Power system for a telecommunications network
First Claim
1. A power system for a telecommunications network, comprising:
- a first subsystem for providing DC electrical power to a first telecommunications network location, the first subsystem comprising a valving structure controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) that switches between a utility supplied fuel source and one or more stored fuel supply sources, wherein the first subsystem further comprises at least a first power source component and a second power source component, wherein the first power source component comprises;
at least a first proton exchange membrane adapted to directly receive hydrogen fuel from the utility supplied fuel source or a first stored hydrogen fuel source, wherein the first power source component is operable to produce DC electrical power during a normal operating mode, and wherein the second power source component comprises at least a second proton exchange membrane adapted to directly receive hydrogen fuel from a second stored hydrogen fuel source coupled with a reformer, wherein the first stored hydrogen fuel source is separate from the second stored hydrogen fuel source, the second power source component operable to produce DC electrical power during a backup mode, an energy storage device, and a DC bus for interconnecting at least the first power source component the second power source component, and the energy storage device, in parallel, wherein the energy storage device is configured to operate during;
(1) at least a startup phase of power generation of the second power source component, or(2) upon a low pressure condition being sensed in an in-line valve with a fuel line of the second power source component, wherein the switching between the second power source component and the energy storage device when the low pressure condition is detected for the second power source component is managed by the PLC, wherein the low pressure condition is indicative of an insufficient fuel flow from the reformer coupled to the second stored hydrogen fuel source of the second power source component; and
a second subsystem for providing DC electrical power to a second telecommunications network location, the second subsystem including at least one microturbine generator operable to produce AC electrical power, at least one rectifier operable to convert the AC electrical power from the at least one microturbine generator to DC electrical power, and at least one power source comprising at least one proton exchange membrane operable to produce DC electrical power.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reliable, end-to-end power supply solution for components of a telecommunications network provides either a primary source or a backup source of electrical power at various telecommunications sites for reliable operation of telecommunications equipment. One subsystem of the power supply solution includes one or more proton exchange membrane type fuel cells and an energy storage device for storing DC electrical power produced by the fuel cells. Another subsystem includes one or more microturbine generators, one or more rectifiers for converting AC electrical power produced by the microturbine generators to DC electrical power, and one or more proton exchange membrane type fuel cells for producing DC electrical power. The power supply solution ensures that voice and data traffic is reliably handled by a telecommunications network in situations where commercial electric utilities fail to supply power at certain points along the network.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A power system for a telecommunications network, comprising:
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a first subsystem for providing DC electrical power to a first telecommunications network location, the first subsystem comprising a valving structure controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) that switches between a utility supplied fuel source and one or more stored fuel supply sources, wherein the first subsystem further comprises at least a first power source component and a second power source component, wherein the first power source component comprises;
at least a first proton exchange membrane adapted to directly receive hydrogen fuel from the utility supplied fuel source or a first stored hydrogen fuel source, wherein the first power source component is operable to produce DC electrical power during a normal operating mode, and wherein the second power source component comprises at least a second proton exchange membrane adapted to directly receive hydrogen fuel from a second stored hydrogen fuel source coupled with a reformer, wherein the first stored hydrogen fuel source is separate from the second stored hydrogen fuel source, the second power source component operable to produce DC electrical power during a backup mode, an energy storage device, and a DC bus for interconnecting at least the first power source component the second power source component, and the energy storage device, in parallel, wherein the energy storage device is configured to operate during;(1) at least a startup phase of power generation of the second power source component, or (2) upon a low pressure condition being sensed in an in-line valve with a fuel line of the second power source component, wherein the switching between the second power source component and the energy storage device when the low pressure condition is detected for the second power source component is managed by the PLC, wherein the low pressure condition is indicative of an insufficient fuel flow from the reformer coupled to the second stored hydrogen fuel source of the second power source component; and a second subsystem for providing DC electrical power to a second telecommunications network location, the second subsystem including at least one microturbine generator operable to produce AC electrical power, at least one rectifier operable to convert the AC electrical power from the at least one microturbine generator to DC electrical power, and at least one power source comprising at least one proton exchange membrane operable to produce DC electrical power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification