Backup power hierarchy for a facility system

• US 7,256,506 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2005
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko; Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US11/079,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20060038403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.A, 290/1.R, 290/2, 290/52, 322/7, 322/8, 307/64
• US Class Current: 290/1.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/40 Fuel cell technologies in production processes

Abstract

A system is disclosed which accomplishes a method of providing backup power to a device in a facility. The method includes using turbines to combusting a fuel to generate a primary power source. If this source fails, a secondary source of power is obtained from a commercial utility. If the commercial utility is not available, power is generated by a proton exchange membrane. Proton exchange membranes generate power by noncombustibly consuming hydrogen. Capacitors are used to maintain power when the system switches between energy sources.

Claims

1. A method of providing electrical power comprising:

providing a first power source by one of;

consuming a fuel in a microturbine adapted to produce as an output electrical power, and

deriving alternating current from a commercial utility;

automatically switching to a second power source upon failure of said first power source; and

generating said second power source by noncombustibly consuming a gas with one or more fuel cells.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising:

bridging any drop in power caused by said automatic switching using a power storage device.

3. The method of claim 2 comprising:

providing a capacitor to serve as said power storage device.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising:

converting the first power source to DC power via a rectifier.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the fuel consumed in the microtubine is one or more of propane and natural gas.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more fuel cells are proton exchange membranes.