WO2017131716A1

WO2017131716A1 - Adjusting an output power of an uninterruptible power supply

Info

Publication number: WO2017131716A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/015442
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hai Ngoc Nguyen; Abhishek Banerjee
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development Lp
Priority date: 2016-01-28
Filing date: 2016-01-28
Publication date: 2017-08-03

Abstract

In one implementation, a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by a processing resource to cause a controller to detect a power module of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), determine a threshold output power of the UPS based on the detected power module, and adjust an output power of the UPS based on the threshold output power.

Description

ADJUSTING AN OUTPUT POWER OF AN UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY

Background

[0001] Power disruption may cause damage to electrical equipment. A device such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) may provide protection to electrical equipment in the event of a power disruption. For example, a UPS may provide time to shut down the electrical equipment or to allow for an alternate power source for the electrical equipment to be enabled.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a UPS capable of adjusting an output power consistent with the disclosure.

[0003] Figure 2 illustrates a diagram of an example of a system for adjusting an output power of an uninterruptible power supply consistent with the disclosure.

[0004] Figure 3 illustrates a diagram of an example of a controller consistent with the disclosure.

[0005] Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method of adjusting an output power of an uninterruptible power supply consistent with the disclosure. Detailed Description

[0006] A UPS may provide power during a power disruption to electrical equipment via an energy storage element of the UPS. For example, a UPS may provide power stored in batteries and/or capacitors of the UPS to the electrical equipment.

[0007] Runtime of a UPS may depend on a power storage capacity of the UPS. For example, runtime of a UPS may depend on a total number of and/or a type of a plurality of batteries and/or capacitors of the UPS. Notably, a total number of and/or a type of a batteries and/or capacitors of a UPS may vary (e.g., expanded to include comparatively more batteries). However, an output power of a UPS may remain at a constant level regardless of whether a power storage capacity of the UPS varies.

[0008] Accordingly, examples of the disclosure relate to adjusting an output power of a UPS. In an example, a controller may detect a plurality of power modules of a UPS, determine a threshold output power of the UPS based on the plurality of detected power modules, and adjust an output power of the UPS based on the threshold output power.

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a UPS 101 capable of adjusting an output power consistent with the disclosure. The UPS 101 may include a controller 114, power modules 103-1 , 103-N, and an externa! device 105.

[0010] UPS 101 can be a device to provide electrical energy stored in a power module of UPS 101 to a load of an externa! device 105 coupled to the UPS when an input power source to the load is lost. For example, UPS 101 may provide power to externa! device 105 in the event of a power disruption to external device 105.

[0011] Power module 103-1 , 103-N can be an energy storage element capable of providing electrical energy stored in the power module to external device 105 coupled to a power outlet of UPS 101. For example, power module 103-1 , 103- N may include a battery, capacitor, supercapacitor, or a plurality of batteries, capacitors, supercapacitors, and/or other energy storage elements. UPS 101 may be comprised of a power module 103-1 or a plurality of power modu!es 103-1 , 103- N. [0012] Externa! device 105 may be a device coupled to UPS 101. External device 105 can include electrical devices included in a datacenter. For example, externa! device 105 may be a computing device, a server, or other e!ectrical device.

[0013] Although external device 105 is described as being an electrical device included in a datacenter, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, external device 105 can be any other electrical device.

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates a diagram of an example of a system 200 for adjusting an output power of an uninterruptible power supply consistent with the disclosure. The system 200 may include an adjusting an output power of an uninterruptible power supply system 202, database 204, and/or a plurality of engines. For instance, the adjusting an output power of an uninterruptible power supply system 202 may include a detection engine 206, a determine engine 208, an adjustment engine 210, and a display engine (not shown). The plurality of engines may be in communication with the database 204 via a communication link. The detection engine 206, determine engine 208, and adjustment engine 210 may include additional or fewer engines than are illustrated to perform the various elements as are described in further detail in connection with Figure 3.

