Power system for a telecommunication facility

• US 7,394,168 B1
• Filed: 07/24/2006
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• 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): Sherry; Michael J
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAPLAN, HAL IRA
• Application Number:
  US11/459,419
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 307/26, 307/45, 307/72
• US Class Current: 307/45
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/12 Parallel operation of dc generators with converters, e.g. with mercury-arc rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/30 The power source being a fuel cell
• 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: 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 power system for maintaining electrical power to equipment at a telecommunications facility, said system comprising:

an AC power source included in an AC circuit which is adapted to receive an AC power output from said AC power source, wherein said AC power source is derived from at least one turbine;

a DC circuit;

a rectifier located between said AC circuit and said DC circuit, said rectifier adapted to convert said AC power output into a DC power output in said DC circuit;

one or more capacitor devices included in said DC circuit, said one or more capacitor devices serving to maintain power to said DC circuit in the event said AC power source is not available;

one or more fuel cells included in said DC circuit, said one or more fuel cells selectively receiving a fuel source to produce an alternative DC power output, said alternative DC power output optionally maintaining power to said DC circuit;

at least one first valve controlling the flow of said fuel source to said one or more fuel cells;

at least one second valve controlling the flow of one of natural gas and propane to said at least one turbine; and

a sensing/control mechanism operative to determine when inadequate flow of one of natural gas and propane is realized by said at least one turbine, and respond by closing said at least one second valve and opening said at least one first valve to permit the flow of said fuel source to said one or more fuel cells to maintain power to said DC circuit.

2. The power system of claim 1 wherein said at least one turbine comprises a microturbine.

3. The power system of claim 1 wherein said at least one turbine comprises a plurality of turbines.

4. The power system of claim 1 wherein said AC power source is further derived from a utility.

5. The power system of claim 4 further comprising:

a switching mechanism, said switching mechanism causing automated selection of turbine-supplied AC power when utility-supplied AC power becomes unavailable.

6. The power system of claim 1 wherein said one or more fuel cells each comprise a proton exchange membrane module and said fuel source is hydrogen.