The present disclosure relates generally to uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), and particularly to synchronization control systems for control thereof.
UPSs are employed in a variety of applications where a constant source of power is desired at a load. A typical UPS system involves an inverter feed path, also generally referred to as the inverter, that is operably connectable in parallel with a bypass feed path, also generally referred to as the mains. The mains may be connected to a utility, but may also receive power from some other supply not connected to a utility electrical grid. The inverter may receive power from the same source as the mains, but may also receive power from some other supply.
There are several types of UPSs depending on their operation mode. Double conversion UPSs offer the maximal protection level as the load is always fed by the inverter. On the other hand, with line-interactive UPSs, the load is fed by the mains and the inverter is used to correct the shape of the load voltage.
There are also several possible UPS configurations to supply a critical load, such as Redundant Parallel Architecture (RPA), Dual Independent Configuration, Load Bus Synchronization, and Power Tie, for example. With the RPA concept, (N+M) UPSs are paralleled to supply a load that can be fed by N UPSs only. This way, a redundancy of M units is achieved. More and more, and for high availability, Dual Independent Configurations are requested by customers. This requires the synchronization of two independent UPS groups and the use of an Intelligent Static Switch (ISS) that automatically switches the critical load from one source to the other. Another concept is Load Bus Synchronization where two independent UPS groups can be temporarily synchronized in order to move the critical load from one side to the other for maintenance purposes. An extension of the Load Bus Synchronization concept is the Power Tie concept, where the two independent UPS groups are permanently synchronized and their load shared as if they were a unique UPS group in a RPA configuration. Finally, and with consideration to the bypass configuration, it is desirable to be able to choose between two different options, a centralized bypass or decentralized bypass.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a control system and apparatus that allows multiple configurations of UPSs in critical power management systems.
An embodiment of the invention includes an Intelligent Synchronization Module (ISM) for an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system for servicing a load, wherein the UPS system has at least one of a first UPS group and a second separate and independent UPS group, each of the first and second UPS groups having a master UPS. The ISM has a processing circuit and a storage medium, readable by the processing circuit, storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for: assigning the first UPS group the role of master group and the second UPS group the role of slave group; and, passing phase information relating to the master group to the slave group, thereby enabling the master UPS of the slave group to effect synchronization with the master group.
Another embodiment of the invention includes an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system for servicing a load. The UPS system includes a first UPS group and a second UPS group separate from and independent to the first UPS group, each of the first and second UPS groups being configured to service the load, and an Intelligent Synchronization Module (ISM) in signal communication between the two UPS groups. The ISM is configured to assign the first UPS group the role of master group and the second UPS group the role of slave group, and to pass phase information relating to the master group to the slave group, thereby enabling the slave group to effect synchronization with the master group.
Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the accompanying Figures:
An embodiment of the invention provides an Intelligent Synchronization Module (ISM) for allowing multiple configurations of an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system that services at least one load. In an embodiment, the UPS system has a first UPS group and a second separate and independent UPS group, with each of the first and second UPS groups having a master UPS. A function of the ISM is to assign the first UPS group the role of master group and the second UPS group the role of slave group, and to pass phase information relating to the master group to the slave group, thereby enabling the master UPS of the slave group to effect synchronization with the master group. In a more general sense, the ISM is a control system that exchanges information, performs synchronizations, and executes control algorithms and commands.
While
In an embodiment, a control system 175, illustrated generally in
In an embodiment, input signals to control system 175 include inverter bridge currents (Ib) 190, inverter load currents (IL) 195, inverter output voltages (Uo) 200, load voltages (UL) 205, bypass load currents (Ibyp) 210, and bypass input voltages (Ubyp) 215, that are generated by any sensor suitable for the intended purpose. Another input signal to control system 175 may be (aux) 220 that is provided by an auxiliary contact (not specifically shown but represented also by reference numeral 220) at second switch (K7) 125 and identifies the on/off state of the main contacts of second switch 125. Further input signals to control system 175 include a Ssync signal and a φother signal, which will be discussed in more detail below.
While reference is made to bypass feed path 110 and inverter feed path 115, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the inverter load currents IL 195 are not the same as those currents flowing through contactor K4155.
In an embodiment, output signals from control system 175 include a command signal (S1) 225 to first switch 120, a command signal (S2) 230 to second switch 125, a command signal (S3) 235 to inverter 140, and a command signal (S4) 237 to rectifier 130.
In one embodiment, output signals 225, 230, 235 and 237 may originate from control system 175. However, in another embodiment, the same output signals or any combination thereof may be analog, may originate from another source (not shown), and may be monitored and used by control system 175.