[0015] The engines may include a combination of hardware and machine readable instructions that are executable using hardware components such as a processor, but at least hardware, to perform actions described herein. The machine readable instructions may be stored in a memory resource such as a non-transitory machine readable medium. Also, the plurality of engines may be stored as a hardwired program, or logic. As used herein, "logic" is an additional processing resource to perform a particular action and/or operation, etc., described herein, which includes hardware, such as various forms of transistor logic, and/or application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), among others, as opposed to computer executable instructions, stored in memory and executable by a processor.

[0016] The detection engine 206 may include hardware and/or a combination of hardware and machine readable instructions, but at least hardware, to detect a plurality of power modules of a UPS. In some examples, a UPS may include one power module to provide electrical energy stored in the power module to an external load coupled to the UPS. In some examples, a UPS may include more than one power module to provide electrical energy stored in the more than one power module to an external load coupled to the UPS. [0017] in some examples, the plurality of power modules of the UPS may be detected in response to an addition of a power module to the UPS. For example, a third power module may be added to a UPS that, prior to the addition of the third power module, included two power modules. The detection engine 206 may detect the addition of the third power module such that the plurality of power modules is revised to three.

[0018] In some examples, the plurality of power modules of the UPS may be detected in response to a removal of a power module from the UPS. For example, a power module may be removed from a UPS that, prior to the removal of the third power module, included three power modules. The detection engine 206 may detect the removal of the third power module such that the plurality of power modules is revised to two.

[0019] The power modules of the UPS may be connected in parallel. For example, the power modules of the UPS may be connected in a parallel electrical circuit. Connecting the power modules of the UPS in a parallel circuit may allow for an output voltage of the UPS to vary.

[0020] Although the power modules of the UPS are described as being connected in parallel, embodiments of the disclosure are not so limited. In some examples, the power modules may be connected in series. In some examples, the power modules may be connected in a combination of both parallel and series connections. A series or parallel connection of the power modules of the UPS can determine an operating voltage of the UPS. For example, a series connection of the power modules of the UPS can have an operating voltage that may be different than an operating voltage of the power modules in a parallel connection.

[0021] The determine engine 208 may include hardware and/or a combination of hardware and machine readable instructions, but at least hardware, to determine a threshold output power of the UPS based on the plurality of detected power modules. As used herein, the threshold output power of the UPS refers to a maximum output power of the UPS. For example, based on the plurality of detected power modules, the threshold output power of the UPS may be three kilowatts (kW), although examples of the disclosure are not limited to a three kW threshold output power UPS.

[0022] The threshold output power of the UPS may be determined based on the output power of the detected power module, in some examples, the UPS may include one power module, with the power module including an output power of two kW; the threshold output power of the UPS may therefore be two kW based on the power module of the UPS having an output power of two kW. In some examples, the UPS may include two power modules, with each power module including an output power of two kW; the threshold output power of the UPS may therefore be four kW based on each power module of the UPS having an output power of two kW. That is, the threshold output power may be determined by adding the output power of each detected power module of the UPS.

[0023] Although the plurality of detected power modules are described as each having the same output power, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, the UPS may include two power modules, with the first power module having an output power of three kW and the second power module having an output power of one kW, where the threshold output power of the UPS is four kW.

[0024] The determine engine 208 may include hardware and/or a combination of hardware and machine readable instructions, but at least hardware, to determine an anticipated runtime of the UPS based on the threshold output power of the UPS. As used herein, a runtime of the UPS refers to a length of time the UPS may provide electrical energy stored in the plurality of power modules of the UPS to a load of an externa! device coupled to the UPS when an input power source to the load is lost.

