Flywheel reserve power for outside plant of a communication network

• US 6,240,337 B1
• Filed: 04/02/1998
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Marr, William P. Jr., Hofman, Frederick G. Jr., Serowatka, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai, Rijue
• Application Number:
  US09/053,676
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 700/286, 700/287, 700/288, 700/289, 700/295, 700/296, 700/297, 700/298, 713/300, 713/310, 713/320, 713/321, 713/322, 713/323, 713/324, 713/330, 713/340, 713/260, 713/262, 713/266, 713/264, 307/64, 455/67.1
• US Class Current: 700/286
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/16 using dynamo-electric machines coupled to flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/066 characterised by the use of dynamo-electric machines H02J9/08 takes precedence

Abstract

To eliminate problems caused by the use of batteries for back-up power in outside plant facilities of a communication network or the like, the batteries are replaced with flywheel reserve power systems, in accord with the invention. Specific applications of flywheel power systems include flywheel systems to supply power to the optical terminal of a digital loop carrier type system, for a telephone network. Other applications relate to flywheel systems to supply power to optical network units (ONUs) in fiber to the curb or fiber to the home type communication networks. In the preferred embodiments, the flywheel power systems include intelligent components for monitoring and controlling operations of the power systems. Communication links are provided, to enable the monitoring and control components to report status to and receive control instructions from a centralized network control or management center.

Claims

1. Outside plant equipment having reserve power, for use in a communication network, said outside plant comprising:

an optical terminal for terminating an optical fiber communication link of the communication network and providing communication services over links to customer premises, the optical terminal having a control circuit coupled to a power supply circuit receiving mains generator power; and

a flywheel power system having a flywheel module and a flywheel electronics module, the flywheel system being mounted in proximity to the optical terminal, the flywheel electronics module electrically connecting to the control circuit;

wherein the flywheel module is for receiving the mains generator power to reach and maintain rated speed, and upon disruption of the mains generator power such that the mains generator power falls below a threshold, the flywheel electronics module triggers the flywheel module to supply electric current as reserve power to the power supply circuit of the optical terminal.

2. A system as in claim 1, further comprising,

a monitoring system having a monitor input/output interface coupled to a processor, and a data communication interface also coupled to the processor, wherein the monitor input/output interface electrically connects to the flywheel electronics module, and the data communication interface links to the optical terminal.

3. A system as in claim 2, wherein the monitor input/output interface is further linked to a power switch attached to the mains generator power, said monitoring system effecting load shedding capabilities.

4. A system as in claim 2, wherein the data communication interface is a modem.

5. A system as in claim 2, wherein the data communication interface connects to a data communication network.

6. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a cabinet, the cabinet containing the optical terminal and the flywheel electronics module, wherein the flywheel module is situated below ground in close proximity to the cabinet.

7. A communication system comprising:

at least one optical network unit (ONU) for terminating an optical fiber communication link from a hub and providing communication services over links to customer premises;

a power supply circuit for receiving mains generator power and coupling to the ONU;

a flywheel power system having a flywheel module and a flywheel electronics module, the flywheel system being mounted in proximity to the ONU, the flywheel electronics module electrically connecting to the power supply circuit; and

the flywheel module for receiving the mains generator power to reach and maintain rated speed, upon disruption of the mains generator power such that the mains generator power falls below a threshold, the flywheel electronics module triggers the flywheel module to supply electric current to the power supply circuit of the ONU.

8. A system as in claim 7, further comprising,

a monitoring system having a monitor input/output interface coupled to a processor, and a data communication interface also coupled to the processor, wherein the monitor input/output interface electrically connects to the flywheel electronics module, and the data communication interface links to the optical terminal.

9. A system as in claim 8, wherein the monitor input/output interface is further linked to a power switch attached to the mains generator power, said monitoring system effecting load shedding capabilities.

10. A communication system comprising:

at least one remote terminal of a digital loop carrier system for terminating a communication link from a hub and providing communication services over links to customer premises;

a power supply circuit for receiving mains generator power and coupling to the remote terminal;

a flywheel power system having a flywheel module and a flywheel electronics module, the flywheel system being mounted in proximity to the remote terminal, the flywheel electronics module electrically connecting to the power supply circuit; and

the flywheel module for receiving the mains generator power to reach and maintain rated speed, upon disruption of the mains generator power such that the mains generator power falls below a threshold, the flywheel electronics module triggers the flywheel module to supply electric current to the power supply circuit of the remote terminal.

11. A system as in claim 10, further comprising,

a monitoring system having a monitor input/output interface coupled to a processor, and a data communication interface also coupled to the processor, wherein the monitor input/output interface electrically connects to the flywheel electronics module, and the data communication interface links to the optical terminal.

12. A system as in claim 11, wherein the monitor input/output interface is further linked to a power switch attached to the mains generator power, said monitoring system effecting load shedding capabilities.

13. A reserve power system for loop plant electronics deployed in a communication network, comprising:

a flywheel power system for supplying back-up power, comprising,

(1) a flywheel module for selectively alternating between receiving mains generator power to reach and maintain rated speed, and supplying power;

(2) a flywheel electronics module for electrically connecting to a power supply circuit associated with the loop plant electronics and to the flywheel module, for controlling the flywheel module to discharge when the mains generator power falls below a threshold and providing status parameters of the flywheel power system;

a monitoring system for analyzing, processing, and reporting data related to the flywheel system, comprising,

(1) a monitor input/output interface for physically connecting to the flywheel electronics module;

(2) a processor coupled to the monitor input/output interface for controlling the monitoring system; and

(3) a data communication interface being coupled to the processor, for transmitting report data via the communication network.

14. A system as in claim 13, further comprising a power switch connected to the mains generator power for effecting load shedding capabilities in conjunction with the monitoring system.