BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an uninterruptible power supply comprising:
- at least one first input designed to be connected to a first AC voltage source,
- a power supply output designed to be connected to an electric load,
- a first converter for converting the AC voltage on the first input into DC voltage,
- a reversible second converter for converting the DC voltage into AC voltage on the power supply output,
- a branching and/or selection circuit equipped with interrupting means to connect an input directly to the power supply output when operating in economic mode, and
- control means comprising a set of units used when operating in normal mode in which the input is disconnected from the power supply output by opening of the interrupting means of the branching and/or selection circuit.
The invention also relates to a method for performing supply of uninterruptible electric power comprising:
- application of a first AC voltage to at least one first input,
- supply of an uninterruptible electric power supply on a power supply output,
- a first conversion of the first AC voltage into DC voltage,
- a second conversion of the DC voltage into AC supply voltage, in either direction,
- when operating in economic mode, direct connection of an input to the power supply output, and
- command of said uninterruptible electric power supply by a set of control functions used when operating in normal mode in which said direct connection is interrupted.
STATE OF THE ART
American U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,215 describes an uninterruptible power supply comprising an input designed to be connected to an AC voltage source and a power supply output designed to be connected to an electric load. This uninterruptible power supply comprises means for converting an AC voltage on the input into DC voltage, means for converting the DC voltage into AC voltage on the output, and a branching and/or selection circuit equipped with interrupting means to connect the input to the power supply output. This uninterruptible power supply further comprises control means equipped with at least two units, one dedicated to a normal operating mode and the other dedicated to an economic operating mode.
In economic operating mode, the input is connected to the power supply output by interrupting means of the branching and/or selection circuit. In economic operating mode, the unit dedicated to economic operating mode is implemented such that the means for converting DC voltage into AC voltage supply reactive and harmonic currents to keep the power factor and other power quality parameters at a required level.
Uninterruptible power supply control means of the prior art are not optimized and require a large number of components and/or functional steps. In particular, operation of uninterruptible power supplies of the prior art in economic mode requires implementation of additional regulation modules.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to remedy the shortcomings of uninterruptible power supplies of the prior art by proposing an uninterruptible power supply comprising:
- at least one first input designed to be connected to a first AC voltage source,
- a power supply output designed to be connected to an electric load,
- a first converter converting the AC voltage on the first input into DC voltage,
- a reversible second converter converting the DC voltage into AC voltage on the power supply output,
- a branching and/or selection circuit equipped with interrupting means to connect an input directly to the power supply output when operating in economic mode, and
- control means comprising a set of units used when operating in normal mode in which the input is disconnected from the power supply output by opening of the interrupting means of the branching and/or selection circuit.
The uninterruptible power supply according to the invention is characterized in that, when operating in economic mode, the first converter is shut down, that the set of units comprises a first voltage regulation unit equipped with an output to supply a first reference current and a second current regulation unit of the second converter equipped with a reference current input, and that the control means comprise switching means designed to connect the output of the first voltage regulation unit to the input of the second current regulation unit to regulate the quality of the current on said input when operating in economic mode.
Preferably, the set of units used when operating in normal mode comprises a first current regulation unit of the first converter equipped with a reference current input, the first current regulation unit being shut down when operating in economic mode.
Preferably, the set of units used when operating in normal mode comprises a second voltage regulation unit equipped with an output to supply a second reference current, the output of the first voltage regulation unit being connected to the reference current input of the first current regulation unit and the output of the second voltage regulation unit being connected to the reference current input of the second current regulation unit, when operating in normal mode.
