Patent ID: RE39710

Claim:
A power system ( 8 ) for providing uninterrupted electric power to a critical load ( 14 ), comprising: a. a first power source ( 10 ) providing sufficient power to supply the critical load ( 14 ); b. a second power source ( 18 ) comprising at least one fuel cell power plant ( 18 ), the second power source providing sufficient power to supply the critical load ( 14 ) and adapted to be normally substantially continuously connected and providing power to, the critical load ( 14 ); c. a static switch ( 19 ) for selectively connecting and disconnecting the first power source ( 10 ) to the second power source ( 18 ) and ( to ) the critical load ( 14 ); and d. a switch controller ( 49 , 45 ) for controlling the state of the static switch ( 19 ) to connect the first power source ( 10 ) with the critical load ( 14 ) and the second power source ( 18 ) during normal operation of the first power source ( 10 ) and to rapidly disconnect the first power source ( 10 ) from the critical load ( 14 ) and the second power source ( 18 ) if and when operation of the first power source ( 10 ) deviates beyond a limit from normal.