Capacitive power system having a service life extending approach
First Claim
1. A system having a service life extender for a capacitor, comprising:
- a power module; and
a diagnostics module connected to the power module; and
wherein;
the diagnostics module is configured to determine a minimum working voltage of a capacitor needed for storing a predetermined amount of energy therein;
the power module is configured to control current and voltage at the capacitor; and
the predetermined amount of energy is sufficient for providing a fail safe condition for an electrical mechanism if a power-off condition to the electrical mechanism is detected; and
the diagnostics module is configured to measures a voltage at the capacitor and determine whether the voltage is equal to or greater than the minimum working voltage needed for storing the predetermined amount of energy;
if the voltage is equal to or greater than the minimum working voltage, then a charge cycle is not needed;
if the voltage is less than the minimum working voltage and the power-on condition is detected, then a charge cycle is initiated and continued until the voltage is equal to or greater than the minimum working voltage plus a hysteresis voltage.
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Abstract
A capacitive power system having a service life extending approach. The system may have an ultra or super capacitor with high capacitance. A predetermined amount of energy may be stored in the capacitor, sufficient for providing power to an electrically powered mechanism in the event the mechanism loses its power, to place it in a fail safe condition. With the capacitor at an initial capacitance, the working voltage may be set as low as possible while still retaining sufficient capacity for storing the predetermined amount of energy. As the capacitor'"'"'s capacitance decreases with age, the working voltage of the capacitor may be gradually increased to compensate for lost capacitance. If the mechanism loses power, then a discharge of the capacitor may be initiated to transfer energy to the mechanism. If the electrical mechanism has power, then a charging of the capacitor may be initiated to transfer energy to the capacitor.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system having a service life extender for a capacitor, comprising:
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a power module; and a diagnostics module connected to the power module; and wherein; the diagnostics module is configured to determine a minimum working voltage of a capacitor needed for storing a predetermined amount of energy therein; the power module is configured to control current and voltage at the capacitor; and the predetermined amount of energy is sufficient for providing a fail safe condition for an electrical mechanism if a power-off condition to the electrical mechanism is detected; and the diagnostics module is configured to measures a voltage at the capacitor and determine whether the voltage is equal to or greater than the minimum working voltage needed for storing the predetermined amount of energy; if the voltage is equal to or greater than the minimum working voltage, then a charge cycle is not needed; if the voltage is less than the minimum working voltage and the power-on condition is detected, then a charge cycle is initiated and continued until the voltage is equal to or greater than the minimum working voltage plus a hysteresis voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for expanding a service life of a capacitor for storing a predetermined amount of energy needed by an electrical mechanism to achieve a fail safe condition if the mechanism loses power, comprising:
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periodically determining a minimal working voltage of a capacitor needed to store a predetermined amount of energy in the capacitor; and increasing or decreasing the minimal working voltage to be merely sufficient for the capacitor to store the predetermined amount of energy; and wherein the capacitor has a capacitance sufficient to store X times, where X>
1, the predetermined amount of energy; andinitiating a discharge cycle of the capacitor to transfer the predetermined amount of energy from the capacitor to an electrical mechanism to achieve a fail safe condition when the electrical mechanism loses power. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A capacitive power source having a service life extending approach, comprising:
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a capacitor control block connected to the capacitor module; and a diagnostics module connected to the capacitor control block; and wherein; the capacitor module comprises a capacitor; the diagnostics module determines a minimum working voltage for the capacitor for storing a predetermined amount of energy the predetermined amount of energy is for providing a fail safe condition for an electrical mechanism in an event of a power-off condition of the electrical mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification