Power system including lithium-metal-polymer batteries

• US 20060076831A1
• Filed: 03/25/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• 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., Willets, Julie A., Meyers, Jerry D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,157,803 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.100
• 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

The present invention is an energy generating system which uses Lithium Metal Polymer (LMP) batteries in conjunction with a microturbine, a fuel cell, and commercial electrical power. The LMPs provide uninterruptible power when one or more of the other power systems fail.

Claims

1. A power supply system for providing electrical power comprising:

an on-site turbine adapted to combust a first gas and generating a source of alternating current (AC);

a conversion device for converting said first source of AC into a first optional source of direct current (DC);

a lithium-comprised energy storage device providing a second optional source of DC used for one of backup and bridging purposes.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first gas is natural gas.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said turbine is adapted to receive a utility-provided source of natural gas.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said turbine is adapted to receive a stored source of natural gas which is stored in tanks on site.

5. The system of claim 3 including a control system which is operable to switch between said utility provided and said stored sources of natural gas depending on availability.

6. The system of claim 1 comprising:

a fuel cell for generating a third optional source of DC by noncombustibly consuming a second gas.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said fuel cell comprises at least one proton exchange membrane (PEM).

8. The system of claim 6 wherein said lithium-comprised energy storage device, an output of said conversion device, and an output of said fuel cell are all electrically connected.

9. The system of claim 6 comprising:

an imported AC power source derived from a commercial electric utility;

said conversion device being further adapted to convert said imported AC power source into a fourth optional source of DC.

10. The system of claim 9 further including a control system which is operable to switch between said on-site micro-turbine generater and said imported sources of AC based on power availability.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said conversion device is a rectifier.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said lithium-comprised energy storage device is a lithium cell.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said lithium cell is a lithium-metal-polymer battery.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein said lithium cell is a lithium-ion battery.

15. A power supply system comprising:

a turbine for combusting a gas and generating a first source of alternating current (AC);

a conversion device for converting said first source of AC current into a first source of direct current (DC);

a lithium-comprised energy storage device providing a second source of DC current used for at least one of backup and bridging purposes; and

a fuel cell for generating a third source of DC current.

16. A method of supplying power comprising:

combusting a gas in a micro-turbine to produce a first source of power;

importing a second source of power from a commercial electric utility in the event said first source of power becomes unavailable; and

using a lithium-comprised energy storage device to provide an additional source of power if both said first and second sources are unavailable.

17. The method of claim 16 comprising:

providing a lithium-metal-polymer battery to serve as said lithium-comprised energy storage device.

18. The method of claim 16 comprising:

providing a lithium-ion battery to serve as said lithium-comprised energy storage device.

19. The method of claim 16 comprising:

generating a third power source using a fuel cell.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising:

including at least one proton exchange membrane (PEM) in said fuel cell; and

consuming hydrogen in said PEM to accomplish said generating said third power source step.