Systems that use external battery cabinets to power uninterruptible power supplies

Abstract

A system for powering an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) using an external battery cabinet is disclosed. The system may include an external battery cabinet configured to supply power to the UPS, wherein the external battery cabinet operates at a predetermined battery voltage. The system may include a boost pulse width modulator controller comprising two or more operating switches and a boost converter coupled to the boost pulse width modulator controller, wherein the boost converter is configured to increase the predetermined battery voltage. The system may include bypass circuitry to allow power to flow directly from the external battery cabinet to the UPS. The system may include voltage sensing circuitry configured to measure the voltages of the external battery cabinet and the UPS. The system may include a microcontroller configured to generate one or more boost signals or one or more bypass signals based on the voltages of the external battery cabinet and the UPS to activate one of the boost converters or the bypass circuitry.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Indian Provisional Application No. 202421092268, filed on 26 November 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to the field of power management systems, and more specifically to systems and methods for powering uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) using external battery cabinets (EBCs). Background Technology

[0003] Power outages are a reality, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) help keep data centers running, even during circuit breaker trips or large-scale power outages. However, UPS solutions haven't seen much development in recent years. Therefore, data centers are looking for ways to reduce the size and weight of these systems, decrease cooling requirements, and extend the lifespan of UPS systems.

[0004] Traditional UPS systems utilize lithium-ion batteries to provide power during power outages. However, lithium-ion batteries have many drawbacks. For example, they are expensive and thermally sensitive. Furthermore, they pose a higher risk of overheating and fire if improperly handled or exposed to extreme temperatures. Therefore, lithium-ion batteries require sophisticated battery management and protection systems to ensure their safety and performance. The higher cost can also be an obstacle to adopting lithium-ion batteries in large UPS systems, where cost-effectiveness is paramount.

[0005] Additionally, it is important to ensure that the EBC's battery voltage matches the UPS's battery voltage. For example, connecting an EBC with a different battery voltage to the UPS may damage the equipment or cause system malfunction. In a non-limiting example, a 36V UPS can only work with a 36V EBC; otherwise, system malfunction or equipment damage may occur.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a system for powering an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) using an external battery cabinet (EBC) that addresses one or more of the shortcomings of the prior methods identified above. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Some of the objectives of this disclosure (which are satisfied by at least one embodiment described herein) are as follows:

[0008] In one embodiment, a system for supplying power to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes: an external battery cabinet configured to supply power to the UPS, wherein the external battery cabinet operates at a predetermined battery voltage; a boost pulse width modulator (PWM) controller including two or more operating switches; a boost converter coupled to the boost PWM controller, wherein the boost converter is configured to increase the predetermined battery voltage of the external battery cabinet based on signals received from the two or more operating switches; a bypass circuit configured to bypass the boost converter so that power can flow directly from the external battery cabinet to the UPS without increasing the predetermined battery voltage of the external battery cabinet; a voltage sensing circuit configured to measure the voltages of the external battery cabinet and the UPS; and a microcontroller configured to generate at least one of one or more boost signals or one or more bypass signals based on the voltages of the external battery cabinet and the UPS measured by the voltage sensing circuit to activate at least one of the boost converter or the bypass circuit.

[0009] In one embodiment, a method for supplying power to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes: receiving a battery status input from an external battery cabinet; receiving a power status input from the UPS; comparing the battery status input and the power status input; if it is determined that the battery status input is less than the power status input, generating one or more boost signals to cause a boost converter to increase the battery voltage of the external battery cabinet to supply power to the UPS; and if it is determined that the battery status input is equal to the power status input, generating one or more bypass signals to cause a bypass circuit to bypass the boost converter to directly supply power to the UPS.

[0010] Other purposes and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0011] A system for supplying power to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) using an external battery cabinet (EBC) according to the present disclosure will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1A A simplified block diagram of a system for powering an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) using an external battery cabinet (EBC) according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure is shown.

[0013] Figure 1B A perspective view of a UPS and EBC according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0014] Figure 2A A flowchart illustrating a method of operating an operating system in different modes according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0015] Figure 2BA flowchart illustrating a method for powering a UPS using an EBC according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure is shown.

