US5978236A — Uninterruptible power supply with direction of DC…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 162 words

An uninterruptible power supply for a source of DC power comprising: (a) a restorable source of stored energy wherein the energy may be released and restored in DC electrical form; and (b) a bi-directional converter including a transformer device having a turns ratio, and a plurality of switch devices that change between open and closed states to couple the stored energy source to the DC power source, wherein the power converter continuously operates, directing energy either toward the source of DC power from the source of stored energy or toward the source of stored energy from the source of DC power, wherein the direction of electrical energy flow depends upon the deviation of the ratio of the potential of the source of DC power and the potential of the source of stored energy from a predetermined ratio that is related to said turns ratio, and in which the direction of DC electrical energy is independent of said states of said switch devices.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 162 words

An uninterruptible power supply for a source of DC power comprising: (a) a restorable source of stored energy wherein the energy may be released and restored in DC electrical form; and (b) a bi-directional converter including a transformer device having a turns ratio, and a plurality of switch devices that change between open and closed states to couple the stored energy source to the DC power source, wherein the power converter continuously operates, directing energy either toward the source of DC power from the source of stored energy or toward the source of stored energy from the source of DC power, wherein the direction of electrical energy flow depends upon the deviation of the ratio of the potential of the source of DC power and the potential of the source of stored energy from a predetermined ratio that is related to said turns ratio, and in which the direction of DC electrical energy is independent of said states of said switch devices.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1 wherein the restorable source of stored energy is a rechargeable battery.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 28 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1 wherein the source of DC power is the source of rectified DC voltage at the input of a switching power supply.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 63 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1 wherein the energy directed between the source of DC power and the source of stored energy is in the form of electrical current, wherein the magnitude of current directed toward the source of DC power from the source of stored energy or toward the source of stored energy from the source of DC power is controllable.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 4 wherein the magnitude of current is controlled through means of pulse width modulation.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 4 wherein the magnitude of current is controlled through duty cycle modulation at substantially constant frequency of substantially constant pulse widths.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 4 wherein the magnitude of current is controlled through frequency modulation of substantially constant pulse widths.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 38 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1 wherein the restorable source of stored energy may be disconnected from the bi-directional power converter without interrupting the proper operation of devices that draw power from the source of DC power.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 37 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1 wherein the bi-directional power converter may be disconnected from the source of DC power without interrupting the proper operation of devices which draw power from the source of DC power.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 37 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 9 wherein when the bi-directional power converter is disconnected from the DC power source, the bi-directional power converter contains less than 75% of the stored energy of the DC power source.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 76 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein the energy directed between the source of DC power and the source of stored energy is in the form of electrical current, wherein the magnitude of electrical current made available in either direction is greater than or equal to the inverse of the predetermined ratio of the potential of the source of DC power and the potential of the source of stored energy used in determining current direction.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 30 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 11, wherein the magnitude of electrical current that can flow in the direction of the source of stored energy is greater than 10 amperes.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein the source of stored energy is maintained in parallel with a second source of stored energy.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 21 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 13, wherein the second source of stored energy is connected through a unidirectional current device.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 16 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 13, wherein the second source of stored energy is restorable.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 22 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein the source of DC power is a computer power supply located in a computer.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 22 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 16, wherein the uninterruptible power supply is contained within the enclosure of the computer power supply.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 42 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 16, wherein the uninterruptible power supply detects inadequate cooling within the computer power supply within which it is contained, and causes an alert to be produced that is from the set comprising audible and visual alerts.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 24 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 16, wherein the uninterruptible power supply is removable from computer power supply while the power supply is energized.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 22 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 16, wherein the restorable source of stored energy is removable while the power supply is energized.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 20 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 16, wherein the uninterruptible power supply is accessible from the outside of the computer.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 22 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 16, wherein the restorable source of stored energy is accessible from the outside of the computer.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 53 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 16, wherein the restorable source of stored energy is connected to the computer power supply by an electrically conductive cable of which at least some of the cable is external to the computer power supply, and which is distinct from that of the AC mains power cable.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 22 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein the source of DC power is the unfiltered output of a switching power supply.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 33 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 24, wherein the energy directed towards the restorable source of stored energy is derived from the unfiltered output of a winding of the switching power supply transformer.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 29 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein a portion of the energy is diverted from the bi-directional power converter and is adapted for use by external electrical devices.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 23 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 26, wherein the diversion of power is accomplished by using at least one winding on a transformer.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 36 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein a single electronic component is used concurrently as a fuse and as a resistor developing a voltage proportional to current flowing in the restorable source of stored energy.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 29 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 28, wherein the proportional voltage developed across the electrical component is used in regulating the current restoring the energy to the restorable source.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 31 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 28, wherein the proportional voltage developed across the electrical component is used in detecting the direction of current in the restorable source of stored energy.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 41 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 28, wherein the proportional voltage developed across the electrical component is used in detecting whether the level of current flowing in the restorable source of stored energy is at least a predetermined level of current.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 36 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 28, wherein the proportional voltage developed across the electrical component is used in modifying a predetermined value representing the approach of energy depletion of the restorable source of stored energy.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 48 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein a voltage proportional to current flowing in the restorable source of stored energy is developed across an electrical component and is used in modifying a predetermined value representing the approach of energy depletion of the restorable source of stored energy.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 36 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein operation is not initiated unless voltage is present at the source of DC power and a signal from the computer representing energization of the power equipment is present.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 22 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein operation is terminated when the signal representing energization of the power equipment is absent.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 30 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein communication from the uninterruptible power supply to the computer motherboard is mediated through a cable intended for connection with an internal peripheral.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 34 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein communication from the uninterruptible power supply to the computer motherboard is mediated by a connection in parallel with a mechanical switch used to initiate system shutdown.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 40 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1, wherein the power supply generates audio signals that are enunciated by a computer system speaker, and wherein the wires connecting to the speaker are in parallel with other wires connected to the speaker.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 22 words

