Modular UPS

• US 8,162,417 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2008
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• 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: Briggs, James, Schuttler, David, Mutabdzija, Srdan, Falcinelli, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, HANH VAN
• Application Number:
  US12/123,028
• Publication Number:
  US 20080278889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,436 Days
• Field of Search: 312/333, 3123344-3345, 312/223.2, 361725-727, 211/26
• US Class Current: 312/223.2
• 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 combination of a component and a support rail for mounting the component in a rack, the rack having a front vertical rack mount rail and a rear vertical rack mount rail, the combination comprising:

a component having an opening integrally formed in the rear of the component;

a support rail having a first rail portion and a second rail portion, the second rail portion being insertable within the first rail portion, allowing the support rail to be extended to varying lengths between the front vertical rack mount rail and the rear vertical rack mount rail;

a first element formed by the first rail portion, the first element configured to couple to the front vertical rack mount rail;

a second element formed by the second rail portion, the second element configured to couple to the rear vertical rack mount rail;

a ledge piece formed from the first rail portion having a surface to support the component from underneath; and

a rear support member integrally formed from the first rail portion at its rear end, the rear support member having a portion extending toward the front vertical rack mount rail and configured to align with the opening of the component to restrict movement of the component in a vertical direction when the rear support member is inserted into the opening of the component.

2. The combination of the component and the support rail according to claim 1, wherein the rear support member is substantially c-shaped.

3. The combination of the component and the support rail according to claim 1, wherein the rack has an interior, and wherein the support rail is adapted to be installed within the interior of the rack.

4. The combination of the component and the support rail according to claim 1, wherein the support rail is made at least in part of steel.

5. A combination of a component and a support rail for mounting the component in a rack having a front vertical rack mount rail and a rear vertical rack mount rail, the combination comprising:

a component having an opening integrally formed in the rear of the component;

a support rail having a primary member and a secondary member partially encased by the primary member, the secondary member being slidably adjustable with respect to the primary member allowing the support rail to be extended to varying lengths;

a first bracket formed by the primary member, the first bracket configured to mount to the front vertical rack mount rail;

a second bracket formed by the secondary member, the second bracket configured to mount to the rear vertical rack mount rail;

an L-shaped ledge piece that extends from a side portion of the primary member to support the component from underneath;

a support member integrally formed from the primary member at its rear end, the support member having a portion extending toward the front vertical rack mount rail and configured to align with the opening of the component to restrict vertical movement of the component when the support member is inserted into the opening of the component.

6. The combination of the component and the support rail of claim 5, wherein the support member is substantially c-shaped.

7. The combination of the component and the support rail of claim 5, wherein the support rail is adapted to be installed within an interior of the rack.

8. The combination of the component and the support rail of claim 5, wherein the support rail is made at least in part of steel.

9. The combination of the component and the support rail of claim 5, wherein the support rail is configured to extend to a distance from the front vertical rack mount rail to the rear vertical rack mount rail.

10. A method of mounting a component in a rack using a support rail system, the component having at least one opening integrally formed in the rear of the component, the rack having a pair of front vertical rack mount rails, a pair of rear vertical rack mount rails and a rear, the support rail system including two support rails each having a first rail portion, a second rail portion inserted within the respective first rail portion, and a ledge piece extending from a side portion of the first rail portion to provide a horizontal support surface, one of the two support rails further having the rear support member integrally formed from the first rail portion at its rear end, the rear support member having a portion extending toward the front vertical rack mount rail, the method comprising acts of:

fastening each of the two support rails to a respective one of the pair of rear vertical rack mount rails and a respective one of the pair of front vertical rack mount rails; and

mounting the component to the support rail system by placing the component upon the horizontal support surface of the ledge piece of each of the two support rails and sliding the component toward the rear of the rack to engage the at least one opening of the component with the rear support member such that the at least one opening of the component faces toward the rear of the rack and the rear support member restricts vertical movement of the component.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising adjusting a length of the support rail system by extending the respective second rail portion of each of the two support rails with respect to the respective first rail portion of each of the two support rails such that the length of each of the two support rails is substantially the same as a distance from the front vertical rack mount rails to the rear vertical rack mount rails.