[0016] Figure 3 A graph depicting the voltage versus efficiency of a system according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Implementations are provided to fully and completely convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. Numerous details relating to particular components and methods are set forth to provide a complete understanding of implementations of this disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the details provided in the implementations should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure. In some implementations, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

[0018] The terminology used in this disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure. As used in this disclosure, the forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may also be intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases that specify the presence of the stated feature, element, module, unit, and / or component, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0019] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to a system and method for powering an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) using an external battery cabinet (EBC). For example, the system's EBC can be compatible with UPS systems with different battery inputs. In this respect, customers can save costs by using the same EBC for different UPS models. Furthermore, the system's EBC can provide reliable and efficient backup power for critical applications / infrastructure.

[0020] This document anticipates that the systems and methods of this disclosure may offer several technical advantages over prior systems / methods. For example, the systems and methods of this disclosure may provide longer backup time for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and extend the uptime of UPS systems. As another example, the systems and methods of this disclosure may be cost-effective and provide reliable and continuous backup power for data centers.

[0021] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will now be referred to... Figures 1A to 3 Detailed description.

[0022] Figure 1AA simplified block diagram of a system 100 that uses an external battery cabinet (EBC) to power an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure is shown.

[0023] System 100 includes, but is not limited to, an external battery cabinet (EBC) 102, an auxiliary power supply unit 106, an overcurrent protection device 110, a boost pulse width modulator (PWM) controller module 112, a voltage sensing circuit 114, a microcontroller 124, and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 128.

[0024] In one embodiment, EBC 102 includes an external battery compartment for sodium ions (Na-ion). For example, the sodium ion EBC 102 can utilize sodium ions (Na-ion). + ).

[0025] EBC 102 can be configured to operate at different voltage levels. For example, in a non-limiting example, EBC 102 can operate at 36 V. As another example, in a non-limiting example, EBC 102 can operate at 48 V. As yet another example, in a non-limiting example, EBC 102 can operate at 72 V.

[0026] Figure 1B A perspective view of the EBC coupled to the UPS 128 is shown. The EBC 102 can be configured as an independent external power source, designed to supply a stable DC voltage to the UPS 128 during mains power outages or voltage fluctuations. The EBC 102 can be housed in a compact rack-mount enclosure and incorporates a sodium-ion battery pack, which offers higher energy density, thermal stability, and longer cycle life compared to conventional lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the EBC 102 can be physically and electrically coupled to the UPS 128 via a dedicated connector interface that enables seamless power transfer and communication between the two units. The sodium-ion battery pack within the EBC 102 can be configured to operate at multiple discrete voltage levels, such as 36 V, 48 V, and 72 V, depending on the UPS configuration. This connection allows the system 100 to dynamically adjust to the voltage levels provided by the UPS. Figure 1A The voltage level controlled by the internal control circuit system described in the document.

[0028] The sodium ion chemistry of EBC 102 enables System 100 to deliver reliable backup power with improved thermal safety and reduced cost, while maintaining compatibility with multiple UPS input voltage requirements. Figure 1BThe UPS 128 shown represents a standard rack-mounted UPS unit that receives regulated DC input from the EBC 102 and converts it into AC power for downstream devices. Together, the EBC 102 and UPS 128 form an integrated, adaptable, and efficient power backup system 100 suitable for data centers, industrial environments, and mission-critical applications.

[0029] EBC 102 can be configured to be coupled to battery charger 102a. For example, battery charger 102a can ensure that EBC 102 maintains a sufficient charge level and can provide power to EBC 102 when needed.

[0030] In one implementation, EBC 102 may be configured to be coupled to auxiliary power supply unit 106. For example, auxiliary power supply unit 106 may be configured to be connected to EBC 102 to provide a predetermined amount of power (e.g., 12 V DC)) to power other circuits within system 100.

[0031] Overcurrent protection device 110 can be connected to EBC 102 to protect system 100 from overcurrent. For example, overcurrent protection device 110 may include a fuse configured to protect system 100 from overcurrent. For example, EBC 102 may be configured to deliver output power to auxiliary power supply unit 106, which may direct current through overcurrent protection device 110 to protect downstream components from overcurrent flow.

[0032] Voltage sensing circuit 114 can be configured to monitor the voltage levels of EBC 102 and UPS 128. For example, voltage sensing circuit 114 can be configured to connect to microcontroller 124 to monitor the voltage levels of both EBC 102 and UPS 128.

