Power system with computer-controlled fuel system

• US 20070234975A1
• Filed: 09/14/2005
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Johnson, Larry, Meyers, Jerry, Willets, Julie, Brinkley, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 7,370,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/1.A
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/06 peculiar to engines driving electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0215 Mixtures of gaseous fuels; Natural gas; Biogas; Mine gas; Landfill gas
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/402 Combination of fuel cell with other electric generators combination of fuel cells with other electrochemical generator H01M16/003
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/407 Combination of fuel cells with mechanical energy generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve

Abstract

The present invention is a fuel-control system for a turbine which includes a programmable logic controller. The controller manages utility and stored natural gas sources using a surge tank and pressure-control valve arrangement and is backed up by a hydrogen-powered fuel cell.

Claims

1. A fuel-control system for regulating the administration of a first fuel to a fuel consuming device, comprising:

a system-controlling device adapted to consume a primary source of electrical power;

said system controlling device is also adapted to consume a secondary source of electrical power, said secondary source produced by noncombustibly consuming a second fuel.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said fuel consuming device is a turbine.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said first fuel is natural gas.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said second fuel is hydrogen gas.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said secondary source is derived from a fuel cell.

6. The system of claim 1 comprising:

a breaker which isolates said system controlling device and said secondary source from a circuit including said primary source when a voltage reading falls below a predetermined voltage level in said circuit.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said system-controlling device is a programmable logic controller.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said system-controlling computing device is a microprocessor.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said system-controlling device is used to control valves which regulate the administration of said first fuel to said fuel consuming device.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said system-controlling device receives information from at least one pressure sensor, said sensor being located such that detects a first gas pressure in a first conduit.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said system-controlling device manipulates said first pressure-control valve in response to said first gas pressure sensed in said first conduit.

12. A fuel-control system for a gas consuming device, said system comprising:

a controller;

a first source of a first gas received through a first conduit, said conduit leading into a chamber;

a first pressure-control valve in said first conduit;

a first sensor at a location in said first conduit, said first sensor reading information regarding a first pressure, said information regarding said first pressure being transmittable to said controller;

a second source of a second gas derived from a storage container through a second conduit into said chamber;

a second pressure-control valve in said second conduit; and

a second sensor at a location in said second conduit, said second sensor reading information regarding a second pressure, said information regarding said second pressure being transmittable to said controller;

said controller adapted to manipulate said first and second pressure-control valves in response to said first and second readings to maintain a steady pressure level in a third conduit, said third conduit running from said chamber to said gas consuming device.

13. The system of claim 12, comprising:

a third pressure-control valve and a third sensor located in said third conduit, said third sensor reading information regarding a third pressure, said information regarding said third pressure being transmittable to said controller, said controller adapted to manipulate said first, second, and third pressure-control valves in response to said first, second, and third readings to maintain a steady pressure level in a third conduit.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein said fuel consuming device is a turbine.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein said first and second gases are natural gas.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein said controller is one of a microprocessor and a programmable logic control device.

17. The system of claim 12 where the controller is electrically coupled with a back up power system which includes a fuel cell.

18. The system of claim 12 in which said chamber is a surge tank.

19. A method of regulating the fuel flow into a gas turbine, said turbine receiving fuel through a feeder conduit from first and second sources of gas, said first source derived from a pipeline, said second source being derived from a storage tank, said method comprising:

providing a surge tank;

delivering natural gas from said first and second sources into said surge tank via first and second conduits, respectively;

delivering said natural gas from said surge tank to said turbine through said feeder conduit;

incorporating pressure-control valves and sensors into each of said first and second conduits;

measuring pressures in said first and second conduits using said sensors;

receiving said pressures measured into a controller; and

using said controller to manipulate said valves to supply said turbine with fuel.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising:

providing a third valve and a third sensor in said feeder line;

receiving pressure information from said third sensor in said controller;

using said controller to manipulate said first, second, and third valves using said information.