In an embodiment, the following logic is employed:
S1=(1, 0): SSM command signal (ON, OFF), respectively;
S2=(1, 0): K7 command signal (ON, OFF), respectively;
S3=(1, 0): Inverter command signal (ON, OFF), respectively; and
S4=(1, 0): Rectifier command signal (ON, OFF), respectively.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the output signals from control system 175 serve to synchronize a slave UPS group with a master UPS group, which will be discussed in more detail below.
While
During inverter feed path 115 operation, the rectifier 130 converts the input power supply 117 to regulated DC to charge the battery 135 as well as supply power to the inverter 140. The inverter 140 converts the DC to a voltage & frequency regulated AC output at all times. During “stored energy” mode, that is, during an absence of power from power supplies 112 and 117 (also referred to as mains failure), the inverter 140 draws power from the battery 135 and continues to supply output power. Bypass operation that switches in the bypass feed path 110 is possible through the first switch 120, which may be a Static Switch Module (SSM) for example.
In an exemplary embodiment, the startup of rectifier 130 is accomplished automatically via switch (K4—circuit breaker) 155 or manually via switch (Q4—manual disconnect), manual bypass is accomplished via switch (Q2) 170, output power is supplied via switch (Q1) 165, short-circuit protection of SSM 120 is provided by switch (K6), and output power from inverter 140 is provided via switch (K7) 125. The transitions from the bypass feed path 110 to the inverter feed path 115 and vice-versa are controlled through the SSM 120 and breaker switch (K7) 125.
With an RPA (Redundant Parallel Architecture) concept, (N+M) UPSs are paralleled to supply a load that can be fed by N UPSs only. This way, a redundancy of M units is achieved. To realize the RPA configuration, a communication between the UPSs is required to synchronize the output of each inverter and to share the load among the inverters.
To realize a full digital control for single and parallel UPSs, embodiments of the invention employ dedicated control algorithms and the necessary hardware. In particular, a DSP (digital signal processor) based mother board and a small board for the digital communication between the units is employed. In an embodiment, this communication is made very reliable by doubling the communication channels (redundancy) and by using CRC (cyclic redundancy check) error controls.
This powerful and flexible control board scheme is used on various kinds of LTPSs and power quality systems, such as single and parallel units, with or without an output isolation transformer, with or without an input active filter, and with or without a stand alone active filter, for example. This adaptability is obtained through software configurations.
To allow multiple configurations of uninterruptible power supply in critical power management systems, embodiments of the invention employ an Intelligent Synchronization Module (ISM) that ties one or two groups of UPSs to realize one or more of the following five different functions:
F1) Intelligent Static Transfer Switch
Synchronize permanently the outputs of two separate and independent UPS groups, where an Intelligent Static Switch (ISS) decides where to switch the load;
F2) Centralized Bypass
Command the centralized bypass of a group of UPSs in a RPA configuration;
F3) Load Bus Synchronization
Synchronize temporarily the outputs of two separate and independent UPS groups;
F4) Power Tie
Synchronize permanently and load share the outputs of two separate and independent UPS groups; and
F5) Bus Repeater
Allow an extension of the maximal distance between the first and the last UPS.
With reference now to
The ISM 300 has the function of assigning one of the UPS groups, such as the first group 310 for example, the role of master group and the other UPS group, such as the second group 320 for example, the role of slave group. The ISM 300 also has the function of passing phase information relating to the master group 310 to the slave group 320, thereby enabling the master UPS (UPS 3) of the slave group 320 to effect synchronization with the master group 310. To carry out this synchronization process, the ISM 300 has a processing circuit 302, and a storage medium 304, readable by the processing circuit 302, storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit 302 for carrying out the necessary control algorithms, which will be discussed in more detail below.
Referring now to
The input signals to ISM 300 include phase information φ1 through φP, or φ1 through φQ, from each UPS group A and B, where P represents the number of UPSs in group A and Q represents the number of UPSs in group B. The output signals from ISM 300 include the Ssync signal and the φother signal. The φother signal represents the actual phase of the master UPS group, and the Ssync signal represents a command signal for the slave UPS group to synchronize with the master UPS group.
