Wireless Current Sensor Energy Management Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless current sensors that are autonomous in electrical energy face inefficiencies in optimizing measurement time based on available energy, leading to suboptimal performance in measuring and transmitting electric current data.
Innovation Solution
A wireless current sensor with a single torus transformer and an electronic circuit that includes energy storage means, a microcontroller, and a wireless transmitter/receiver, allowing for distinct operating modes and energy management to optimize measurement duration and data transmission based on current values, with features like a voltage doubler and transistor-based selection between charger and measurement modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the wireless current sensor operates in continuous measurement mode, then the measurement precision and reliability are improved, but the energy consumption increases and measurement time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor dynamically switches between measurement mode and charging mode based on available energy levels and current requirements. The microcontroller monitors energy storage and adjusts operational parameters in real-time, transitioning from continuous measurement to periodic measurement or standby mode when energy is limited, thereby optimizing the balance between measurement precision and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor implements periodic measurement cycles alternating with charging periods. Instead of continuous operation, the system performs measurements at scheduled intervals and dedicates other periods to recharging the energy storage means, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate measurement coverage for monitoring purposes.
2Measurement precision
If the measurement time is extended to capture more current data, then the measurement precision is improved, but the available energy is depleted faster
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters including measurement duration, sampling frequency, and transmission intervals based on energy availability. When energy levels are low, the microcontroller reduces measurement duration and sampling rate to conserve energy, while maintaining measurement precision within the reduced time window by optimizing the measurement algorithm.
3Reliability
If the wireless transmitter sends measurement data frequently, then the data reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller implements feedback control by monitoring energy storage levels and adjusting transmission frequency accordingly. When energy is abundant, data transmission occurs frequently to ensure high reliability. When energy decreases, the system reduces transmission frequency while maintaining critical data communication, optimizing the balance between data reliability and energy consumption.
4Ease of manufacture
If the sensor operates autonomously without external power, then the installation simplicity is improved, but the energy management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor achieves self-service autonomy by integrating an energy harvesting module that converts electromagnetic fields from nearby power lines into electrical energy for self-powering. The microcontroller autonomously manages energy allocation between measurement, storage, and transmission functions without external intervention, simplifying installation while the systematic energy management architecture handles the complexity internally.
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
The solution enables efficient energy use, allowing for optimized measurement time and data transmission, including detection of current faults, while minimizing energy consumption by switching between modes based on current values, thereby enhancing the overall performance and reliability of current measurement and data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a current transformer comprising a core intended to be arranged around said electrical conductor forming a primary of said transformer, and a winding produced around the core and forming a secondary of said transformer to recover electrical energy when an electric current flows in the electrical conductor
Implementation Method 2
the energy storage means comprise a voltage doubler device comprising two capacitors and two diodes
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 3
Figure 5
AI summary
The sensor has a radio frequency type wireless data transceiver (E-R) coupled to a microcontroller (UC). The microcontroller generates measurement data of electrical current flowing in an electrical conductor (20), where the sensor is operated in distinct operating modes differing from one another by the measurement data generated by the microcontroller and by measurement duration of the electrical current flowing in the conductor. A determining unit determines transition from one of the modes to the other mode while taking account of a value of the measured current.