Method and system for controlling and recovering short duration bridge power to maximize backup power

• US 20060078773A1
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John Zagaja, Lawrence Moulthrop, Mark Lillis, Michael Cardin, Speranza A. John
• Original Assignee: John Zagaja, Lawrence Moulthrop, Mark Lillis, Michael Cardin, Speranza A. John
• Inventors: Speranza, A. John, Lillis, Mark, Zagaja, John, Moulthrop, Lawrence, Cardin, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/289,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20060078773A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/9
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/465 with solar battery as charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/003 of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04567 of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04626 of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04656 of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0488 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04888 of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04955 Shut-off or shut-down of fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0656 by electrochemical means H01M8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/30 The power source being a fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 429/90 Fuel cell including means for power conditioning, e.g. Conversion to ac

Abstract

A system for providing back-up power to a load powered by a primary power source comprises: a fuel cell arrangement for generating back-up power for the load, a bridging power source for generating bridge power for the load, and a controller in operable communication with the fuel cell arrangement and the bridging power source. The controller is adapted to initiate application of the bridge power to the load upon detecting a deterioration of power from the primary power source, and is further adapted to initiate application of the back-up power to the load upon detecting a power capability of the back-up power to power the load.

Claims

1. A system for providing back-up power to a load powered by a primary power source, the system comprising:

a fuel cell arrangement for generating back-up power for the load;

a bridging power source for generating bridge power for the load; and

a controller in operable communication with the fuel cell arrangement and the bridging power source, the controller adapted to initiate application of the bridge power to the load upon detecting a deterioration of power from the primary power source, the controller further adapted to initiate application of the back-up power to the load upon detecting a power capability of the back-up power to power the load.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a converter coupled between the primary power source and the load, the converter for converting power from the primary power source to power anticipated by the load.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the converter comprises a rectifier to convert AC power from the primary power source to DC power for the load.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell arrangement comprises a regenerative fuel cell arrangement.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the regenerative fuel cell arrangement comprises:

a fuel cell for generating the back-up power;

a hydrogen storage device in communication with the fuel cell for providing hydrogen thereto; and

an electrolysis cell in communication with the hydrogen storage device, the electrolysis cell for generating hydrogen to be stored at the hydrogen storage device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the electrolysis cell is in communication with the primary power source to power the electrolysis cell.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the bridging power source comprises a battery.

8. A method for providing back-up power to a load powered by a primary power source, the method comprising:

generating back-up power for the load from a fuel cell arrangement;

generating bridge power for the load from a bridging power source;

initiating application of the bridge power to the load upon detecting a deterioration of power from the primary power source; and

initiating application of the back-up power to the load upon detecting a power capability of the back-up power to power the load.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

converting power from the primary power source to power anticipated by the load.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the converting power comprises converting AC power from the primary power source to DC power for the load.

11. A system for providing back-up power to a load powered by a primary power source, the system comprising:

a fuel cell arrangement for generating back-up power for the load, wherein the fuel cell arrangement comprises

a fuel cell for generating the back-up power;

a hydrogen storage device in communication with the fuel cell for providing hydrogen thereto; and

an electrolysis cell in communication with the hydrogen storage device, the electrolysis cell for generating hydrogen to be stored at the hydrogen storage device;

a bridging power source for generating bridge power for the load;

a controller in operable communication with the fuel cell arrangement and the bridging power source, the controller adapted to initiate application of the bridge power to the load upon detecting a deterioration of power from the primary power source, the controller further adapted to initiate application of the back-up power to the load upon detecting a power capability of the back-up power to power the load; and

a converter coupled between the primary power source and the load, the converter for converting power from the primary power source to power anticipated by the load.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the converter comprises a rectifier to convert AC power from the primary power source to DC power for the load.