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

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.