Power system for a telecommunication facility

• US 20060049637A1
• Filed: 11/01/2005
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Johnson, Larry L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,098,548 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/06 using discharge tubes without control electrode or semiconductor devices without control electrode
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/40 Fuel cell technologies in production processes

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of supplying DC power to equipment using proton exchange membranes (PEMs). PEMs run on hydrogen to produce DC electrical power. In the disclosed embodiment these PEMs are used as an alternative source of power to AC sources. One of these other sources is generated by an array of gas turbines. Another source is provided by a commercial utility. AC from these sources is converted using rectifiers. Capacitors are used to bridge when switching between energy sources.

Claims

1. A system for maintaining power to a device, said system comprising:

a circuit electrically connected to deliver power to said device;

said circuit adapted to receive electrical power from a turbine generator;

said circuit further adapted to receive electrical power from a fuel cell.

2. The system of claim 1 in which said circuit is adapted to receive electrical power from a utility source.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said circuit is electrically connected to a compacitor for the purpose of maintaining power to said circuit in the event insufficient power is available from other sources.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said fuel cell is adapted to receive gaseous hydrogen from a storage device.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said hydrogen maintained in said storage device is substantially pure.

6. The system of claim 1 comprising a rectifier, said rectifier adapted to accept AC power from said turbine generator and converting said AC power into DC power to be useable by said circuit.

7. A system for maintaining power to a device, said system comprising:

an AC power source;

a fuel cell;

a circuit adapted to receive power from said AC power source and said fuel cell;

said circuit electrically connected to said device;

a compacitor included in said circuit to maintain power in said circuit when one or more of said AC power source and said fuel cell are temporarily unavailable.

8. The system of claim 7 comprising a rectifier for converting an AC power output from said AC source and converting it into DC power.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said AC power source is electrical power derived from a utility.

10. The system of claim 7 in which said AC power source is a turbine generator.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein said fuel cell is adapted to receive hydrogen from a storage tank.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said hydrogen in said storage tank is substantially pure.

13. The system of claim 7 wherein said system exists at a telecommunications site and is used to maintain power to telecommunications equipment.

14. A system for maintaining power to a device, said system comprising:

a circuit;

said circuit adapted to receive power from an AC power source;

said circuit further adapted to receive DC power from a fuel cell, said fuel cell adapted to receive hydrogen from a hydrogen storage device;

said circuit electrically connected to said device to maintain power to said device.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said hydrogen maintained in said hydrogen storage device is substantially pure.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said AC power source is a turbine generator.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said turbine generator is operable on one of natural gas and propane.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein said circuit includes a capacitor for the purpose of maintaining power in said circuit in the event other sources of power are temporarily unavailable.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein said circuit includes a plurality of capacitors, a plurality of turbine generators, a plurality of fuel cells, and an plurality of hydrogen storage devices all adapted to meet the needs of a plurality of energy consuming devices.