Method and apparatus for optimizing self-power consumption of a controller-based device

• US 10,417,721 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2017
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volpe and Koenig PC
• Original Assignee: Volpe and Koenig PC
• Inventors: Ofek, Eran
• Primary Examiner(s): Tecklu, Isaac T
• Application Number:
  US15/651,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20170316521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32021 Energy management, balance and limit power to tools
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/10 Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A device and method are disclosed for optimizing self-power consumption. The device may sense one or more operating conditions of the device. The device may further select one or more operating parameters associated with at least one of the one or more operating conditions. The device may also estimate a power consumption associated with executing an algorithm to generate at least one updated value for at least one of the one or more operating parameters as well as estimate a power savings associated with operating using the updated value. The device may compare the estimated power consumption to the estimated power savings and determine whether to execute the algorithm based on the comparing.

Claims

1. A method of optimizing self-power consumption of a controller-based device, the method comprising:

outputting, from a plurality of sensors, a corresponding plurality of signals indicating at least an output harmonics level of the controller-based device;

assigning, by the controller, a weight to the output harmonics level based on a relative importance of the output harmonics level to the operation of the controller-based device;

estimating, by the controller, an energy cost associated with executing an algorithm to calculate new settings for controlling a plurality of semiconductor switches of the controller-based device to improve the output harmonics level;

estimating, by the controller, a benefit associated with operating at the improved output harmonics level;

on a first condition that a weighted benefit is favorable compared to the estimated energy cost;

executing the algorithm to calculate the new settings for controlling the plurality of semiconductor switches of the controller-based device; and

controlling the plurality of semiconductor switches based on the new settings; and

on a second condition that the weighted benefit is not favorable compared to the estimated energy cost, foregoing executing the algorithm to calculate the new settings;

wherein the weighted benefit is based on the estimated benefit and the assigned weight.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the estimating the energy cost is based on iteratively tracking a history of the energy cost, and further wherein the estimating the benefit is based on iteratively tracking a history of the benefit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller-based device is a power converter, and the plurality of signals further indicate an input power level and an output power level of the controller-based device.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

assigning, by the controller, a weight to a power conversion efficiency level based on a relative importance of the power conversion efficiency level to the operation of the controller-based device, wherein the power conversion efficiency level is based on a ratio of the output power level to the input power level;

estimating, by the controller, an energy cost associated with executing an algorithm to calculate new settings for controlling the plurality of semiconductor switches of the controller-based device to improve the power conversion efficiency level; and

estimating, by the controller, a benefit associated with operating at the improved power conversion efficiency level.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the power conversion efficiency level is assigned more weight than the output harmonics level.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining that the weighted benefit of operating at the improved output harmonics level is favorable compared to the estimated energy cost associated with executing the algorithm to calculate new settings for controlling the plurality of semiconductor switches of the controller-based device to improve the output harmonics level.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining that a weighted benefit of operating at the improved power conversion efficiency is not favorable compared to the estimated energy cost associated with executing the algorithm to calculate new settings for controlling the plurality of semiconductor switches of the controller-based device to improve the power conversion efficiency; and

foregoing executing the algorithm to calculate the new settings for controlling the plurality of semiconductor switches of the controller-based device to improve the power conversion efficiency.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the estimating the energy cost associated with executing the algorithm includes estimating the energy cost for the algorithm being executed at a predetermined frequency.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the estimating the energy cost associated with executing the algorithm includes estimating the energy cost for the algorithm being executed at a predetermined complexity level of a plurality of complexity levels.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein each signal of the plurality of signals indicate a temperature, an electrical current, or an electrical voltage.

11. A controller-based device capable of optimizing self-power consumption, the controller-based device comprising:

a plurality of sensors configured to output a corresponding plurality of signals indicating at least an output harmonics level of the controller-based device; and

the controller configured to;

assign a weight to the output harmonics level based on a relative importance of the output harmonics level to the operation of the controller-based device;

estimate an energy cost associated with executing an algorithm to calculate new settings for controlling a plurality of semiconductor switches of the controller-based device to improve the output harmonics level;

estimate a benefit associated with operating at the improved output harmonics level;

on a first condition that a weighted benefit is favorable compared to the estimated energy cost;

execute the algorithm to calculate the new settings for controlling the plurality of semiconductor switches of the controller-based device; and

control the plurality of semiconductor switches based on the new settings; and

on a second condition that the weighted benefit is not favorable compared to the estimated energy cost, forego executing the algorithm to calculate the new settings;

wherein the weighted benefit is based on the estimated benefit and the assigned weight.

12. The controller-based device of claim 11, wherein the estimated energy cost is based on an iteratively tracked history of the energy cost, and further wherein the estimated benefit is based on an iteratively tracked history of the benefit.

13. The controller-based device of claim 11, wherein the controller-based device is a power converter, and the plurality of signals further indicate an input power level and an output power level of the controller-based device.

14. The controller-based device of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to:

assign a weight to a power conversion efficiency level based on a relative importance of the power conversion efficiency level to the operation of the controller-based device, wherein the power conversion efficiency level is based on a ratio of the output power level to the input power level;

estimate an energy cost associated with executing an algorithm to calculate new settings for controlling the plurality of semiconductor switches of the controller-based device to improve the power conversion efficiency level; and

estimate a benefit associated with operating at the improved power conversion efficiency level.

15. The controller-based device of claim 14, wherein the power conversion efficiency level is assigned more weight than the output harmonics level.

16. The controller-based device of claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to determine that the weighted benefit of operating at the improved output harmonics level is favorable compared to the estimated energy cost associated with executing the algorithm to calculate new settings for controlling the plurality of semiconductor switches of the controller-based device to improve the output harmonics level.

17. The controller-based device of claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to:

determine that a weighted benefit of operating at the improved power conversion efficiency is not favorable compared to the estimated energy cost associated with executing the algorithm to calculate new settings for controlling the plurality of semiconductor switches of the controller-based device to improve the power conversion efficiency; and

forego executing the algorithm to calculate the new settings for controlling the plurality of semiconductor switches of the controller-based device to improve the power conversion efficiency.

18. The controller-based device of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to estimate the energy cost for the algorithm being executed at a predetermined frequency.

19. The controller-based device of claim 18, wherein the controller is further configured to estimate the energy cost for the algorithm being executed at a predetermined complexity level of a plurality of complexity levels.

20. The controller-based device of claim 11, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors are configured to output a signal indicating a temperature, an electrical current, or an electrical voltage.