC stage. In at least one embodiment, the controller responds to the over current event by entering an over current protection mode.