Mobile-power system with solar-powered hydrogen liberator, fuel cell, turbine, and capacitors

• US 7,112,891 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2005
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mohandesi, Iraj A.
• Application Number:
  US11/123,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20060066105A1
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.A, 290/1.C, 290/1.R, 290/52, 290/13, 180/65.3
• US Class Current: 290/1.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/10 Fuel cells in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant
• 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 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/16 Combined cycle power plant [CCPP], or combined cycle gas turbine [CCGT]
• 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 mobile-energy generating system. It comprises a turbine, a fuel cell, commercial electrical power hookups, capacitors used for bridging purposes, and hydrogen-storage tanks. Pressurized hydrogen is maintained in the tanks using a hydrogen liberator which is optionally powered by a solar panel.

Claims

1. A power supply system comprising:

a turbine for generating a first source of alternating current (AC), said turbine adapted to combust natural gas;

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

a hydrogen liberator for producing hydrogen; and

a device adapted to consume said hydrogen produced to generate a second source of DC.

2. A power supply system comprising:

a first source of alternating current (AC);

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

a hydrogen liberator for producing hydrogen; and

a device adapted to consume said hydrogen produced to generate a second source of DC; and

a control system which is operable to switch between one of a turbine and an electrical utility to obtain said first source of AC.

3. A power supply system comprising:

a first source of alternating current (AC);

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

a hydrogen liberator for producing hydrogen; and

a fuel cell adapted to consume said hydrogen produced to generate a second source of DC.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said fuel cell comprises at least one proton exchange membrane.

5. A power supply system comprising:

a first source of alternating current (AC);

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

a hydrogen liberator for producing hydrogen;

a fuel cell adapted to consume said hydrogen produced to generate a second source of DC; and

said hydrogen libertor is powered using a solar energy source.

6. The system of claim 5 comprising:

a switch enabling said hydrogen liberator to be optionally powered by one of said first source of AC and a solar energy source.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said switch is adapted to be activated depending on an amount of solar energy available.

8. The system of claim 6 including at least one capacitor to bridge when switching between said first and second sources of DC.

9. A mobile power system comprising:

a mobile platform;

a turbine on said platform for generating electricity; and

a fuel cell on said platform for generating electricity.

10. A mobile power system comprising:

a mobile platform;

a turbine on said platform for generating electricity;

a hydrogen-consuming device on said platform for generating electricity; and

an additional device, said additional device comprising one of;

(i) a solar panel, (ii) a hydrogen-generating device, (iii) an AC to DC conversion device, (iv) a capacitor, and (v) fuel tanks;

said additional device being on or about said mobile platform.