Patent ID: 7728458
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: H02J,Y02B

Abstract:
1. A system for maintaining DC power to a telecommunications facility comprising: means on a circuit for accommodating at least one power distribution unit (PDU), wherein said at least one PDU is connected to a primary DC bus; said at least one PDU that supplies said DC power to said telecommunications facility; means on said circuit for accepting a primary DC power source that provides power to said circuit via said primary DC bus unless said primary DC power source fails, said primary DC power source being derived from one of a commercial electrical power utility and an electric generator; a plurality of fuels cells organized into a first bank of fuel cells and a second bank of fuel cells included on a backup DC bus that is electrically connected to said primary DC bus as a secondary DC power source for said circuit that provides power to said circuit if said primary DC power source fails to provide voltage above a predetermined voltage requirement; a plurality of fuel tanks comprising a first group of storage tanks and a second group of storage tanks, said first bank of fuel cells being supplied only by said first group of storage tanks and said second bank of fuel cells being supplied only by said second group of storage tanks; a first common fuel line that is supplied by said first group of storage tanks, wherein said first common fuel line divides into first individual fuel lines that supply fuel cells in said first bank of fuel cells; a second common fuel line that is supplied by said second group of storage tanks, wherein said second common fuel line divides into second individual fuel lines that supply fuel cells in said second bank of fuel cells; at least one automated valve located between said plurality of fuel cells and said plurality of fuel tanks that is closed during a normal mode of operation and that is opened by a control system when said primary DC power source fails to provide said voltage above said predetermined voltage requirement, wherein fuel is supplied to said plurality of fuel cells when said at least one automated valve is opened; a diode between said primary DC power source and said plurality of fuel cells to prevent power from dissipating to said primary DC power source when said secondary DC power source provides power to said circuit; and at least one capacitor included on said backup DC bus that facilitates bridging during fuel cell startup.