Preferably, the switching means comprise a first switch and a second switch to
- connect the output of the first voltage regulation unit to the input of the first current regulation unit by means of the first switch when operating in normal mode, and connect the output of the second voltage regulation unit to the input of the second current regulation unit by means of the second switch, and
- connect the output of the first voltage regulation unit to an intermediate connection means by means of the first switch when operating in economic mode, and connect the output of the second voltage regulation unit to said connection means by means of the second switch.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the set of units used when operating in normal mode comprises at least one first reference AC signal generator equipped with an output and connected to means for measuring the AC voltage on the first input, said first generator generating a reference AC signal on said output in phase with the AC voltage on the first input.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the uninterruptible power supply comprises a second input designed to be connected to a second AC voltage source, the interrupting means of the branching and/or selection circuit enabling said second input to be connected directly to the power supply output when operating in economic mode.
Preferably, the set of units used when operating in normal mode comprises a second reference AC signal generator equipped with an output and connected to means for measuring the AC voltage on the second input, said second generator generating a reference AC signal on said output in phase with the AC voltage on the second input.
Preferably, the switching means comprise a third switch to
- connect a synchronization input of the first voltage regulation unit to the output of the first generator when operating in normal mode, and
- connect said synchronization input of the first voltage regulation unit to the output of the second generator when operating in economic mode.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the units used when operating in normal mode are electronic circuits and the switches are multiplexers or analog switches controlled by a processing unit.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the units used when operating in normal mode and the switches are software means of a processing unit.
Advantageously, the uninterruptible power supply according to the invention comprises electric power storage means arranged between the first and second converter.
The invention also relates to a method for providing an uninterruptible electric power supply comprising:
- application of a first AC voltage on at least one first input,
- supply of an uninterruptible electric power supply on a power supply output,
- a first conversion of the first AC voltage into DC voltage,
- a second conversion of the DC voltage into AC supply voltage, in either direction,
- when operating in economic mode, direct connection of an input to the power supply output, and
- control of said uninterruptible electric power supply by a set of regulation functions used when operating in normal mode in which said direct connection is interrupted.
The method of the invention is characterized in that, when operating in economic mode, it comprises stopping of the first conversion, that control of the uninterruptible electric power supply comprises a first voltage regulation function to supply a first reference current and a second current regulation function of the second converter from a reference current, and that, when operating in economic mode, switchings enable the first reference current to be applied to the second current regulation function to regulate the quality of the current on the input.
Preferably, the set of functions used when operating in normal mode comprises a first current regulation function of the first converter from a reference current, the first current regulation function being stopped when operating in economic mode.
Preferably, the set of functions used when operating in normal mode comprises a second voltage regulation function to supply a second reference current when operating in normal mode, the first reference current supplied by the first voltage regulation function being applied to the first current regulation function and the second reference current supplied by the second voltage regulation function being applied to the second current regulation function.
Advantageously, the switchings enable,
- the first reference current to be applied to the first current regulation function and the second reference current to be applied to the second current regulation function when operating in normal mode, and
- the first reference current to be applied to the second current regulation function when operating in economic mode.
According to an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the set of functions used when operating in normal mode comprises generation of a first reference AC signal synchronized with the first AC voltage to supply a reference AC signal in phase with the first AC voltage.
According to an embodiment of the method according to the invention, said method comprises application of a second AC voltage on a second input when operating in economic mode, the second input being connected to the power supply output.
Preferably, the set of functions used when operating in normal mode comprises generation of a second reference AC signal synchronized with the second AC voltage to supply a reference AC signal in phase with the second AC voltage.
Advantageously, the switchings enable,
- the first reference current to be synchronized with the first reference AC signal when operating in normal mode, and
- the first reference current to be synchronized with the second reference AC signal when operating in economic mode.
According to an embodiment of the method of the invention, said method comprises storing of electric power,
- by the first conversion of the first AC voltage into DC voltage, when operating in normal mode, and
- by the second conversion, in the opposite direction, of the AC supply voltage into DC voltage when operating in economic mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages and features will become more clearly apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given as non-restrictive examples only and represented in the accompanying figures.
FIG. 1 schematically represents an uninterruptible power supply according to an embodiment of the invention and of the associated control means.
FIG. 2 represents in more detailed manner the units and associated regulation functions of the control means. FIG. 2 represents operation in normal mode.
