Uninterruptible power supply (UPS), power supply system and battery capacity test procedures

Abstract

This application provides an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a power supply system, and a battery capacity test method, to accurately detect a total battery capacity of the system, so that during a capacity test and when mains supply is abnormal, battery backup time of the power supply system is sufficient. The UPS is separately connected to a load and at least two battery packs. The UPS includes a test unit, configured to: perform a separate capacity test on each battery pack in the at least two battery packs, and obtain a battery capacity of the battery pack, where when the battery capacity of each battery pack is measured, another battery pack other than the battery pack does not discharge and has backup power. The UPS further includes a determining unit, configured to determine a total battery capacity of the at least two battery packs based on the battery capacity of each battery pack.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201910435165.4, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on May 23, 2019, and entitled "UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY UPS, POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM, AND BATTERY CAPACITY TEST METHOD", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This application relates to the power field, and more specifically, to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a power supply system, and a battery capacity test method.BACKGROUND

[0003] An uninterruptible power supply (uninterruptible power supply, UPS) system is a system device that connects batteries to a host, and converts a direct current into an alternating current by using a module circuit such as a host inverter. The UPS is mainly configured to provide stable and uninterruptible power supply to a single computer, a computer network system, or another power electronic device such as a solenoid valve or a pressure transmitter. When a mains supply input is normal, the UPS stabilizes mains supply and supplies the mains supply to a load for use. In this case, the UPS is an alternating current voltage regulator, and the UPS may further charge batteries of the UPS. When the mains supply is interrupted (forced outage), the UPS immediately continuously supplies an alternating current to the load by using direct current energy of the batteries and by using the inverter, so that the load normally operates and software and hardware of the load are protected from being damaged.

[0004] Because power supply reliability of the system is closely related to battery reliability, the system needs to measure a real-time capacity of the battery online. A solution for performing a battery capacity check test on a storage battery is as follows: All battery packs discharge at the same time, and a discharge depth is generally 100%. In this case, a real-time capacity of the battery in the system can be accurately detected. However, after the battery capacity check test is performed on the battery by using the solution, battery backup time of the UPS power supply system is almost zero, thereby bringing a potential power supply risk to the system.SUMMARY

[0005] This application provides an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a power supply system including the UPS and battery packs, and a battery capacity test method, to accurately detect a total battery capacity of the power supply system, so that during a capacity test and when mains supply is abnormal, battery backup time of the power supply system is sufficient.

[0006] According to a first aspect, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is provided. The UPS is separately connected to a load and at least two battery packs, and the UPS includes a test unit and a determining unit.

[0007] The test unit is configured to: perform a separate capacity test on each battery pack in the at least two battery packs, and obtain a battery capacity of the battery pack, where the separate capacity test includes: measuring the battery capacity of each battery pack when the battery pack and mains supply jointly supply power to the load, where in this case, another battery pack other than the battery pack does not discharge and has backup power. The determining unit is configured to determine a total battery capacity of the at least two battery packs based on the battery capacity of each battery pack.

[0008] Therefore, in this embodiment of this application, when each battery pack and the mains supply jointly supply power to the load, the battery capacity of the battery pack in a system is detected, and then a total battery capacity of the system is determined based on the battery capacity of each battery pack. In addition, in this embodiment of this application, when the battery capacity of each battery pack is detected, the another battery pack other than the detected battery pack does not discharge and has backup power. Based on this, in this embodiment of this application, the total battery capacity of the system can be accurately detected, and when a capacity test and the mains supply are abnormal, it can be further ensured that battery backup time of the power supply system is sufficient, thereby reducing a power supply risk of the system.

[0009] It should be noted that, in this embodiment of this application, a battery capacity of a battery pack refers to a real-time capacity of the battery pack, to be specific, in an actual use state, an electric quantity actually discharged by the battery pack after the battery pack is fully charged.

[0010] After maintenance personnel learn of a real-time capacity of each battery pack, the maintenance personnel may determine whether the battery backup time of the system is sufficient, and may decide, based on calculated battery backup time of the system, whether the battery pack needs to be replaced, to eliminate a risk caused by insufficient battery backup time of the system.