With reference now to
Regarding
With reference now to
As previously mentioned, there are several possible UPS configurations that may be employed to supply a critical load. With the RPA (Redundant Parallel Architecture) concept, (N+M) UPSs are paralleled to supply a load that can be fed by N UPSs only. This way, a redundancy of M units is achieved. In a RPA configuration, we have decentralized bypasses, that is, each UPS 100 has its own bypass feed path 110 and Static Switch Module (SSM) 120 (see
In some critical power management systems, a centralized bypass is required, even if the global reliability is reduced. This feature may be implemented in a RPA configuration using the ISM 300 as represented in
The implementation of a centralized bypass in a RPA system with the ISM 300 may be realized in two ways. First, and with regard to cost minimization, the internal bypass SSM 120 (see
In an embodiment that combines features of both the first and the second implementations, which also strives for cost minimization, the internal bypasses (SSMs) of each UPS may be used in combination with an external centralized breaker that is commanded by the ISM 300. Here, the centralized breaker may replace the CSSM 350.
With reference now to
In an exemplary RPA configuration employing embodiments of the invention, eight UPSs (only six being shown in
In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the ISM 300 may also be used to realize combined functions, such as Load Bus Synchronization and/or Power Tie in combination with Centralized Bypass, which is illustrated by
In another alternative exemplary embodiment, the ISM 300 may also be used to realize the combined functions of Load Bus Synchronization and/or Power Tie in combination with Centralized Bypass with Redundant ISM, which is illustrated in
Algorithms for implementing the Intelligent Static Transfer Switch Function (F1) will now be discussed with reference to
Referring now to
In and exemplary embodiment, the function of the ISM 300 is to assign a group the role of master UPS group, and then to pass the phase information to the slave UPS group. The flow diagram of
The slow synchronization algorithm 430 is illustrated in
The slow synchronization algorithm 430 is used to move the phase of the output of a slave UPS group, which is already supplying the load, toward that of the master UPS group. This slow synchronization has to be slow enough to guarantee the safety of the critical load. The input to the slow synchronization algorithm 430 is φ
The fast synchronization algorithm 450 is illustrated in
In an embodiment, the slow 430 and fast 450 synchronization algorithms are implemented in firmware, having algorithms driven by control equations, which will now be discussed with reference to
The FFO 431 depicted in
ΔφOSC=φISM
ΔωOSC=(φOSC−ΔφOSCold)/TE Equa.-2
ΔφOSCold=ΔφOSC Equa.-3
ΔωOSCcom=ΔωOSC* KωFFO+ΔφOSC* KωFFO Equa.-4
ωOSC=ωOSC+ΔωOSCcom* TE Equa.-5
φOSC=φOSC+φOSC* TE Equa.-6
ωother=ωOSC Equa.-7
where TE is the sampling time (100 μs) and KωFFO, KωFFO are the feedback gains for the angular frequency and phase angle errors of the FFO 431. Equation-2 is a simple numerical derivation of ω=dφ/dt, where the value of ΔφOSCold is the previous sampling (100 μs before) of ΔφOSC. Equations-5 and 6 implement the digital oscillator of the FFO 431. In addition, the internal variables are limited to their normal variation range (for example, ΔφOSC between 0 and 2π) as known by one skilled in the art.
The phase & frequency error computation block 432, which is used for the slow synchronization algorithm, may be described by following difference equations:
ΔφISM=φISM
ΔωISM=ωother−ωo Equa.-9
Referring now to
ΔφISM=φISM
ΔωISM=(ΔφISM−ΔφISMold)/TE Equa.-11
ΔφISMold=ΔφISM Equa.-12
The slow phase control block 433 (with reference to
Δω=ΔφISM * KφS+ΔωISM* KωS Equa.-13
The fast phase control block 452 (with reference to
Δω=ΔφISM * KφF+ΔωISM* KωF Equa.-14
The oscillator blocks 434 and 453 (with reference to
ωo=ωo+Δω* TE Equa.-15
αo=αo+ωo* TE Equa.-16
In a classical digital PLL (phase lock loop) scheme, the synchronization precision of 10 bits of digital phase information would be too a low resolution for proper synchronization control. However, with the slow and fast synchronization algorithms disclosed herein, a synchronization precision of less than 1 μs may be achieved.
Since only the digital phase information is sent on the communication bus between the ISM and the UPS groups, it is possible to optimize the bandwidth of the transmission. Also, since the slow synchronization algorithm needs the frequency information (see
To determine an appropriate feedback gain, the static stiffness may be defined with respect to the phase and frequency errors. Exemplary relationships are as follows. For slow synchronization, the static stiffness with respect to a frequency error is 16 Hz/sec correction for an error of 1 Hz, and the static stiffness with respect to the phase error is 18/(2π)≈3 Hz/s correction for an error of 1 rad, for example. For fast synchronization, the static stiffness with respect to the frequency error is 20 Hz/s correction for an error of 1 Hz, and the static stiffness with respect to the phase error is 100/(2π)≈16 Hz/s correction for an error of 1 rad, for example. By assigning different poles to the phase control, it is possible to design a fast and a slow phase control, thereby obtaining two sets of feedback gains.
