Patent ID: 7560831

Claim:
A power distribution system for a data center, the system comprising: a modular base configured to be supported in one of a plurality of positions on a rack mounting structure, the base comprising: a DC load comprising at least one digital processor operative to process data received over a network; a DC bus configured to deliver operating power to the DC load, the power being received from a power source connected across the DC bus; and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) supported by the base, the UPS comprising: a battery circuit configured to operatively connect a battery across the DC bus during a fault condition in which an AC input voltage signal from an AC generator falls outside of a normal operating range; an AC-to-DC rectification stage comprising an AC-to-DC conversion circuit configured to convert the AC input voltage signal to a single DC output voltage signal across the DC bus when the AC input voltage signal is within the normal operating range, wherein the AC-to-DC conversion circuit is configured to regulate the DC output voltage signal to a voltage level above and substantially near a maximum nominal charge voltage of the battery; and a controller configured to selectively activate the AC-to-DC conversion circuit to resume supplying operating power to the DC load in response to a signal that indicates that the AC input voltage signal has returned to the normal operating range.