Patent ID: 6255743
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: H02J,H02K,Y02E

Abstract:
Uninterruptible power supply apparatus for receiving electric power from a primary power source and for supplying electric power to a critical load when the primary power source fails, said apparatus comprising:a rotary electrical machine having a machine rotor, said electrical machine being electrically connectable to said primary power source and being operable in a motor mode when it receives electric power from the primary power source, said rotary electrical machine also being operable in a generator mode to supply electric power to a critical load;a turbine having a rotor and a normally inactive fluid supply which, when active, supplies a flow of motive fluid to said rotor to rotate said turbine rotor;said turbine rotor being drivingly connected to said machine rotor;said apparatus being operable in a standby mode, a transitional mode and an active mode;said electrical machine, when said apparatus is in standby mode, being in its motor mode to rotate said turbine rotor which stores kinetic energy as rotational momentum;said electrical machine being in its generator mode when the apparatus is in its transitional mode, said rotational momentum of said turbine rotor being operable to rotate said electrical machine rotor when the apparatus is in its transitional mode to generate electric power which is supplied to a critical load;said fluid supply being active when said apparatus is in its active mode to rotate the turbine rotor which rotates said electrical machine rotor to generate electric power for the critical load.