Method and system for controlling and recovering short duration bridge power to maximize backup power

Abstract

A system for providing back-up power to a load powered by a primary power source comprises: a fuel cell arrangement for generating back-up power for the load, a bridging power source for generating bridge power for the load, and a controller in operable communication with the fuel cell arrangement and the bridging power source. The controller is adapted to initiate application of the bridge power to the load upon detecting a deterioration of power from the primary power source, and is further adapted to initiate application of the back-up power to the load upon detecting a power capability of the back-up power to power the load.

1 . A system for providing back-up power to a load powered by a primary power source, the system comprising: 
 a fuel cell arrangement for generating back-up power for the load;    a bridging power source for generating bridge power for the load; and    a controller in operable communication with the fuel cell arrangement and the bridging power source, the controller adapted to initiate application of the bridge power to the load upon detecting a deterioration of power from the primary power source, the controller further adapted to initiate application of the back-up power to the load upon detecting a power capability of the back-up power to power the load.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a converter coupled between the primary power source and the load, the converter for converting power from the primary power source to power anticipated by the load.    
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the converter comprises a rectifier to convert AC power from the primary power source to DC power for the load.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel cell arrangement comprises a regenerative fuel cell arrangement.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the regenerative fuel cell arrangement comprises: 
 a fuel cell for generating the back-up power;    a hydrogen storage device in communication with the fuel cell for providing hydrogen thereto; and    an electrolysis cell in communication with the hydrogen storage device, the electrolysis cell for generating hydrogen to be stored at the hydrogen storage device.    
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the electrolysis cell is in communication with the primary power source to power the electrolysis cell.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridging power source comprises a battery.  
     
     
         8 . A method for providing back-up power to a load powered by a primary power source, the method comprising: 
 generating back-up power for the load from a fuel cell arrangement;    generating bridge power for the load from a bridging power source;    initiating application of the bridge power to the load upon detecting a deterioration of power from the primary power source; and    initiating application of the back-up power to the load upon detecting a power capability of the back-up power to power the load.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 converting power from the primary power source to power anticipated by the load.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the converting power comprises converting AC power from the primary power source to DC power for the load.  
     
     
         11 . A system for providing back-up power to a load powered by a primary power source, the system comprising: 
 a fuel cell arrangement for generating back-up power for the load, wherein the fuel cell arrangement comprises 
 a fuel cell for generating the back-up power;  
 a hydrogen storage device in communication with the fuel cell for providing hydrogen thereto; and  
 an electrolysis cell in communication with the hydrogen storage device, the electrolysis cell for generating hydrogen to be stored at the hydrogen storage device;  
   a bridging power source for generating bridge power for the load;    a controller in operable communication with the fuel cell arrangement and the bridging power source, the controller adapted to initiate application of the bridge power to the load upon detecting a deterioration of power from the primary power source, the controller further adapted to initiate application of the back-up power to the load upon detecting a power capability of the back-up power to power the load; and    a converter coupled between the primary power source and the load, the converter for converting power from the primary power source to power anticipated by the load.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the converter comprises a rectifier to convert AC power from the primary power source to DC power for the load.