Smart UPS with Solid-State Circuit Breakers for Automatic Fault Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smart uninterruptible power supplies lack automatic recovery from short circuits and overloads, fail to predict load failures, and lack sophisticated monitoring and control capabilities, particularly in managing reverse polarity issues and providing real-time diagnostics.

Innovation Solution

A smart uninterruptible power supply with programmable controllers, LCD displays, touchless gesture control, onboard temperature and humidity sensing, and digitally controlled solid-state circuit breakers, enabling automatic fault recovery, load shedding, and remote monitoring and control via WiFi and Bluetooth, with alerts for faults and predictive failure notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If standard fuses are used for overload protection, then current limiting protection is provided, but manual replacement is required and automatic recovery is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic recovery capabilityVSAvoidmanual replacement requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a microprocessor controller that automatically detects overload conditions, activates solid-state circuit breakers to disconnect the load, and automatically restores power when the overload condition is corrected, eliminating the need for manual fuse replacement and achieving self-service operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical fuses and relay-based protection systems with electronic solid-state circuit breakers controlled by a microprocessor, enabling automatic detection, protection, and recovery without mechanical intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If relay-based automatic reset is implemented, then automatic recovery is possible, but relay reliability is poor due to arcing and contact resistance issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic reset capabilityVSAvoidrelay contact reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical relay contacts with solid-state circuit breakers that use electronic switching components (transistors, thyristors) instead of mechanical contacts, eliminating arcing and contact resistance problems while maintaining automatic reset functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters of the circuit breaker from mechanical contact closure to electronic switching, fundamentally altering how the automatic reset function is achieved and improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If basic voltage regulation is provided, then power conversion function is fulfilled, but sophisticated monitoring and predictive failure capabilities are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepredictive failure capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring and control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates multiple sensors that continuously monitor voltage, current, temperature, and battery status, feeding this data to a microprocessor that analyzes trends and provides predictive failure warnings, implementing comprehensive feedback loops for enhanced reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The microprocessor controller serves multiple functions simultaneously: voltage regulation, overload protection, battery management, environmental monitoring, predictive failure analysis, and communication, consolidating complex capabilities into a single multi-functional device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual voltage selection is implemented, then voltage control is possible, but automatic adaptation to different conditions is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic voltage adaptationVSAvoidmanual configuration requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the connected load requirements and battery status, then self-adjusts the output voltage and charging parameters without requiring manual configuration, achieving self-service adaptation to different operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11283275B2Smart uninterruptible power supply and method

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 SMART ACCESS DESIGNS LLC

AI summary

A power supply employs a dynamic charging system and method for charging a battery, as well as a load shedding system and method for conserving battery life in the event of a power failure. The dynamic charging system and method includes at least one step during which the battery is analyzed in real time to determine the actual voltage of the battery, and then determines a charging voltage based at least in part on the actual battery voltage plus a charge differential. The load shedding system and method determines that a power failure has occurred and that the power supply is operating power of a battery, determines that a first event has occurred, and in response thereto terminates battery power to a first subset of components and determines that a second event has occurred, and in response thereto, terminates battery power to a second subset of components.