FIG. 3 represents operation in economic mode.
FIG. 4 represents the first current regulation unit of the first converter and the associated function.
FIG. 5 represents the second current regulation unit of the second converter and the associated function.
FIG. 6 represents a load current processing unit used in a particular embodiment.
FIG. 7 represents the first voltage regulation unit of the second converter and the associated function.
FIG. 8 represents the second voltage regulation unit of the second converter and the associated function.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart representative of the uninterruptible power supply method according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
The uninterruptible power supply represented in FIG. 1 corresponds to a preferred embodiment of the invention of the double conversion type, i.e. comprising a first converter 1 converting an AC voltage VACin1 into a DC voltage VDC, and a reversible second converter 2 converting the DC voltage VDC into AC voltage VACout on a power supply output 3 designed to be connected to an electric load 4. Uninterruptible power supplies of the double conversion type are in particular suitable for production of medium and high power electric energy.
The first converter is preferably of the “PFC” type, i.e. enabling power factor correction on a first input 5 to make this power factor tend to one.
In the embodiment represented in FIG. 1, the uninterruptible power supply comprises two inputs, first input 5 being designed to be connected to a first source 6, also called normal AC. Second input 7 is designed to be connected to a second source 8 called bypass AC. The uninterruptible power supply also comprises a branching and/or selection circuit 9 equipped with interrupting means 10 to directly connect an input, viz. second input 7, to power supply output 3 when operating in economic mode. The uninterruptible power supply represented in FIG. 1 also comprises means for storing electric power, for example a battery 11 arranged between the first and second converter. The uninterruptible power supply represented in FIG. 1 enables operation in two distinct modes: normal mode and economic mode.
When operating in normal mode, load 4 is supplied by the conversion system comprising first converter 1 and second converter 2. When operating in normal mode, the converters can be on line, i.e. first converter 1 converting AC voltage of first input 5 into DC voltage VDC, and second converter 2 converting DC voltage VDC into AC voltage VACout on power supply output 3. When operating in normal mode, the converters can also be in standalone state in the case where the source connected to the first input no longer supplies any power or supplies power outside certain tolerance limits. In this case, only the second converter is used to convert a DC voltage, production of the latter being performed by battery 11 or by a DC/DC conversion module comprising said battery 11.
When operating in economic mode, the interrupting means 10 are closed and the load is supplied via branching and/or selection circuit 9. In the uninterruptible power supply represented in FIG. 1, there are two inputs connected to two distinct sources: a first source often referred to as normal AC supply and a second source often referred to as bypass AC supply. In the embodiment represented in FIG. 1, switching to economic mode corresponds to selecting the second source and connection of this second source with the power supply output. In parallel, the first source is disconnected from the first input by interrupting means 12. In another embodiment that is not represented in which the uninterruptible power supply comprises a single input designed to be connected to a single source, switching to economic mode corresponds to branching of this single input onto the power supply output.
The uninterruptible power supply represented in FIG. 1 comprises control means 13 designed to control first converter 1 and second converter 2 respectively by means of control outputs 14 and 15. Control of these converters can be performed by current regulation using for example pulse-width modulation techniques, or PWM in short.
The control means are represented in more precise manner in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 corresponds to operation in normal mode, whereas FIG. 3 corresponds to operation in economic mode. Control means 13 comprise a set of units used when operating in normal mode in which the input is disconnected from the power supply output by opening of interrupting means 10 of branching and/or selection circuit 9.
According to a first feature, control means 13 are achieved in such a way as to regulate the quality of the current on input 7, when operating in economic mode, while keeping the first converter shut down. What is generally meant by regulating the quality of the current on input 7 is minimizing the harmonics and/or the reactive part of this current.
According to a second feature, control means 13 comprise switching means between the units, or at least a part of said units, which are used when operating in normal mode. Due to these switching means, operation in economic mode can be envisaged using only at least a part of the units provided for operation in normal mode, i.e. without adding any additional units dedicated for operation in economic mode.