[0025] An anticipated amount of threshold runtime of the UPS may be determined based on operation of the UPS at the threshold output power, and a runtime of the UPS may be adjusted to the threshold runtime. As used herein, an anticipated amount of threshold runtime refers to a runtime of the UPS while the UPS is operating at the threshold output power. In some examples where the threshold output power of the UPS is three kW, the amount of runtime of the UPS may be determined to be sixty seconds based on the UPS providing electrical energy at the threshold output power (e.g., three kW) to the load of the external device coupled to the UPS, and a runtime of the UPS may be adjusted to sixty seconds. In some examples, a runtime of the UPS may be one hundred and eighty seconds at a threshold output power of five kW, and a runtime of the UPS may be adjusted to one hundred and eighty seconds, although examples of the disclosure are not so limited.

[0026] Although an anticipated amount of runtime of the UPS is described as being determined based on operation of the UPS at the threshold output power, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, an anticipated amount of runtime of the UPS may be determined based on operation of the UPS at an output power level that is less than the threshold output power level. That is, where the threshold output power of the UPS is three kW, the amount of runtime of the UPS may be determined to be forty seconds based on the UPS providing eiectrical energy at an output power level of two kW to the load of the externa! device coupled to the UPS.

[0027] The adjustment engine 210 may include hardware and/or a

combination of hardware and machine readabie instructions, but at least hardware, to adjust an output power of the UPS based on the threshold output power while maintaining an anticipated runtime. In some examples, the output power of the UPS may be adjusted to any value that may be less than the threshoid output power of the UPS. For example, based on the threshold output power of the UPS being three kW, the output power of the UPS may be adjusted to two kW, one kW, or any other value that is less than three kW, while maintaining the anticipated runtime of the UPS.

[0028] The output power of the UPS may be adjusted to the threshold output power. For example, based on the threshoid output power of the UPS being three kW, the output power of the UPS may be adjusted to three kW.

[0029] The threshold output power value may be increased to a value that is greater than a value of a previous threshold output power value based on the detected power module. A power module may be added to the UPS. In response to an addition of a power module to the UPS, the threshoid output power vaiue of the UPS may increase based on the increase in output power capacity of the UPS. For example, a previous threshold output power value may be three kW based on three detected power modules, where the threshold output power value may be increased to a value above the previous threshoid output power vaiue (e.g., increased from three kW to five kW) based on an addition of a fourth detected power module to the UPS. That is, the addition of a power module to the UPS may cause the threshold output power of the UPS to increase from three kW to five kW; the output power of the UPS may correspondingly be adjusted from three kW to five kW.

[0030] The output power of the UPS may be adjusted during runtime of the UPS. For example, the output power of the UPS may be adjusted while an input power source to a load of an external device coupled to the UPS is lost. [0031] in some examples, an output power of the UPS may be adjusted while maintaining (i.e., without adjusting) the anticipated runtime of the UPS based on the plurality of detected power modules. For example, a range of values of output power of the UPS may exist within which an output power of the UPS may be adjusted without affecting the runtime of the UPS. The output power of the UPS may be adjusted to a value within the output power value range without affecting the anticipated runtime of the UPS.

[0032] For example, a range of two kW to three kW may be associated with a runtime of the UPS of sixty seconds. The output power of the UPS may be adjusted from 2.2 kW to 2.8 kW without affecting a runtime of sixty seconds of the UPS associated with the range. However, if the output power of the UPS is adjusted to 3.3 kW, the anticipated runtime may be correspondingly adjusted {e.g., reduced) from sixty seconds to fifty seconds.

[0033] An amount of anticipated runtime of the UPS may be adjusted based on the threshold output power while maintaining the output power of the UPS at a particular output power value. For example, a range of values of anticipated runtime may exist within which an anticipated runtime may be adjusted without affecting a value of the output power of the UPS. The anticipated runtime may be adjusted to a value within the anticipated runtime range without affecting the value of the output power of the UPS.

[0034] For example, an anticipated runtime range of fifty to sixty seconds may be associated with an output power value of three kW. The anticipated runtime of the UPS may be adjusted from fifty-three seconds to fifty-eight seconds without affecting the output power value of three kW associated with the anticipated runtime range. However, if the value of the anticipated runtime of the UPS is adjusted to sixty-two seconds, the output power value may be correspondingly adjusted (e.g., increased) from three kW to four kW.

