Modular cell site with air-turbine backup

• US 20060244268A1
• Filed: 05/31/2005
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (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 7,456,513 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/54
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 1/04 the working fluid being heated indirectly in a fluidised-bed combustor F02C3/205
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 6/16 for storing compressed air
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids

Abstract

The present invention is a DC power system incorporated into a modular housing. The primary source of power is an electrical utility. Because the electrical utility provides alternating current, the module includes a rectifier which makes the conversion to DC. The module also includes an air turbine which is used as a backup source of power. Also included is an array of lithium-metal-polymer (LMP) batteries to bridge and also for backup power if necessary.

Claims

1. A power system comprising:

a source of air;

blades adapted to receive said air and turn a shaft to create a source of mechanical energy;

a generator adapted to transform said mechanical energy into a source of electrical energy; and

using said electrical energy as a backup source of DC power.

2. A method of providing electrical power, comprising:

housing (i) a device adapted to accept electricity from a utility, (ii) an air-driven power generation device, and (iii) radio equipment in a module; and

and adapting said module so that it is transportable.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising:

including an energy-storage device with said module.

4. The method of claim 2, comprising:

adapting said air-driven power generation device to operate in a backup capacity.

5. A system for providing electrical power, said system comprising:

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

an energy-storage device for providing a second possible source of DC; and

a generating device adapted to receive a substance under pressure to create mechanical energy, use said mechanical energy to generate a third possible source of DC.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said first conversion device, energy storage device, and generating device are all included in a housing.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said housing includes a plurality of chambers, each chamber adapted to receive at least one particular device.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein said first conversion device is a rectifier.

9. The system of claim 5 comprising:

a second conversion device adapted to convert an AC output from said generating device into said third possible source of DC.

10. The system of claim 5 wherein said energy-storage device is one of a lithium battery.

11. The system of claim 5 wherein said generating device comprises a turbine.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said turbine is adapted to be operable using pressurized air.

13. The system of claim 12 comprising:

a compressor for compressing the air.

14. The system of claim 12 comprising:

at least one tank for maintaining said pressurized air.

15. The system of claim 12 comprising:

a heating device for raising the temperature of the pressurized air before it is introduced into said turbine.

16. The system of claim 5 wherein said conversion device, energy storage device, generating device, and said at least one tank are all included in a common housing.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said housing also includes BTS equipment for supporting a tower.

18. The modular system of claim 17 wherein said housing also includes a power-protection compartment including power-protection equipment.

19. The modular system of claim 5 wherein said first, second and third possible sources of DC all feed into a common bus.

20. The modular system of claim 5 comprising:

a control system adapted to switch from said first source of DC to said third source of DC when said first source of DC is unavailable.