Radar Level Gauge Power Management Circuit Voltage Transformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar level gauges face challenges in power management due to limited available power, especially in two-wire systems, and must operate within safety regulations in explosive environments, where energy storage is inefficient at low voltages and sensitive to temperature and aging.
Innovation Solution
A power management circuitry that stores energy at a higher voltage than the operating voltage, using a temporary energy store and multiple voltage converters to efficiently provide power to the microwave unit and processing circuitry, allowing for robust and cost-effective operation while complying with intrinsically safe regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If energy storage is performed at low operating voltage to comply with intrinsically safe regulations, then safety requirements are met, but energy storage efficiency decreases and capacitor size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voltage dimension transformation by adding a step-up converter that elevates the low operating voltage (e.g., 5V) to a higher intermediate voltage (e.g., 24V) for energy storage. This dimensional change in voltage allows the system to achieve efficient energy storage while maintaining compliance with intrinsically safe regulations at the lower operating voltage level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate voltage level (e.g., 24V) as a mediator between the low operating voltage (5V) and the energy storage requirement. This intermediate voltage serves as a bridge, allowing efficient energy storage without directly compromising the intrinsically safe operating conditions. The step-up converter and step-down converter act as intermediary devices to enable this voltage transformation chain.
2Use of energy by moving object
If aluminium electrolyte capacitors are used for energy storage, then energy storage capability is achieved, but start-up time increases and capacitance decreases due to temperature and aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter from low operating voltage to elevated intermediate voltage for energy storage. This parameter change enables the use of smaller, faster capacitors (such as ceramic or film capacitors) that have lower start-up times and better temperature/aging characteristics, while still achieving the required energy storage capability through the voltage transformation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If power management circuitry uses multiple voltage converters for energy storage, then energy storage efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management circuitry is designed to perform multiple functions: the step-up converter not only elevates voltage for energy storage but also enables efficient power transfer, while the step-down converter provides both voltage regulation and protection. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering superior energy storage efficiency and system reliability.
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
This solution enables efficient energy storage and power management, reducing the size, cost, and start-up time of the energy store, while ensuring safe operation in explosive environments by using a different type of energy store and allowing for more flexible voltage variation, leading to a more robust and efficient radar level gauge.
Implementation Method 1
a first voltage converter, having a low-voltage end for receiving a drive voltage from the power interface and a high-voltage end for supplying an intermediate voltage higher than the operating voltage
Implementation Method 2
a temporary energy store arranged to be charged by the intermediate voltage
Implementation Method 3
a second voltage converter, having a high-voltage end for receiving an input voltage from the energy store, and a low-voltage end for providing the operating voltage lower than the input voltage
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A power management circuitry for a radar level gauge including a first voltage converter, having a low-voltage end for receiving a drive voltage from a power interface and a high-voltage end for supplying an intermediate voltage higher than the required operating voltage, a temporary energy store arranged to be charged by the intermediate voltage,a second voltage converter,having a high-voltage end for receiving an input voltage from the energy store, and a low-voltage end for providing the operating voltage lower than the input voltage. By storing energy at a higher voltage, a different type of energy store (e.g. low capacity capacitor) may be used. As a consequence, the cost and start-up time of the energy store is significantly reduced.