UPS Monitoring via One-Way Sensor Registry Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems lack effective monitoring capabilities that allow for timely identification of malfunctioning devices without exposing them to external networks, which can lead to security risks and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A system where each UPS device is equipped with sensors that report operational parameters to a registry device, which displays the data on a graphical user interface or logs it, allowing for the identification of malfunctioning units without external network exposure, using a one-way communication protocol to enhance security and reduce electromagnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If UPS devices are connected to external networks for monitoring, then monitoring capability is improved, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into isolated components: individual sensors monitor each UPS device, a registry device collects data from sensors, and a monitoring station displays information. This segmentation allows monitoring functionality to be distributed without requiring external network connections, thereby maintaining security while achieving monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors act as intermediaries between UPS devices and the monitoring system. The sensors detect electrical activity from UPS devices and transmit this information to the registry device without requiring the UPS devices themselves to be connected to external networks. This intermediary approach enables monitoring while isolating the UPS devices from security risks.
2Measurement precision
If multiple UPS devices are monitored individually, then identification of malfunctioning devices is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each UPS device is assigned a dedicated sensor for individual monitoring. This segmentation enables precise identification of which specific device is malfunctioning by examining measurements from individual sensors, while the modular structure keeps each sensor simple and avoids complex centralized monitoring architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor independently monitors its corresponding UPS device and can autonomously detect malfunctions. This self-service approach allows individual devices to be monitored without requiring complex inter-device communication or centralized control logic, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high identification accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiplicity of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices may be equipped with a plurality of sensors which report on the state of various operational parameters of the UPS devices to a registry device. Output of the registry device may be displayed on a dedicated GUI and/or written to log files at a monitoring station. In the event that one or more sensors reports a parameter to the registry device which is indicative of a malfunction of one or more of the UPS devices, examination the registry device output may indicate which UPS device or devices is/are malfunctioning. Related embodiments, apparatus, systems, and methods are also discussed.