Power system for a device

• US 8,269,371 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2010
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• 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): Barnie, Rexford N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parries, Dru
• Application Number:
  US12/959,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20110074216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 307/65
• US Class Current: 307/65
• 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

A power system is designed for providing reliable electrical power to a facility and/or associated devices. The system includes one or more fuel cells and a circuit adapted to receive power from the one or more fuel cells. The circuit is electrically connected to a device receiving the electrical power from the system. Additionally, the system includes one or more capacitors included in the circuit, and being adapted for maintaining power in the circuit when the one or more fuel cells are temporarily unavailable.

Claims

1. A contained power system, comprising:

a first input coupling for controlling a connection from a fuel storage supply to one or more turbine generators;

a second input coupling for controlling a connection between a utility supplier and the one or more turbine generators;

a rectifier to convert AC power generated from the one or more turbine generators to DC power;

a third input coupling from a stored energy source to one or more fuel cells, wherein the third input coupling is opened to allow the stored energy to flow to the one or more fuel cells in response to closing the first input coupling and the second input coupling;

one or more capacitors for storage of the DC power from the rectifier;

a power sensing control mechanism; and

a power distribution unit comprising an output coupling for connection of the DC power to a facility.

2. The contained power system of claim 1, wherein the one or more capacitors maintain uninterrupted power to the facility during a changeover in a power supply controlled by the power sensing control mechanism.

3. The contained power system of claim 1, further comprising:

an input coupling for connection between an electrical supplier and the rectifier.

4. The contained power system of claim 1, wherein the output coupling of the power distribution unit connects the DC power from a modular contained power system to the facility.

5. The contained power system of claim 1, further comprising:

a natural gas source provided to the one or more turbine generators via the input coupling from the utility supplier.

6. The contained power system of claim 5, further comprising:

a propane gas source provided to the one or more turbine generators via the input coupling from the fuel storage supply.

7. The contained power system of claim 6, further comprising:

a first valve to open and close the natural gas source and a second valve to open and close the propane gas source, wherein the first valve and the second valve are controlled by the power sensing control mechanism.

8. The contained power system of claim 1, wherein the facility comprises a telecommunications facility.

9. A contained multiple energy power system, comprising:

a first input coupling comprising a first valve for controlling a utility supplied source to the contained multiple energy power system;

a second input coupling comprising a second valve for controlling a fuel storage supply to the contained multiple energy power system;

a third input coupling comprising a third valve for controlling a stored energy source to a plurality of fuel cells in the contained multiple energy power system in response to closing the first valve and the second valve;

a power distribution unit comprising an output coupling for connection of a DC power supply to a facility; and

a plurality of capacitors to maintain uninterrupted power to the facility during a changeover in a power source.

10. The contained multiple energy power system of claim 9, further comprising:

a power sensing control mechanism to control the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve.

11. The contained multiple energy power system of claim 9, further comprising:

a rectifier to convert AC power generated from one or more turbine generators in the contained multiple energy power system to DC power supplied to the facility.

12. The contained multiple energy power system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of fuel cells comprise proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

13. The contained multiple energy power system of claim 9, wherein the output coupling of the power distribution unit connects the DC power supply from a modular contained multiple energy power system to the facility.

14. A method of switching energy sources of a contained power system, the method comprising:

opening a first valve of a first input coupling to provide an energy source to one or more turbine generators of the contained power system;

opening a second valve of a second input coupling to provide an energy source to the one or more turbine generators of the system in response to closing the first valve;

converting AC power generated from the one or more turbine generators to DC power via a rectifier;

opening a first switch of a third input coupling to provide electrical power from a utility source to the rectifier in response to closing the first valve and the second valve; and

providing the DC power to a facility via an output coupling of the contained power system.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

opening a third valve of a fourth input coupling to provide a stored energy source to a plurality of fuel cells in response to closing the first valve, the second valve, and the first switch.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

maintaining uninterrupted power to the facility during a changeover in a power source via a plurality of capacitors.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing the DC power via a modular contained power system.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing the DC power to a telecommunications facility.