[0011] Optionally, the UPS is further connected to at least two control circuits that are connected to the at least two battery packs in a one-to-one correspondence, each control circuit in the at least two control circuits is connected between the UPS and a battery pack corresponding to the control circuit, and the UPS is specifically configured to control, by using each control circuit, a battery pack connected to the control circuit to charge or discharge. In this way, in this embodiment of this application, the at least two battery packs can be independently controlled by using the at least two control circuits, to charge or discharge, thereby providing a condition for the separate capacity test.

[0012] Optionally, the control circuit includes a DC / DC circuit.

[0013] Optionally, the test unit is further configured to: when performing the separate capacity test on each battery pack, control a discharge voltage of a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the battery pack to be higher than a discharge voltage of a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the another battery pack.

[0014] Therefore, the discharge voltage of the DC / DC circuit corresponding to each battery pack is controlled to be higher than the discharge voltage of the DC / DC circuit corresponding to the another battery pack, so that a discharge current of the another battery pack can be 0. In other words, the another battery pack does not discharge.

[0015] Optionally, the test unit is specifically configured to: when performing the separate capacity test on each battery pack, obtain the battery capacity of the battery pack from a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the battery pack. To be specific, in this case, the DC / DC circuit corresponding to each battery pack detects a voltage and a discharge current of the corresponding battery pack, calculates the battery capacity of the battery pack based on the detected voltage and discharge current of the battery pack, and sends the battery capacity of the battery pack to the UPS.

[0016] Optionally, the test unit is specifically configured to: when performing the separate capacity test on each battery pack, obtain a voltage and a discharge current of the battery pack, and then determine the battery capacity of the battery pack based on the voltage and the discharge current of the battery pack. In other words, in this case, the UPS is configured to: detect the voltage and the discharge current of each battery pack, and calculate the battery capacity of the battery pack.

[0017] Optionally, the test unit is specifically configured to: in a process of performing the separate capacity test on each battery pack, control the battery pack to discharge from a fully charged state to a state in which a battery voltage is a voltage of end of discharge (EOD). In this way, an accurate battery capacity of each battery pack can be obtained, to determine an accurate total battery capacity.

[0018] Optionally, the UPS further includes a control unit, configured to: after the battery capacity of each battery pack is obtained, control charging to the battery pack.

[0019] In this embodiment of this application, after the separate capacity test is performed on each battery pack, the battery pack is charged. Therefore, it can be ensured that another battery pack is fully charged when the separate capacity test is performed on a next battery pack. In a capacity test process, sufficient battery backup time of the power supply system is ensured, thereby reducing the power supply risk of the system.

[0020] According to a second aspect, a power supply system is provided, including the UPS according to the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and at least two battery packs connected to the UPS.

[0021] Optionally, the power supply system further includes at least two control circuits connected to the at least two battery packs in a one-to-one correspondence, each control circuit in the at least two control circuits is connected between the UPS and a battery pack corresponding to the control circuit, and the UPS is specifically configured to control, by using each control circuit, a battery pack connected to the control circuit to charge or discharge.

[0022] Optionally, the control circuit includes a DC / DC circuit.

[0023] According to a third aspect, a battery capacity test method is further provided. The method is performed by an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), the UPS is separately connected to a load and at least two battery packs, and the method includes: performing a separate capacity test on each battery pack in the at least two battery packs, and obtaining a battery capacity of the battery pack, where the separate capacity test includes: measuring the battery capacity of each battery pack when the battery pack and mains supply jointly supply power to the load, where in this case, another battery pack other than the battery pack does not discharge and has backup power; and determining a total battery capacity of the at least two battery packs based on the battery capacity of each battery pack.

[0024] Optionally, the UPS is further connected to at least two control circuits that are connected to the at least two battery packs in a one-to-one correspondence, each control circuit in the at least two control circuits is connected between the UPS and a battery pack corresponding to the control circuit, and the UPS is specifically configured to control, by using each control circuit, a battery pack connected to the control circuit to charge or discharge.

[0025] Optionally, the control circuit includes a DC / DC circuit.

[0026] Optionally, the method further includes: when the separate capacity test is performed on each battery pack, controlling a discharge voltage of a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the battery pack to be higher than a discharge voltage of a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the another battery pack.

[0027] Optionally, the obtaining a battery capacity of the battery pack includes: obtaining the battery capacity of the battery pack from a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the battery pack.

