UPS Relay Switching for Critical Load Protection in Green Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) face reluctance to operate in green mode due to exposure of critical loads to raw mains power, compromising their protection against abnormal conditions, despite the efficiency benefits.

Innovation Solution

A UPS system with dual relay configuration allows critical loads to operate in double conversion mode while non-critical loads are in green mode, using a first relay to switch between bypass and regulated power paths based on input voltage and frequency, ensuring efficient power delivery and protection for critical loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the UPS operates in green mode to feed loads directly from raw AC mains power, then power delivery efficiency is improved (exceeding 98%), but the protection against abnormal conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery efficiencyVSAvoidprotection against abnormal conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the load into critical and non-critical segments, applying different power delivery modes to each. Non-critical loads receive direct AC mains power through the bypass line for high efficiency, while critical loads receive regulated power through the double conversion path for maximum protection. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for efficiency where protection is less critical while maintaining protection where it is essential.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different quality levels of power delivery to different loads based on their criticality. The bypass line provides high-efficiency direct power suitable for non-critical loads, while the double conversion path provides high-protection regulated power for critical loads. This local differentiation of power quality resolves the contradiction by matching the level of protection to the actual needs of each load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the UPS operates in double conversion mode to provide regulated output power, then protection against abnormal conditions is improved, but power delivery efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against abnormal conditionsVSAvoidpower delivery efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power delivery paths into two distinct modes: double conversion for critical loads and bypass for non-critical loads. The double conversion path provides superior protection through rectification and inversion with isolation, while the bypass path provides efficient direct power transfer. This segmentation allows the system to use the more efficient bypass mode for loads that don't require maximum protection, thereby resolving the efficiency penalty of double conversion mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial double conversion action only to the extent necessary for critical loads, rather than applying it to all loads. By using the bypass line for non-critical loads, the system avoids the excessive energy conversion steps for applications where full protection is not needed, thus resolving the efficiency deterioration while maintaining adequate protection where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of energy

If the bypass line is used to feed loads directly from input, then power delivery efficiency is improved, but the ability to provide regulated output power deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery efficiencyVSAvoidoutput power regulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the output delivery into two paths: the bypass line for efficient direct power delivery and the double conversion path for regulated power delivery. By assigning non-critical loads to the bypass path and critical loads to the regulated path, the system achieves high overall efficiency while maintaining the ability to provide regulated output power where needed, thus resolving the contradiction between efficiency and regulation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass line, while primarily designed for efficient direct power delivery, is made multi-functional by being selectively applicable to different load types. The system can dynamically assign loads to either the bypass or regulated path based on their requirements, making the bypass infrastructure serve both efficiency and selective regulation functions, thereby resolving the contradiction between efficiency and regulation capability.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4633000A1An uninterruptable power supply and a method of operating an uninterruptable power supply
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORP
  • EP4633000A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4633000A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4633000A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An uninterruptable power supply (100) is disclosed. The uninterruptable power supply includes an input (102), a first output (116), and a second output (117). The uninterruptable power supply (100) includes a first bypass line (115) coupled between the input and the second output. The uninterruptable power supply further includes a first output connector (116A) configured to be coupled to a first load. The uninterruptable power supply includes a second output connector (116B) configured to be coupled to a second load. The uninterruptable power supply additionally includes a first relay (130) configured to selectively couple the second output connector to either the first output or the first bypass line. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing thereon instructions for operating an uninterruptable power supply is disclosed. Methods of operating an uninterruptable power supply are also disclosed.