Worksurface power modules powered by fuel cells
A fuel cell and a jumper connected to the fuel cell. The jumper includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the jumper is connected to the fuel cell, the second end of the jumper is configured for providing electrical power to a worksurface.
1 - 10 . (canceled)
11 . A modular furniture unit, comprising:
a modular wall panel;
an electrical distribution unit in said wall panel; and
power module including:
a fuel cell; and
a jumper connected to said fuel cell, said jumper including a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said fuel cell, said second end configured for providing electrical power to said electrical distribution unit.
12 . The power module of claim 11 , further including an inverter connected to said fuel cell.
13 . The power module of claim 11 , further including a reformer connected to said fuel cell.
14 . The power module of claim 11 , further including an individual temporary power tap connected to said power module.
15 . The power module of claim 11 , further including a plurality of power taps connected in parallel to said power module.
16 . The power module of claim 11 , further including a switch connected to said fuel cell.
17 . The power module of claim 11 , further including a gas fuel source in fluid communication with said power module.
18 . The power module of claim 17 , wherein said gas fuel is explosion proofed.
19 . The power module of claim 17 , wherein said power module is located inside a building, said gas fuel is located outside said building.
20 . A method for providing electrical power to a worksurface, comprising the steps of:
attaching a first end of a jumper to a fuel cell power module;
locating a second end of said jumper near the worksurface; and
connecting said second end to a worksurface electrical distribution unit.
21 . The method of claim 20 , further including an inverter connected to said fuel cell.
22 . The method of claim 20 , further including a reformer connected to said fuel cell.
23 . The method of claim 20 , further including an individual temporary power tap connected to said worksurface electrical distribution unit.
24 . The method of claim 20 , further including a plurality of power taps connected in parallel to said worksurface electrical distribution unit.
25 . The method of claim 20 , further including a switch connected to said fuel cell.
26 . The method of claim 20 , further including a plug connected to said second end and a receptacle connected to said worksurface electrical distribution unit, said connecting step includes connecting said plug to said receptacle.
27 . The method of claim 20 , further including a gas fuel source in fluid communication with said power module.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein said gas fuel is explosion proofed.
29 . The method of claim 27 , wherein said power module is located inside a building, said gas fuel is located outside said building.
30 . A method of retrofitting electrical power to a work space in an office environment, comprising the steps of:
installing an electrical distribution circuit in the work space in the office environment having an existing utility power branch circuit; and electrically powering said electrical distribution circuit with a fuel cell power module rather than said existing utility power branch circuit.
31 . The method of claim 30 , further including the step avoiding overloading said existing utility power branch circuit at said the work space in the office environment, dependent on said electrically powering step.