[0028] Optionally, the obtaining a battery capacity of the battery pack includes: obtaining a voltage and a discharge current of the battery pack; and determining the battery capacity of the battery pack based on the voltage and the discharge current of the battery pack.

[0029] Optionally, the method further includes: in a process in which the separate capacity test is performed on each battery pack, controlling the battery pack to discharge from a fully charged state to a state in which a battery voltage is a voltage of end of discharge (EOD).

[0030] Optionally, the method further includes: after the battery capacity of each battery pack is obtained, controlling charging to the battery pack.

[0031] Therefore, in this embodiment of this application, when each battery pack and the mains supply jointly supply power to the load, the battery capacity of the battery pack in a system is detected, and then a total battery capacity of the system is determined based on the battery capacity of each battery pack. In addition, in this embodiment of this application, when the battery capacity of each battery pack is detected, the another battery pack other than the detected battery pack does not discharge and has backup power. Based on this, in this embodiment of this application, the total battery capacity of the system can be accurately detected, and when a capacity test and the mains supply are abnormal, it can be further ensured that battery backup time of the power supply system is sufficient, thereby reducing a power supply risk of the system.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a power supply system according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a UPS according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a power supply system applying an embodiment of this application; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a time sequence for battery capacity detection according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 5 shows an example of discharge characteristic curves of different DC / DC units; FIG. 6 shows another example of discharge characteristic curves of different DC / DC units; and FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a battery capacity test method according to an embodiment of this application. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The following describes technical solutions of this application with reference to accompanying drawings.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a power supply system 100 according to an embodiment of this application. The power supply system 100 may be applied to a communication station in the communication field, or may be applied to the field of civilian equipment such as a street lamp system, a property service building, and a vehicle charging station, and is configured to provide stable and uninterruptible power supply. As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply system 100 may include a UPS 110, a load 120, and at least two battery packs (for example, a battery pack 1, a battery pack 2, and a battery pack 3 shown in FIG. 1).

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the UPS. As shown in FIG. 2, the UPS includes a test unit 210 and a determining unit 220.

[0036] The test unit 210 is configured to: perform a separate capacity test on each battery pack in the at least two battery packs, and obtain a battery capacity of the battery pack, where the separate capacity test includes: measuring the battery capacity of each battery pack when the battery pack and mains supply jointly supply power to the load, where in this case, another battery pack other than the battery pack does not discharge and has backup power.

[0037] The determining unit 220 is configured to determine a total battery capacity of the at least two battery packs based on the battery capacity of each battery pack.

[0038] Therefore, in this embodiment of this application, when each battery pack and the mains supply jointly supply power to the load, the battery capacity of the battery pack in the system is detected, and then a total battery capacity of the system is determined based on the battery capacity of each battery pack. In addition, in this embodiment of this application, when the battery capacity of each battery pack is detected, the another battery pack other than the detected battery pack does not discharge and has backup power. Based on this, in this embodiment of this application, the total battery capacity of the system can be accurately detected, and when a capacity test and the mains supply are abnormal, it can be further ensured that battery backup time of the power supply system is sufficient, thereby reducing a power supply risk of the system.

[0039] It should be noted that, in this embodiment of this application, a battery capacity of a battery pack refers to a real-time capacity of the battery pack, to be specific, in an actual use state, an electric quantity actually discharged by the battery pack after the battery pack is fully charged.

[0040] After maintenance personnel learn of a real-time capacity of each battery pack, the maintenance personnel may determine whether the battery backup time of the system is sufficient, and may decide, based on calculated battery backup time of the system, whether the battery pack needs to be replaced, to eliminate a risk caused by insufficient battery backup time of the system.

[0041] Optionally, the UPS is further connected to at least two control circuits that are connected to the at least two battery packs in a one-to-one correspondence, each control circuit in the at least two control circuits is connected between the UPS and a battery pack corresponding to the control circuit, and the UPS is specifically configured to control, by using each control circuit, a battery pack connected to the control circuit to charge or discharge.

[0042] In this way, in this embodiment of this application, the UPS can independently control, by using the at least two control circuits, the at least two battery packs to charge or discharge, thereby providing a condition for the separate capacity test.

[0043] Optionally, the control circuit includes a DC / DC circuit.

[0044] Optionally, when performing the separate capacity test on each battery pack, the test unit 210 controls a discharge voltage of a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the battery pack to be higher than a discharge voltage of a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the another battery pack.

