Self-Aware Software Defined Digital Power Supply

Abstract

A power supply system which connects a DC consumer to an AC supply includes an AC-DC converter and a UPS. The AC-DC converter has an input to which alternating current from the AC supply is applied and an output at which DC current is developed. The UPS has an input to which direct current from the AC-DC converter is applied and an output at which DC current is developed. The DC current developed at the output of the AC-DC converter and DC current developed at the output of the UPS are applied to the DC consumer selectively in parallel with each other or exclusively to each other.

1 . A power supply system for connecting a direct current (DC) consumer to an alternating current (AC) supply comprising:
 an AC-DC converter having an input to which an AC from the AC supply is applied and an output at which a first DC is developed;   a universal power supply (UPS) having an input to which the first DC from the AC-DC converter is applied and an output at which a second DC is developed; and   a switch configured to switch the AC supply to the AC-DC converter to control power delivered to the DC consumer.   
     
     
         2 . The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the AC-DC converter is switched on and off by switching the AC supply to the AC-DC converter. 
     
     
         3 . The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the AC supply is switched to the AC-DC converter to allow tuning of the power supply system for efficiency to match the UPS. 
     
     
         4 . The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the AC supply is switched to the AC-DC converter to allow charging of a battery of the UPS with a constant current. 
     
     
         5 . The power supply system of  claim 4 , wherein switching the AC supply to the AC-DC converter and charging the battery of the UPS with constant current includes charging the battery of the UPS only up to voltages that are below a nominal voltage. 
     
     
         6 . The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the switching of the AC supply to the AC-DC converter to control power delivered to the DC consumer is to be controlled based on a communication generated by the DC consumer. 
     
     
         7 . The power supply system of  claim 6 , wherein the communication generated by the DC consumer is based upon information provided to the DC consumer about operation of the UPS. 
     
     
         8 . The power supply system of  claim 7 , wherein the communication generated by the DC consumer is based upon information provided to the DC consumer about operation of the AC-DC converter. 
     
     
         9 . The power supply system of  claim 7 , wherein the communication generated by the DC consumer is configured to specify that:
 the DC consumer will not require power for a higher load for a duration of time; and   during the duration of time, the DC consumer can be sufficiently powered by the UPS; and   the AC-DC converter is configured to reduce power to the DC consumer and to the UPS during the duration of time based upon the communication generated by the DC consumer.