Patents by Inventor Larry L. Johnson

Larry L. Johnson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7615889
    Abstract: The present invention is a modular power system using a fuel cell as a back-up power supply. The system includes lithium-metal-polymer (LMP) batteries to bridge and also for backup power if necessary. The entire system is preassembled ready for use so that it is available to a new or expanding site upon delivery. The total number of modular units used can simply be aggregated to meet additional power demanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Julie A. Willets, Jerry D. Meyers, Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7615877
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Julie A. Willets, Larry L. Johnson, Jerry D. Meyers
  • Patent number: 7615875
    Abstract: A reliable power supply solution for a telecommunications site or facility provides a combined primary and backup source of electrical power. One aspect of the solution takes the form of a power system delivering power redundantly via a first fuel cell device and a second fuel cell device, both devices producing DC electrical power. The first fuel cell device may be configured to provide a steady state supply of DC electrical power to meet the demands of multiple types of telecommunications equipment at the facility, while the second fuel cell device may be configured to provide a more limited amount of DC electrical power specifically for continuous operation of one type of telecommunication circuitry component, such as a programmable logic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Henneberg, Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7566989
    Abstract: A power system that serves as a source of dedicated back-up power for a cooling system is disclosed. The power system utilizes a plurality of fuel cells, which produce direct current (DC) power. A conversion device, such as an inverter, is used to convert the DC into alternating current (AC) for powering the cooling system. A transfer switch connects the AC power from the inverter to the cooling system. The position of the transfer switch determines the source of AC power for the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Julie Willets, Gerald D. Meyers, Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7557531
    Abstract: The present invention is an energy generating system which uses an advanced aqueous-electrolyte energy storage system in conjunction with a commercial available primary source of power and a backup fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Sprint communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Julie A. Willets, Jerry Meyers, Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7525217
    Abstract: The present invention is a device that includes a rectifier and a super capacitor packaged together in a single housing. The device has a first connection point that is coupled to the rectifier input. The output of the rectifier is coupled to a first side of the capacitor and to a second connection point of the device. The second side of the capacitor is coupled to ground through a third connection point. The device is operable to receive AC power and provide DC power. Moreover, through the operation of the super capacitor, the device will provide DC power for a time after AC power has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7508666
    Abstract: A cooling solution includes a system providing thermal energy dissipation for electronic equipment located in support racks or cabinets of a facility. According to one embodiment, the system is integrated with a facility where the support cabinets are locate. The system providing thermal energy dissipation includes a cooling loop, a fan unit for moving air across the cooling loop and one or more ducts forming a confined flow pathway for the moving air between the fan unit and cabinets for delivery to the electronic equipment. More specifically, the cooling loop contains a supply of circulating heat absorbing fluid such that the heat absorbing fluid removes thermal energy from the air moved by the fan unit. Each cabinet is formed with an exhaust pathway such that the moving air enters the cabinet from the duct, flows across the electronic equipment to remove thermal energy therefrom, and exits the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Henneberg, Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7456513
    Abstract: The present invention is a DC power system incorporated into a modular housing. The primary source of power is an electrical utility. Because the electrical utility provides alternating current, the module includes a rectifier which makes the conversion to DC. The module also includes an air turbine which is used as a backup source of power. Also included is an array of lithium-metal-polymer (LMP) batteries to bridge and also for backup power if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Meyers, Julie A. Willets, Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7436079
    Abstract: A reliable power supply solution for a telecommunications site provides a combined primary and backup source of electrical power. One system of the power supply solution includes one or more microturbine generators operable to produce AC electrical power as well as one or more rectifiers operable convert the AC electrical power from the one or more microturbine generators to DC electrical power for supply to a DC bus. A transfer switch is electrically coupled between one or more microturbine generators and the one or more rectifiers, for selecting between the AC electrical power of the microturbine generators and incoming AC electrical power to be supplied to the rectifiers. Additionally, one or more proton exchange membranes are provided in the system for producing DC electrical power. The aforementioned power generation and supply components are coupled with the DC bus for supplying DC electrical power to telecommunications equipment coupled with the DC bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Jerry Meyers, Larry L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080203821
    Abstract: A power system is designed for providing reliable electrical power to a telecommunications facility and/or associated devices. The system includes a DC bus adapted to receive electrical power from a primary energy source. A switch is provided for switching from the primary energy source to a secondary energy source. Additionally, the system includes one or more capacitors electrically connected into the DC bus. The one or more capacitors hold a charge so that power is maintained to the DC bus as a switch is made from the primary energy source to the secondary energy source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: LARRY L. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20080203822