[0035] The display engine may include hardware and/or a combination of hardware and machine readable instructions, but at least hardware, to display information relating to the UPS. For example, information relating to the UPS may include a requested output power of the UPS, a threshold output power, an anticipated runtime of the UPS, and/or a load percentage of the UPS, among other information relating to the UPS. [0036] in some examples, the display engine may display a requested output power of the UPS. The requested output power of the UPS refers to an output power value requested by a user of the UPS, as will be described in connection with Figure 3. In some examples, the requested output power value may correspond to a value that is less than a threshold output power of the UPS. In some examples, the requested output power value may correspond to a value that is equal to the threshold output power of the UPS.

[0037] In some examples, the display engine may display a threshold output power of the UPS. For example, the threshold output power of the UPS may be based on the plurality of power modules of the UPS, and displayed by display engine.

[0038] in some examples, the display engine may display an anticipated runtime of the UPS. In some examples, an anticipated runtime of the UPS may be displayed based on an output power of the UPS. In some examples, an anticipated runtime of the UPS may be displayed based on a threshold output power of the UPS.

[0039] In some examples, the display engine may display a load percentage of the UPS. A load percentage of the UPS may refer to an amount of output power of the UPS being used based on the threshold output power of the UPS. For example, the load percentage of the UPS may refer to the output power of the UPS divided by the threshold output power of the UPS.

[0040] The database 204 may include digital information relating to the UPS. That is, database 204 may be utilized to store a value corresponding to the plurality of power modules, a value corresponding to the threshold output power of the plurality of power modules, a value corresponding to the output power of the plurality of power modules, a value corresponding to an anticipated runtime of the UPS based on either the output power and/or the threshold output power of the plurality of power modules, and/or a load percentage of the UPS, among other digital information relating to the UPS.

[0041] Adjusting an output power of a UPS may offer flexibility in selection of hardware for UPS product applications. For example, addition or removal of power modules of a UPS may allow for adjustable output power and/or runtime of the UPS in high density/low space applications. Allowing for adjustable output power and/or runtime may provide lower cost UPS solutions to realize a desired output power and/or runtime. [0042] Figure 3 illustrates a diagram of an example of a controller 314 consistent with the disclosure. The controller 314 may include hardware, machine readable instructions on a non-transitory machine readable medium, or a

combination thereof, to perform various elements including the elements described herein.

[0043] The controller 314 can utilize software, hardware, firmware, and/or logic to perform a number of functions. The controller 314 can include a combination of hardware and program instructions to perform a number of functions (e.g., actions), such as detect a power module of a UPS, determine a threshold output power of the UPS based on the detected power module, and adjust an output power of the UPS based on the threshold output power.

[0044] In some examples the controller 314 can include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The hardware, for example, can include a processing resource 316 and a memory resource 318, such as a machine-readable medium (MRM) and/or other memory resource.

[0045] The memory resource 318 can be interna! and/or external to the controller 314 (e.g., the controller can include an internal memory resource and/or have access to an external memory resource). The program instructions (e.g., machine-readable instructions (MRI)) can include instructions stored on the MRM to implement a particular function. The set of MRI can be executable by the processing resource 316. The memory resource 318 can be coupled to the controller 314 in a wired and/or wireless manner. For example, the memory resource 318 can be an internal memory, a portable memory, a portable disk, and/or a memory associated with another resource (e.g., enabling MRI to be transferred and/or executed across a network such as the Internet).

[0046] Memory resource 318 is non-transitory and can include volatile and/or non-volatile memory. Volatile memory can include memory that depends upon power to store information, such as various types of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) among others. Non-voiatile memory can include memory that does not depend upon power to store information. Examples of non-volatile memory can include solid state media such as flash memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), phase change random access memory (PCRAM), magnetic memory such as a hard disk, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVD), Blu-ray discs (BD), compact discs (CD), and/or a solid state drive (SSD), etc., as well as other types of machine-readable media.

