Method and apparatus for providing uninterruptible power

• US 8,053,927 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2010
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Pedersen, Michael, Nielsen, Henning Roar, Hjort, Thomas Enné, Mathiesen, Henrik, Olsen, Richard Dyrmose
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman; Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Amrany; Adi
• Application Number:
  US12/968,559
• Publication Number:
  US 20110227415A1
• Time in Patent Office: 328 Days
• Field of Search: 307/64, 307/66
• US Class Current: 307/64
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing uninterruptible power are provided by aspects of the invention. One aspect is more particularly directed to an uninterruptible power supply for providing power to a load. The uninterruptible power supply includes an input to receive input power, an output to provide output power, a plurality of battery modules that provide backup power, a power circuit coupled to the input, coupled to the plurality of battery modules and coupled to the output to provide power derived from at least one of the input power and the backup power to the output, a controller, a return line coupled to the controller and coupled to each of the battery modules, and a first sense line coupled to the controller and coupled to the plurality of battery modules. The controller and each of the battery modules are configured and arranged such that at least one characteristic of the battery modules is determined by the controller based on signals detected by the controller on the first sense line.

Claims

1. An uninterruptible power supply for providing power to a load, the uninterruptible power supply comprising:

an input to receive input power;

an output to provide output power;

a backup power device that provides backup power;

a power circuit coupled to the input, coupled to the backup power device and coupled to the output to provide power derived from at least one of the input power and the backup power to the output, the power circuit having a first power interface module having a plurality of first power modules;

a controller;

a first sense line coupled to the controller and coupled to the first power interface module and the plurality of first power modules; and

a return line coupled to the controller and coupled to the first power interface module and the plurality of first power modules;

wherein the controller, the first power interface module and the plurality of first power modules are configured and arranged such that the controller identifies a revision level of the first power interface module and a revision level of the plurality of first power modules, based on a voltage level detected by the controller across the first sense line and the return line.

2. The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein the power circuit includes a second power interface module having a plurality of second power modules, wherein the first sense line is coupled to the second power interface module and the plurality of second power modules of the second power interface module, and wherein the controller, the second power interface module and the plurality of second power modules are configured and arranged such that the controller identifies a revision level of the second power interface module and a revision level of the plurality of second power modules, based on the voltage level detected by the controller across the first sense line and the return line.

3. The uninterruptible power supply of claim 2, wherein the controller, the plurality of first power modules and the plurality of second power modules are arranged to allow the controller to identify a high temperature condition in one of the first power modules or the second power modules based on the voltage across the first sense line and the return line.

4. The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein the controller and the plurality of first power modules are further configured and arranged to allow the controller to identify a high temperature condition in one of the first power modules based on the voltage across the first sense line and the return line.

5. The uninterruptible power supply of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to adjust control parameters of the uninterruptible power supply based on the revision detected of the first power interface board and the revision detected of the plurality of first power modules.

6. The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein each of the first power interface module and the plurality of first power modules includes a resistor coupled to the first sense line and the return line, wherein a resistance value of the resistor identifies a revision level.

7. The uninterruptible power supply of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of first power modules includes a thermal switch coupled between the first sense line and the return line.

8. An uninterruptible power supply for providing power to a load, the uninterruptible power supply comprising:

an input to receive input power;

an output to provide output power;

a backup power device that provides backup power;

a power circuit coupled to the input, coupled to the backup power device and coupled to the output to provide power derived from at least one of the input power and the backup power to the output, the power circuit having a first power interface module having a plurality of first power modules;

a first sense line coupled to the first power interface module and the plurality of first power modules; and

a return line coupled to the first power interface module and the plurality of first power modules;

means for identifying a revision level of the first power interface module and a revision level of the plurality of first power modules, based on a voltage level detected across the first sense line and the return line.

9. The uninterruptible power supply of claim 8, wherein the power circuit includes a second power interface module having a plurality of second power modules, wherein the first sense line is coupled to the second power interface module and the plurality of second power modules of the second power interface module, and wherein the uninterruptible power supply further comprises means for identifying a revision level of the second power interface module and a revision level of the plurality of second power modules, based on the voltage level detected across the first sense line and the return line.

10. The uninterruptible power supply of claim 9, further comprising means for identifying a high temperature condition in one of the first power modules or the second power modules based on the voltage across the first sense line and the return line.

11. The uninterruptible power supply of claim 8, further comprising means for identifying a high temperature condition in one of the first power modules based on the voltage across the first sense line and the return line.

12. The uninterruptible power supply of claim 8, further comprising means for controlling parameters of the uninterruptible power supply based on the revision detected of the first power interface board and the revision detected of the plurality of first power modules.

13. A method for controlling an uninterruptible power supply having a first power interface module and a plurality of power modules coupled to the first power interface module, the method comprising:

coupling a first sense line to the first power interface module and the plurality of first power modules;

coupling a return line to the first power interface module and the plurality of first power modules;

identifying a revision level of the first power interface module and a revision level of the plurality of first power modules, based on a voltage level detected across the first sense line and the return line; and

controlling parameters of the uninterruptible power supply based on the revision level of the first power interface board and the revision level of the plurality of first power modules.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the uninterruptible power supply includes a second power interface module having a plurality of second power modules, and wherein the method further includes:

coupling the first sense line to the second power interface module and the plurality of second power modules of the second power interface module; and

identifying a revision level of the second power interface module and a revision level of the plurality of second power modules, based on the voltage level detected across the first sense line and the return line.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising identifying a high temperature condition in one of the first power modules or the second power modules based on the voltage across the first sense line and the return line.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising identifying a high temperature condition in one of the first power modules based on the voltage across the first sense line and the return line.