[0045] Therefore, the discharge voltage of the DC / DC circuit corresponding to each battery pack is controlled to be higher than the discharge voltage of the DC / DC circuit corresponding to the another battery pack, so that a discharge current of the another battery pack can be 0. In other words, the another battery pack does not discharge.

[0046] Optionally, the test unit 210 is specifically configured to: when performing the separate capacity test on each battery pack, obtain the battery capacity of the battery pack from a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the battery pack. To be specific, in this case, the DC / DC circuit corresponding to each battery pack detects a voltage and a discharge current of the corresponding battery pack, calculates the battery capacity of the battery pack based on the detected voltage and discharge current of the battery pack, and sends the battery capacity of the battery pack to the UPS.

[0047] Optionally, when performing the separate capacity test on each battery pack, the test unit 210 obtains a voltage and a discharge current of the battery pack, and then determines the battery capacity of the battery pack based on the voltage and the discharge current of the battery pack. In other words, in this case, the UPS is configured to: detect the voltage and the discharge current of each battery pack, and calculate the battery capacity of the battery pack.

[0048] Optionally, the test unit 210 is specifically configured to: in a process of performing the separate capacity test on each battery pack, control the battery pack to discharge from a fully charged state to a state in which a battery voltage is a voltage of end of discharge (EOD). In this way, an accurate battery capacity of each battery pack can be obtained, to determine an accurate total battery capacity.

[0049] Optionally, the UPS 110 further includes a control unit, configured to: after the battery capacity of each battery pack is obtained, control charging to the battery pack.

[0050] In this embodiment of this application, after the separate capacity test is performed on each battery pack, the battery pack is charged. Therefore, it can be ensured that another battery pack is fully charged when the separate capacity test is performed on a next battery pack. In a capacity test process, sufficient battery backup time of the power supply system is ensured, thereby reducing the power supply risk of the system.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a power supply system applying an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 3, the power supply system may include a UPS, a load, and a plurality of battery packs. The battery packs include, for example, a battery pack 1 to a battery pack N, where N is an integer greater than 1. When a mains supply input is normal, mains supply provides energy so that the UPS outputs the energy to the load, and the UPS can charge the battery packs. When the mains supply is abnormal, the UPS controls the battery packs to discharge. The battery packs provide energy so that the UPS outputs the energy to the load, and the battery packs are in a discharging state.

[0052] In this embodiment of this application, the UPS can further control the mains supply and the battery packs to jointly supply power to the load, that is, a part of energy of the load is provided by the mains supply, and a part of the energy of the load is provided by the battery packs. In this way, all of the mains supply and the battery packs supply power to the system load, thereby providing a precondition for a single battery pack (two battery packs, a plurality of battery packs, or the like) to discharge.

[0053] Optionally, the power supply system may further include direct current to direct current (direct current to direct current, DC / DC) converter units, and each battery pack is separately connected to the UPS by using the DC / DC unit. For example, the battery pack 1 is connected to the UPS by using a DC / DC unit 1, and the battery pack N is connected to the UPS by using a DC / DC unit N.

[0054] Specifically, the DC / DC unit may be an example of the foregoing control circuit. The DC / DC unit may also be referred to as a DC / DC circuit.

[0055] In a possible design, the DC / DC unit may be connected to the UPS by using a communication bus, and the communication bus may transmit an instruction or data. As a control module connected to the battery pack, the DC / DC unit may control, under control of the UPS, the battery pack to charge or discharge. Therefore, in this embodiment of this application, the DC / DC unit is disposed on each battery pack, so that the UPS can independently control, by using the DC / DC unit of the battery pack, the battery pack to discharge or charge.

[0056] It should be noted that, because each battery pack is separately connected to the UPS by using the DC / DC unit, a charging or discharging state of the battery pack can be independently controlled. In this way, the precondition for a single battery pack (two battery packs, a plurality of battery packs, or the like) to discharge can be provided. Specifically, a discharge current and a discharge voltage of each battery pack may be independently controlled by using the DC / DC unit. For example, the battery pack 1 may discharge, and a battery pack 2 is in a non-charging and non-discharging state.

[0057] Optionally, in some embodiments, when the battery pack and the mains supply jointly supply power, a discharge current and a discharge voltage of the discharging battery pack may be separately determined. Then, a battery capacity of the discharging battery pack is determined based on the discharge current and the discharge voltage of the discharging battery pack. As an example, the discharge current may be a discharge current preset by the system and required for detecting a battery capacity.