[0047] The processing resource 316 can be coupled to the memory resource 318 via a communication path 317. The communication path 317 can be local or remote to controller 314. Examples of a local communication path 317 can include an electronic bus internal to a machine, where the memory resource 318 can be in communication with the processing resource 316 via the electronic bus. Examples of such electronic buses can include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA), Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), USB, among other types of electronic buses and variants thereof. The communication path 317 can be such that the memory resource 318 is remote from the processing resource 316, such as in a network connection between the memory resource 318 and the processing resource 316. That is, the communication path 317 can be a network connection. Examples of such a network connection can include local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), personal area network (PAN), and the Internet, among others.

[0048] Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method 420 of adjusting an output power of an uninterruptible power supply consistent with the disclosure. For example, method 420 may be performed by a controller (e.g., controller 114 and/or controller 314, described in connection with Figures 1 and 2, respectively) of a UPS (e.g., UPS 101 , described in connection with Figure 1 ).

[0049] A UPS may include a plurality of power modules that correspond to a threshold output power of the UPS. For example, a UPS may include two power modules that each correspond to an output power of one kW. Based on the output power of each power module, the UPS may have a threshold output power of two kW.

[0050] The UPS may be able to receive and/or remove power modules. For example, a load of an external device coupled to the UPS may exceed an output power capability of the UPS. Additional power modules may be added to the UPS, and the threshold output power of the UPS may be adjusted based on the addition of the power modules. Power modules may additionally be removed from the UPS, and the threshold output power of the UPS may be adjusted based on the removal of the power modules. [0051] At 422, the method 420 may include detecting, at a UPS, a plurality of power modules, in some examples, the UPS may detect a plurality of power modules of a UPS. in some examples, the plurality of power modules may be detected in response to a total number of the plurality of the power modules varying.

[0052] The total number of the plurality of the power modules varying can include the addition of a power module to the UPS. For example, a plurality of power modules at the UPS may be detected in response to the addition of a power module to the UPS. For example, a module may be added to a UPS that includes two power modules such that the plurality of power modules is revised to three.

[0053] Addition of a power module can be detected by a detection circuit of the controller of the UPS. For example, the detection circuit can determine a power module has been added to the UPS.

[0054] The total number of the plurality of the power modules varying can include the removal of a power module from the UPS. For example, a plurality of power modules at the UPS may be detected in response to the removal of a power module to the UPS. For example, a module may be removed to a UPS that includes three power modules such that the plurality of power modules is revised to two.

[0055] Removal of a power module can be detected by a detection circuit of the controller of the UPS. For example, the detection circuit can determine a power module has been removed from the UPS.

[0056] At 424, the method 420 may include determining a threshold output power of the UPS based on the plurality of detected power modules. The threshold output power of the UPS may be determined based on the output power of the plurality of detected power modules. For example, there may be three detected power modules that each include an output power of one kW. The threshold output power of the UPS may therefore be determined to be three kW.

[0057] At 426, the method 420 may include determining an anticipated runtime of the UPS based on the threshold output power of the UPS. The

anticipated amount of runtime of the UPS may be determined based on operation of the UPS at the threshold output power. For example, where the threshold output power of the UPS is three kW, the amount of runtime of the UPS may be determined to be sixty seconds based on the UPS providing electrical energy at the threshold output power (e.g., three kW) to a load of an external device coupled to the UPS. [0058] At 428, the method 420 may include adjusting an anticipated runtime of the UPS based on the threshold output power while maintaining the threshold output power. In some examples, adjusting an anticipated runtime of the UPS may include adjusting the anticipated runtime to a threshold runtime based on the threshold output power. In some examples, adjusting an anticipated runtime of the UPS may include adjusting the anticipated runtime to a value that is less than the threshold runtime.

