On-demand uninterruptible power supply
View Patent ↗An uninterruptible power supply (“UPS”) is provided with a backup power supply that has an adjustable reserve power level that is based on a user's input. The UPS provides reserve power that can later be utilized to reactivate the UPS after a shutdown or deactivation state has occurred, when a user demand for reserve power is received. The UPS utilizes a rechargeable battery that can supply stored AC power when the AC power line input voltage level falls below a threshold level and a shutdown has occurred. The user can adjust the reserve level in proportion to her input and the user can later reactivate the UPS to supply stored AC power for a period of time. In one embodiment, the user can execute computer code on her computer that can remotely adjust the reserve power level, based on a measurement of the backup power available from the UPS.
1. A method for controlling utilization of backup power, comprising:
receiving a user input regarding how much power to reserve;
setting a reserve level based on the user input;
measuring level of the backup power available;
determining whether the measured level meets the set reserve level;
determining whether there is a power outage; and
during the power outage, effecting a shutdown when the measured level fails to meet the set reserve level, and utilizing the backup power when a user demand for the backup power is received.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving a user input comprises receiving a user selected setting chosen from a plurality of predefined settings.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving a user input comprises receiving a user defined reserve level.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein setting a reserve level comprises setting the reserve level to be proportional the user input.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein setting a reserve level comprises selecting the reserve level from a table of predefined reserve levels.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether there is a power outage comprises:
monitoring an input voltage; and
detecting an interruption to the input voltage.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein determining whether there is a power outage further comprises:
determining whether the interruption exceeds a minimum interruption interval; and
when the interruption lasts longer than the minimum interruption interval, determining that the power outage is occurring.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein effecting a shutdown comprises transitioning to and operating in sleep mode.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, during the power outage, using the backup power until the measured level fails to meet the set reserve level.
10. A method for controlling utilization of backup power, comprising:
setting a reserve level corresponding to how much power to reserve;
measuring level of the backup power available;
determining whether the measured level meets the set reserve level;
determining whether there is a power interruption; and
during the power interruption, effecting a shutdown when the measured level fails to meet the set reserve level, and utilizing the backup power when a user demand for the backup power is received.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein setting a reserve level comprises receiving a user input.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein receiving a user input comprises receiving a user selected setting chosen from a plurality of predefined settings.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein receiving a user input comprises receiving a user defined reserve level.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein setting a reserve level comprises setting the reserve level to be proportional the user input.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein setting a reserve level comprises selecting the reserve level from a table of predefined reserve levels.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein determining whether there is a power interruption comprises:
monitoring an input voltage; and
detecting a change to the input voltage.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein determining whether there is a power interruption further comprises:
determining whether the change to the input voltage lasts longer than a minimum interval; and
when the change lasts longer than the minimum interval, determining that the power interruption is occurring.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein effecting a shutdown comprises transitioning to and operating in sleep mode.
19. The method of claim 10 , further comprising, during the power interruption, using the backup power until the measured level fails to meet the set reserve level.
20. A system for controlling utilization of backup power, comprising:
an input device for receiving a user input;
a processor module operatively coupled to the user input device; and
a memory module operatively coupled to the processor module, the memory module comprising executable code operable by the processor module to:
set a reserve level based on the received user input;
measure level of the backup power available;
determine whether the measured level meets the set reserve level;
determine whether there is a power interruption;
effect a shutdown when the measured level fails to meet the set reserve level during the power interruption; and
utilize the backup power when a user demand for the backup power is received during the power interruption.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the user input comprises a user selected setting chosen from a plurality of predefined settings.
22. The system of claim 20 , wherein the user input comprises a user defined reserve level.
23. The system of claim 20 , wherein the processor module sets the reserve level to be proportional to the user input.
24. The system of claim 20 , wherein the processor module selects the reserve level from a table of predefined reserve levels.
25. The system of claim 20 , wherein the processor module determines whether there is a power interruption by:
monitoring an input voltage; and
detecting a change to the input voltage.
26. The system of claim 25 , wherein the processor module determines whether there is a power interruption by:
determining whether the change to the input voltage lasts longer than a minimum interval; and
when the change lasts longer than the minimum interval determining that the power interruption is occurring.
27. The system of claim 20 , wherein the processor module effects a shutdown by transitioning to and operating in sleep mode.
28. The system of claim 20 , wherein the memory module further comprises executable code for the processor module to use the backup power until the measured level fails to meet the set reserve level.
29. A system for controlling utilization of backup power, comprising:
a user input device;
a processor module operatively coupled to the user input device; and
a memory module operatively coupled to the processor module, the memory module comprising executable code operable by the processor module to:
set a reserve level;
measure level of the backup power available;
determine whether the measured level meets the set reserve level;
determine whether there is a power interruption;
effect a shutdown when the measured level fails to meet the set reserve level during the power interruption; and
utilize the backup power when a user demand for the backup power is received during the power interruption.
30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the processor module sets a reserve level by receiving a user input.
31. The system of claim 30 wherein the user input comprises a user selected setting chosen from a plurality of predefined settings.
32. The system of claim 30 , wherein the user input comprises a user defined reserve level.
33. The system of claim 30 , wherein the processor module sets the reserve level to be proportional to the user input.
34. The system of claim 29 , wherein the processor module selects the reserve level from a table of predefined reserve levels.
35. The system of claim 29 , wherein the processor module determines whether there is a power outage by:
monitoring an input voltage; and
detecting an interruption to the input voltage.
36. The system of claim 35 , wherein the processor module determines whether there is a power outage by:
determining whether the interruption exceeds a minimum interruption interval; and
when the interruption lasts longer than the minimum interruption interval determining that the power outage is occurring.
37. The system of claim 29 , wherein the processor module effects a shutdown by transitioning to and operating in sleep mode.
38. The system of claim 29 , wherein the memory module further comprises executable code for the processor module to use the backup power until the measured level fails to meet the set reserve level.