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: 7242104
    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 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7157803
    Abstract: The present invention is an energy generating system which uses Lithium Metal Polymer (LMP) batteries in conjunction with a microturbine, a fuel cell, and commercial electrical power. The LMPs provide uninterruptible power when one or more of the other power systems fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Meyers, Larry L. Johnson, Julie A. Willets
  • Patent number: 7112891
    Abstract: The present invention is a mobile-energy generating system. It comprises a turbine, a fuel cell, commercial electrical power hookups, capacitors used for bridging purposes, and hydrogen-storage tanks. Pressurized hydrogen is maintained in the tanks using a hydrogen liberator which is optionally powered by a solar panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Larry L. Johnson, Julie A. Willets, Jerry D. Meyers
  • Patent number: 7098548
    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: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7081687
    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: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6992401
    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: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6960838
    Abstract: A power system specifically designed to provide reliable electrical power to a telecommunication facility is disclosed. The system includes a number of microturbine generators adapted to provide AC power that is then rectified to DC power by an array of rectifiers. The system is configured so that the microturbine generators are fueled initially by utility-supplied natural gas. In the event the utility-supplied natural gas fails, the system provides propane from a storage tank to fuel the microturbine generators. If both microturbine generator fuel sources fail or their fuel supply becomes exhausted, power is supplied to the rectifiers by a commercial electrical utility. The system also includes a number of hydrogen-powered proton exchange membranes that are operable to supply DC power directly to the facility if both the microturbine generators and the electrical utility fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6885112
    Abstract: A power system specifically designed to provide reliable electrical power to a telecommunication facility is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a number of proton exchange membranes adapted to convert a fuel, such as hydrogen, to DC electrical power, a number of rectifiers operable to convert AC electrical power received from an AC power source to DC power, and a number of capacitors operable to maintain power during the time required to change between power sources. Both the output of the rectifiers and the output of the proton exchange membranes are coupled to the capacitors. Initially, while the output of the proton exchange membrane rises to a predetermined level, power is supplied by the AC power source to the rectifiers and from the rectifiers to the capacitors and the telecommunications facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6879052
    Abstract: A power system specifically designed to provide reliable electrical power to a telecommunication facility is disclosed. The system includes a number of microturbine generators adapted to provide AC power that is then rectified to DC power by an array of rectifiers. The system is configured so that the microturbine generators are fueled initially by utility-supplied natural gas. In the event the utility-supplied natural gas fails, the system provides propane from a storage tank to fuel the microturbine generators. If both microturbine generator fuel sources fail or their fuel supply becomes exhausted, power is supplied to the rectifiers by a commercial electrical utility. The system also includes a number of hydrogen-powered proton exchange membranes that are operable to supply DC power directly to the facility if both the microturbine generators and the electrical utility fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6781250
    Abstract: A power system specifically designed to provide reliable electrical power to a telecommunication facility is disclosed. The system includes a number of microturbine generators adapted to provide AC power that is then rectified to DC power by an array of rectifiers. The system is configured so that the microturbine generators are fueled initially by utility-supplied natural gas. In the event the utility-supplied natural gas fails, the system provides propane from a storage tank to fuel the microturbine generators. If both microturbine generator fuel sources fail or their fuel supply becomes exhausted, power is supplied to the rectifiers by a commercial electrical utility. The system also includes a number of hydrogen-powered proton exchange membranes that are operable to supply DC power directly to the facility if both the microturbine generators and the electrical utility fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040095022
    Abstract: A power system specifically designed to provide reliable electrical power to a telecommunication facility is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a number of proton exchange membranes adapted to convert a fuel, such as hydrogen, to DC electrical power, a number of rectifiers operable to convert AC electrical power received from an AC power source to DC power, and a number of capacitors operable to maintain power during the time required to change between power sources. Both the output of the rectifiers and the output of the proton exchange membranes are coupled to the capacitors. Initially, while the output of the proton exchange membrane rises to a predetermined level, power is supplied by the AC power source to the rectifiers and from the rectifiers to the capacitors and the telecommunications facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040094963
    Abstract: A power system specifically designed to provide reliable electrical power to a telecommunication facility is disclosed. The system includes a number of microturbine generators adapted to provide AC power that is then rectified to DC power by an array of rectifiers. The system is configured so that the microturbine generators are fueled initially by utility-supplied natural gas. In the event the utility-supplied natural gas fails, the system provides propane from a storage tank to fuel the microturbine generators. If both microturbine generator fuel sources fail or their fuel supply becomes exhausted, power is supplied to the rectifiers by a commercial electrical utility. The system also includes a number of hydrogen-powered proton exchange membranes that are operable to supply DC power directly to the facility if both the microturbine generators and the electrical utility fail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: D360812
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Larry L. Johnson