John B Billigmeier

US Patent:

7298053, Nov 20, 2007

Filed:

May 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/124697

Inventors:

Larry L. Johnson - Overland Park KS, US
John Billigmeier - Shawnee KS, US
Julie Lieb - Leawood KS, US

Assignee:

Sprint Communications Company L.P. - Overland Park KS

International Classification:

H01M 8/00

US Classification:

290 1A

Abstract:

A power system is designed to provide reliable electrical power to a facility, in particular to a telecommunications facility. The system includes a number of proton exchange membranes (PEMs) adapted to provide DC power. The system is configured so that the PEMs receive fuel from a header that is supplied by a number of hydrogen generators. Storage tanks are also included to provide hydrogen to the header if the hydrogen generators fail. The hydrogen generators receive electricity initially from an array of photovoltaic panels. If the photovoltaic panels fail then AC power from a commercial utility is provided to the hydrogen generators. Finally, the system includes a number of super capacitors that are operable to maintain power during the time required to change between power sources.

US Patent:

6930402, Aug 16, 2005

Filed:

May 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/439204

Inventors:

Larry Johnson - Overland Park KS, US
John Billigmeier - Shawnee KS, US
Julie Lieb - Leawood KS, US

Assignee:

Sprint Communications Company L.P. - Overland Park KS

International Classification:

H02P009/04

US Classification:

290 1R, 290 1 A, 290 43, 290 19, 290 53, 290 42, 290 4 R, 290 54, 322 1

Abstract:

The present invention includes a power system that is designed to provide reliable electrical power to a facility, and specifically to a telecommunications facility. The system includes a number of proton exchange membranes (PEMs) adapted to provide DC power. The system is configured so that the PEMs receive fuel from a header that is supplied by a number of hydrogen generators. Storage tanks are also included to provide hydrogen to the header if the hydrogen generators fail. The hydrogen generators receive electricity initially from an array of photovoltaic panels. If the photovoltaic panels fail then AC power from a commercial utility is provided to the hydrogen generators. Finally, the system includes a number of super capacitors that are operable to maintain power during the time required to change between power sources.