TMR Sensor Monitoring TVS Leakage Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

Monitoring the degradation of transient voltage suppressors (TVS) in electrical systems, especially in aerospace applications, is challenging due to the need for costly and time-intensive methods that often result in premature replacement or require complex active circuits to avoid degradation issues.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using a tunnel magneto-resistance (TMR) device located in proximity to the TVS to measure changes in resistance, allowing for continuous monitoring of leakage current and degradation detection without system downtime, even during operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If periodic removal and BIT circuit testing is used to monitor TVS degradation, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to system downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTVS degradation detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A TMR sensor is introduced as an intermediary device that indirectly measures TVS leakage current through magnetic field coupling. The sensor detects changes in leakage current without direct electrical contact, enabling continuous monitoring during system operation without requiring downtime for testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical testing approach (removing TVS, using BIT circuits) with a magnetic field-based sensing approach. The TMR sensor uses magnetic field coupling to detect leakage current changes, eliminating the need for physical removal and electrical testing during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If counter monitoring of discharge activities is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because gradual degradation from minor spikes and aging is not detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring simplicityVSAvoiddegradation detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the simple counter-based monitoring approach with a TMR sensor that continuously measures leakage current. This substitution enables detection of both major discharge events and gradual degradation from minor spikes and aging, providing precise measurement while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The TMR sensor provides continuous feedback on leakage current changes, enabling real-time detection of degradation trends. The system can detect both sudden changes from discharge events and gradual changes from aging, providing comprehensive monitoring without requiring complex analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If leakage current injection testing is used to monitor TVS condition, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because testing cannot be performed during powered operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage current measurement accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The TMR sensor acts as an intermediary that measures leakage current through magnetic field coupling rather than direct electrical injection. This allows the sensor to detect leakage current changes during normal operation without requiring the TVS to be powered down or isolated, maintaining both precision and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If complex active over-voltage protection circuits are used instead of passive TVS, then reliability is improved by avoiding degradation, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection circuit reliabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces feedback monitoring through the TMR sensor that continuously tracks TVS degradation. This enables proactive maintenance by detecting when the TVS requires replacement, allowing the simple passive TVS to maintain high reliability through proper monitoring and timely replacement, avoiding the need for complex active circuits.

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

Enables reliable, simple, and quick monitoring of TVS degradation, allowing for timely replacement and reducing the need for complex over-voltage protection circuits, thereby improving system reliability and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

locating a tunnel magneto-resistance, TMR, device in proximity to the TVS device and measuring the change in resistance of the TMR device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTunnel magneto-resistance: Magnetoresistance

Data Source

PatentUS20230366952A1Transient voltage suppressor condition monitoring

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A method and system for monitoring a change in leakage current through a transient voltage suppressor, TVS, device, the method comprising locating a tunnel magneto-resistance, TMR, device in proximity to the TVS device and measuring the change in resistance of the TMR device.