Power Supply Over-Current Cutoff With Reverse Energy Discharge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
PEF generators used in medical applications pose a risk of delivering excessive energy due to potential switch failures, which can cause thermal damage to patients, and there is a need for robust protection mechanisms to ensure patient safety.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system with a switch circuit and control logic that senses current exceeding a threshold, blocking forward current while allowing reverse current to flow, thereby limiting energy delivery and preventing overshoots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a high internal energy storage capacitor bank is used to produce well-shaped square wave output voltages, then the output voltage quality is improved, but the risk of delivering excessive energy to the patient increases due to potential switch failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a current sensor and control logic that proactively detect overcurrent conditions before excessive energy can be delivered to the patient. The system continuously monitors current and is prepared to block forward current immediately when threshold violations are detected, preventing the harmful effect before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary protection circuit consisting of a current sensor, control logic, and switch circuit that acts as a mediator between the high-energy capacitor bank and the patient. This intermediary layer monitors current flow and can block excessive energy delivery while allowing normal operation, thus protecting the patient without compromising the capacitor bank's ability to generate proper waveforms.
2Power
If the switch network is designed to handle high peak power levels, then the power output capability is improved, but the complexity of ensuring safe operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing a protection system that autonomously monitors current and blocks forward current when overcurrent conditions are detected. The control logic automatically responds to sensor signals without requiring complex external control systems, making the high-power switch network safer through self-monitoring and self-protection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a current sensor to continuously monitor the actual current flow and feed this information back to the control logic. The control logic compares the sensed current against threshold values and adjusts the switch circuit state accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system that simplifies the control of high-power operation while ensuring safety.
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
The system effectively prevents excessive energy delivery by blocking forward current and allowing reverse current to safely dissipate stored energy, ensuring safe operation even in firmware failures, thus protecting patients from thermal damage.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to sense current of the power supply and to generate a signal indicative of the current
Implementation Method 2
control the switch circuit to block forward current from the electrical source while simultaneously allowing reverse current to flow to the electrical source
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply and associated method are disclosed. The power supply comprises a pulse generator configured to receive power from an electrical source and provide power between a first node and a second node. A switch circuit is coupled to the pulse generator, and a sensor is configured to sense current of the power supply and to generate a signal indicative of the current. Control logic is configured, in response to the signal exceeding a threshold, to control the switch circuit to block forward current from the electrical source while simultaneously allowing reverse current to flow to the electrical source.