[0033] In one implementation, system 100 also includes a power supply 104. For example, boost PWM controller module 112 may be connected to DC power supply 104. For example, DC power supply 104 may be configured to provide 12 V DC power to boost PWM controller module 112.

[0034] The boost PWM controller module 112 may include a boost converter 108, driver circuitry 120, bypass circuitry 116, and bypass controller 118. The EBC 102 may be configured to regulate the boost converter 108 and / or the bypass circuitry 116. For example, when the input battery voltage substantially matches the required UPS input voltage, the bypass circuitry 116 may be connected in parallel to form a direct electrical path from the EBC 102 to the UPS 128, as will be discussed further herein.

[0035] The boost PWM controller module 112 can be configured to maintain a stable output voltage from the boost converter 108. The boost converter 108 can also be configured to boost (or increase) the input battery voltage required for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) operation when the input battery voltage is low.

[0036] In this implementation, the boost converter 108 is controlled by a boost PWM controller module 112. For example, a microcontroller 124 may be configured to generate one or more signals 125 to activate or deactivate at least one of the boost converters 108. For example, when the boost circuit is enabled (or activated), the boost converter 108 may be configured to increase the input battery voltage required for the UPS output. For example, in a non-limiting example where the EBC 102 voltage is 36 V, the boost converter 108 may be configured to increase the voltage to approximately 53 V. As another example, in a non-limiting example where the EBC 102 voltage is 48 V, the boost converter 108 may be configured to increase the voltage to approximately 75 V.

[0037] System 100 also includes driver circuitry 120. For example, driver circuitry 120 may be connected to boost converter 108, wherein driver circuitry 120 may be configured to provide an input power supply voltage to boost PWM controller module 112 to generate drive pulses for operating two or more switches. For example, driver circuitry 120 may include field-effect transistor (e.g., metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET)) driver circuitry configured to provide an input power supply voltage to boost PWM controller module 112 to generate drive pulses for operating the switches. In this respect, driver circuitry 120 may be configured to amplify control signals to ensure proper timing and sequence between two or more switching units, thereby enabling boost converter 108 or bypass circuitry 116 at any given time.

[0038] The operating switches may include at least a first switching unit (Sw1) and a second switching unit (Sw2) in a predetermined sequence. For example, the first switching unit (Sw1) may be operatively connected to the boost converter 108 to control the activation of the switching path within the boost converter 108, while the second switching unit (Sw2) may be operatively connected to the bypass circuit 116 to control the conduction of the bypass path. Each of the operating switches Sw1 and Sw2 may include, but is not limited to, a source terminal, a gate terminal, and a drain terminal.

[0039] In implementation, voltage probes and current probes can be used to measure input voltage and current values ​​and their waveforms.

[0040] The boost PWM controller module 112 can also be configured to interface with the inverter of the EBC 102 and the microcontroller 124. For example, the inverter can be configured to convert DC power to AC power.

[0041] In this implementation, microcontroller 124 is configured to generate control signals in a predetermined timing sequence to trigger the first switching unit Sw1 and the second switching unit Sw2. For example, microcontroller 124 may be configured to adjust the inverter stage input voltage by controlling the battery boost output voltage. When the battery voltage of EBC 102 is within a predetermined range, microcontroller 124 may be configured to send a signal to bypass circuit 116. When the battery output voltage of EBC 102 drops, microcontroller 124 may be configured to generate a signal to switch to boost mode to keep the inverter input within the optimal range. Microcontroller 124 may also be configured to measure the EBC 102 output voltage, UPS battery information, and all other parameters.

[0042] The bypass circuit 116 can be configured to allow power to flow directly from the EBC 102 to the UPS 128 without any voltage conversion. For example, the bypass controller 118 can be configured to switch to bypass mode based on an input signal received from the voltage sensing circuit 114 and a command (or signal) from the microcontroller 124. In this regard, in both bypass and boost modes, a 36V sodium-ion battery can be connected to 36V, 48V, and 72V UPS inverter stages. Similarly, a 48V sodium-ion battery can be connected to 48V and 72V UPS inverter stages. Therefore, this ensures efficient backup power for data centers, etc.

