UPS Inverter Deactivation for Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional uninterruptible power supply systems have poor efficiency in utilizing multiple devices connected in parallel, leading to increased power consumption and longer reactivation times due to unnecessary power losses and full system activation during low load conditions.
Innovation Solution
An uninterruptible power supply system with a control unit that selectively deactivates inversion units not contributing to the required power load, using a common storage battery to manage power distribution among multiple uninterruptible power supply devices, reducing power losses and activation times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all uninterruptible power supply devices are activated to ensure sufficient power capacity, then the power supply reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases due to power losses in semiconductor elements
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit activates only the necessary number of inversion units based on the ratio between required power and total power capacity, rather than activating all available units. This partial action reduces power losses in semiconductor elements while ensuring sufficient power supply capacity is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of activated inversion units based on changing load requirements. The control unit continuously monitors the ratio of required power to total power capacity and activates or deactivates inversion units accordingly, optimizing the balance between reliability and power consumption.
2Loss of energy
If multiple inversion units are deactivated to reduce power consumption during low load conditions, then the power efficiency is improved, but the reactivation time increases when power is needed
Solution Approach 1:
Deactivated inversion units are kept in a standby state with their converters remaining active and maintaining DC power. This preliminary action ensures that when reactivation is needed, only the inversion unit needs to be activated rather than warming up the entire system, significantly reducing reactivation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The uninterruptible power supply device is segmented into two independent functional parts: the converter (AC to DC conversion) and the inversion unit (DC to AC conversion). This segmentation allows the converter to remain active while the inversion unit is deactivated, enabling fast reactivation by only activating the inversion unit when needed.
3Loss of energy
If all circuits including converter and inverter are deactivated when an uninterruptible power supply device is deactivated, then the power consumption is reduced, but the reactivation time increases due to sequential activation of all circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into converter and inversion unit segments that can be independently controlled. When an uninterruptible power supply device is deactivated, only the inversion unit is turned off while the converter remains active and maintains DC power, allowing rapid reactivation without needing to restart the entire power conversion chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter is kept in a preliminary active state during deactivation, maintaining DC power readiness. This ensures that when reactivation is required, the DC power is already available and only the inversion unit needs to be activated, eliminating the sequential startup delay of all circuits.
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
Enhances the efficiency of utilizing multiple uninterruptible power supply devices connected in parallel, reduces power consumption by minimizing unnecessary power losses, and shortens reactivation times by deactivating only non-contributing inversion units.
Implementation Method 1
a conversion unit converting AC power of an AC power supply into DC power
Implementation Method 2
an inversion unit inverting the DC power converted by the conversion unit or the DC power input from the storage battery into AC power and supplying the power to the load
Data Source
AI summary
An uninterruptible power supply system, including: a plurality of uninterruptible power supply devices which are connected in parallel with respect to a load, and switch between power supplies supplying power to the load depending on states of the power supplies; a control unit controlling an operation of switching between the power supplies by the uninterruptible power supply devices; a storage battery connected to the plurality of uninterruptible power supply devices in common; a converter converting AC power; a contactor switching between the DC power converted by the converter and DC power input from the storage battery; and an inverter inverting the DC power and supplying the power to the load. The control unit deactivates the inverter which does not contribute to supplying a power amount required for the load, of a plurality of inverters.