UPS Supplemental Power Apportionment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) face challenges in efficiently managing variable power demands of sophisticated equipment, as they often require large battery banks to meet peak demands, which is impractical and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A UPS system that operates in three states: primary AC power supply, secondary stored power supply, and a third state where both sources provide supplemental power simultaneously to meet peak demands, with programmable limits and monitoring for fault detection and power allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a large UPS with a huge bank of batteries is used to meet maximum power demand, then the power supply capacity is sufficient, but the system becomes impractical and inefficient due to excessive size and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The UPS system dynamically switches between three operating states (normal AC power, battery backup power, and supplemental battery power) based on real-time power demand conditions. The controller monitors power demand and automatically transitions between states, allowing the system to adapt its power delivery mode to match actual needs rather than operating at fixed capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses battery power partially (supplementally) rather than relying on it fully for all peak demands. By providing supplemental battery power only during high-demand periods when AC power is insufficient, the system avoids the need for a complete backup battery bank sized for maximum demand, thus reducing system size while maintaining adequate power supply capacity.
2Power
If a large UPS with a huge bank of batteries is used to meet maximum power demand, then the power supply capacity is sufficient, but the cost and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system operates partially by providing supplemental power only during high-demand periods rather than continuously. This partial usage reduces energy consumption and extends battery life, improving overall system efficiency while maintaining the capacity to meet peak demands when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The UPS system employs periodic monitoring of power demand and transitions between operating states as needed. The controller continuously assesses whether supplemental battery power is required and switches states periodically based on changing load conditions, optimizing energy usage patterns.
3Reliability
If the UPS simply supplies whatever power the equipment requires, then the equipment operates without interruption, but the system cannot conserve energy or optimize battery usage
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors power demand from connected equipment and uses this feedback to determine the appropriate operating state. By comparing real-time demand against available AC power capacity, the controller intelligently decides when to engage supplemental battery power, ensuring both power continuity and energy conservation through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its power delivery strategy based on real-time conditions rather than operating in a fixed mode. The controller modulates between different power sources and operating states to balance reliability requirements with energy conservation goals, optimizing performance according to actual demand patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and control methods are disclosed. The UPS can deliver power from a first source, such as AC grid power, under normal operating conditions and a from second source, such as batteries, if power from the first source is unavailable or unsuitable. The UPS can also allocate power to and among various connected loads and can supply supplemental power to a load if that load has surpassed its regular power allocation. For example, when the power output or demand from the loads exceeds the available incoming power from the first power source, supplemental power may be supplied from the second source. Thus, the UPS can support temporary surges in power demand by apportioning power among loads and by temporarily engaging all available power sources, if needed.