[0058] In some possible implementations, the DC / DC unit may detect voltage information and current information of the battery pack, or the UPS may detect voltage information and current information of the battery pack. This is not limited in this application. Herein, the DC / DC unit and the UPS may be used as examples of the controller 110 in FIG. 1.

[0059] Optionally, in this embodiment of this application, after the battery capacity of each battery pack is obtained, the battery pack may be further charged.

[0060] In a possible case, when the mains supply normally supplies power, battery discharging and capacity detection are performed in a sequence of the battery pack 1, the battery pack 2, ..., and the battery pack N. After battery discharging and capacity detection are performed on a battery pack, the battery pack may be fully charged, and battery discharging and capacity detection may be then performed on a next battery pack. Real-time battery capacities of all battery packs can be calculated after battery discharging and capacity detection are completed in the sequence of the battery pack 1, the battery pack 2, ..., and the battery pack N.

[0061] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a time sequence for battery capacity detection according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 4, during a time period T1, all the battery packs are in a charging or still state. At the end of the time period T1, all the battery packs are in a fully charged state, to ensure that the battery pack 1 is in the fully charged state before the battery pack 1 is discharged for capacity detection during a time period T2. In addition, it can be ensured that battery backup time of the system is sufficient. The battery pack 1 is discharged for capacity detection during the time period T2, and a real-time battery capacity of the battery pack 1 is calculated. In this case, another battery pack does not supply power to the UPS. During a time period T3, all the battery packs are in the charging or still state, and all the battery packs are in the fully charged state at the end of the time period T3, to ensure that the battery pack 2 is in the fully charged state before the battery pack 2 is discharged for capacity detection during a time period T4. In addition, it can be ensured that the battery backup time of the system is sufficient. The battery pack 2 is discharged for capacity detection during the time period T4, and a real-time battery capacity of the battery pack 2 is calculated. In this case, another battery pack does not supply power to the UPS. By analogy, the rest battery packs are discharged for capacity detection.

[0062] In some possible examples, the UPS and / or the DC / DC unit may store the time sequence for battery capacity detection. When the UPS stores the time sequence, there may be data communication between the UPS and each DC / DC unit, and the data communication is used to coordinate a charging and discharging time sequence of the system when battery capacity detection is performed.

[0063] Optionally, when the mains supply is abnormal during a battery self-test period, all the battery packs are switched to a battery discharging state, to ensure uninterruptible power supply of the system.

[0064] In a possible manner, when battery discharging and capacity detection are performed on a specific battery pack, another battery pack may also be set to be in a discharging state. However, in this case, a specified value of a discharge voltage of a DC / DC unit of the battery pack on which battery discharging and capacity detection are performed is higher than a specified value of a discharge voltage of a DC / DC unit of the another battery pack. In this way, an output current of a circuit in which the DC / DC unit of the another battery pack is located is 0, and only the DC / DC unit experiencing battery discharging and capacity detection has an actual current that supplies power to the UPS. In other words, only the battery pack can discharge.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows an example of discharge characteristic curves of different DC / DC units when battery discharging and capacity detection are performed on a battery pack. As shown in FIG. 5, a droop algorithm is used for control. A larger output current indicates a lower DC / DC port output voltage. As shown in FIG. 5, in a discharge characteristic curve of a battery pack experiencing capacity detection, when the discharge current is a battery capacity detection current, the DC / DC port output voltage is higher than a highest output voltage in a discharge characteristic curve of a battery pack not experiencing capacity detection. That is, there is no intersecting point between a dashed line representing the DC / DC port voltage and the discharge characteristic curve of the battery pack not experiencing capacity detection. Therefore, a discharge current of the battery pack not experiencing capacity detection is 0.

[0066] When the mains supply is abnormal during a time period in which battery discharging and capacity detection are performed, and all the battery packs need to be switched to a battery power supply state, the battery pack that is in a capacity detection state returns to a normal discharging state. As an example, a DC / DC discharge reference voltage corresponding to the battery pack that is in the capacity detection state may be adjusted, and the load is evenly shared by all the battery packs.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows an example of discharge characteristic curves of different DC / DC units when the mains supply is abnormal during a time period in which battery discharging and capacity detection are performed. As shown in FIG. 6, a discharge characteristic curve of a battery pack experiencing capacity detection overlaps with a discharge characteristic curve of a battery pack not experiencing capacity detection.

