Voltage-Feedback Power Buffering for Low-Power Field Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field device systems, such as radar level gauges, face challenges in managing power efficiently due to limited power availability, especially in systems using two-wire feeding or battery power.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a field device system with power management circuitry that includes a capacitive energy storage, a first voltage converter, a second voltage converter, a voltage feedback circuit, and a control circuit. This system charges the capacitive energy storage to a higher voltage than the operating voltage, allowing for efficient energy storage and minimizing losses through voltage feedback control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If energy is stored in a capacitive energy storage device, then energy can be available during periods of increased power requirements, but the capacitor size increases to store sufficient energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter by which the capacitor is charged. Instead of charging to the standard operating voltage, the system charges the capacitor to a higher voltage level using a voltage converter. This parameter change allows the same energy to be stored in a smaller capacitor volume, resolving the contradiction between available power and capacitor size.
2Productivity
If the clock frequency of the processor is increased during signal processing, then high speed calculations are enabled, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by charging the capacitive energy storage device during periods of low activity or stand-by periods. This advance energy storage allows the processor to operate at high clock frequencies during signal processing without immediately increasing power consumption from the main power supply, as the capacitor provides the additional power buffer needed for high-speed operation.
3Loss of energy
If power management circuitry charges the energy storage to a higher voltage, then energy storage efficiency improves, but the complexity of the power management system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the power management circuitry monitors the voltage level of the capacitive energy storage and automatically controls the voltage converter to charge the capacitor to the optimal higher voltage level. This feedback system manages the increased complexity by providing automatic control, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring energy efficiency is maintained throughout operation.
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 manages power in field device systems by storing energy at a higher voltage, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing losses, thereby extending battery life and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive energy storage arranged to be charged by the intermediate voltage
Implementation Method 2
a first voltage converter, having a low voltage end configured to receive a drive voltage from the power interface and a high-voltage end configured to supply an intermediate voltage higher than the operating voltage
Implementation Method 3
a second voltage converter, having an input side configured to receive an input voltage from the energy storage and an output side configured to provide the operating voltage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A field device system (100) configured to determine a process variable, the field device system comprising: processing circuitry (102) configured to be connected to a sensing unit (104) for determining a process variable; a power interface (106) arranged to receive power from a power supply (108), and power management circuitry (110) arranged to provide power at an operating voltage to the sensing unit and the processing circuitry, the power management circuitry comprising: a first voltage converter (200), configured to receive a drive voltage from the power interface and to supply an intermediate voltage higher than the operating voltage; a capacitive energy storage (206) arranged to be charged by the intermediate voltage; a second voltage converter (208), configured to receive an input voltage from the capacitive energy storage and to provide the operating voltage; a voltage feedback circuit (214) configured to determine an output voltage of the capacitive energy storage; and a control circuit (216) configured to control the first voltage converter to charge the capacitive energy storage based on the output voltage of the capacitive energy storage.