Back-up power system for a cooling system

• US 20070132317A1
• Filed: 12/13/2005
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Johnson, Larry, Willets, Julie, Meyers, Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 7,566,989 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/66
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/00 Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/30 The power source being a fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A power system that serves as a source of dedicated back-up power for a cooling system is disclosed. The power system utilizes a plurality of fuel cells, which produce direct current (DC) power. A conversion device, such as an inverter, is used to convert the DC into alternating current (AC) for powering the cooling system. A transfer switch connects the AC power from the inverter to the cooling system. The position of the transfer switch determines the source of AC power for the cooling system.

Claims

1. A dedicated back-up power source providing alternating current (AC) to a cooling system comprising:

a source of direct current (DC);

an inverter coupled to said source of DC for converting said DC to AC for powering said cooling system; and

,

a transfer switch capable of switching between a primary power source and said back-up power source.

2. The back-up power source of claim 1 wherein said source of DC is a fuel cell.

3. The back-up power source of claim 2 wherein said fuel cell is supplied with hydrogen.

4. The back-up power source of claim 3 wherein said hydrogen is stored in a plurality of tanks.

5. The back-up power source of claim 2 wherein said fuel cell comprises at least one proton exchange membrane.

6. The back-up power source of claim 1 wherein said source of DC is activated when operating temperatures of telecommunications equipment exceed a predetermined limit and said primary power source is unavailable.

7. The back-up power source of claim 6 wherein said cooling system provides cool air to said telecommunications equipment to lower said operating temperatures.

8. The back-up power source of claim 6 wherein said telecommunications equipment comprises routers, switching equipment, and other heat-generating devices.

9. The back-up power source of claim 1 wherein said transfer switch closes a circuit with said source of DC and said inverter when said source of DC is operational.

10. The back-up power source of claim 1 wherein all of said AC from said inverter is directed to power said cooling system.

11. A method of providing a dedicated back-up power source for a cooling system, said method comprising:

determining availability of a primary power source for said cooling system;

determining if air temperature proximate telecommunications equipment exceeds predetermined limits;

initiating a back-up power source;

switching said cooling system to said back-up power source; and

,

directing power from said back-up power source through an inverter and to said cooling system.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said back-up source is a fuel cell that generates direct current (DC).

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said fuel cell comprises at least one proton exchange membrane.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said fuel cell is supplied with hydrogen from a plurality of storage tanks.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein said step of switching comprises terminating a closed circuit with a primary power source and initiating a closed circuit with said back-up power source.

16. A site for providing transmission of communication signals across a network, said site having at least a primary AC power source for powering a cooling system and a dedicated back-up power source for said cooling system comprising:

a source of direct current (DC);

an inverter coupled to said source of DC for converting said DC to AC for powering said cooling system; and

,

a transfer switch capable of switching between a primary power source and said back-up power source

17. The site of claim 16 further comprising a plurality of heat-generating telecommunications equipment requiring cooling by said cooling system.

18. The site of claim 16 wherein said source of DC is a fuel cell supplied with hydrogen.

19. The site of claim 18 wherein said fuel cell comprises at least one proton exchange membrane.

20. The site of claim 16 wherein said source of DC is activated when operating temperatures of telecommunications equipment exceed a predetermined limit and said primary power source is unavailable.