Power system including lithium-metal-polymer batteries

• US 7,157,803 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2005
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• 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., Willets, Julie A., Meyers, Jerry D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko; Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US11/089,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20060076831A1
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R, 290/1.A, 290/4.R, 307/64, 320/101, 320/102
• 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

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 DC power-supply system comprising:

a lithium comprised energy-storage device;

a fuel-cell utilizing hydrogen to generate electrical power;

a turbine generator producing AC power;

a utility supplying AC power, wherein

said AC power is selected and converted to DC power by a converter.

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 5 wherein said fuel cell comprises at least one proton exchange membrane (PEM).

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said lithium-comprised energy storage device, an output of said conversion device, and an output of said fuel cell are all electrically connected.

8. A method of supplying DC power utilizing the apparatus of claim 1.

9. The system of claim 5 further including a control system which is operable to switch between said turbine generater and said imported sources of AC based on power availability.

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

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

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said lithium cell is a lithium-metal-polymer battery.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said lithium cell is a lithium-ion battery.

14. A method of supplying power comprising:

providing a commercial utility AC power;

combusting gas in turbine generator for production of AC power;

providing for the utilization of a lithium-comprised energy-storage device to provide a source of power in addition to said AC power;

providing for the utilization of a fuel-cell that utilizes hydrogen to generate electrical power; and

selecting and converting said turbine generator or said utility AC power to DC power by a converter.

15. A method of supplying a DC power comprising:

providing a turbine generator utilizing a combustion gas for production of AC power;

providing a commercial utility AC power,

providing a lithium-comprised energy-storage device to provide an additional source of power;

providing a fuel-cell utilizing hydrogen to generate electrical power; and

selecting and converting said turbine generator or said utility AC power to DC power by a converter.

16. The method of claim 15 comprising:

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

17. The method of claim 15 comprising:

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