Battery Module Switch Control for UPS Transition Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In data centers, the transition from mains power to generator power during outages can cause delays, leading to power outages due to the startup delay of generator sets, and existing UPS systems face challenges in fault localization due to strong coupling with HVDC converters.

Innovation Solution

A power architecture with a switch circuit and battery module integrated in a cabinet, where a first power controller monitors voltage and power to control charging and discharging modes, using a conductive path between busbars to ensure uninterrupted power supply and decouple from UPS/HVDC for easier fault detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the generator set is used as backup power supply, then the power supply continuity is improved, but the startup delay causes power-off state during transition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply continuityVSAvoidstartup delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The battery module is pre-charged to a state of charge greater than 90% during normal operation, so that it can immediately supply power to the busbar when the power plant fails, bridging the gap until the generator starts up

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the battery module is integrated with UPS/HVDC, then the power supply system is simplified, but the coupling is strong and fault location becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem integrationVSAvoidfault location
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The battery module control system is segmented into an independent power management unit with its own controller, separate from the UPS/HVDC control system. This allows the battery module to be electrically isolated and faults to be located more easily by examining the independent control unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A power management unit acts as an intermediary between the battery module and the UPS/HVDC system, providing electrical isolation and enabling independent fault diagnosis while maintaining system integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the switch circuit controls battery charging and discharging, then the power management is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower managementVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power management unit is designed as a standalone module that can independently manage battery charging and discharging operations, making it universally applicable to different battery types and power systems without increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3817182B1Apparatus and method for controlling battery module, power supply device and system
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 BAIDU ONLINE NETWORK TECH (BEIJIBG) CO LTD
  • EP3817182B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3817182B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3817182B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to an apparatus for controlling a battery module, a power supply device and a power supply system, e.g. for cloud computing or cloud serving applications having high requirements for uninterruptible power supplying. The apparatus for controlling a battery module includes a switch circuit and a first power controller. The switch circuit is coupled with a battery module in series between a first busbar and a second busbar to form a conductive loop. The first power controller is coupled with the switch circuit, a first busbar, a second busbar, and a battery module, and is configured to: detect a voltage between the first busbar and the second busbar and monitor a voltage and a power of the battery module; enter a charging mode and control the switch circuit to conduct in a first direction, in a case of the voltage between the first busbar and the second busbar being greater than the voltage of the battery module and the power of the battery module being smaller than a first preset power; and enter a discharging mode and control the switch circuit to conduct in a second direction, in a case of the voltage between the first busbar and the second busbar being smaller than the voltage of the battery module and the power of the battery module being greater than a second preset power.