Parallel UPS Redundant Control via Dual Data Busses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Parallel uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems face reliability issues due to single-point-of-failure conditions in external or internal control agents, which can lock the system if there is a failure in software, hardware, or serial connections, preventing reaction to load steps.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a redundant control scheme with multiple inverter feed paths and UPS controllers communicatively coupled via at least two redundant data busses, allowing for peer-to-peer control and adaptive capacity management, with a master-slave or peer-to-peer system operation and arbitration mechanisms to select a new master controller in case of failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single control agent is used to manage parallel UPS systems, then the control structure is simple, but the system reliability deteriorates due to single-point-of-failure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control agent is segmented into multiple distributed controllers (first controller and second controller), each capable of independently managing the parallel UPS system. This eliminates the single-point-of-failure condition while maintaining manageable control complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The controllers are pre-configured with arbitration logic and failover mechanisms that automatically activate upon detecting communication failures or controller malfunctions. This preliminary setup ensures immediate system continuity without requiring complex real-time decision-making during failure events.
2Reliability
If redundant data busses are implemented for controller communication, then the communication reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Redundant data busses are implemented as a preventive measure against communication failures. The additional communication paths are prepared in advance and automatically activated when the primary bus fails, cushioning the system against communication disruptions without requiring complex real-time analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication architecture dynamically switches between primary and redundant data busses based on operational status. The system adapts its communication paths in real-time, activating redundant paths only when needed, thereby maintaining simplicity during normal operation while ensuring reliability during failures.
3Speed
If automatic failover mechanisms are implemented, then the system response to load steps improves, but the control logic complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arbitration logic and failover mechanisms are pre-configured in the controllers, with predetermined rules for determining master controller status and switching procedures. This preliminary setup enables immediate automatic failover upon detection of controller failure, achieving fast system response without complex real-time decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The controllers continuously monitor each other's operational status through bidirectional communication on the data busses. This feedback mechanism automatically detects controller failures and triggers the predetermined failover logic, enabling rapid system response through simple threshold-based detection rather than complex analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for redundant control of parallel inverter installations. In one example, a parallel uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system may include several inverter feed paths and several UPS controllers. The inverter feed paths may supply double-conversion power to a load. The UPS controllers may be communicatively coupled to one another via at least two redundant data busses. The UPS controllers may operate in conjunction with one another to control the plurality of feed paths.