Power Management System Surge Path Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems in industrial or outdoor environments cannot effectively record the time of power surge occurrence and the actual surge discharging path, making it difficult to determine the cause of power surges and provide adequate protection.
Innovation Solution
A power management system comprising parallel protectors and current sensors, including Hall sensors, that monitor and record current waveforms through the protectors to determine the surge discharging path and cause of power surges, with a processor analyzing data from these sensors to identify the path and transmit information to a remote monitoring system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sensing circuits are coupled in parallel or series to power lines for monitoring, then power status can be monitored, but the sensing circuits fail to record power surges when surges occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces parallel protectors as intermediary components that provide alternative current paths during surges. Current sensors are placed in series with these protectors to detect surge currents that flow through them, allowing surge information to be captured without exposing the main sensing circuits to damaging surge conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring function is segmented into multiple independent current sensors, each monitoring a specific parallel protector branch. This segmentation allows the system to capture surge information through multiple independent channels, ensuring that at least one sensor records the surge event even if others are affected.
2Reliability
If parallel protectors are added to provide surge discharging paths, then surge protection is improved, but the system cannot identify the actual surge discharging path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having current sensors continuously monitor the current flow through each parallel protector branch and reporting this information to a processor. The processor analyzes the current data to determine which protectors are actively discharging surge current, providing real-time feedback on the surge discharging path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical inspection or manual tracing of surge paths with electronic current sensing and digital signal processing. Current sensors electronically detect the presence and magnitude of surge currents in each branch, and the processor digitally analyzes this data to identify the active discharging path, substituting mechanical diagnostic methods with electronic measurement.
3Measurement precision
If multiple current sensors are deployed to monitor parallel protectors, then surge path detection is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the current sensors multi-functional by designing them to perform both surge detection and normal power monitoring functions. The same sensors that detect surge currents also monitor the operational status of the parallel protectors under normal conditions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated surge sensors and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the surge detection function with the existing power monitoring infrastructure. The current sensors are integrated into the parallel protector circuitry, and the processor that analyzes surge data is the same processor used for general power management, combining multiple functions into unified components to reduce complexity.
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 real-time recording and analysis of power surge discharging paths, allowing users to understand and address the causes of power surges, thereby improving protection and operational reliability of electrical equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The first current sensor is configured to sense a first current flowing through the first parallel protector. The second current sensor is configured to sense a second current flowing through the second parallel protector. The third current sensor is configured to sense a third current flowing through the third parallel protector.
Data Source
AI summary
A power management system includes a first power line, a second power line, a first parallel protector, a second parallel protector, a third parallel protector, a first current sensor, a second current sensor, a third current sensor, and a processor. The first parallel protector is coupled to the first power line. The second parallel protector is coupled to the first parallel protector and the second power line. The third parallel protector is coupled to the first parallel protector and a ground terminal. The first current sensor, the second current sensor and the third current sensor respectively sense a first current flowing through the first parallel protector, a second current flowing through the second parallel protector, and a third current flowing through the third parallel protector. The processor detects a surge discharging path according to the first current, the second current and/or the third current.