As represented in FIGS. 2 and 3, control means 13 comprise units associated with regulation functions, and switching means for switching between a part of the set of units used when operating in normal mode.
As represented in FIGS. 2 and 3, the set of units used when operating in normal mode comprises a first current regulation unit 21 of first converter 1 equipped with a reference current input 22 and comprising control output 14. In the same way, a second current regulation unit 23 of the second converter is equipped with a reference current input 24 and comprises control output 15. The first and second current regulation unit respectively perform control of the first and second converter.
First current regulation unit 21 is represented in more detailed manner in FIG. 4. It comprises a comparator 101 between a reference current Iref1 on input 22 and the current value I AC/DC on input of the first converter, this value being available on a line 25. What is meant by comparator is a module whose function is to compare values, in this instance current intensities, to deliver a value corresponding to the variance or difference between these two values. A comparator can also be called a subtractor. As represented in FIG. 1, line 25 is connected to means 26 for measuring current I AC/DC on input of the first converter. The comparator output is connected to a current regulator 102 to minimize the output value of comparator 101, i.e. the difference between reference current Iref1 and current value I AC/DC, by determining a setpoint value on an output 104. Current regulator 102 can advantageously be a regulator with a minimal response time or a PID regulator, i.e. comprising proportional, integral and derivative functions. A summer or adder 103 adds the value obtained on an output 104 of current regulator 102 with the value of AC voltage VACin1 on first input 5, the latter value being available on a line 27. This operation thereby optimizes operation of current regulator 102 making a disturbance compensation. As represented in FIG. 1, line 27 is connected to means 28 for measuring AC voltage VACin1 on first input 5. The output of comparator 103 is for its part connected to control output 14.
Second current regulation unit 23 is represented in more detailed manner in FIG. 5. It comprises a comparator/summer 111 on the one hand summing a reference current Iref1 or Iref2 on input 24 and a current IC in the load the value of which is available on a line 29, and on the other hand determining the difference between the result of this sum and the value of a current I DC/AC on output from the second converter available on a line 30. As represented in FIG. 1, lines 29 and 30 are connected to means 31 and 32 for measuring respectively current IC in the load and current I DC/AC on output from the second converter. The output of the comparator/summer is connected to a current regulator 112 minimizing the output value of comparator/summer 111 by generating a control signal on a control output 15. Current regulator 112 can advantageously be a minimal response time regulator or a PID regulator, i.e. comprising proportional, integral and derivative functions.
According to a particular embodiment, control means 13 can further comprise a processing unit 181 of current IC in load 4. This unit can be connected line-side from second current regulation unit 23, i.e. on line 29. As represented in FIG. 6, processing unit 181 of current IC comprises a fast Fourier transform module 151 enabling a Fourier transform of the current in the load to be obtained, a correction module 152 and an inverse Fourier transform module 153. In economic mode, the modified charging current ICmod is sent to second current regulation unit 23. In normal mode, by-pass means, not represented, enable the non-modified charging current value to be sent directly to second current regulation unit 23. Processing unit 181 of current IC thus enables the reaction time of second current regulation unit 23 to be minimized.
As described above, control means 13 are provided such as to regulate the quality of the current on input 7, when operating in economic mode, while keeping the first converter shut down. Thus, when operating in economic mode, the first current regulation unit is shut down.
As represented in FIGS. 2 and 3, the set of units used when operating in normal mode further comprises a first voltage regulation unit 41 regulating DC voltage VDC between the two converters. This first voltage regulation unit is equipped with an output 42 to supply a first reference current Iref1 and with a synchronization input 43. In the same way, a second voltage regulation unit 44 regulates AC voltage VACout on output 3. This second voltage regulation unit is equipped with an output 45 to supply a second reference current Iref2 and with a synchronization input 46.
