Power Transfer Estimator for Battery Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to accurately estimate the cumulative power consumption of electronic devices with limited power sources without using costly and power-consuming sensing components, as existing methods are inefficient and require continuous current measurement.
Innovation Solution
A power transfer estimator that calculates cumulative power transfer using inductance values, voltage measurements, and switching metrics, eliminating the need for additional sensing elements and allowing periodic estimation regardless of the power converter's operating mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensing components are used to measure power consumption, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power converter's existing components (inductor, voltage measurements, switching controller) perform the power estimation function without requiring separate sensing elements. The controller uses its own operational data (switching metrics, voltage measurements) to calculate cumulative power transfer, making the system self-sufficient for measurement purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing components in the power converter are made to serve multiple functions: the inductor serves both its primary power transfer function and as a measurement element for power estimation; the voltage measurement system serves both voltage regulation and power calculation purposes; the switching controller manages both power conversion and accumulates switching metrics for power estimation.
2Measurement precision
If continuous current measurement is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power estimation is performed periodically rather than continuously. The controller calculates cumulative power transfer at specific intervals based on accumulated switching metrics and voltage measurements, reducing the frequency of measurement operations while maintaining accuracy through the accumulation approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses already-available data (voltage measurements and switching metrics) that are captured during normal operation for power estimation, avoiding the need for additional measurement activities that would consume extra power. The switching metrics are accumulated as a byproduct of normal power conversion operation.
3Measurement precision
If sensing elements are added to measure power transfer, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power converter uses its own existing components and operational data to perform power estimation, eliminating the need for additional sensing elements that would increase manufacturing cost. The inductor, voltage measurement system, and switching controller all contribute to power estimation without requiring external additions.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing components are designed to perform multiple functions including power conversion and power estimation. The inductor serves both power transfer and inductance measurement purposes; the voltage measurement system serves both regulation and power calculation; this multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated sensing components.
4Measurement precision
If power conversion operation is monitored continuously, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Power remaining estimation is performed periodically at selected intervals rather than continuously. The controller accumulates switching metrics over time and performs power calculations at discrete moments, reducing the computational and measurement overhead while maintaining sufficient accuracy for power management decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A power conversion system includes a power transfer estimator that is operable to provide a determination of the cumulative amount of power transferred through the power supply, without additional sensing elements and at extremely low power levels, and to provide such determinations periodically over potentially long periods of time commensurate with the lifetime of a limited power source such as a battery. In a power conversion system operating in a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), the power transfer estimator determines the charge transferred during each switching cycle, and the total number of switching cycles, to calculate the cumulative amount of power transferred. The power transfer estimator is optionally operable to calculate a value for the inductance to be used in the determination of the cumulative amount of power transferred through the power supply.