Power system with computer-controlled fuel system

• US 7,370,666 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2005
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin; Stephen K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEUNG, KA CHUN A
• Application Number:
  US11/225,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20070234975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 123/3, 123/27.GE, 123/575, 123/457, 123/510, 123/525, 137/487.5, 307/64, 429/22, 429/25, 429/34, 60/393.4, 60/394.65, 700286-287, 701/100
• US Class Current: 137/487.5
• 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 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.

2. The system of claim 1, 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.

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

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said first and second gases are natural gas.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said controller is one of a microprocessor and a programmable logic control device.

6. The system of claim 1 where the controller is electrically coupled with a back up power system which includes a fuel cell.

7. The system of claim 1 in which said chamber is a surge tank.