[0059] Adjusting an anticipated runtime to the threshold runtime of the UPS based on the threshold output power may include increasing or decreasing the anticipated runtime. In some examples, the anticipated runtime of the UPS may be increased to a value based on the plurality of detected power modules, where the value may be higher than a previous threshold runtime based on an addition of a power module to the UPS. In some examples, the anticipated runtime of the UPS may be decreased to a value based on the plurality of detected power modules, where the value may be lower than a previous threshold runtime based on a removal of a power module to the UPS.

[0060] In some examples, method 420 may include receiving an output power request of the UPS, and adjusting the output power of the UPS to the output power request while maintaining the anticipated runtime of the UPS. For example, a user of the UPS may request a specified output power of the UPS of two kW based on the threshold output power of the UPS being three kW. The output power of the UPS may be adjusted to two kW while maintaining the anticipated amount of runtime of the UPS.

[0061] in some examples, method 420 may include receiving a runtime request of the UPS, and adjusting the anticipated runtime of the UPS to the runtime request of the UPS while maintaining an output power of the UPS. For example, a user of the UPS may request a specified runtime of the UPS of sixty seconds. The runtime request may be based on a runtime specification of an external device that may be connected to the UPS. The runtime of the UPS may be adjusted to sixty seconds while maintaining the output power of the UPS.

[0062] The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the method and applications, and use of the system and method of the present disclosure. Since many examples may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system and method of the present disclosure, this specification merely sets forth some of the many possible example configurations and implementations.

Claims

What is ciaimed is:

1. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by a processing resource to cause a controller to:

detect a power module of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS);

determine a threshold output power of the UPS based on the detected power module; and

adjust an output power of the UPS based on the threshold output power.

2. The medium of claim 1 , comprising instructions to determine the threshold output power based on the output power of the detected power module.

3. The medium of claim 1 , comprising instructions to adjust the output power of the UPS to the threshold output power.

4. The medium of claim 1 , comprising instructions to increase the threshold output power to a value that is greater than a value of a previous threshold output power value based on the detected power module.

5. The medium of claim 1 , comprising instructions to determine an

anticipated amount of threshold runtime of the UPS based on operation of the UPS at the threshold output power and adjust a runtime of the UPS to the threshold runtime.

6. The medium of claim 1 , comprising instructions to adjust the output power of the UPS during runtime of the UPS.

7. The medium of claim 1 , comprising instructions to adjust an amount of anticipated runtime of the UPS based on the threshold output power while maintaining the output power of the UPS at a particular output power value.

8. The medium of claim 1 , comprising instructions to adjust the output power of the UPS while maintaining an anticipated runtime of the UPS based on the detected power module.

9. A method, comprising:

detecting, at an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a plurality of power modules;

determining a threshold output power of the UPS based on the plurality of detected power modules;

determining an anticipated runtime of the UPS based on the threshold output power of the UPS; and

adjusting the anticipated runtime of the UPS based on the threshold output power while maintaining the threshold output power.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further includes receiving an output power request of the UPS, and adjusting the output power of the UPS to the output power request while maintaining the anticipated runtime of the UPS.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further includes receiving a runtime request of the UPS, and adjusting the anticipated runtime of the UPS to the runtime request of the UPS while maintaining an output power of the UPS.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further includes detecting, at the UPS, a plurality of power modules in response to a total number of the plurality of the power modules varying.

13. A system, comprising:

a detection engine to detect a plurality of power modules of an

uninterruptible power supply (UPS);

a determine engine to:

determine a threshold output power of the UPS based on the plurality of detected power modules; and

determine an anticipated runtime of the UPS based on the threshold output power of the UPS; and

an adjustment engine to adjust an output power of the UPS based on the threshold output power while maintaining the anticipated runtime.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the power modules of the UPS are connected in parallel.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the system further includes a display engine to display information relating to the UPS.