Ups with multiple independent static switches

Abstract

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes a frame, at least one AC input supported by the frame and configured to be coupled to at least one external power source and at least one AC output supported by the frame and configured to be coupled to at least one external load. The UPS also includes a power conversion circuit supported by the frame and having an output coupled to the at least one AC output, the power conversion circuit configured to selectively provide power from first and second power sources. The UPS further includes first and second static switches supported by the frame and configured to couple and decouple the at least one AC input to and from the at least one AC output and a control circuit supported by the frame and configured to cooperatively control the power conversion circuit and the first and second static switches.

1 . An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) comprising:
 a frame;   first, second, third, fourth and fifth AC ports supported by the frame and independently coupleable to different power sources and/or loads;   a first switch supported by the frame and configured to selectively couple the first AC port to the second AC port;   a second switch supported by the frame and configured to selectively couple the third AC port to the fourth AC port;   a power conversion circuit supported by the frame and coupled to the fifth AC port; and   a control circuit supported by the frame and configured to cooperatively control the power conversion circuit and the first and second switches.   
     
     
         2 . The UPS of  claim 1 , wherein the power conversion circuit comprises an inverter. 
     
     
         3 . The UPS of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises an enclosure containing the power conversion circuit and the first and second switches. 
     
     
         4 . The UPS of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second switches is a static switch. 
     
     
         5 . A system comprising:
 a UPS comprising a first switch, a second switch, a power conversion circuit and a control circuit configured to cooperatively control the power conversion circuit and the first and second switches;   a first AC power source coupled to a first terminal of the first switch;   a first load coupled to a second terminal of the first switch, a first terminal of the second switch and an output of the power conversion circuit; and   a second load coupled to a second terminal of the second switch.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the UPS comprises a first UPS and further comprising a second UPS having an output coupled to the second load. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second UPS has an input coupled to a second AC power source. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the power conversion circuit comprises an inverter. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second switches of the UPS are static switches. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second terminals of the first and second switches of the UPS are each independently coupleable to devices external to the UPS. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a UPS comprising:
 a power conversion circuit coupled to a first load; 
 a first switch configured to connect an AC power source to the first load; 
 a second switch configured to connect the AC power source to a second load; and 
 a control circuit configured to cooperatively control the power conversion circuit and the first and second switches. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the second switch is configured to directly connect the AC power source to the second load. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein a first terminal of the first switch is coupled to the AC power source, wherein a second terminal of the first switch is coupled to the first load, wherein a first terminal of the second switch is coupled to the first AC power source, and wherein the second terminal of the second switch is coupled to the second load. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the second switch is configured to couple the AC power source to the load via the first switch. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein a first terminal of the first switch is coupled to the AC power source, wherein a second terminal of the first switch is coupled to the first load, wherein a first terminal of the second switch is coupled to the second terminal of the first switch, and wherein the second terminal of the second switch is coupled to the second load.