The uninterruptible power supply of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality switch devices continuously operates between said open and closed states.

Claim 41

Independent Claim 136 words

A method of providing redundant power to a source of DC power, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a source of restorable stored energy; and (b) coupling the restorable stored energy source to the DC power source in a manner to direct energy either toward the source of DC power from the source of stored energy or toward the source of stored energy from the source of DC power using a plurality of switch devices that change between open and closed states, wherein the direction of electrical energy flow depends upon the deviation of the ratio of the potential of the source of DC power and the potential of the source of stored energy from a predetermined ratio and in which the direction of DC electrical energy is independent of said states of said switch devices.

Claim 42

Independent Claim 136 words

A method of providing redundant power to a source of DC power, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a source of restorable stored energy; and (b) coupling the restorable stored energy source to the DC power source in a manner to direct energy either toward the source of DC power from the source of stored energy or toward the source of stored energy from the source of DC power using a plurality of switch devices that change between open and closed states, wherein the direction of electrical energy flow depends upon the deviation of the ratio of the potential of the source of DC power and the potential of the source of stored energy from a predetermined ratio and in which the direction of DC electrical energy is independent of said states of said switch devices.

Claim 43

Independent Claim 122 words

An apparatus for providing redundant power to a source of DC power, comprising: (a) means for providing a source of restorable stored energy; and (b) means for coupling, which includes means for transforming having a turns ratio, the restorable stored energy source to the DC power source in a manner to direct energy either toward the source of DC power from the source of stored energy or toward the source of stored energy from the source of DC power, wherein the direction of electrical energy flow depends upon the deviation of the ratio of the potential of the source of DC power and the potential of the source of stored energy from a predetermined ratio that is related to said turns ratio.

Claim 44

Independent Claim 122 words

An apparatus for providing redundant power to a source of DC power, comprising: (a) means for providing a source of restorable stored energy; and (b) means for coupling, which includes means for transforming having a turns ratio, the restorable stored energy source to the DC power source in a manner to direct energy either toward the source of DC power from the source of stored energy or toward the source of stored energy from the source of DC power, wherein the direction of electrical energy flow depends upon the deviation of the ratio of the potential of the source of DC power and the potential of the source of stored energy from a predetermined ratio that is related to said turns ratio.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 34 words

The apparatus of claim 41, wherein, whenever the potential of the source of DC power is equal to the potential of the source of stored energy based on said turns ratio, no deviation exists.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-11-01	2003-05-03	2003-11-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-11-01	2007-05-03	2007-11-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-11-01	2011-05-03	2011-11-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Uninterruptible power supply with direction of DC electrical energy depending on predetermined ratio

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag