Power generation system for mobile power supply
View Patent ↗The present invention is a mobile-energy generating system capable of providing redundant direct current power. It comprises a reciprocating engine and generator having dual fuel capability, a fuel cell, commercial electrical power hookups, and capacitors used for bridging purposes. Back-up fuel for the engine and fuel for the fuel cells are stored in propane and hydrogen storage tanks, respectively.
1. A power system for use with a mobile power supply, said power system comprising:
a reciprocating engine producing shaft power;
at least one fuel source for delivering a fuel to said reciprocating engine;
a generator coupled to said reciprocating engine for producing an alternating current (AC) electrical output;
a conversion device coupled to said generator for converting said AC electrical output to a direct current (DC);
a hydrogen consuming device generating a second source of DC;
at least one hydrogen source for delivering hydrogen to said hydrogen consuming device; and
at least one capacitor that bridges between the first source of DC and the second source of DC when switching.
2. The power system of claim 1 wherein said fuel comprises propane.
3. The power system of claim 2 wherein said propane is supplied from a plurality of storage tanks.
4. The power system of claim 1 wherein said fuel comprises natural gas.
5. The power system of claim 4 wherein said natural gas is supplied from utility gas lines.
6. The power system of claim 1 wherein the conversion device comprises at least one rectifier.
7. The power system of claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen consuming device comprises at least one fuel cell.
8. The power system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one fuel cell is a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC).