Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Plural supply circuits or sources – Substitute or emergency source
Patent
1998-10-23
2000-09-19
Fleming, Fritz
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Plural supply circuits or sources
Substitute or emergency source
307 65, H02J 700
Patent
active
06121695&
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a modular power supply. A particular application of the invention relates to uninterruptable power supplies for connection, for example, between a mains power source and electrical equipment such as a computer apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
The power supply equipment, such as uninterruptable power supplies (UPS), are often used in coupling sensitive electrical apparatus, such as computer equipment, to a mains power source. An uninterruptable power supply coupled between the mains power sources and a computer is able to provide a source of power which is not subject to fluctuations in the mains power source and can provide power in the case of a power outage with respect to the mains source. The power handling capacity of the uninterruptable, power source must be matched to the power consumption of the electrical apparatus connected thereto, which can cause some difficulty if the electrical apparatus is upgraded or added to. For example, in a computer application where an uninterruptable power source is driving a local area network (LAN) server which requires 1 kilowatt of power, the uninterruptable power supply may be chosen to have a capacity of 1,200 va. If the LAN server is upgraded to a model which requires 1.5 kilowatts of power, then the UPS would need to be replaced with one with additional power handling capability.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an uninterruptable power supply for receiving electrical power and supplying the electrical power to an electrical apparatus. The electrical apparatus includes a housing adapted to receive a plurality of uninterruptable power supply modules. At least one of the uninterruptable power supply modules includes an energy storage device and a charger which stores electrical power from the main power source in the energy storage device. A power supply is coupled to the main power source and the energy storage device and supplies electrical power to the electrical apparatus. A controller controls the power supply to selectively provide electrical power to the electrical power from the main electrical power source or from the energy storage device. The uninterruptable power supply module is coupled to the housing and each of the at least one uninterruptable power supply modules is coupled to operate in parallel with other uninterruptable power supply modules.
In one form of the invention, the coupling means comprises a plug or socket connector, and wherein the housing is provided with a plurality of reciprocal sockets or plugs with electrical interconnections therebetween. In this case, the housing is adapted to receive a plurality of the uninterruptable power supply modules, each module fitting into a respective docking bay and making connection with its coupling means to a respective socket or plug in the housing, wherein the modules connected in the housing are in a parallel circuit arrangement. The housing may include a mains power source input, and connections therefrom to each of the sockets or plugs for transmission to modules when connected to the housing. The housing may also include an electrical power outlet for passing electrical power to the electrical apparatus, with electrical connections between each of the sockets or plugs in the housing, to enable electrical power to pass from the power supply means, via the coupling means, of each module connected in the housing. In a preferred form of the invention, the housing includes a bypass circuit adapted to couple the mains power source input to the electrical power output in the absence of uninterruptable power supply modules connected to the housing.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the uninterruptable power supply modules are "hot pluggable" with the housing, meaning that a module can be connected or disconnected from the housing without interrupting the flow of electricity from the mains power source to a electrical apparatus coupled t
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Fleming Fritz
Invetech Operations Pty. Ltd.
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