[0043] The exemplary output voltages from the EBC 102 operating mode and the input requirements of the UPS 128 are shown in Table 1 below:

[0044]

[0045] Table 1

[0046] Before supplying power to the UPS 128, the system 100 also includes a reverse voltage protection unit 122. The reverse voltage protection unit 122 ensures that power is only allowed to flow in the correct direction to prevent damage to the UPS 128 or EBC 102 in the event of an accidental reverse polarity connection. For example, regulated power can be supplied to the UPS 128, which can be configured to provide continuous power to connected loads. In this respect, the UPS 128 ensures uninterrupted operation of critical systems during power outages or fluctuations by seamlessly switching to battery power.

[0047] Figures 2A to 2BA flowchart is shown of a method 200 for operating system 100 in different modes (e.g., bypass mode or boost mode) based on a comparison of external battery input voltage and UPS input voltage according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] In step 202, method 200 may include checking the state of operating switches Sw1 and Sw2. For example, microcontroller 124 may be configured to generate control signals in a predetermined timing sequence to trigger the first switching unit Sw1 and the second switching unit Sw2, wherein the corresponding switches correspond to the switching paths of boost converter 108 and bypass circuit 116, respectively. In an embodiment, each of the first switching unit Sw1 and the second switching unit Sw2 may include a bridge circuit configuration.

[0049] In this implementation, the control signal generated by the microcontroller 124 can be based on the external battery input voltage from the EBC 102 and the UPS input voltage from the UPS 128, respectively.

[0050] If the states of both the first switch unit Sw1 and the second switch unit Sw2 are high, then in step 204, method 200 may include returning to step 202 to check the states of the operating switches Sw1 and Sw2 again.

[0051] If both the first switching unit Sw1 and the second switching unit Sw2 are in a low state, then in step 206, method 200 may include checking the battery input voltage. Furthermore, in step 208, method 200 may include checking the UPS input voltage.

[0052] In step 210, method 200 may include comparing the battery input voltage (from step 206) with the input voltage of UPS 128 (from step 208).

[0053] For example, in step 212, the battery input can be equal to the UPS input. If the battery input is determined to be equal to the UPS input, in step 214, bypass mode can be enabled. For example, microcontroller 124 can be configured to enable bypass mode and allow the battery to directly power the UPS without any voltage boost.

[0054] As another example, in step 216, the battery input may be less than the UPS input. If it is determined that the battery input is less than the UPS input, a boost mode can be enabled in step 218. For example, the microcontroller 124 can be configured to enable a boost mode that activates the boost converter 108 to boost the battery voltage required by the UPS. This ensures that the UPS operating voltage remains the same even when the battery voltage is low. The microcontroller 124 continuously monitors the status of switching units Sw1 and Sw2.

[0055] When the battery status input is determined to be greater than the UPS input, the microcontroller 124 can be configured to generate one or more bypass signals to bypass the boost converter 118 to directly power the UPS 128 via the bypass circuit 116.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, in bypass mode, the bypass mode can be enabled if the output requires 48 V and the input is connected to a 48 V sodium-ion battery. In an additional exemplary embodiment, in bypass mode, the bypass mode can be enabled if the output requires 48 V and the input is connected to a 36 V sodium-ion battery. In an additional exemplary embodiment, in bypass mode, the bypass mode can be enabled if the output requires 48 V and the input is connected to a 72 V sodium-ion battery. In this respect, the bypass mode can be configured to increase the efficiency of the system 100 while reducing heat dissipation.

[0057] In boost mode, the output voltage can be increased and maintained within the optimal range for the UPS inverter level. For example, boost mode can increase the battery voltage to 75 V DC across the entire battery range, regardless of the output voltage.

[0058] This document anticipates that many combinations of inputs and outputs are possible depending on the battery configuration and the desired boost output range, and therefore the discussion herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure. For example, in a non-limiting example, a 36V sodium-ion external battery cabinet (EBC) can be connected to a 36V, 48V, and 72V UPS. As another example, in a non-limiting example, a 48V sodium-ion external battery cabinet (EBC) can be connected to a 48V and 72V UPS. As yet another example, in a non-limiting example, a 72V sodium-ion external battery cabinet (EBC) can be connected to a 72V UPS only.

