Hybrid uninterruptible power supply system

• US 7,362,007 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2006
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walter Emory Farmer
• Original Assignee: Walter Emory Farmer
• Inventors: Farmer, Walter Emory
• Primary Examiner(s): Sherry, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cavallari, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/440,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20060267411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 307/66, 307/72, 307/73
• US Class Current: 307/72
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for supplying an uninterruptible power source to a dual power device capable of being alternately powered through either a primary power input connected to a primary power source or a secondary power input connected to a secondary power source is provided. One implementation includes a power input for receiving AC from the primary power source, one or more converter elements operative to receive the AC from the power source, to convert the AC to DC, and to deliver the DC to a power storage element. The apparatus also includes a power storage element that stores at least a portion of the DC delivered from the converter elements. The power stored in the power storage elements is delivered to the secondary power input of the dual power device when the primary power source is disconnected from the dual power device. The apparatus may further include a control circuit for disconnecting the power storage elements from the secondary power input and from the converter elements in response to detecting thermal runaway in the power storage elements.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing an uninterruptible power source to a dual power device capable of being alternately powered through a primary power input connected to a primary power source or a secondary power input connected to a secondary power source, the apparatus comprising:

a power input for receiving alternating current (AC) from the primary power source;

an AC power output connected to the power input for delivering AC to the primary power input of the dual power device;

one or more converter elements operative to receive the AC from the power input, to convert the AC to direct current (DC), and to deliver the DC to a power storage element;

the power storage element connected to the one or more converter elements, the power storage element operative to store at least a portion of the direct current delivered from the converter elements, and wherein the stored power is delivered from the power storage element directly to a DC power output when the primary power source is disconnected; and

the DC power output connected directly to the power storage element for delivering DC to the secondary power input of the dual power device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary power source comprises an alternating current (AC) power source, and wherein the primary power input is operative to receive AC power.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the secondary power source comprises a direct current (DC) power source, and wherein the secondary power input is operative to receive DC power.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller for monitoring a current sensor to detect thermal runaway and to disconnect the power storage elements from the DC power output and from the converter elements in response to detecting thermal runaway;

a current sensor connected to the controller and to the power storage elements; and

a disconnect relay connected to and controlled by the controller for disconnecting the power storage elements from the DC power output and from the converter elements.