Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HYBRID MODULAR POWER SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH SMART CONTROL
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and
claims priority in U.S. Patent
Application No. 16/460,360, filed July 2, 2019, which is a continuation-in-
part of and claims
priority in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/500,788, filed January 31, 2017,
which claims
priority in International Application No. PCT/US2016/057179, filed October 14,
2016, and is
also a continuation-in-part of and claims priority in U.S. Patent Application
No. 14/883,335,
filed Oct. 14, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority in
U.S. Patent
Application No. No. 13/769,113, filed February 15, 2013, now U.S. Patent No.
9,221,136,
which claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/600,094,
filed February
17, 2012, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to power
modules, and in particular to
a scalable hybrid modular power system and method with a programmable smart
control
subsystem.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Conventional electrical power services are often
unavailable at remote
locations. Moreover, they are susceptible and vulnerable to service
interruptions._ For
example, natural disasters often interrupt electrical power services by
disabling power
generation, transmission and delivery infrastructure. Other applications
include construction
projects at remote locations, disaster recovery efforts and military
operations.
[0004] Such systems are preferably self-contained and capable
of providing output
without resource input. For example, solar and wind energy sources can be
effectively
deployed. Such renewable energy sources can be supplemented as necessary by
generators,
which can be contained with their fuel tanks in housings or containers along
with other
components to provide standalone modules for delivering electrical power. Such
systems can
optionally be connected to electrical power grids, e.g., for recharging the
batteries when such
external grids are operational. By using such multiple energy sources, the
present invention
can provide essentially uninterrupted power, which is a criterium for many
applications.
[0005] Transportability is another criterium for some power
modules, particularly
those designed for deployment in remote locations. Healthcare, including
medical, dental
and veterinary, can effectively be provided globally by the World Health
Organization
(WHO), Doctors without Borders, the International Red Cross and similar
medical care
providers using the modular power system of the present invention.
Alternatively, power
modules can be configured for permanent installation supporting a variety of
functions,
including communications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The drawings constitute a part of this specification
and include exemplary
embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features
thereof.
[0007] Fig. 1 is an upper, perspective view of a hybrid
modular power system 2
embodying an aspect of the present invention.
[0008] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the system.
[0009] Fig. 3 is another, exploded view of the system, shown
from a different
viewpoint than Fig. 2.
[0010] Fig. 4 is an enlarged, perspective view of a generator
(genset) and fuel tank
taken generally within circle 4 in Fig. 2.
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[0011] Fig. 5 is a diagram of the system showing the
operational relationships of the
components.
[0012] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the generator (genset)
energy source
components of the system.
[0013] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the renewable (solar and wind)
energy source
components of the system.
[0014] Fig. 8 shows a telecommunications-enabled hybrid
modular power system 102
comprising a modified or alternative embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
I. Hybrid Modular Power System 2; General Description
[0015] The embodiments discussed herein are merely
illustrative of specific manners
in which to make and use the invention and are not to be interpreted as
limiting the scope of
the instant invention.
[0016] Fig. 1 shows a hybrid modular power system 2 embodying
an aspect of the
present invention. Without limitation, a housing or container 4 is shown for a
multi-user or
multi-tenant application with four individual power modules 7, each enclosed
within a
respective cabinet 6. The housing 4 and the hybrid modular power system 2 are
scalable as
needed for various applications and users. For example, individual tenants can
specify
custom power module configurations, capacities, telecommunications, energy
modes,
microprocessor-based operating systems, etc. Relatively large-scale housings
can comprise
standard-dimension shipping containers, which are compatible with intermodal
transportation, including: container ships; railcars, over-the-road trucks and
trailers, etc.
Housings with smaller footprints can also accommodate the power module 2 in
scaled-down
applications.
[0017] Fig. 1 shows the system 2 with photovoltaic panel array 14 and wind
turbine
24 renewable energy source subsystems deployed. The photovoltaic panel array
14 generally
comprises an array of individual photovoltaic panels 16, which optionally can
be hingedly
connected along fold lines 18, whereby the array 14 can be compactly folded
for transport,
compact storage, etc. The panel array 14 is shown in a horizontal planar
orientation, which
would optimize electrical output in locations near the equator. Optionally,
the array 14 can
be tilted to sloping orientations for optimizing solar radiation reception and
corresponding
electrical current output.
[0018] The wind turbine energy source subsystem 24 includes a
mast 26 with a mast
mount 28 attached to the housing 4. The mast mount 28 accommodates raising and
lowering
the mast 26, which could be accomplished with a hoist mechanism similar to
that shown in
U.S. Patent Publication No. 16/460,360, which is incorporated herein by
reference. The mast
26 can comprise multiple sections, e.g., 2 are shown comprising proximate and
distal sections
30a,b interconnected by a mast section hinge 32. For storage and transport,
the mast 26 can
be folded double and laid atop the housing 4.