[0059] also, Figures 2A to 2B The decision logic outlined herein enables system 100 to operate autonomously, ensuring that UPS 128 receives a constant and reliable input voltage, independent of variations in the voltage level of EBC 102. Closed-loop control 126 between microcontroller 124, voltage sensing circuit 114, boost converter 108, and bypass circuit 116 ensures seamless switching between modes, maintaining continuous power delivery, improving energy efficiency, and preventing power interruptions to connected loads.

[0060] Therefore, System 100 and Method 200 overcome the limitations of conventional uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems that rely on fixed-voltage lithium-ion or lead-acid external battery cabinets by introducing an adaptive and intelligent sodium-ion (Na-ion)-based external battery cabinet (EBC) capable of operating across multiple discrete voltage levels. The disclosed system and method use a microcontroller 124 to dynamically compare the input battery voltage with the required UPS input voltage and automatically switch between boost and bypass modes, ensuring seamless voltage compatibility and uninterrupted power delivery. By integrating the boost converter 108 and bypass circuitry 116 under real-time control, the system minimizes conversion losses, improves efficiency, and prevents equipment damage due to voltage mismatch. This intelligent voltage adaptability, combined with the thermal stability and cost advantages of sodium-ion chemistry, enables a highly reliable, efficient, and secure UPS power backup architecture suitable for modern data centers and mission-critical applications.

[0061] Figure 3 A graph 300 depicting the voltage versus efficiency of a system according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0062] For example, as shown in graph 300, as the voltage delivered from the battery system to the UPS inverter stage increases, the overall system efficiency also increases. This is because the UPS inverter is a constant power delivery device. Therefore, for the same amount of delivered power, the delivered amperes decrease as the voltage increases.

[0063] As shown in efficiency curve 300, when the input voltage is approximately 35 V, system 100 achieves approximately 90.2%. As the input voltage increases to 40 V, the efficiency improves to 92.5%, and further to 94.4% at 45 V. Efficiency continues to rise, reaching 95.3% at 50 V, and peaking at approximately 95.9% at an input voltage of 55 V. This trend indicates that system efficiency improves as the input voltage from EBC 102 approaches the optimal operating range of UPS 128.

[0064] The foregoing description of embodiments has been provided for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment and are interchangeable. These changes should not be considered as departing from this disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0065] The disclosure described above has several technical advantages, including, but not limited to, providing longer backup time for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), being cost-effective, working with UPS systems with 36 V, 48 V or 72 V battery inputs, and providing reliable and efficient backup power for data centers.

[0066] The embodiments described herein, along with their various features and advantageous details, are illustrated with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described below.

[0067] Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments described herein. The examples used herein are intended only to facilitate an understanding of how the embodiments described herein can be practiced, and further to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0068] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can readily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments for various applications by applying present knowledge without departing from the general conception, and therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be understood within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the wording or terminology used herein is for descriptive rather than limiting purposes. Therefore, although the embodiments herein have been described according to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0069] The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" implies the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as in the embodiments of this disclosure, to achieve one or more desired purposes or results.

[0070] This disclosure also includes the following technical solutions:

[0071] 1. A system (100) for supplying power to an uninterruptible power supply (128), the system (100) comprising:

[0072] An external battery cabinet (102) includes a sodium-ion battery pack configured to operate at multiple discrete voltage levels and coupled to a battery charger (102a).

[0073] A boost converter (108) is configured to increase the input battery voltage to the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage when the input battery voltage from the external battery cabinet (102) is less than the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage;

[0074] A bypass circuit (116) is configured to establish a bypass path that allows power to flow directly from the external battery cabinet (102) to the uninterruptible power supply (128) when the input battery voltage substantially matches the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage.

[0075] A voltage sensing circuit (114) is configured to sense both the input battery voltage of the external battery cabinet (102) and the required uninterruptible power supply (UPS) input voltage of the UPS (128); and

[0076] A microcontroller (124) communicatively coupled to the boost converter (108), the bypass circuit (116), and the voltage sensing circuit (114) is configured to compare the input battery voltage with the desired uninterruptible power supply input voltage and switch between boost mode and bypass mode based on the comparison result by generating control signals for the boost converter (108) and the bypass circuit (116).

