Modular UPS with Diode Switching for Medium Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional UPS devices for medium voltage electric installations face issues with high cost, large size, significant power dissipation, limited flexibility, and poor performance in managing temporary overload conditions.

Innovation Solution

The UPS device incorporates a conversion stage, rectification stage, charging stage, and switching stage with diode circuits and control means to manage power distribution from both a power supply and batteries, allowing adjustable output voltages and currents to efficiently feed electric loads, ensuring uninterrupted power supply even in emergency conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional UPS devices are used to provide power to electric loads, then power supply reliability is maintained, but device size and power dissipation increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The UPS device is segmented into functionally independent modules: a power supply unit with conversion stage, a battery unit with charging stage, and a switching stage with diode circuits. This modular segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, reducing overall device size while maintaining reliability through distributed functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching stage with diode circuits serves multiple functions: it enables seamless switching between power supply and battery modes, provides automatic battery charging, and ensures uninterrupted power delivery. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits, reducing device volume while maintaining power supply reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional UPS devices are used to provide power to electric loads, then continuous power supply is ensured, but power dissipation increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous power supplyVSAvoidpower dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Diode circuits are introduced as intermediary elements in the power path between the power supply/battery and the electric loads. These diodes enable automatic current direction control with minimal voltage drop, ensuring continuous power supply while significantly reducing power dissipation compared to traditional switching mechanisms or linear regulators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If traditional UPS devices are used to manage electric loads, then basic power conversion is achieved, but flexibility and versatility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower conversion capabilityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The UPS device incorporates dynamic switching capability through the switching stage with diode circuits, allowing real-time adaptation between power supply mode and battery mode based on operational conditions. This dynamic behavior enables the system to handle various load conditions and emergency scenarios flexibly, enhancing versatility while maintaining efficient power conversion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Power

If traditional UPS devices are used to handle temporary overload conditions, then basic power delivery is maintained, but performance deteriorates under peak loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidperformance under overload
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery unit is pre-charged during normal operation through the charging stage, preparing energy reserves in advance. When temporary overload or emergency conditions occur, the switching stage can immediately transition to battery power delivery without interruption, ensuring reliable performance under peak loads that would otherwise exceed the power supply's instantaneous capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The solution provides high-performance, flexible, and efficient power management with reduced size and power dissipation, enabling effective handling of electric loads during normal and emergency conditions, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture.

Implementation Method 1

a conversion stage (2), adapted to receive electric power from said power supply and provide a first output voltage V1 and a first output current I1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion:

Implementation Method 2

a rectification stage (8), adapted to rectify an AC voltage made available by said power supply

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification:

Implementation Method 3

a charging stage (3), electrically coupled with said conversion stage and adapted to charge said batteries

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery charging: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 4

a switching stage (4), having a first input terminal (T1) electrically coupled with said conversion stage, a second input terminal (T2) electrically coupled with said batteries and a third output terminal (T3) electrically coupled with said electric loads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode rectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3046215B1An uninterruptible power supply device for outdoor medium voltage electric installations.
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3046215B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3046215B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3046215B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A UPS device (1) for medium voltage electric installation characterised in that it comprises: - a conversion stage (2), which is electrically coupleable with a power supply (50); - a charging stage (3), which is electrically coupled with said conversion stage and is electrically coupled with one or more batteries; - a switching stage (4), which has a first input terminal (T1) electrically coupled with said conversion stage, a second input terminal (T2) electrically coupled with said batteries and a third output terminal (T3) electrically coupled to one or more electric loads; - control means (5) adapted to control the charging of said batteries and the feeding of said electric loads.