Three-Phase Rectifier Bridge for Universal UPS Input
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) requires multiple configurations to accommodate different electrical utility configurations, limiting flexibility and necessitating the purchase of various UPS models for locations with diverse voltage and phase requirements.
Innovation Solution
A three-phase rectifier bridge design with a power distribution unit (PDU) that allows a single UPS to connect to different electrical utility configurations, including single and split-phase systems, by using a three-phase rectifier bridge with parallel legs and a PDU for interfacing various input configurations, enabling flexible operation across different voltages and phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different UPS designs are provided for each electrical utility configuration, then the UPS can be optimized for specific voltage and phase requirements, but the device complexity and variety of models required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal UPS design that can accept multiple electrical utility configurations (single-phase 120V, 208V, 240V, and three-phase voltages) through a single standardized input interface. The three-phase rectifier bridge with parallel legs and PDU allows the same UPS model to adapt to different voltage and phase requirements without requiring multiple specialized designs, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability across configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by allowing the UPS input stage to dynamically adapt to different electrical parameters (voltage levels and phase configurations) through the three-phase rectifier bridge design. The system can handle input voltages ranging from 120V to 480V and accommodate various phase angles (120°, 180°, 240°) by adjusting the rectifier operation, enabling a single UPS model to replace multiple configuration-specific models
2Device complexity
If a single UPS design is used for all electrical utility configurations, then device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different voltage and phase requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The three-phase rectifier bridge with parallel legs serves as a universal input stage that can process multiple electrical configurations simultaneously. The parallel leg structure allows the system to accept single-phase inputs (120V, 208V, 240V) and three-phase inputs (208V, 240V, 480V) through the same physical interface, achieving broad adaptability without requiring multiple specialized models
Solution Approach 2:
The three-phase rectifier bridge acts as an intermediary between diverse electrical utility configurations and the UPS internal circuitry. This intermediate stage converts various input configurations into a standardized form that the UPS can process, enabling compatibility with different voltage and phase requirements while maintaining a single unified design
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
Enables a single UPS to operate effectively across diverse electrical utility configurations, reducing the need for multiple UPS models and enhancing flexibility in protecting equipment across various locations with different electrical setups.
Implementation Method 1
The input stage 100 includes a three phase rectifier bridge 140 having a first leg 110, a second leg 120, and a third leg 130 connected in parallel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) apparatus is disclosed that can receive power from different electrical utility configurations. The input stage (200) of the UPS includes a three phase rectifier bridge (140) design having three legs (110,120,130) configured for connection to the different electrical utility configurations (2). An advantage that may be realized in the practice of some disclosed embodiments of the UPS input stage (200) is that a single UPS can have the flexibility to be used with different electrical utility configurations (2) having different voltages and phases.