UPS with Independent Receptacle Control for Load Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) systems lack the ability to individually control and manage power outlets, treating multiple outlets as a single load, which fails to provide customized shutdown and reboot procedures for critical loads like servers, leading to data loss and inefficient power management.
Innovation Solution
A UPS system with independent control units and switching devices for each receptacle outlet, allowing customized configurations based on load and UPS status, enabling individualized power management and prioritization of critical loads during power loss and restoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single shutdown configuration is used for all receptacle outlets, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide customized shutdown procedures for individual loads is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the UPS system into multiple independent control units, each associated with a specific receptacle outlet. Each control unit can independently monitor its connected load and execute customized shutdown procedures based on load-specific conditions, allowing different shutdown configurations for different outlets without increasing overall system complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic configuration where each receptacle outlet can have its own shutdown profile and conditions. The control units can adapt their behavior based on real-time load status, enabling customized shutdown sequences for different loads while maintaining a unified system architecture.
2Device complexity
If power is turned off to all receptacle outlets simultaneously, then the control logic is simplified, but the ability to prioritize critical loads is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements separate control units for each receptacle outlet, enabling independent power control. Critical loads can be assigned to specific outlets with higher priority settings, allowing the system to maintain power to essential equipment while shutting down non-critical loads first during power failures.
Solution Approach 2:
Each control unit continuously monitors its connected load status and communicates with the central controller. This feedback mechanism enables the system to make real-time decisions about power distribution priorities, ensuring critical loads receive power first and are restored last when power returns.
3Quantity of substance
If a communication device with a single serial port is used, then the hardware cost is reduced, but the ability to individually communicate with multiple loads is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single communication device that can sequentially or simultaneously communicate with multiple loads through the serial port. The control units act as intermediaries, allowing the single communication interface to manage multiple loads effectively without requiring separate communication hardware for each outlet.
4Device complexity
If receptacle outlets are treated as a single load, then the power management is simplified, but data loss occurs due to improper shutdown sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent treats each receptacle outlet and its connected load as a separate entity with its own control unit. This segmentation allows the system to execute customized shutdown procedures for each load type, ensuring servers and other critical equipment are shut down properly to prevent data loss, while maintaining relatively simple overall power management.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one aspect of the invention, a UPS (12) includes an input (18) configured to be coupled to an AC power source (14), a DC power source (20), an output (22) configured to receive power from at least one of the AC power source (14) and the DC power source (20), a first switched receptacle outlet (24) coupled to the output (22) and configured to be coupled to a first electpisal load (16) and a second receptacle outlet (26) coupled to the output (22) and configured to be coupled to a second electrical load (16). According to some embodiments, the UPS also includes a control unit (34) configurable to provide a first configuration associated with the first switched receptacle outlet (24), where the first configuration is employed by the control unit (34) to control a connection of the first switched receptacle outlet (24) to the output (22) independent of the second receptacle outlet (26).