UPS Bypass Switch Rectifier Configuration for Power Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) face challenges in managing power fluctuations, which can lead to energy waste, equipment damage, and increased costs due to unwanted power fluctuations and the need for frequent repairs or replacements.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an uninterruptible power supply system with a power conversion circuit, bypass switch, and controller that activates semiconductor controlled rectifiers in alternate configurations to manage power distribution, providing power factor correction and reducing harmonic distortion, and includes a backup power source for rapid switching during failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a bypass switch is used to provide input power directly to the output during bypass mode, then power distribution efficiency is improved, but power fluctuations and harmonic distortion occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution efficiencyVSAvoidpower fluctuations and harmonic distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary power conversion circuit between the input power source and the output. This circuit includes semiconductor controlled rectifiers that are selectively activated to convert and condition the power, thereby eliminating direct connection issues while maintaining efficiency. The intermediary circuit filters and regulates power, reducing fluctuations and harmonic distortion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by selectively controlling the activation states of semiconductor controlled rectifiers in the power conversion circuit. By adjusting which rectifiers are active based on the operational mode (bypass or online), the system optimizes power distribution efficiency while maintaining power quality parameters within acceptable ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If semiconductor controlled rectifiers are activated in alternate configurations, then power factor correction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower factorVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by activating semiconductor controlled rectifiers in alternating configurations during different half-cycles of the AC waveform. This periodic switching pattern enables effective power factor correction by ensuring that power is drawn in phase with the voltage, while the systematic nature of the switching simplifies control compared to continuous adjustment methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If a backup power source is included for rapid switching, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining a backup power source (such as a battery) in a ready state before power failures occur. The controller continuously monitors input power conditions and has pre-programmed switching logic that automatically activates the backup power source and transitions to battery power mode within milliseconds of detecting a failure, ensuring uninterrupted power supply without requiring complex real-time decision-making during the failure event.

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

This solution ensures efficient power distribution with reduced harmonic distortion and rapid recovery from failures, maintaining output voltage within tolerance ranges and meeting international standards for UPS performance.

Implementation Method 1

The controller includes a phase lock loop circuit and a gate control circuit. The phase lock loop circuit provides the input voltage waveform to the gate control circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase lock loop:

Implementation Method 2

The bypass switch includes a first semiconductor controlled rectifier and a second semiconductor controlled rectifier arranged in an anti-parallel configuration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification:

Data Source

PatentEP2666230B1Apparatus and method for providing uninterruptible power
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORP
  • EP2666230B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2666230B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2666230B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The uninterruptible power supply includes an input (145) to receive input power, and an output (150) to provide power to a load. The uninterruptible power supply also includes an inverter (130), a bypass switch (140), and a controller (120). The inverter (130) is coupled with the input (145) and with the output (150), and the bypass switch (140) can provide the input power at the output (150) in a bypass mode of operation. The controller (120) is coupled with the inverter (130) and the bypass switch (140). The controller can activate the bypass switch (140) in a first configuration to provide the input power at the output (150) during a first half of a cycle of an input voltage waveform, and can in a second configuration provide the input power at the output during a second half of the cycle. The inverter (130) can more quickly provide output power upon the loss of bypass power, and can provide near unity power factor correction and harmonic distortion correction.