System and method for using a UPS to dynamically control the amount of AC power received from a utility power source
The present disclosure relates to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for monitoring and prioritizing use of available power. The UPS has an electronic controller with a memory and a software control module. The UPS also has a battery, a rectifier for rectifying available AC power from a primary external AC power source to produce DC power, an inverter in communication with the rectifier for generating AC power from the DC power provided by the rectifier, and a DC/DC converter in communication with the rectifier for producing a DC charging current for use in charging the battery. The electronic controller and the software control module are configured to dynamically prioritize the use of available power from at least one of the primary AC power source and from the battery, to maintain adequate power to a load being supported by the UPS, as well as to charge the battery of the UPS when predetermined operating conditions are met.
1. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for monitoring and prioritizing use of available power, the UPS comprising:
an electronic controller having a memory and a software control module;
a battery;
a rectifier for rectifying available AC power from a primary AC power source to produce DC power;
an inverter in communication with the rectifier for generating AC power from the DC power provided by the rectifier;
a DC/DC converter in communication with the rectifier for producing a DC charging current for use in charging the battery;
the electronic controller and the software control module configured:
to dynamically prioritize the use of available power from at least one of the primary AC power source and from the battery;
to maintain adequate power to a load being supported by the UPS, as well as to charge the battery of the UPS when predetermined operating conditions are met;
to provide at least one of a maximum input current, a maximum power input or a maximum charging current that the UPS is able to receive;
to determine when an increase of current from the primary AC power source can be requested while charging the battery, to accelerate charging of the battery, while still meeting a requirement of the load; and
wherein the electronic controller and the software control module are further configured with each of:
the maximum input current that the UPS is able to receive;
the maximum power input that the UPS is able to receive; and
the maximum charging current that the UPS is able to receive for charging the battery.
2. The UPS of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface subsystem for enabling user settable inputs for each of the maximum input current, the maximum power input and the maximum charging current.
3. The UPS of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined operating conditions include one or more of a maximum input current and a maximum power input of the UPS, and wherein the electronic controller, working in connection with the software control module, is further configured to determine when an amount of energy needed from the primary AC power source is sufficient to both charge the battery and supply the load without exceeding the maximum input current and maximum power input of the UPS.
4. The UPS of claim 3 , wherein the electronic controller, working in connection with the software control module, is further configured to reduce a charging current being applied to the battery by an amount sufficient to enable a load requirement of the load to be met by the UPS, when it is determined that insufficient energy is being supplied by the primary AC power source to simultaneously charge the battery and meet a load requirement created by the load.
5. The UPS of claim 4 , wherein the electronic controller, working in connection with the software control module, is further configured to check when a reduction in the charging current applied to the battery has enabled the load requirement to be met.
6. The UPS of claim 5 , wherein the electronic controller, working in connection with the software control module, is further configured to set the charging current to zero when needed to enable the load requirement to be met using power received form the primary AC power source.
7. The UPS of claim 6 , wherein the electronic controller, working in connection with the software control module, is further configured to check if sufficient power is being supplied to the load to meet the load requirement after setting the charging current to zero, and when the load requirement is still not being met, to use the battery to supply additional power to make up a shortfall in power being supplied from the primary AC power source, to thus enable the UPS to meet the load requirement.
8. The UPS of claim 3 , wherein the electronic controller, working in connection with the software module, is further configured to check if the maximum input current of the UPS has been met when the primary AC power source is supplying sufficient power to simultaneously meet the load requirement and to charge the battery, without exceeding the maximum power input of the UPS.
9. The UPS of claim 8 , wherein the electronic controller, working in connection with the software module, is further configured to check if the battery is fully charged while the primary AC power source is supplying sufficient power to simultaneously meet the load requirement and to charge the battery, while not exceeding the maximum power input of the UPS.
10. The UPS of claim 9 , wherein the electronic controller, working in connection with the software module, is further configured to reduce a current being drawn from the primary AC power source to meet the load requirement and to maintain the battery in a fully charged state, when it is determined that the battery is fully charged.
11. The UPS of claim 9 , wherein the electronic controller, working in connection with the software module, enables the current being drawn from the primary AC power source to be increased to expedite battery charging, when the maximum input current is not being met and the maximum power input is not being exceeded, and the current being drawn from the primary AC power source is also sufficient to maintain operation of the UPS within the predetermined Safe Operating Area (SoA) and to meet the load requirement.
12. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for monitoring and prioritizing use of available power, the UPS comprising:
an electronic controller having a memory and a software control module;
a battery;
a rectifier for rectifying available AC power from a primary AC power source to produce DC power;
an inverter in communication with the rectifier for generating AC power from the DC power provided by the rectifier;
a DC/DC converter in communication with the rectifier for producing a DC charging current for use in charging the battery;
the electronic controller and the software control module configured:
to dynamically prioritize the use of available power from at least one of the primary AC power source and from the battery;
to maintain adequate power to a load being supported by the UPS, as well as to charge the battery of the UPS when predetermined operating conditions are met;
to provide at least one of a maximum input current, a maximum power input or a maximum charging current that the UPS is able to receive; and
wherein the electronic controller, working in connection with the software module, is further configured to enable the current being drawn from the primary AC power source to be increased to expedite battery charging, when the maximum input current is not being met and the maximum power input is not being exceeded, and the current being drawn from the primary AC power source is also sufficient to maintain operation of the UPS within a predetermined Safe Operating Area (SoA) and to meet the load requirement.