Adjustable UPS Battery Charger Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
The recharge time for UPS batteries is excessively long when additional external batteries are added, due to limited charger power, and this can lead to loss of fault detection and run time prediction accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that dynamically optimize battery charger power by adjusting charger current based on system constraints such as maximum input and battery charging currents, using a controller and current limiter to ensure efficient charging without exceeding these limits, thereby reducing recharge time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If additional external batteries are added to extend run time, then the backup power duration is improved, but the recharge time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The battery charger dynamically adjusts its charging current based on real-time system conditions, including the number of batteries connected and their charge states. This dynamic adaptation allows the charger to optimize charging speed while managing the extended capacity from additional batteries, reducing recharge time without compromising safety or battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (charging current, voltage distribution) based on the detected battery configuration. When additional batteries are detected, the controller modifies charging parameters to efficiently manage the increased capacity, thereby reducing the excessive recharge time while maintaining safe charging practices.
2Productivity
If an external battery charger is added to reduce recharge time, then the charging speed is improved, but the UPS loses fault detection and run time prediction accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The UPS internal battery charger is designed to perform multiple functions: it charges batteries efficiently while simultaneously monitoring system health, detecting faults, and predicting run time. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate external chargers that would compromise monitoring capabilities, maintaining both charging speed and reliability through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging function and monitoring function are merged into a single integrated battery charger system within the UPS. This integration ensures that fault detection and run time prediction capabilities remain active during charging operations, preventing the loss of reliability that would occur with separate external chargers.
3Productivity
If the charger power is increased to reduce recharge time, then the charging efficiency is improved, but the system may exceed maximum input or battery cell charging current limits
Solution Approach 1:
The battery charger incorporates continuous feedback mechanisms that monitor input current, battery cell voltages, and charging progress in real-time. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts charging parameters to maximize charging efficiency while ensuring that current limits are never exceeded, maintaining both productivity and system safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system dynamically adapts its power output based on real-time conditions, adjusting current and voltage to optimize charging speed within safe operating limits. This dynamic control allows the system to achieve high charging efficiency without compromising safety by exceeding maximum current ratings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces battery recharge time, eliminates the need for external chargers, and maintains the UPS's ability to detect faults and accurately predict run time, ensuring efficient and reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The batteries are generally recharged after use by a battery charger coupled to the UPS
Data Source
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AI summary
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) having an adjustable battery charger (104) that generates a charger current, and a controller (100), coupled to the adjustable battery charger (104), that receives a signal representative of a system constraint and provides a reference, based on the signal, to the adjustable battery charger (104) to control an amplitude of the charger current supplied by the adjustable battery charger (104) based on the system constraint. The system constraint may include, for example, a maximum input current to the UPS, maximum charging current of the battery cell, and maximum and/or minimum charger current values.