Modular cell site

• US 20060246328A1
• Filed: 05/02/2005
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Johnson, Larry L., Willets, Julie A., Meyers, Jerry D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,615,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/45
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/40 Fuel cell technologies in production processes

Abstract

The present invention is a modular power system using a fuel cell as a back-up power supply. The system includes lithium-metal-polymer (LMP) batteries to bridge and also for backup power if necessary. The entire system is preassembled ready for use so that it is available to a new or expanding site upon delivery. The total number of modular units used can simply be aggregated to meet additional power demanded.

Claims

1. A modular system for providing electrical power, said system comprising:

a conversion device for converting an alternating current (AC) source into a first possible source of direct current (DC);

an energy-storage device for providing a second possible source of DC; and

a generating device adapted to noncombustively consume a gas to generate a third possible source of DC.

2. The modular system of claim 1 wherein said conversion device, energy storage device, and generating device are all included in a housing.

3. The modular system of claim 2 wherein said housing includes a plurality of chambers, each chamber adapted to receive at least one particular device.

4. The modular system of claim 1 wherein said conversion device is a rectifier.

5. The modular system of claim 1 wherein said energy-storage device is a lithium battery.

6. The modular system of claim 5 wherein said lithium battery is one of a lithium-metal-polymer battery and a lithium-ion battery.

7. The modular system of claim 1 wherein said generating device is a fuel cell.

8. The modular system of claim 7 wherein said fuel cell consumes hydrogen.

9. The modular system of claim 8 wherein said hydrogen is delivered under pressure to said fuel cell from at least one tank.

10. The modular system of claim 1 wherein said conversion device, energy storage device, generating device, and said at least one tank are all included in a common housing.

11. The modular system of claim 10 wherein said housing also includes the BTS equipment for a cell site.

12. The modular system of claim 11 wherein said housing also includes a power-protection compartment including power-protection equipment.

13. The modular system of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third possible sources of DC all feed into a common bus.

14. The modular system of claim 1 comprising:

a control system adapted to switch from said first source of DC to said third source of DC when said first source of DC is unavailable.

15. The modular system of claim 14 wherein said second source of DC is adapted to bridge when said switch is made.

16. The modular system of claim 15 wherein said second source of DC is adapted to serve as a backup source if said first and third sources are unavailable.

17. A method of providing electrical power, comprising:

incorporating a conversion device, an energy-storage device, and a generating device in a module;

transporting said module to a site; and

using said conversion device, energy-storage device, and generating device to provide DC power to meet a need.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising:

including a piece of BTS equipment with said module before executing said transporting step.

19. The method of claim 17, comprising:

converting AC current from a utility using said conversion device to provide a primary source of DC power; and

noncombustively consuming a gas in said generating device to provide a backup source of DC power.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising:

using said energy-storage device to deliver DC power whenever said primary and backup sources of DC power are not available.