Power system

• US 6,288,456 B1
• Filed: 05/18/1999
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dustin T. Smith
• Original Assignee: Sure Power Corporation
• Inventors: Cratty, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Fritz
• Application Number:
  US09/313,895
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 307/68, 307/64-67, 307/23, 307/85-87, 307/84, 307/45, 307/47, 322/4, 322/39, 322/13, 322/60
• US Class Current: 307/64
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/0075 for providing alternative feeding paths between load and source according to economic or energy efficiency considerations, e.g. economic dispatch
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/08 requiring starting of a prime-mover

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a power system for providing power to a critical load. The system includes a first power source producing sufficient power to supply the critical load and a second power source, independent of said first power source. The second power source produces sufficient power to supply the critical load. The system also includes a rotary device having a first power input circuit and a second power input circuit. The second power source is coupled to the rotary device at the second power input circuit. A transfer switch selectively couples the first power source to the first power input circuit and the second power input circuit.

Claims

1. A power system for providing power to a critical load, the system comprising:

a first power source producing sufficient power to supply the critical load;

a second power source, independent of said first power source, said second power source producing sufficient power to supply the critical load;

a rotary device having a primary power input circuit and a secondary power input circuit, said primary power input circuit and said secondary power input circuit providing power to a motor generator in said rotary device;

said second power source coupled to said rotary device at said secondary power input circuit; and

,

a transfer switch for selectively coupling said first power source to said primary power input circuit and said secondary power input circuit.

2. The power system of claim 1 wherein said first power source comprises a fuel cell and said second power source is the electric utility grid.

3. The power system of claim 1 wherein said second power source comprises an on-site generator.

4. The power system of claim 1 wherein said second power source comprises a fuel cell.

5. The power system of claim 1 wherein said rotary device comprises a rotary condenser.

6. The power system of claim 1 wherein a third power source is coupled to said rotary device.

7. The power system of claim 6 wherein said third power source is parallel connected with said first power source at the first power input circuit.

8. The power system of claim 6 wherein said third power source is parallel connected with said second power source at the second power input circuit.

9. The power system of claim 6 wherein said third power source comprises a flywheel.

10. A power system for providing power to a critical load, the system comprising:

a first power module including;

a first power source producing sufficient power to supply the critical load;

a second power source, independent of said first power source, said second power source producing sufficient power to supply the critical load;

a rotary device having a primary power input circuit and a secondary power input circuit;

said second power source coupled to said rotary device at said secondary power input circuit; and

,

a transfer switch for selectively coupling said first power source to said primary power input circuit and said secondary power input circuit; and

;

a second power module including;

a first power source producing sufficient power to supply the critical load;

a second power source, independent of said first power source, said second power source producing sufficient power to supply the critical load;

a rotary device having a primary power input circuit and a secondary power input circuit;

said second power source coupled to said rotary device at said secondary power input circuit; and

,

a transfer switch for selectively coupling said first power source to said primary power input circuit and said secondary power input circuit.

11. The power system of claim 10 further comprising:

a common bus coupled to an output of said first power module and coupled to an output of said second power module.

12. The power system of claim 10 further comprising:

a first bus coupled to an output of said first power module; and

,

a second bus, independent of said first bus, coupled to an output of said second power module.

13. The power system of claim 12 further comprising:

a tie-breaker included between said first and second independent buses.