High-Resolution Voltage Determination via Current Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

High power supply systems, such as those for proton synchrotrons, require precise determination of voltage characteristics at converter terminals, but existing methods rely on high-resolution measuring instruments, which are costly and not always available.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that measure a plurality of values with high resolution for one characteristic and low resolution for another, iteratively calculating high-resolution values of the second characteristic using corrective terms based on the first characteristic's measurements, allowing for high-resolution determination without direct high-resolution measurement of the second characteristic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If direct measurement of voltage at converter terminals is performed with high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and complexity of measuring instruments increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage measurement resolutionVSAvoidmeasuring instrument resolution requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses current measurements as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine voltage values. Instead of directly measuring voltage with high-resolution instruments, the system measures current through the reactive load with high precision and uses the known electrical characteristics to calculate voltage, thereby avoiding the need for expensive high-resolution voltage measurement equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct voltage measurement (electrical measurement) with current measurement followed by calculation. By substituting the direct voltage sensing approach with a calculation-based method using current measurements and electrical model parameters, the system achieves high-resolution voltage determination without requiring high-resolution voltage measuring instruments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If high-resolution measuring instruments are used for voltage measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage measurement resolutionVSAvoidcost of measuring equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs lower-cost current measuring instruments instead of expensive high-resolution voltage measuring instruments. By using affordable current sensors and combining them with calculation algorithms, the system achieves high-precision voltage determination at a fraction of the cost of using direct high-resolution voltage measurement equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If direct high-resolution voltage measurement is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but the system requires specialized high-resolution instruments that may not be available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage measurement resolutionVSAvoidavailability of measuring instruments
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual model of the voltage measurement by using current measurements and electrical circuit calculations. Instead of relying on physical high-resolution voltage measuring instruments, the system generates equivalent voltage information through mathematical modeling and computation, making the measurement capability available without specialized hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2550539B1Method and device for predetermining value for characteristic quantity from load-supplying system
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD(GB)
  • EP2550539B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2550539B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2550539B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Said method predetermines the value for a characteristic quantity (U1dc, U2dc) from a load-supplying system that includes M DC-to-DC converters, connected in series to the terminals of the load and located at the outlet of a DC current power supply, and includes at least one storage capacitor. Said predetermination method includes: measuring, with a first high resolution, a plurality of values for a first characteristic quantity (1e); measuring, with a low resolution, a value for a second characteristic quantity (U1dc, U2dc); and predetermining, with a second high resolution, a value for the second characteristic quantity (U1dc, U2dc) on the basis of the plurality of values measured, with the first high resolution, for the first characteristic quantity (1e) and on the basis of the value measured, with the low resolution, for the second characteristic quantity (U1dc, U2dc). The first and second high resolutions are at least 10 times greater than the low resolution.