Power system for a telecommunication facility

• US 7,098,548 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2005
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Johnson, Larry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US11/263,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20060049637A1
• Time in Patent Office: 301 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.A, 290/2, 290/1.R, 322/7, 322/8, 307/64, 307/71
• US Class Current: 290/1.00A
• 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 optionally receives electrical power from a turbine generator;

said circuit optionally receives electrical power from a fuel cell;

said circuit optionally receives electrical power from a utility source; and

said circuit is electrically connected to a capacitor for the purpose of maintaining power to said circuit in the event insufficient power is available from other sources.

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

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said hydrogen maintained in said storage device is substantially pure.

4. The system of claim 1 comprising an 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.