Systems and methods for uninterruptible power supplies with bidirectional power converters
Electrical power systems and methods using bidirectional power converters to provide, among other functions, uninterruptible power supplies for loads such as cell towers. The power-packet-switching power converter can be connected, for example, to a photovoltaic array, batteries, and a critical load such as a cell tower. An AC generator can also be connected in order to power the cell tower and/or to charge the batteries as needed. Green energy utilization is maximized, power conversion efficiency is increased, and system costs are decreased, by having only a single power conversion stage for all conversions.
1. A method for providing uninterruptible power, comprising the actions of:
using a bidirectional multiport power converter to convert and route a power input, wherein the bidirectional multiport power converter comprises:
a plurality of input/output portals, each comprising one or more ports;
an energy transfer reactance comprising an inductor and a capacitor in parallel, wherein each said port of each said input/output portal is connected in parallel to each end of said energy transfer reactance by a pair of bidirectional switching devices;
wherein, at various times, said energy transfer reactance can be connected to two said ports, to transfer energy there between; and
wherein, at various times, said energy transfer reactance can be disconnected from said input/output portals;
connecting a DC power source to a first input/output portal of the bidirectional multiport power converter to supply converted AC power to an AC-powered construct under normal condition, the AC-powered construct connected to a second input/output portal;
connecting a plurality of batteries to a third input/output portal of the bidirectional multiport power converter; and
operating the bidirectional multiport power converter to supply AC power to the AC-powered construct from the plurality of batteries if the DC power source fails to deliver sufficient DC power to convert and supply an AC power requirement to the AC-powered construct.
2. The method for providing uninterruptible power of claim 1 , wherein, when said DC source is generating more power than required to power said AC-powered construct, operating the bidirectional multiport power converter to convert excess AC power to DC power to provide to the plurality of batteries to charge said batteries.
3. The method for providing uninterruptible power of claim 1 , wherein, when said DC source is generating less power than required to power said AC-powered construct, operating the bidirectional multiport power converter to deliver AC power to the AC-powered construct from the plurality of batteries.
4. The method for providing uninterruptible power of claim 1 , further comprising an AC source connected to the AC-powered construct; wherein, when the AC power generated by the AC power source exceeds the AC power required by the AC-powered construct, the excess AC power is converted to DC power to charge the plurality of batteries.
5. The method for providing uninterruptible power of claim 1 , wherein the AC power source comprises an electric generator.
6. The method for providing uninterruptible power of claim 1 , wherein the AC-powered construct comprises at least one of:
an installation;
a building;
a commercial building;
a conveyance;
a communication tower; and
a computer server facility.
7. A method for providing uninterruptible power, comprising:
using a bidirectional multiport power converter to convert and route a power input, wherein the bidirectional multiport power converter comprises:
a plurality of input/output portals, each comprising one or more ports;
an energy transfer reactance comprising an inductor and a capacitor in parallel, wherein each said port of each said input/output portal is connected in parallel to each end of said energy transfer reactance by a pair of bidirectional switching devices;
wherein, at various times, said energy transfer reactance can be connected to two said ports, to transfer energy there between; and
wherein, at various times, said energy transfer reactance can be disconnected from said input/output portals;
generating a first DC power signal using a DC power source connected to a first input/output portal of the bidirectional multiport power converter supplying converted power under normal conditions to a load connected to a second input/output portal of the bidirectional multiport power converter;
storing power in a bank of batteries to provide a second DC power signal connected to a third input/output portal of the bidirectional multiport power converter;
connecting an AC generator to the load; and
activating the AC generator to supply the required power to the load when the load requires more required power than the DC power source can generate and the bank of batteries can supply;
wherein the bank of batteries supplies a converted required power to the load when the load requires more required power than the DC power source can generate.
8. The method for providing uninterruptible power of claim 7 , further comprising:
generating more power than the required power to power the load using the DC source; and
operating the bidirectional multiport power converter to convert the excess required power to a charging DC power signal to provide to the bank of batteries to charge the bank of batteries.
9. The method for providing uninterruptible power of claim 7 , further comprising:
generating less power than the required power to power the load using the DC source; and
operating the bidirectional multiport power converter to deliver the required power to the load using the third input/output portal from the bank of batteries.
10. The method for providing uninterruptible power of claim 7 , further comprising:
generating less power than the required power to power the load using either the DC source or the bank of batteries;
generating excess power while providing the required power to the load with the AC generator; and
operating the bidirectional multiport power converter to receive excess power at the second input/output portal to convert to a charging DC power signal and charge the bank of batteries from the third input/output portal.
11. The method for providing uninterruptible power of claim 7 , further comprising:
generating more power than the required power to power the load using the AC generator to produce excess power; and
operating the bidirectional multiport power converter to receive the excess power at the second input/output portal of the bidirectional multiport power converter to convert to a charging DC power signal to provide to the bank of batteries to charge the bank of batteries using the third input/output portal.
12. The method for providing uninterruptible power of claim 7 , wherein the AC generator comprises a dual mode generator that can function as a motor.
13. The method for providing uninterruptible power of claim 7 , wherein the load comprises at least one of:
an installation;
a building;
a commercial building;
a conveyance;
a communication tower; and
a computer server facility.