Common Redundant Bypass Feed Paths in UPS Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional parallel UPS systems face challenges with complexity, cost, and reliability, particularly in distributed bypass configurations, while centralized bypass lacks redundancy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A redundant bypass configuration with multiple inverter and bypass feed paths coupled in parallel, each equipped with controllers and static switch modules using IGCTs for efficient power transfer, enabling peer-to-peer communication and rapid mode switching between ECO and normal operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distributed bypass configuration is used in parallel UPS systems, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple bypass feed paths into a single shared bypass path that can serve multiple inverter feed paths. This consolidation reduces the overall number of bypass components needed while maintaining redundancy through intelligent switching control, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shared bypass path is designed to serve multiple functions and multiple inverter feed paths simultaneously. A single bypass path can support multiple loads through dynamic switching, making the bypass infrastructure universal rather than dedicated to each inverter path, thus reducing complexity while maintaining reliability
2Device complexity
If centralized bypass configuration is used in parallel UPS systems, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to limited redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching control that allows the bypass path to adaptively serve different inverter feed paths based on operational needs and failure conditions. This dynamic allocation enables a single bypass path to provide redundancy for multiple inverters, improving reliability without the complexity of multiple dedicated bypass paths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a shared bypass path as an intermediary that mediates between multiple inverter feed paths and the load. This intermediary structure provides a common backup route that can be activated for any inverter failure, offering improved reliability while maintaining simpler centralized architecture
3Power
If multiple UPS systems are coupled in parallel, then power capacity and redundancy are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bypass infrastructure of multiple parallel UPS systems into a shared resource. Instead of each UPS having its own dedicated bypass path, multiple UPS systems share common bypass feed paths and switching control, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining the power capacity benefits of parallel operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates redundant bypass components in parallel UPS configurations by discarding individual dedicated bypass paths and recovering their functions through a shared bypass infrastructure. This consolidation removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the redundancy and power capacity provided by parallel UPS operation
Data Source
AI summary
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system includes an inverter feed path and a plurality of bypass feed paths configured to couple to an AC voltage source such that each bypass feed path includes a switch configured to couple the AC voltage source to the load when closed. The switch in each bypass feed path may be rated to conduct current that corresponds to an output of the inverter feed path. Each bypass feed path may be coupled in parallel with each other and the inverter feed path. The UPS system may also include at least one controller coupled to a respective inverter and to a respective rectifier in the inverter feed path and a plurality of controllers. Each controller may be coupled to a respective switch such that the at least one controller and the plurality of controllers communicate with each other via at least two communication buses.