International business machines corporation (20240097292). LOW-CURRENT VOLTAGE SOURCE WATCHDOG simplified abstract

LOW-CURRENT VOLTAGE SOURCE WATCHDOG

Organization Name

international business machines corporation

Inventor(s)

Mark K. Hoffmeyer of Rochester MN (US)

Matthew Doyle of Chatfield MN (US)

Kyle Schoneck of Rochester MN (US)

Layne A. Berge of Rochester MN (US)

Matthew A. Walther of Rochester MN (US)

Thomas W. Liang of Rochester MN (US)

John R. Dangler of Rochester MN (US)

Jason J. Bjorgaard of Rochester MN (US)

LOW-CURRENT VOLTAGE SOURCE WATCHDOG - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240097292 titled 'LOW-CURRENT VOLTAGE SOURCE WATCHDOG

Simplified Explanation

A voltage source watchdog is a device that includes a passive component with an electromigration joint that creates a void after a specified amount of current passes through it, leading to a safety mode situation.

• The passive device is placed in series between a voltage source and a load.
• The electromigration joint is made of known materials that will create a void after a specified amount of current passes through.
• Once the void is created, the voltage will no longer be sensed, triggering a safety mode situation.
• This technology can be used with batteries to extend their life by selectively enabling voltage measurement operations.

Potential Applications

This technology can be applied in various industries such as:

• Automotive for battery management systems
• Consumer electronics for power management
• Industrial applications for safety monitoring

Problems Solved

• Ensures safety by detecting when a specified amount of current has passed through the device.
• Extends battery life by enabling selective voltage measurement operations.

Benefits

• Provides a reliable safety mechanism for voltage sources.
• Increases the lifespan of batteries by preventing overuse.

Potential Commercial Applications

• Battery management systems for electric vehicles
• Power management systems for portable electronics
• Safety monitoring devices for industrial equipment

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology could be current monitoring devices used in various industries to prevent overcurrent situations.

How does the electromigration joint create a void?

The electromigration joint is designed to degrade over time due to the passage of current, leading to the creation of a void. This process is controlled and predictable, ensuring the reliability of the safety mechanism.

What is the impact of the void on the voltage measurement operations?

Once the void is created in the electromigration joint, the voltage will no longer be sensed, triggering the safety mode situation. This ensures that the device can effectively detect when a specified amount of current has passed through.

Original Abstract Submitted

a voltage source watchdog comprising a passive device is placed in series between a voltage source and a load. the passive device includes an electromigration (em) joint of known materials that will create an electromigration void after a specified amount of current passes through the em joint. after a known amount of current as passed through, a void is created and a voltage will no longer be sensed, thus providing a sure safety mode situation. when the voltage source is a battery, the battery life may be extended by selectively enabling voltage measurement operations for the proposed watchdog.