Worksurface power modules powered by fuel cells

• US 20030194588A1
• Filed: 04/09/2003
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Laukhuf, Gregg E.
• Application Number:
  US10/410,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20030194588A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/423
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/00 Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/30 Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0247 characterised by the form characterised by a channel configuration H01M8/0258
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04664 Failure or abnormal function
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2465 Details of groupings of fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell and a jumper connected to the fuel cell. The jumper includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the jumper is connected to the fuel cell, the second end of the jumper is configured for providing electrical power to a worksurface.

Claims

1. A power module for providing electrical power to a worksurface, comprising:

a fuel cell; and

a jumper connected to said fuel cell, said jumper including a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said fuel cell, said second end configured for providing electrical power to the worksurface.

2. The power module of claim 1, further including an inverter connected to said fuel cell.

3. The power module of claim 1, further including a reformer connected to said fuel cell.

4. The power module of claim 1, further including a worksurface electrical distribution unit proximate to the worksurface, said second end connected to said worksurface electrical distribution unit.

5. The power module of claim 1, further including an individual temporary power tap connected to said fuel cell.

6. The power module of claim 1, further including a plurality of power taps connected in parallel to said fuel cell.

7. The power module of claim 1, further including a switch connected to said fuel cell.

8. The power module of claim 1, further including a gas fuel source in fluid communication with said power module.

9. The power module of claim 8, wherein said gas fuel is explosion proofed.

10. The power module of claim 8, wherein said power module is located inside a building, said gas fuel is located outside said building.

11. A modular furniture unit, comprising:

a modular wall panel;

an electrical distribution unit in said wall panel; and

power module including;

a fuel cell; and

a jumper connected to said fuel cell, said jumper including a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said fuel cell, said second end configured for providing electrical power to said electrical distribution unit..

12. The power module of claim 11, further including an inverter connected to said fuel cell.

13. The power module of claim 11, further including a reformer connected to said fuel cell.

14. The power module of claim 11, further including an individual temporary power tap connected to said power module.

15. The power module of claim 11, further including a plurality of power taps connected in parallel to said power module.

16. The power module of claim 11, further including a switch connected to said fuel cell.

17. The power module of claim 11, further including a gas fuel source in fluid communication with said power module.

18. The power module of claim 17, wherein said gas fuel is explosion proofed.

19. The power module of claim 17, wherein said power module is located inside a building, said gas fuel is located outside said building.

20. A method for providing electrical power to a worksurface, comprising the steps of:

attaching a first end of a jumper to a fuel cell power module;

locating a second end of said jumper near the worksurface; and

connecting said second end to a worksurface electrical distribution unit.

21. The method of claim 20, further including an inverter connected to said fuel cell.

22. The method of claim 20, further including a reformer connected to said fuel cell.

23. The method of claim 20, further including an individual temporary power tap connected to said worksurface electrical distribution unit.

24. The method of claim 20, further including a plurality of power taps connected in parallel to said worksurface electrical distribution unit.

25. The method of claim 20, further including a switch connected to said fuel cell.

26. The method of claim 20, further including a plug connected to said second end and a receptacle connected to said worksurface electrical distribution unit, said connecting step includes connecting said plug to said receptacle.

27. The method of claim 20, further including a gas fuel source in fluid communication with said power module.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said gas fuel is explosion proofed.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein said power module is located inside a building, said gas fuel is located outside said building.

30. A method of retrofitting electrical power to a work space in an office environment, comprising the steps of:

installing an electrical distribution circuit in the work space in the office environment having an existing utility power branch circuit; and

electrically powering said electrical distribution circuit with a fuel cell power module rather than said existing utility power branch circuit.

31. The method of claim 30, further including the step avoiding overloading said existing utility power branch circuit at said the work space in the office environment, dependent on said electrically powering step.