Novel integrated dc to dc converter ups topology

A method for operating a UPS comprising an input configured to be coupled to an AC power source, an interface configured to be coupled to a DC power source, a converter, a positive DC bus coupled to the converter, a negative DC bus coupled to the converter, and a DC-DC converter coupled to the interface, wherein the method comprises:

• receiving input AC power at the input from the AC power source;
• receiving backup DC power at the interface from the DC power source;
• operating the UPS in an online mode of operation in response to a determination that the input AC power is greater than an input power threshold;
• operating the UPS in a backup mode of operation in response to a determination that the input AC power is less than the input power threshold;
• converting, with the converter in the online mode of operation, the input AC power to regulated DC power and providing the regulated DC power, derived from the input AC power, to the positive DC bus and the negative DC bus;
• operating, in the backup mode of operation, the DC-DC converter to convert the backup DC power to unregulated power and providing the unregulated power to the converter;
• and
• converting, with the converter in the backup mode of operation, the unregulated power to regulated DC power and providing the regulated DC power, derived from the unregulated power, to the positive DC bus and the negative DC bus.

A UPS comprising:

• an input configured to be coupled to an AC power source and to receive input AC power;
• an interface configured to be coupled to a DC power source and to receive backup DC power;
• an output configured to provide output power to a load;
• a converter;
• a positive DC bus coupled to the converter;
• a negative DC bus coupled to the converter;
• an inverter coupled to the positive DC bus and the negative DC bus;
• a DC-DC converter coupled to the interface;
• and
• means for providing isolation between the interface and the converter, for generating the output power derived from at least one of the input AC power and the backup DC power, for independently regulating a voltage level of the positive DC bus and a voltage level of the negative DC bus when the output AC power is derived from the backup DC power, and for utilizing components of the converter as part of the DC-DC converter when the output AC power is derived from the backup DC power.