Priority-Based Power Limiting for Electric Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

In power systems with multiple electric loads, the available power source often cannot supply full power when all loads are in use simultaneously, leading to the need for manual operation adjustments by operators, such as crane operators, to reduce power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method that reduces individual electric powers required by electric loads in a priority-level-wise manner, starting from the lowest priority level and progressing to higher levels, until the total power does not exceed a predetermined threshold, allowing higher priority loads to maintain full power as long as possible.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If manual operation adjustments are made to reduce power consumption, then power source limitations are addressed, but operational complexity and operator workload increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidoperator workload
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors total power consumption and adjusts individual load powers without operator intervention. The control unit continuously evaluates power requirements and autonomously reduces power to appropriate loads based on priority levels, eliminating the need for manual operation adjustments while maintaining power balance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the power parameter of electric loads based on total power consumption levels. When total power exceeds available capacity, the control unit modifies individual load powers by adjusting operational parameters such as speed or torque, thereby adapting power consumption to available capacity automatically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If all electric loads are reduced simultaneously, then total power consumption is controlled, but critical loads may suffer power reduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal power consumptionVSAvoidcritical load power supply
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different power reduction strategies to different loads based on their priority levels. Critical loads with higher priority are protected from power reduction while non-critical loads with lower priority undergo power reduction. This localized differentiation ensures that power control measures are applied selectively rather than uniformly across all loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors total power consumption and uses this feedback to determine which loads should have their power reduced. The system evaluates the current power state, compares it against available capacity, and automatically adjusts individual load powers accordingly, ensuring critical loads maintain adequate power supply while non-critical loads are reduced to balance the system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2200142B1Method and arrangement for limiting electric power required by electric loads
Publication Date: 2014.04.16 ABB OY
  • EP2200142B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2200142B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2200142B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method and arrangement for limiting an electric power required by at least two electric loads, each of which has a predetermined priority level, the arrangement comprising means (31, 32, 33) for monitoring a total electric power required by the at least two electric loads (21, 22, 23), and means (31, 32, 33) for reducing, in a priority-level-wise manner, individual electric powers required by the electric loads (21, 22, 23) having the predetermined priority levels by starting from electric load or loads having the lowest priority level and proceeding, one priority level at a time, towards the highest priority level until the monitored total electric power does not exceed a predetermined threshold value.