Power Supply Feedback Network Failure Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power supply circuits face challenges in predicting failures due to degradation of components in the primary feedback circuit, which can lead to eventual failures, as secondary feedback circuits often mask these degradations and cannot prevent them.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that include a power supply circuit with a primary and secondary feedback circuit, where the secondary feedback circuit generates a correction signal based on voltage differences and determines if it exceeds a threshold, triggering an alert for impending failure, using a converter circuit, voltage sampling, and a control circuit to monitor and adjust the output voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a secondary feedback circuit is used to trim or margin the power supply output, then the output voltage precision is improved, but the ability to detect primary feedback circuit degradation is worsened because the secondary circuit masks the degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator circuit that samples the feedback signal from the secondary feedback circuit and compares it against expected values. This mediator acts as an intermediary layer that allows detection of degradation in the primary feedback circuit without disrupting the voltage trimming function of the secondary feedback circuit. The mediator circuit generates alert signals when degradation is detected, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining precision and enabling degradation detection.
2Reliability
If the secondary feedback circuit compensates for primary feedback circuit degradation, then the power supply reliability is improved, but the degradation itself remains undetected and unaddressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the secondary feedback circuit not only compensates for voltage deviations but also feeds back information about the primary feedback circuit's health status. By sampling and comparing the feedback signal, the system generates alert signals that communicate degradation status to the control logic, thus maintaining reliability while preserving information about component condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of degradation conditions before they lead to complete failure. The mediator circuit continuously monitors the feedback signal and generates early warning alerts, allowing for preventive maintenance or system shutdown before catastrophic failure occurs, thus maintaining reliability while providing advance information about component status.
3Reliability
If a correction circuit is added to generate alert signals, then the failure prediction capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the secondary feedback circuit to serve dual purposes: voltage trimming/margining and degradation detection. The same circuit components are used for both voltage regulation and health monitoring, eliminating the need for separate dedicated detection circuits and thus improving failure prediction capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing feedback signal to detect degradation, rather than requiring external monitoring equipment. The secondary feedback circuit leverages its own operational data to assess the health of the primary feedback circuit, enabling self-diagnosis and failure prediction without adding significant external complexity to the system.
Data Source
AI summary
A device to predict failure in a power supply includes a converter circuit configured to generate a regulated output voltage. The device additionally includes a first feedback circuit to generate a first feedback voltage proportional to the regulated output voltage and a second feedback circuit to generate a second feedback voltage based on the regulated output voltage. The second feedback circuit includes a voltage sampling circuit to detect the regulated output voltage, a correction circuit to generate a correction signal responsive to a voltage difference between the regulated output voltage and a specified output voltage, a reference circuit to obtain a specified correction signal to apply to the power supply, a comparator circuit to determine whether a difference between the generated correction signal and the specified correction signal exceeds a threshold signal value, and an alerting circuit to generate an alert signal responsive to the determination.