Several embodiments of an
uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
system, which
system provides highly reliable output power to a load using a slip-ring
induction machine and a
flywheel combination, are disclosed as well as methods relating thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the UPS
system comprises a back-up power source, e.g., an engine and generator, and a slip-ring, or wound-rotor,
induction motor and
flywheel combination, which are in parallel to a primary power source, e.g., a utility grid. During normal operation of the UPS, the primary power source supplies
alternating current and
voltage to the load and the UPS compensates for
voltage drop across the isolating
inductor. Moreover, the primary power source keeps the slip-ring
induction machine and
flywheel in an
excited state, i.e., the rotor of the slip-ring
induction machine, the shaft of which is shared by the flywheel, is excited above normal synchronous speed. When the primary power source fails, the flywheel, which is rotating at super-synchronous speed and storing
kinetic energy, drives the rotor of the slip-ring induction
machine and generates, i.e., induces current in the
stator. Accordingly, the flywheel and slip-ring induction
machine combination provides instantaneous, short term power to the load until the back-up power source has powered up and been brought on line.