[0077] 2. The system (100) according to technical solution 1, wherein the microcontroller (124) is configured to generate control signals for the first switching unit and the second switching unit via the gate driver (120).

[0078] The first switching unit is operatively connected to the boost converter to control the activation of the switching path within the boost converter, and the second switching unit is operatively connected to the bypass circuit to control the conduction of the bypass path, such that the first switching unit and the second switching unit are actuated in a predetermined order to enable the boost converter (108) or the bypass circuit (116) based on the control signal from the microcontroller (124).

[0079] 3. The system (100) according to technical solution 1, wherein the microcontroller (124) enables the bypass mode when the input battery voltage is equal to the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage or within a predetermined tolerance range of the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage, and enables the boost mode when the input battery voltage is less than the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage.

[0080] 4. The system (100) according to technical solution 3, wherein, in the bypass mode, the microcontroller (124) activates the bypass circuit (116) to provide a direct electrical path between the external battery cabinet (102) and the uninterruptible power supply (128), such that the input battery voltage is delivered to the uninterruptible power supply (128) without conversion by the boost converter (108), and

[0081] In the boost mode, the microcontroller (124) disables the bypass circuit (116) and activates the boost converter (108) to boost the input battery voltage of the external battery cabinet (102) to the predetermined boost voltage level required by the uninterruptible power supply, thereby maintaining the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage within the operating range even when the input battery voltage is lower than the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage.

[0082] 5. The system (100) according to technical solution 1 further includes an auxiliary power supply unit (104) configured to provide regulated DC power to a control circuit including the voltage sensing circuit (114), the boost pulse width modulator controller (112) and the microcontroller (124), wherein an overcurrent protection fuse (110) is arranged between the external battery cabinet (102) and the boost converter (108).

[0083] 6. A method (500) for supplying power to an uninterruptible power supply (128) using an external battery cabinet (102), the method (500) comprising:

[0084] The input battery voltage of the external battery cabinet (102) and the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage of the uninterruptible power supply (128) are detected by the microcontroller (124) via the voltage sensing circuit (114), wherein the external battery cabinet (102) includes a sodium-ion battery pack.

[0085] The microcontroller (124) compares the input battery voltage with the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage;

[0086] When the input battery voltage is equal to or within a predetermined tolerance range of the required uninterruptible power supply (UPS) input voltage, the microcontroller (124) activates the bypass circuit (116) to establish a bypass path for current to flow directly from the external battery cabinet (102) to the UPS (128) without conversion by the boost converter (108); and

[0087] If the input battery voltage is less than the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage, the microcontroller (124) activates the boost converter (108) to raise the input battery voltage of the external battery cabinet (102) to the boost voltage level required by the uninterruptible power supply (128).

[0088] 7. The method (500) according to technical solution 6, wherein activating the boost converter (108) includes generating a control signal via a gate driver (120) to actuate a first switching unit operatively connected to the boost converter (108) and a second switching unit operatively connected to the bypass circuit (116), such that the first switching unit and the second switching unit are actuated in a predetermined order to enable operation of the boost converter (108) or the bypass circuit (116).

[0089] 8. The method (500) according to technical solution 6, wherein the microcontroller (124) enables a bypass mode when the input battery voltage is equal to the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage or within a predetermined tolerance range of the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage, and enables a boost mode when the input battery voltage is less than the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage.

[0090] 9. The method (500) according to technical solution 6, wherein, in the bypass mode, the microcontroller (124) activates the bypass circuit (116) to provide a direct electrical path between the external battery cabinet (102) and the uninterruptible power supply (128), such that the input battery voltage is delivered to the uninterruptible power supply (128) without conversion by the boost converter (108), and

[0091] In the boost mode, the microcontroller (124) disables the bypass circuit (116) and activates the boost converter (108) to boost the input battery voltage of the external battery cabinet (102) to a predetermined boost voltage level required by the uninterruptible power supply (128), thereby maintaining the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage within the operating range even when the input battery voltage is lower than the required uninterruptible power supply input voltage.

[0092] 10. The method (500) according to technical solution 6 further includes supplying regulated DC power from the auxiliary power supply unit (104) to a control circuit including the voltage sensing circuit (114), the boost pulse width modulator controller (112) and the microcontroller (124), and providing overcurrent protection by arranging a fuse (110) between the external battery cabinet (102) and the boost converter (108).

