Serial Sensor Short Circuit Protection via Segmented Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hydrocarbon exploration and production electrical systems with serially connected nodes, conventional short circuit protection methods, such as hierarchies of automatic fuses, result in widespread power loss and prolonged troubleshooting due to the inability to isolate the exact location of a short circuit, especially in large-scale seismic survey systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a voltage-controlled automatic switch in each node with a sequential power-up and continuous monitoring, shutting off upstream power when a short circuit is detected, allowing for localized protection and rapid fault identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hierarchy of automatic fuses is implemented to protect against short circuits, then safety is improved and dangerous electrical loads are limited, but the entire line of sensors loses power when a short occurs anywhere on the line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the long sensor line into multiple segments, each protected by its own fuse. When a short circuit occurs, only the fuse for that specific segment trips, isolating the fault to a localized area while keeping other segments operational. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining safety through fuse protection while minimizing power loss to only the affected segment rather than the entire line.
2Reliability
If a hierarchy of automatic fuses is used for short circuit protection, then safety is improved, but locating and fixing the short circuit becomes time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the sensor line into segments with individual fuses, the patent enables rapid fault localization. When a fuse trips, the exact segment containing the short circuit is immediately identified, eliminating the need to search through the entire line. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining safety while dramatically reducing troubleshooting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback through fuse tripping that directly indicates the location of a short circuit. This feedback mechanism allows operators to quickly identify which segment is affected and proceed directly to repair, resolving the time loss issue while maintaining safety protection.
3Device complexity
If a single fuse protects the entire sensor line, then simplicity is maintained, but the area affected by a short circuit is maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by creating multiple protection zones along the sensor line, each with its own fuse. This increases device complexity slightly but dramatically reduces the affected area when a short occurs, as only the specific segment with the fault loses power while the rest of the system remains operational.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for providing short circuit protection in electrical systems used in hydrocarbon exploration and production and, more particularly, for such electrical systems comprising serially connected nodes, includes an apparatus and method. The apparatus, includes a power supply and a plurality of electrically serially connected application sensors downstream from the power supply. Each application sensor includes a sensing element; and a plurality of electronics associated with the sensing element. The electronics shut off upstream power to the downstream application sensors in the presence of a short circuit. The method includes serially supplying power to a downhole apparatus comprising a plurality of electrically serially connected downhole sensors; sensing, in series and upon receiving power from upstream, at each downhole sensor whether a downstream short circuit exists; and shutting off upstream power to the downstream downhole sensors in the presence of a short circuit.