As used herein, the following variable definitions apply:
φISM
ωother=angular frequency of the “supermaster” (φand ωare linked by ω=dω/dt)
ωo=angular frequency of the oscillator (of the master of the “superslave”group)
αo=phase angle of the oscillator (of the master of the “superslave” group)
ΔφISM=phase angle error (between the “supermaster” and “superslave” groups)
ΔωISM=angular frequency error (between the “supermaster” and “superslave”groups)
Δω=angular frequency correction to be applied to the oscillator
KωS=feedback gain for the phase angle error−slow synchronization
KωS=feedback gain for the angular frequency error−slow synchronization
KωF=feedback gain for the phase angle error−fast synchronization
KωF=feedback gain for the angular frequency error−fast synchronization.
While embodiments of the invention have been disclosed combinable to provide only certain combinations of functions, it will be appreciated that the possible combinations of ISM modules and functions are not confined to only the above-described examples.
While embodiments of the ISM concept may have been described in relation to a RPA configuration of a particular UPS system, it will be appreciated that the same ISM concept may be applied to other single and parallel UPS systems. It will also be appreciated that the ISM concept presented herein may be applied to UPSs of any power level with or without an isolation transformer.
As suggested in the aforementioned description of the various embodiments, an embodiment of the invention may be embodied in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The present invention may also be embodied in the form of a computer program product having computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, USB (universal serial bus) drives, or any other computer readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The present invention may also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits. The technical effect of the executable instructions is to exchange information, perform synchronization, and execute control algorithms and commands between two separate and independent UPS groups thereby allowing multiple configurations of uninterruptible power supply in critical power management systems.
As disclosed, some embodiments of the invention may include some of the following advantages: an Intelligent Synchronization Module (ISM) that allows multiple configurations of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) in critical Power management systems; the availability of five different functions F1-F5 that may be realized by software configuration only; the ability to combine and realize more functions by a single ISM module; an exemplary ISM may have a redundant communication and a redundant power supply in order to maximize system reliability; the possibility of using redundant ISM modules for very critical applications to assure a full redundancy of the control electronics; an Intelligent Synchronization Module (ISM) that ties one or two groups of UPSs to realize five different functions F1-F5; for the function of “Intelligent Static Transfer Switch” (F1), an embodiment of the ISM that synchronizes the outputs of two separate and independent UPS groups; for the function of “Centralized Bypass” (F2), an embodiment of the ISM that commands the centralized bypass of a group of UPSs in a RPA configuration, where in a first embodiment, the ISM doesn't use the internal UPS bypasses any more, in a second embodiment, the internal bypasses of the UPSs are used as a backup for the external centralized bypass, thereby providing the maximal reliability even higher than the one of a RPA configuration, and in a third embodiment, using the internal bypasses of each unit in combination with an external centralized breaker commanded by the ISM; for the function of “Load Bus Synchronization” (F3), an embodiment of the ISM that synchronizes temporarily the outputs of two separate and independent UPS groups; for the function of “Power Tie” (F4), an embodiment of the ISM that synchronizes permanently and load shares the outputs of two separate and independent UPS groups; for the function of “Bus Repeater” (F5), an embodiment of the ISM that allows extension of the maximal distance between the first and the last UPS in a RPA configuration; an ISM that provides a flexible multi-functional product, where the five aforementioned functions F1-F5 may be realized by software configuration only; the ability to include in the ISM a redundant communication feature and a redundant power supply; the ability to use redundant ISM modules for very critical applications to assure a full redundancy of the control electronics; an ISM capable of implementing more than one function at the same time; the ability to combine functions via the ISM; slow and fast synchronization algorithms that allow the ISM to synchronize two groups of UPSs already supplying their critical load; the ability to send a low resolution signal (10 bits) of digital phase information through the communication bus connecting the ISM to the UPS groups, thereby enabling the precision of the synchronization algorithms to be less than 1 μs; and, the ability to send only the digital phase information on the communication bus, thereby enabling optimization of the bandwidth of the transmission, and since the slow synchronization algorithm also needs the frequency information, this information may be extracted from the phase information through an FFO (fast frequency observer).
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/647,661, filed Jan. 27, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60647661 | Jan 2005 | US |