[0093] Any discussion of devices, articles of manufacture, etc., already included in this specification is for the purpose of providing context for this disclosure only. This should not be construed as an admission that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art anywhere prior to the priority date of this application or as common general knowledge in the field relating to this disclosure.

[0094] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component portions of the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many embodiments can be made and many changes can be made to the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of this disclosure. These and other variations in the preferred and other embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the disclosure herein, and it should be clearly understood that the foregoing descriptive matters are to be construed as illustrative rather than limiting.

Claims

1. A system for supplying power to an uninterruptible power supply, comprising: An external battery cabinet is configured to supply power to the uninterruptible power supply, wherein the external battery cabinet operates at a predetermined battery voltage; A boost pulse width modulator controller, comprising two or more operating switches; A boost converter coupled to the boost pulse width modulator controller, wherein the boost converter is configured to increase a predetermined battery voltage of the external battery cabinet based on signals received from the two or more operating switches; A bypass circuit is configured to bypass the boost converter so that power can flow directly from the external battery cabinet to the uninterruptible power supply without increasing the predetermined battery voltage of the external battery cabinet. A voltage sensing circuit configured to measure the voltage of the external battery cabinet and the uninterruptible power supply; and A microcontroller configured to generate at least one of one or more boost signals or one or more bypass signals based on the voltages of the external battery cabinet and the uninterruptible power supply measured by the voltage sensing circuit, to activate at least one of the boost converter or the bypass circuit.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: A driver circuit is configured to supply an input power supply voltage to the boost pulse width modulator controller to generate one or more drive pulses for the two or more operating switches.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The driver circuit includes a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: An auxiliary power supply unit is configured to be coupled to the external battery cabinet to provide a predetermined amount of power to the external battery cabinet.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: A DC power supply is configured to be coupled to the boost pulse width modulator controller to provide DC power to the boost pulse width modulator controller.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: A reverse voltage protection unit coupled to the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is configured to regulate the power supplied to the UPS and monitor the direction of the power to prevent damage to the UPS.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: One or more overcurrent protection devices are configured to be coupled to the external battery cabinet, wherein the one or more overcurrent protection devices are configured to protect the system from overcurrent.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The predetermined battery voltage of the external battery cabinet is 36 V.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein, The uninterruptible power supply operates at either 48 V or 72 V.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein, The boost converter is configured to increase the predetermined voltage to greater than 48 V.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein, The uninterruptible power supply operates at 36 V, wherein the bypass circuit is configured to allow the external battery cabinet to directly supply power to the uninterruptible power supply and bypass the boost converter.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The predetermined battery voltage of the external battery cabinet is 48 V.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The uninterruptible power supply operates at 72 V.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The boost converter is configured to increase the predetermined voltage to greater than 72 V.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The uninterruptible power supply operates at 48 V or 72 V.

16. The system according to claim 8, wherein, The uninterruptible power supply operates at 48 V, wherein the bypass circuit is configured to allow the external battery cabinet to directly supply power to the uninterruptible power supply and bypass the boost converter.

17. A method for supplying power to an uninterruptible power supply, comprising: Receive battery status input from an external battery cabinet; Receive power status input from the uninterruptible power supply; Compare the battery status input with the power status input; If the battery status input is determined to be less than the power status input, one or more boost signals are generated to cause the boost converter to increase the battery voltage of the external battery cabinet to supply power to the uninterruptible power supply. and If the battery state input is determined to be equal to the power supply state input, one or more bypass signals are generated to allow the bypass circuit to bypass the boost converter to directly supply power to the uninterruptible power supply.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: The direction of the power from the uninterruptible power supply is monitored to prevent damage to the uninterruptible power supply.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: If the battery state input is determined to be greater than the uninterruptible power supply (UPS), one or more bypass signals are generated to allow the bypass circuit to bypass the boost converter and directly supply power to the UPS.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: Receive the switch status of each of two or more operating switches; If the first switch state and the second switch state are determined to be below a predetermined threshold, the battery state input is received from the external battery cabinet; and If it is determined that the first switch state and the second switch state are greater than the predetermined threshold, the additional switch state of each of the two or more operating switches is received.

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