Ring Bus UPS Architecture for Redundant Critical Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional uninterruptible power supply systems for critical industries like data centers face challenges in maintaining continuous power supply due to multiple points of failure and inefficiencies, leading to increased operational costs and potential downtime.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electrical system incorporates a ring bus architecture with medium and low voltage generators, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) in parallel, and power electronic switchgear, along with energy storage devices and transformers, to create a redundant and efficient power distribution network that simplifies control systems and reduces failure points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional uninterruptible power supply systems are used with multiple separate generators and complex distribution networks, then power redundancy is provided, but the system complexity increases and multiple points of failure are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate generators into a single integrated generator unit that serves multiple UPS systems. This consolidation reduces the number of separate power sources from multiple generators to one unified generator, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to supply power to multiple UPS systems in parallel for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single generator is designed to perform multiple functions by supplying power to multiple UPS systems simultaneously. This multi-functional generator replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated generators, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining power redundancy through the parallel UPS configuration.
2Reliability
If multiple separate generators and complex distribution networks are used, then power redundancy is achieved, but energy losses increase due to multiple transformation steps
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple generators into a single generator unit, the patent eliminates redundant power transformation and distribution paths. The single generator directly supplies multiple UPS systems, reducing the number of transformation steps and distribution network components, thereby minimizing energy losses while maintaining power redundancy.
3Reliability
If conventional systems with multiple generators and complex switchgear are used, then uninterrupted power is provided during outages, but operational costs increase due to higher energy consumption and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The consolidation of multiple generators into one reduces the total energy consumption by eliminating redundant operational overhead and transformation losses. The single generator serves multiple UPS systems efficiently, reducing fuel or power input requirements compared to running multiple separate generators, while still providing uninterrupted power through the parallel UPS configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of a single point of failure into a benefit by using a single generator that strategically supplies multiple parallel UPS systems. This configuration maintains redundancy and uninterrupted power supply while transforming the simplicity of a single generator into an energy-efficient solution that reduces overall consumption compared to multiple generators.
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical systems for providing uninterruptible power to a critical load. One electrical system includes a ring bus, multiple power blocks including one or more generators electrically coupled to the ring bus, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) electrically coupled to the ring bus. In some aspects, the electrical system includes a UPS switchgear electrically coupled between the ring bus and the UPSs. In other aspects, the UPSs are electrically coupled together in parallel. Another electrical system includes a utility switchgear, UPS blocks electrically coupled together in parallel and electrically coupled to the utility switchgear via transformers, low voltage (LV) power blocks electrically coupled to the UPS blocks, and medium voltage (MV) switchgear electrically coupled to the UPS blocks via transformers. Each of the LV power blocks include one or more generators.