UPS Ring Bus Architecture with Fast Switches for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In uninterruptible power supply systems, unsynchronized power sources can cause oscillations and undesirable effects, leading to interference and instability in power delivery to loads, particularly when multiple UPSs are used without proper synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A ring bus architecture with multiple uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) connected through chokes and fast switches, controlled by a processor-based controller that detects fault conditions and switches within 10 milliseconds to address them, allowing for independent operation of each UPS without synchronization, enabling droop control for voltage and frequency management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple UPSs are connected without synchronization, then system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but power stability deteriorates due to oscillations and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that manages multiple unsynchronized UPSs through a ring bus architecture. The controller detects fault conditions and selectively connects or disconnects individual UPSs from the ring bus, enabling independent operation while maintaining overall system stability through controlled isolation rather than direct synchronization between UPSs.
2Reliability
If fast switches with opening time less than 10 milliseconds are used, then fault isolation speed is improved and reliability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the switching function into modular fast switches positioned at each UPS connection point on the ring bus. Each switch operates independently to isolate faults locally, enabling rapid fault containment without requiring complex system-wide switching mechanisms. This segmentation achieves high reliability through distributed, simple switching elements rather than centralized complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment, a system may include a plurality of uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), a ring bus, a plurality of chokes, with each choke of the plurality of chokes electrically coupling an associated UPS of the plurality of UPSs to the ring bus, and at least one switch electrically coupled between at least one UPS of the plurality of UPSs and the ring bus, with the at least one switch having an opening time of less than 10 milliseconds.