[0019] A wind turbine 34 is mounted on top of the mast 26 and is configured
for
pivoting to an upwind orientation for optimizing electrical output. Wind
turbine 34 output is
also a function of elevation. Multiple mast sections 30 can be provided for
positioning the
wind turbine 34 at an optimal elevation above grade. Moreover, the housing 4
can be
installed on top of a base structure, such as another hybrid modular power
system 2. In other
words, the housings 4 are configured for stacking. The mast 26 is also
configured for
mounting antennae for the telecommunications component 12, as shown in U.S.
Patent
Publication No. 16/460,360.
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Housing 4
[0020] Figs. 2 and 3 show exploded views of the housing 4,
which includes a housing
frame 36, a roof 38 and a floor 40. A side door 42 provides access to the
housing interior,
which can contain multiple (e.g., four are shown) cabinets 6 for accommodating
equipment
specific to the individual requirements of multiple tenants. The individual
power modules 7
can be accessed through respective power module doors 43. The doors 43 can be
equipped
with keyed locks, card-based radio frequency identification (RFI) locks,
combination locks
and other security measures to limit access to the individual power modules 7.
For example,
in a multi-tenant facility, each tenant's access can be restricted to its
power module 7 and
other tenant-specific components on an as-needed basis.
[0021] A power conversion cabinet 46 is also located in the
housing interior and
contains electrical components for converting and transforming the power
inputs (e.g., one or
more of solar, wind, battery, genset and grid sources) to electrical power in
forms required by
particular user and customer applications. For example, customers' electrical
power
requirements can vary considerably, including power levels. AC or DC, two-
phase or three-
phase AC, voltage, peak vs. non-peak fluctuations, constant or intermittent
load demands,
varying power usage cycles, etc. The control subsystem 8 can be pre-programmed
to manage,
balance and adjust the output power and form to accommodate such user needs
with the
power conversion components in the cabinet 46. A genset 48 is installed on top
of a fuel tank
50 (Fig. 4) in the interior of the housing 4. The hybrid modular power system
can include
multiple gensets for producing AC/DC current at various voltages to
accommodate different
electrical load requirements. The housing 4 interior can be partitioned with
internal wall
panels, such as the genset panel 52. Additional panels, such as external
vented genset panel
53, can be installed as needed.
III. System 2 Schematics (Figs. 5-7)
[0022] As shown in Fig. 5, the system 2 includes a smart
control subsystem 8 with a
microprocessor or programmable logic controller (PLC) 10 and a
telecommunications
(telecom) component 12. The telecom component 12 can accommodate wireless
telecommunications via satellites and direct transmission. The system 2, via
the telecom
component 12, can also accommodate hardwired (landline) service. Electrical
sources
providing inputs to the system 2 include the grid 54, an AC genset 56, a DC
genset 58,
renewable energy inputs (e.g., solar and wind, collectively 60) and a battery
array 62.
Without limitation, the batteries can be lithium ion for performance,
recharging and service
life characteristics. Fig. 5 schematically shows examples of inputs and
outputs to the system
2. Without limitation, AC and DC input current is received at 64, 66,
respectively. AC
current is output to loads at 65. Optionally, the control system 8 can convert
AC to DC, and
vice versa to dynamically accommodate and balance available inputs with load
demands, as
indicated by the directional current flow arrows 67. The control subsystem 8
can include
electrical circuit breakers 68 and a surge protection device (SPD) 72 with
suitable ratings for
accommodating various loads 70, the battery array 62 and other electrical
connections for
overload protection of the system 2 components.
[0023] Fig. 6 shows the AC genset source 56 and connections to
the system 2. Fig. 7
shows connections to the system 2 for the renewable solar and wind electrical
power sources
14 and 24, respectively.
IV. Hybrid Modular Power System 2 Method and Operation
[0024] In operation, the system 2 can be configured for
transportation by truck, rail,
marine vessel or air. Remote, off-grid locations can thus be served by the
system 2.
Moreover, the system 2 can be relocated as necessary. Examples of relatively
permanent
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installations include telecommunications equipment sites. Relatively temporary
installations
include construction sites. Moreover, rapid-response electrical power needs
can be
accommodated by transporting the system 2, e.g., for responding to crises and
natural
disasters.
[0025] One or more compartments 6 can accommodate personnel and equipment
specific for procedures and activities as required by the tenants. For
example, with proper
equipment medical, dental and veterinary clinical procedures can be
accommodated in
remote, off-grid locations and elsewhere.
V. Alternative Embodiment Hybrid Modular Power System 102
[0026] Fig. 8 shows a telecommunications-enabled hybrid modular power
system 102
comprising a modified or alternative embodiment of the present invention. A
mast 104
includes a distal end 106 mounting a parabolic reflector microwave antenna
108, which can
be oriented for focused, linear transmission and reception, e.g., signal
transmission to and
from another microwave antenna. An antenna array 110 comprising multiple
individual
antenna units 112 is mounted below the parabolic reflector antenna 108. The
antenna units
112 are mounted in radially-spaced relation around the mast 104.
[0027] The hybrid modular power systems 2 and 102 can be
configured with
additional combinations of wind turbines and antennae to accommodate the
requirements of
the hybrid power module tenants and users. For example, a wind turbine can be
mounted on
the mast distal end, with antennae located below.
[0028] It is to be understood that while certain embodiments
and/or aspects of the
invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto
and
encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.
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