Modular cell site

• US 7,615,889 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2005
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paladini; Albert W
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAVALLARI, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US11/120,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20060246328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,653 Days
• Field of Search: 307/45, 307/66, 290/1.A, 361/602, 361/728, 429/12
• US Class Current: 307/66
• 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 power from 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, the energy storage device acting in a temporary bridging capacity when switching from the AC source to a generating device;

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

at least one base transceiver station (BTS) equipment that comprises radio hardware for supporting transmission and reception of data at a cellular base station, wherein the at least one BTS equipment is housed in an individual enclosure within a common housing, and wherein the at least one BTS equipment is provided with a power distribution unit that connects the at least one BTS equipment to the cellular base station that is located external to the common housing;

at least one hydrogen tank; and

the common housing that accommodates a preassembly comprising the conversion device, the energy storage device, the generating device, the at least one BTS equipment, and the at least one hydrogen tank, wherein the common housing comprises the enclosure with a first set of cabinet doors and a second set of cabinet doors coupled thereto, and wherein the first set of cabinet doors provides access to a front of the at least one BTS equipment and the second set of cabinet doors provides access to a rear of the at least one BTS equipment,

wherein the common housing and the accommodated preassembly are transportable in one piece to a site of the cellular base station and installable to the cellular base housing upon connecting the power distribution unit and connecting the conversion device to the AC source external to the common housing.

2. The modular system of claim 1 wherein said common housing is a cabinet that includes a plurality of chambers, each chamber is adapted to receive, and provide access to, components of the preassembly.

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

4. The modular system of claim 1 wherein said energy-storage device is a lithium battery that selected based on amp hour ratings sufficient to power the at least one BTS equipment, wherein the lithium battery is connected to a communication network that enables remote monitoring of a battery state of the lithium battery.

5. The modular system of claim 4 wherein said lithium battery is a lithium-metal-polymer battery.

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

7. The modular system of claim 6 wherein said fuel cell consumes hydrogen.

8. The modular system of claim 7 wherein said hydrogen is delivered under pressure to said fuel cell from at least one tank, wherein the fuel cell and the at least one tank are connected via tubing with an automated valve assembled thereto that controls flow of the hydrogen from the at least one tank to the fuel cell.

9. The modular system of claim 8 comprising:

a control system adapted to switch from said first source of DC to the fuel cell upon detecting said first source of DC is unavailable, wherein switching comprises;

determining whether the fuel cell is operational;

determining whether the hydrogen is available from the at least one tank;

when the fuel cell is operational and the hydrogen is available, automatically opening the automated valve causing the hydrogen to flow to the fuel cell.

10. The modular system of claim 9 wherein said second source of DC is adapted to serve as a backup source if said first and third sources are unavailable.

11. The modular system of claim 9 comprising:

the control system adapted to switch from the fuel cell to said first source of DC upon detecting said first source of DC is available, wherein switching comprises;

continually checking to determine whether the AC source has come back online;

when the AC source has been restored, automatically closing the automated valve and switching to the AC source.

12. The modular system of claim 1 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 wherein the module system is installed at the site to the cellular based station by connecting the conversion device to the AC source, and connecting the BTS equipment to a tower and a communication line provided at the cellular base station.