[0068] Therefore, in this embodiment of this application, when each battery pack and the mains supply jointly supply power to the load, the battery capacity of the battery pack in the system is detected, and then a total battery capacity of the system is determined based on the battery capacity of each battery pack. In addition, in this embodiment of this application, when the battery capacity of each battery pack is detected, the another battery pack other than the detected battery pack does not discharge and has backup power. Based on this, in this embodiment of this application, the total battery capacity of the system can be accurately detected, and when a capacity test and the mains supply are abnormal, it can be further ensured that battery backup time of the power supply system is sufficient, thereby reducing a power supply risk of the system.

[0069] An embodiment of this application further provides a power supply system, including any UPS described above and at least two battery packs connected to the UPS. Optionally, the UPS includes the control circuits described above.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a battery capacity test method according to an embodiment of this application. The method should be performed by a UPS, and the UPS is separately connected to a load and at least two battery packs. The method includes the following steps.

[0071] 710. Perform a separate capacity test on each battery pack in the at least two battery packs, and obtain a battery capacity of the battery pack, where the separate capacity test includes: measuring the battery capacity of each battery pack when the battery pack and mains supply jointly supply power to the load, where in this case, another battery pack other than the battery pack does not discharge and has backup power.

[0072] 720. Determine a total battery capacity of the at least two battery packs based on the battery capacity of each battery pack.

[0073] Optionally, the UPS is further connected to at least two control circuits that are connected to the at least two battery packs in a one-to-one correspondence, each control circuit in the at least two control circuits is connected between the UPS and a battery pack corresponding to the control circuit, and the UPS is specifically configured to control, by using each control circuit, a battery pack connected to the control circuit to charge or discharge.

[0074] Optionally, the control circuit includes a DC / DC circuit.

[0075] Optionally, the method further includes: when the separate capacity test is performed on each battery pack, controlling a discharge voltage of a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the battery pack to be higher than a discharge voltage of a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the another battery pack.

[0076] Optionally, the obtaining a battery capacity of the battery pack includes: obtaining the battery capacity of the battery pack from a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the battery pack.

[0077] Optionally, the obtaining a battery capacity of the battery pack includes: obtaining a voltage and a discharge current of the battery pack; and determining the battery capacity of the battery pack based on the voltage and the discharge current of the battery pack.

[0078] Optionally, the method further includes: in a process in which the separate capacity test is performed on each battery pack, controlling the battery pack to discharge from a fully charged state to a state in which a battery voltage is a voltage of end of discharge (EOD).

[0079] Optionally, the method further includes: after the battery capacity of each battery pack is obtained, controlling charging to the battery pack.

[0080] Specifically, for steps shown in FIG. 7, refer to descriptions of the foregoing corresponding apparatus modules. For brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0081] Therefore, in this embodiment of this application, when each battery pack and the mains supply jointly supply power to the load, the battery capacity of the battery pack in a system is detected, and then a total battery capacity of the system is determined based on the battery capacity of each battery pack. In addition, in this embodiment of this application, when the battery capacity of each battery pack is detected, the another battery pack other than the detected battery pack does not discharge and has backup power. Based on this, in this embodiment of this application, the total battery capacity of the system can be accurately detected, and when a capacity test and the mains supply are abnormal, it can be further ensured that battery backup time of the power supply system is sufficient, thereby reducing a power supply risk of the system.

[0082] A person of ordinary skill in the art may be aware that, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, units and algorithm steps may be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or software depends on particular applications and design constraint conditions of the technical solutions. A person skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but it should not be considered that the implementation goes beyond the scope of this application.

[0083] It may be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art that, for the purpose of convenient and brief description, for a detailed working process of the foregoing system, apparatus, and unit, refer to a corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

[0084] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described apparatus embodiment is merely an example. For example, the unit division is merely logical function division and may be other division in actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented by using some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0085] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one position, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.

[0086] In addition, functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit.