First voltage regulation unit 41 is represented in more detailed manner in FIG. 7. It comprises a multiplier 155 generating first reference current Iref1 from a control signal CdeDC available on a line 47, and from a reference signal SIGref available on synchronization input 43. First voltage regulation unit 41 converts control signal CdeDC, which is of DC type into a reference current Iref1 of AC type. Control signal CdeDC available on line 47 is determined by a voltage regulator 132 having the function of minimizing the variance between DC voltage VDC between the two converters and the value of a setpoint VDCref of said DC voltage. Voltage regulator 132 can advantageously be a minimal response time regulator or a PID regulator, i.e. comprising proportional, integral and derivative functions. The difference between DC voltage VDC and the value of a setpoint VDCref of said DC voltage is determined by a comparator 131. What is meant by comparator is a module whose function is to compare values, in this instance voltages, to deliver a value corresponding to the variance or difference between these two values. The value of DC voltage VDC is available on line 53 and setpoint value VDCref of said voltage is available on line 52. As represented in FIG. 1, line 53 is connected to means 54 for measuring DC voltage VDC between the two converters.
Second voltage regulation unit 44 is represented in more detailed manner in FIG. 8. It comprises a multiplier 143 multiplying a setpoint value of AC voltage VACout on output 3 by a reference signal SIGref available on synchronization input 46. The setpoint value of AC voltage VACout is generally representative of an rms voltage and is available on a line 61. When operating in normal mode, a voltage setpoint is thus supplied on output 144 of this multiplier 143. Second voltage regulation unit 44 further comprises a comparator 141 between the voltage setpoint value on line 144 on the one hand and the AC voltage value VACout on the power supply output on the other hand, this value being available on a line 62. What is meant by comparator is a module whose function is to compare values, in this instance voltages, to deliver a value corresponding to the variance or difference between these two values. As represented in FIG. 1, line 62 is connected to means 63 for measuring AC voltage VACout on the power supply output. The output of comparator 141 is connected to a voltage regulator 142 whose output 45 is designed to supply second reference current Iref2. In normal mode, regulator 142 has the function of generating second reference current Iref2 to obtain an AC voltage VACout on output 3 tending to the voltage setpoint supplied on output 144 of multiplier 143, regardless of the power variations of load 4 connected on output 3.
As represented in FIGS. 2 and 3, the set of units used when operating in normal mode further comprises a first reference AC signal generator 71 equipped with an output 72 and connected via line 27 to means 28 for measuring the AC voltage on first input VACin1. This first generator generates a reference AC signal SIGref1 on said output 72, in phase with the AC voltage on first input VACin1. As described above, this reference AC signal SIGref1 is used when operating in normal mode to generate first reference current Iref1 by means of first voltage regulation unit 41.
As represented in FIGS. 2 and 3, the set of units used when operating in normal mode further comprises a second reference AC signal generator 73 equipped with an output 74 and connected via a line 75 to means 76 for measuring the AC voltage on second input VACin2. This second generator generates a reference AC signal SIGref2 on said output 74, in phase with the AC voltage on second input VACin2. This reference AC signal SIGref2 is used when operating in normal mode to generate second reference current Iref2 by means of second voltage regulation unit 44.
As previously described, control means 13 comprise switching means for switching between at least a part of the set of units used when operating in normal mode.
As represented in FIG. 2, the switching means comprise a first switch 121 and a second switch 122 to connect output 42 of first voltage regulation unit 41 to input 22 of first current regulation unit 21 by means of first switch 121, and to connect output 45 of second voltage regulation unit 44 to input 24 of second current regulation unit 23 by means of second switch 122, when operating in normal mode. In other words, when operating in normal mode, first voltage regulation unit 41 supplies a first reference current Iref1 to reference current input 22 of first current regulation unit 21, and second voltage regulation unit 44 supplies a second reference current Iref2 to reference current input 24 of second current regulation unit 23.
