Remote Load Voltage Measurement Without Sense Wires

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supply systems require dedicated remote sense wires for voltage regulation, leading to increased cost and complexity, especially over long wire runs, due to voltage drops caused by wire resistance.

Innovation Solution

A device that measures voltage across a remote load using a switch and a capacitor, with analog-to-digital converters to determine voltage differences and adjust the power supply output, eliminating the need for dedicated sense wires by using a pair of wires for both power and communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If dedicated remote sense wires are used for voltage regulation, then voltage measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage measurement precisionVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the power delivery function and voltage sensing function into a single pair of wires. The microcontroller measures voltage by sampling during brief intervals when the load is temporarily disconnected, allowing the same wires to serve both power and sensing purposes without requiring separate sense wires.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The two-wire connection performs multiple functions: it delivers power to the load and simultaneously enables voltage measurement. The system dynamically switches between power delivery mode and voltage sampling mode, making the wires universal for both purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If dedicated remote sense wires are used for voltage regulation, then voltage measurement precision is improved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage measurement precisionVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using separate physical sense wires that would require additional material and installation steps, the system uses the existing power wires for both power and sensing by temporarily sampling voltage, eliminating the need for duplicate wiring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If a switch is opened to measure load voltage, then voltage measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to power interruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload voltage measurementVSAvoidpower delivery continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic, brief interruptions to open the switch for voltage measurement rather than continuous interruption. The microcontroller quickly samples the voltage across the load capacitor during these brief intervals and then immediately restores power, minimizing disruption to overall power delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The load capacitor is pre-charged before the switch is opened for measurement. This preliminary charging action ensures that the load continues to receive power during the brief measurement interval when the switch is open, eliminating the need for continuous power delivery during measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 simplifies installation, reduces costs, and maintains proper load voltage by compensating for voltage drops in real-time, ensuring efficient power delivery without the need for additional sense wires.

Implementation Method 1

A capacitor is connected in parallel with the load and configured to supply a load current to the load when the switch is in the open position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

analog-to-digital converters to determine voltage differences and adjust the power supply output

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnalog-to-digital conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS10416204B2Device for measuring voltage across a remote load

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 HANCHETT ENTRY SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A device for measuring voltage across a remote load includes a power supply configured to output a first output voltage to the remote load. A switch is selectively movable from a closed position to an open position. A measuring circuit measures a load voltage across the load when the switch is in the open position and determines a voltage difference between the first output voltage and the load voltage. The measuring circuit adjusts the first output voltage to a second output voltage to compensate for the voltage difference. A second A/D converter can also be coupled to the power supply. The second A/D converter measures a voltage across a resistor such that a change in the voltage indicates a change in the load voltage. The power supply is then adjusted to output a second output voltage to compensate for any change in load voltage.