[0087] When the functions are implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of this application essentially, or the part contributing to the prior art, or some of the technical solutions may be implemented in a form of a software product. The computersoftware product is stored in a storage medium, and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to perform all or some of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of this application. The foregoing storage medium includes: any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), a random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

[0088] The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An uninterruptible power supply, UPS, wherein the UPS is separately connected to a load and at least two battery packs, and the UPS comprises a test unit and a determining unit; the test unit is configured to: perform a separate capacity test on each battery pack in the at least two battery packs, and obtain a battery capacity of the battery pack, wherein the separate capacity test comprises: measuring the battery capacity of each battery pack when the battery pack and mains supply jointly supply power to the load, wherein in this case, another battery pack other than the battery pack does not discharge and has backup power; and the determining unit is configured to determine a total battery capacity of the at least two battery packs based on the battery capacity of each battery pack.

2. The UPS according to claim 1, wherein the UPS is further connected to at least two control circuits that are connected to the at least two battery packs in a one-to-one correspondence, each control circuit in the at least two control circuits is connected between the UPS and a battery pack corresponding to the control circuit, and the UPS is specifically configured to control, by using each control circuit, a battery pack connected to the control circuit to charge or discharge.

3. The UPS according to claim 2, wherein the control circuit comprises a DC / DC circuit.

4. The UPS according to claim 3, wherein the test unit is further configured to: when performing the separate capacity test on each battery pack, control a discharge voltage of a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the battery pack to be higher than a discharge voltage of a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the another battery pack.

5. The UPS according to claim 3, wherein the test unit is specifically configured to: when performing the separate capacity test on each battery pack, obtain the battery capacity of the battery pack from a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the battery pack.

6. The UPS according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the test unit is specifically configured to: when performing the separate capacity test on each battery pack, obtain a voltage and a discharge current of the battery pack; and determine the battery capacity of the battery pack based on the voltage and the discharge current of the battery pack.

7. The UPS according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the test unit is specifically configured to: in a process of performing the separate capacity test on each battery pack, control the battery pack to discharge from a fully charged state to a state in which a battery voltage is a voltage of end of discharge (EOD).

8. The UPS according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a control unit, configured to: after the battery capacity of each battery pack is obtained, control charging to the battery pack.

9. A power supply system, comprising the UPS according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and at least two battery packs connected to the UPS.

10. The power supply system according to claim 9, further comprising at least two control circuits connected to the at least two battery packs in a one-to-one correspondence, wherein each control circuit in the at least two control circuits is connected between the UPS and a battery pack corresponding to the control circuit, and the UPS is specifically configured to control, by using each control circuit, a battery pack connected to the control circuit to charge or discharge.

11. The power supply system according to claim 10, wherein the control circuit comprises a DC / DC circuit.

12. A battery capacity test method, wherein the method is performed by an uninterruptible power supply, UPS, the UPS is separately connected to a load and at least two battery packs, and the method comprises: performing a separate capacity test on each battery pack in the at least two battery packs, and obtaining a battery capacity of the battery pack, wherein the separate capacity test comprises: measuring the battery capacity of each battery pack when the battery pack and mains supply jointly supply power to the load, wherein in this case, another battery pack other than the battery pack does not discharge and has backup power; and determining a total battery capacity of the at least two battery packs based on the battery capacity of each battery pack.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the UPS is further connected to at least two control circuits that are connected to the at least two battery packs in a one-to-one correspondence, each control circuit in the at least two control circuits is connected between the UPS and a battery pack corresponding to the control circuit, and the UPS is specifically configured to control, by using each control circuit, a battery pack connected to the control circuit to charge or discharge.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the control circuit comprises a DC / DC circuit.

15. The method according to claim 14, comprising: when the separate capacity test is performed on each battery pack, controlling a discharge voltage of a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the battery pack to be higher than a discharge voltage of a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the another battery pack.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the obtaining a battery capacity of the battery pack comprises: obtaining the battery capacity of the battery pack from a DC / DC circuit corresponding to the battery pack.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the obtaining a battery capacity of the battery pack comprises: obtaining a voltage and a discharge current of the battery pack; and determining the battery capacity of the battery pack based on the voltage and the discharge current of the battery pack.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, comprising: in a process in which the separate capacity test is performed on each battery pack, controlling the battery pack to discharge from a fully charged state to a state in which a battery voltage is a voltage of end of discharge (EOD).

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, further comprising: after the battery capacity of each battery pack is obtained, controlling charging to the battery pack.