    Abstract: A power system is designed for providing reliable electrical power to a facility and/or associated devices. The system includes one or more fuel cells and a circuit adapted to receive power from the one or more fuel cells. The circuit is electrically connected to a device receiving the electrical power from the system. Additionally, the system includes one or more capacitors included in the circuit, and being adapted for maintaining power in the circuit when the one or more fuel cells are temporarily unavailable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: LARRY L. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 7394168
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of supplying DC power to equipment using proton exchange membranes (PEMs). PEMs run on hydrogen to produce DC electrical power. In the disclosed embodiment these PEMs are used as an alternative source of power to AC sources. One of these other sources is generated by an array of gas turbines. Another source is provided by a commercial utility. AC from these sources is converted using rectifiers. Capacitors are used to bridge when switching between energy sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080094868
    Abstract: A reliable, end-to-end power supply solution for components of a telecommunications network provides either a primary source or a backup source of electrical power at various telecommunications sites for reliable operation of telecommunications equipment. One subsystem of the power supply solution includes one or more proton exchange membrane type fuel cells and an energy storage device for storing DC electrical power produced by the fuel cells. Another subsystem includes one or more microturbine generators, one or more rectifiers for converting AC electrical power produced by the microturbine generators to DC electrical power, and one or more proton exchange membrane type fuel cells for producing DC electrical power. The power supply solution ensures that voice and data traffic is reliably handled by a telecommunications network in situations where commercial electric utilities fail to supply power at certain points along the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
    Inventors: JERRY MEYERS, LARRY L. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20080093929
    Abstract: A reliable power supply solution for a telecommunications site provides a combined primary and backup source of electrical power. One system of the power supply solution includes one or more microturbine generators operable to produce AC electrical power as well as one or more rectifiers operable convert the AC electrical power from the one or more microturbine generators to DC electrical power for supply to a DC bus. A transfer switch is electrically coupled between one or more microturbine generators and the one or more rectifiers, for selecting between the AC electrical power of the microturbine generators and incoming AC electrical power to be supplied to the rectifiers. Additionally, one or more proton exchange membranes are provided in the system for producing DC electrical power. The aforementioned power generation and supply components are coupled with the DC bus for supplying DC electrical power to telecommunications equipment coupled with the DC bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
    Inventors: JERRY MEYERS, LARRY L. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 7352578
    Abstract: The present invention is a back-up power supply of alternating current and direct current, with the alternating current being generated by an inverter from the direct current, which is produced by a fuel cell. The inverter is at least partially encompassed by a phase changing material having an elevated melting point such that the phase changing material absorbs heat generated by the inverter as well as in the surrounding air, thereby maintaining the inverter temperature within acceptable limits. As the phase changing material absorbs the heat, its temperature rises and melts. Upon cooling of the system, the phase change material re-solidifies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Julie A. Willets, Gerald D. Meyers, Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7298053
    Abstract: A power system is designed to provide reliable electrical power to a facility, in particular to a telecommunications facility. The system includes a number of proton exchange membranes (PEMs) adapted to provide DC power. The system is configured so that the PEMs receive fuel from a header that is supplied by a number of hydrogen generators. Storage tanks are also included to provide hydrogen to the header if the hydrogen generators fail. The hydrogen generators receive electricity initially from an array of photovoltaic panels. If the photovoltaic panels fail then AC power from a commercial utility is provided to the hydrogen generators. Finally, the system includes a number of super capacitors that are operable to maintain power during the time required to change between power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Larry L. Johnson, John Billigmeier, Julie Lieb
  • Patent number: 7256506
    Abstract: A system is disclosed which accomplishes a method of providing backup power to a device in a facility. The method includes using turbines to combusting a fuel to generate a primary power source. If this source fails, a secondary source of power is obtained from a commercial utility. If the commercial utility is not available, power is generated by a proton exchange membrane. Proton exchange membranes generate power by noncombustibly consuming hydrogen. Capacitors are used to maintain power when the system switches between energy sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7245034
    Abstract: An energy generating system for a telecommunications facility includes a hydrogen fuel supply system. The hydrogen fuel supply system includes a source of liquid hydrogen which uses a high pressure expansion tank along with additional storage tanks. The system also incorporates first and second stage heat exchangers. The first stage exchanger is used to benefit from the endothermic reaction created when liquid hydrogen transforms into vapor. The cooling provided from this state change is transferred into a second medium which is delivered into a second stage heat transfer device and then used for air conditioning purposes. The system also includes a hydrogen generator which may be used to create AC power by combusting vaporous hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7245032
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Julie A. Willets, Larry L. Johnson, Jerry D. Meyers
  • Patent number: 7240492
    Abstract: A hydrogen fuel system in which the fuel is transformed from liquid to gas is used to administer cooling, e.g., air conditioning. The system incorporates first and second stage heat exchangers. The first stage exchanger is used to benefit from the endothermic reaction created when liquid hydrogen transforms into gas. The cooling provided from this state change is transferred into a second medium which is delivered into a second stage heat transfer device and then used for cooling purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson