MODULAR UPS

• US 20080278889A1
• Filed: 05/19/2008
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Mutabdzija, Srdan, Briggs, James, Falcinelli, Michael, Schuttler, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,162,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/608
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/189 Power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0021 Side-by-side or stacked arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1424 Card cages
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/18 Construction of rack or frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A modular UPS system is provided wherein UPS systems may be constructed using a number of different frame components. In one example, a core UPS frame is provided that can accept different combinations of power and battery modules, and an extension frame is provided that can be combined with the core frame to provide a larger UPS system. According to one example, both the core and extension frame types may be used in either a standalone or rack-mounted configuration. Another aspect relates to packaging of UPS components such that the UPS frame need not include serviceable items. In another aspect, a rail system is provided that allows for easier installation of heavy components into rack-mount systems.

Claims

1. A support rail for a rack-mounted system, comprising:

an element that couples the support rail to a front vertical rack mount rail;

an element that couples the support rail to a rear vertical rack mount rail;

a ledge piece that supports the rack-mounted system from underneath the rack-mounted system; and

a rear support member, that, when the rack-mounted system is inserted into the rack, secures the rack-mounted system from moving in a vertical direction.

2. The support rail according to claim 1, wherein the rear support member is a c-shaped portion that engages an opening of the rack-mounted system.

3. The support rail according to claim 1, wherein the support rail is adapted to be installed on an interior side of the rack, and wherein the ledge piece extends into the interior of the rack.

4. The support rail according to claim 1, wherein the support rail includes a first and second rail portions, the first rail portion being insertable within the second rail portion, allowing the support rail to be extended to varying lengths between front and rear vertical mount rails.

5. The support rail according to claim 1, wherein the support rail is made at least in part of steel material.

6. The support rail according to claim 1, wherein the support rail is installed as part of a support system including another support rail positioned on opposite vertical rails within the rack.

7. A module for use in a modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system, the UPS providing backup power to one or more electrical loads, the module comprising input signal conditioning and switching components.

8. The module according to claim 7, wherein the switching components are bypass switching components used to bypass power module components.

9. The module according to claim 7, the module further comprising:

an input circuit breaker that receives an input power supply, the circuit breaker having one or more alternating current (AC) outputs;

a filter circuit that is coupled to the one or more outputs of the input circuit breaker, and provides one or more filtered AC outputs;

a relay element that receives one or more filtered AC outputs, and provides the one or more filtered AC outputs to a backplane component; and

a bypass switching element that receives the filtered AC outputs and is adapted to bypass the relay element to provide electrical signals associated with the filtered AC output directly to the one or more electrical loads.