System for providing assured power to a critical load
First Claim
1. A power system (8) for providing uninterrupted AC electric power to a critical load (14), comprising:
- a. a first power source (18) comprising at least one fuel cell power plant (18), the first power source normally providing sufficient power to supply the critical load (14) and being normally substantially continuously connected and providing power to, the critical load (14);
b. a second AC power source (10) normally providing sufficient power to supply the critical load (14);
c. high speed isolation switching means (19) for selectively connecting and disconnecting the second power source (10) to the first power source (18) and to the critical load (14);
d. the at least one said fuel cell power plant (18) comprising a fuel cell (60) and a power conditioning system (PCS) (62) including an inverter (64), the fuel cell (60) being normally connected to supply DC power to the inverter (64) for conversion to AC power to supply the critical load (14); and
e. power assurance means (65;
10″
, 66, 64, 70;
74,75) operatively connected to at least one of the first and second power sources (10, 18) for enhancing an even and continuous supply of AC power to the critical load (14).
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A first AC power source comprising a fuel cell power plant (18), and a second power source, typically grid (10), are normally connected via a high speed isolation switching means (19) to provide sufficient AC power to a critical load (14). The fuel cell power plant (18) comprises a fuel cell (60) and a power conditioning system (PCS) (62) having an inverter (64). Power assurance means (65; 10″, 66, 64, 70; 74, 75) is/are operatively connected to at least one of the first and second power sources to enhance an even and continuous supply of power to the critical load (14). The power assurance means (65; 10″, 66, 64, 70; 74, 75) is/are operatively connected to the inverter (64) of the PCS (62), and may be one, or a combination of, a surge suppression means (65), a double-conversion power connection means (10″, 66, 64, 70) having a rectifier (66); and/or stored energy means (74), such as a capacitor (75). The power assurance means (65; 10″, 66, 64, 70; 74, 75) provide continuous quality power to the loads (14), even if the fuel cell (60) is not operating, and/or if operating transients might occur that would otherwise decrease the voltage to an unacceptable level.
47 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A power system (8) for providing uninterrupted AC electric power to a critical load (14), comprising:
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a. a first power source (18) comprising at least one fuel cell power plant (18), the first power source normally providing sufficient power to supply the critical load (14) and being normally substantially continuously connected and providing power to, the critical load (14);
b. a second AC power source (10) normally providing sufficient power to supply the critical load (14);
c. high speed isolation switching means (19) for selectively connecting and disconnecting the second power source (10) to the first power source (18) and to the critical load (14);
d. the at least one said fuel cell power plant (18) comprising a fuel cell (60) and a power conditioning system (PCS) (62) including an inverter (64), the fuel cell (60) being normally connected to supply DC power to the inverter (64) for conversion to AC power to supply the critical load (14); and
e. power assurance means (65;
10″
, 66, 64, 70;
74,75) operatively connected to at least one of the first and second power sources (10, 18) for enhancing an even and continuous supply of AC power to the critical load (14). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeHyaxiom Incorporated
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Original AssigneeUTC Fuel Cells, LLC
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InventorsYoung, Douglas Gibbons, Healy, Herbert C.
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Granted Patent
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Time in Patent OfficeDays
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Field of Search
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US Class Current307/64
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CPC Class CodesH02J 2300/30 The power source being a fu...H02J 3/32 using batteries with conver...H02J 9/062 for AC powered loadsY02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells ...
