UPS Bus Signal Arbitration Without Auxiliary Wiring

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multiple UPS systems, coordinating signals between data communication buses are challenging to pass safely and accurately without adding auxiliary signals or wiring, which complicates the design and increases costs, while maintaining reliability and isolation between UPS systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a multiple UPS system with separate UPS data communication buses and a tie bus, where controllers arbitrate power line-based coordinating signals between primary and redundant channels without auxiliary signals, allowing for fault detection and rerouting to ensure reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If auxiliary signals or additional wiring are added to pass coordinating signals between UPS buses, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidsystem design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing power line communication infrastructure is made to serve dual purposes: both power distribution and coordinating signal transmission. The UPS buses and tie buses automatically arbitrate and pass coordinating signals through their existing power line communication interfaces without requiring dedicated auxiliary signal lines, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The power line communication buses are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they distribute electrical power to UPS modules and also transmit coordinating signals between UPS systems. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate auxiliary signal wiring, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable signal transmission through the existing robust power infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If auxiliary signals or additional wiring are added to pass coordinating signals between UPS buses, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The function of power distribution and coordinating signal transmission are merged into a single communication infrastructure. By combining these functions into the existing power line communication system, the patent eliminates the need for separate auxiliary signal lines, thereby reducing material costs, installation complexity, and overall manufacturing expenses while maintaining signal transmission reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate UPS data communication buses are used for each UPS subsystem, then isolation and reliability between UPS systems are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation between UPS systemsVSAvoidcommunication bus architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication architecture is segmented into separate UPS data communication buses for each UPS subsystem, with each bus isolated from others. This segmentation provides electrical and logical isolation between UPS systems, preventing fault propagation while maintaining individual system reliability. Each subsystem communicates independently through its own dedicated bus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Tie buses serve as intermediary communication channels that connect the isolated UPS data communication buses. The tie buses enable coordinating signal passage between separate UPS subsystems while maintaining isolation, acting as mediators that facilitate inter-system communication without compromising the independence and reliability of individual UPS buses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2740193B1Intelligent arbitration of power line based coordinating signals between multiple UPS buses without any auxiliary signals

Publication Date: 2017.02.01 LIEBERT

AI summary

A multiple UPS system has a plurality of UPS subsystems with a separate UPS data communications bus coupling a controller of each UPS subsystem to an associated controller of an associated tie cabinet. The multiple UPS system further includes a data communications tie bus that couples the controllers of the tie cabinets to each other. The controllers of the tie cabinets arbitrate power line based coordinating signals between the UPS buses without the use of auxiliary signals.