Interrupting Circuit for RF Generator Fault Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RF generators lack effective fault detection and interruption mechanisms, which can lead to overheating, e-field leakage, and severe e-field interference, potentially causing component damage and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an interrupting circuit within the RF generator's power supply system, which monitors for faults and interrupts the low voltage DC power to the RF generator within a predetermined time, preventing energy dissipation and reducing the risk of overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no interrupting circuit is used, then the device structure is simpler, but the reliability and safety are reduced due to inability to detect and respond to faults

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detection and interruption capabilityVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interrupting circuit is configured to detect faults and interrupt power before harmful effects can develop. The circuit proactively monitors for abnormal conditions and takes preventive action by cutting off power to the RF generator, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex post-fault analysis systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interrupting circuit acts as an intermediary component between the power supply and RF generator. It monitors the electrical parameters and serves as a safety mediator that can disconnect the load when fault conditions are detected, providing reliable protection while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If power interruption time is extended to allow energy dissipation, then component damage risk is reduced, but overheating and e-field leakage occur during the extended period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidoverheating and e-field leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The interrupting circuit rapidly cuts off power to the RF generator when a fault is detected, rushing through the interruption process in minimal time. This rapid action skips the dangerous intermediate state where energy could dissipate and cause overheating or e-field leakage, directly transitioning from fault detection to safe disconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Solution Approach 2:

The interrupting circuit takes preliminary anti-action by preemptively interrupting power before energy dissipation can cause harmful effects. By detecting faults and cutting power in advance, the system prevents the chain of events that would lead to overheating and e-field leakage, thereby protecting components without extending the vulnerable time period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fast power interruption is implemented, then overheating and e-field interference are prevented, but the circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverheating and e-field interferenceVSAvoidinterrupting circuit

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interrupting circuit uses electrical control mechanisms to achieve rapid power interruption, replacing slower mechanical disconnection methods. By utilizing electronic fault detection and electrical switching, the system achieves fast interruption to prevent overheating and e-field interference while keeping the circuit design relatively simple and integrated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If energy reserve is maintained for continuous operation, then productivity is improved, but the risk of energy dissipation causing damage increases during faults

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidenergy dissipation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The interrupting circuit incorporates fault detection feedback that continuously monitors the operational status of the RF generator and power supply. When abnormal conditions are detected, the feedback mechanism triggers immediate power interruption, allowing the system to maintain energy reserves for continuous operation during normal conditions while preventing energy dissipation damage when faults occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively prevents overheating and e-field interference by rapidly interrupting power in case of a fault, thereby reducing the risk of component damage and enhancing the reliability and safety of the RF system.

Implementation Method 1

one or more power conversion circuits to convert power to low voltage DC for the RF generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower conversion:

Implementation Method 2

an interrupting circuit interrupts the low voltage DC between the energy reserve and the RF generator within a predetermined time less than the time to dissipate energy stored in the energy reserve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical interruption:

Data Source

PatentUS12302482B2Interrupting circuit for a radio frequency generator

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

An interrupting circuit (44) is configured to monitor for and detect a fault in a device (10) for generating a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) (34) from a radio frequency (RF) generator (24) configured to convert low voltage direct current (DC) into the e-field (34) for application to an article in the e-field (34). If a fault is detected, the interrupting circuit (44) interrupts low voltage DC between an energy reserve (46, 48) and the RF generator (24) within a predetermined time less than the time to dissipate energy stored in the energy reserve (46, 48).