Thus, when operating in normal mode, the regulation of each converter comprises an internal current regulation loop via first and second current regulation units 21 and 23 respectively dedicated to the first and second converters. The regulation of each converter further comprises an external voltage regulation loop via first and second voltage regulation units 41 and 44 respectively dedicated to the first and second converters.
As represented in FIG. 3, first switch 121 and second switch 122 of switching means, when operating in economic mode, enable output 42 of first voltage regulation unit 41 to be connected to an intermediate connection means 123 by means of first switch 121, and input 24 of second current regulation unit 23 to be connected to said intermediate connection means 123 by means of second switch 122. In other words, when operating in economic mode, output 42 of first voltage regulation unit 41 is connected to input 24 of second current regulation unit 23. Intermediate connection means 123 can be an electricity conducting element, as represented in FIGS. 2 and 3. It can also be any software means enabling such a connection function to be achieved.
In operation in economic mode represented in FIG. 3, reference current input 22 of first current regulation unit 21 is disconnected. First current regulation unit 21 is therefore not used and first converter 1 is shut down.
Thus, in operation in economic mode, the internal current regulation loops via first and second current regulation units 21 and 23 remain unchanged, except that the loop dedicated to the first converter is inoperative because the latter is shut down. In operation in economic mode, the second converter therefore performs two functions at the same time. The first function consists in automatically recharging batteries 11 by taking a sine wave current presenting a power factor close to one and a low harmonic factor from the second source 8, also called bypass AC. The second function of the second converter is to generate a current on power supply output 3 compensating both the harmonic current and the reactive current of the load. In operation in economic mode, second converter 2 therefore supplies the reactive and harmonic part of the current in the load. The active part of this current is for its part supplied by second source 8. This active part also serves the purpose of supplying the energy necessary for power supply of the second converter and of the auxiliaries connected between the two converters, including battery 11.
As represented in FIGS. 2 and 3, the switching means comprise a third switch 131. As represented in FIG. 2, when operating in normal mode, the third switch enables synchronization input 43 of first voltage regulation unit 41 to be connected to output 72 of first generator 71. As represented in FIG. 3, when operating in economic mode, the third switch enables synchronization input 43 of first voltage regulation unit 41 to be connected to output 74 of second generator 73.
Thus, in operation in economic mode, the current on input 7 of uninterruptible power supply supplied by source 8 comprises few harmonics and its reactive part is minimized. At the same time, the global energy efficiency is improved by the fact that the first converter is shut down and that the energy necessary for the uninterruptible power supply is supplied by the second source.
Furthermore, implementation of the invention does not require a control or regulation unit dedicated to operation in economic mode. Only at least a part of the units dedicated to operation in normal mode is used when operating in economic mode, by means of the switching means. This makes uninterruptible power supplies extremely easy to implement, in particular those of the double conversion type.
As shown by the flowchart of FIG. 9, the method of the invention comprises:
- application 201 of a first AC voltage VACin1 on at least one first input 5,
- supply 202 of an uninterruptible electric power supply on a power supply output 3,
- a first AC/DC conversion 203 of the first AC voltage into DC voltage VDC,
- a second DC/AC conversion 204 of the DC voltage into an AC supply voltage VACout, in either direction, and
- an operating mode test step 205 to determine whether the uninterruptible power supply has to be operated in normal mode or in economic mode.
When operating in normal mode NORMAL, the method comprises:
- a step 206 of interrupting direct connection of an input to the power supply output or of maintaining disconnected state,
- a step 207 of starting or maintaining the first AC/DC conversion, and
- a control step 208 by a set of regulation functions 209, said functions interacting with one another according to a first switching state 210.
When operating in economic mode ECO, the method comprises:
- a step 211 of direct connection of the input to the power supply output or of maintaining connected state,
- a step 212 of stopping or maintaining shut-down state of the first AC/DC conversion, and
- a control step 213 comprising at least a part of the set of regulation functions 209, said functions interacting with one another according to a second switching state 214 to regulate the quality of the current on input 7 of the uninterruptible power supply.
Patent Application
20080278005
