Modular UPS

• US 8,854,824 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2012
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Briggs, James, Schuttler, David, Mutabdzija, Srdan, Falcinelli, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US13/453,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20130069504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 361/727
• US Class Current: 361/727
• 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. An uninterruptible power supply system comprising:

a first frame component adapted to hold a plurality of modules including at least one power module and at least one battery module; and

a second frame component adapted to hold a plurality of modules including at least one battery module, wherein the second frame component is removably coupled to the first frame; and

wherein each of the first frame component and the second frame component is contained within a housing, and wherein the housing of the second frame component includes at least one opening configured to allow at least one cable to pass from the first frame component to the second frame component.

2. An uninterruptible power supply system comprising:

a first frame component adapted to hold a plurality of modules including at least one power module and at least one battery module;

a second frame component adapted to hold a plurality of modules including at least one battery module, wherein the second frame component is removably coupled to the first frame; and

a front door coupled to the first frame component and the second frame component.

3. The uninterruptible power supply system of claim 2, further comprising a first support member coupled to a first side of the first frame component and a first side of the second frame component.

4. The uninterruptible power supply system of claim 3, further comprising a second support member coupled to a second side of the first frame component and a second side of the second frame component.

5. The uninterruptible power supply system of claim 4, further comprising a first side piece configured to cover the first side of the first frame component and the first side of the second frame component, and a second side piece configured to cover the second side of the first frame component and the second side of the second frame component.

6. The uninterruptible power supply system of claim 2, further comprising at least one battery module contained in the second frame component in a first orientation and at least one battery module contained in the first frame component in a second orientation different from the first orientation.

7. A method of expanding a UPS system contained in a first frame component adapted to hold a plurality of modules including at least one power module and at least one battery module, the method comprising:

mechanically coupling a second frame component to the first frame component, the second frame component adapted to hold a plurality of modules including at least one battery module; and

installing at least one battery module in the second frame component;

wherein mechanically coupling includes mounting a first side support member to a first side of the first frame component and a first side of the second frame component; and

wherein mechanically coupling includes mounting a second side support member to a second side of the first frame component and to a second side of the second frame component.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising mounting a first side cover over the first side of the first frame component and the first side of the second frame component, and mounting a second side cover over the second side of the first frame component and the second side of the first frame component.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising mounting a first front door over a front side of the first frame component and a front side of the second frame component.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising prior to mounting the first front door, removing a second front door from the front of the first frame component.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising assembling the first door using at least one bezel component from the second door.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising attaching the at least one bezel component to a frame of the first door.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein mechanically coupling the second frame component to the first frame component includes placing the first frame component on a top surface of the second frame component.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising mounting a plurality of castor components on a bottom surface of the second frame component.

13. A method of expanding a UPS system contained in a first frame component adapted to hold a plurality of modules including at least one power module and at least one battery module, the method comprising:

mechanically coupling a second frame component to the first frame component, the second frame component adapted to hold a plurality of modules including at least one battery module; and

installing at least one battery module in the second frame component;

wherein installing the at least one battery module in the first frame component includes installing the at least one battery module in a first rotational orientation in the first frame component, and wherein the method further comprises;

removing the at least one battery module from the first frame component; and

installing the at least one battery module in the second frame component with the at least one battery module in a second rotational orientation that is different from the first rotational orientation.