Method of and apparatus for producing uniterruptible power description

Abstract

Uninterruptible power is supplied to a load connected to a power line by connecting the power line to a rotatable member that includes a Rankine cycle turbine coupled to a device that operates as a motor when line power is operative thereby rotating the member at a standby rotational speed so that a predetermined amount of kinetic energy is stored in the rotating member, and that operates as a generator when the line power is inoperative and the member is rotated by the application of vaporized working fluid to the turbine. Working fluid is vaporized and maintained at an operational temperature level only when the line power is inoperative. The working fluid is held at a standby temperature level, preferably greater than the operational temperature level, while the power line is operative whereby the working fluid contains a predetermined amount of stored thermal energy while the power line is operative. In response to loss of line power, vaporized working fluid is applied to the turbine thereby rotating the rotatable member whereby the turbine rotates the member at a nominal operational speed that preferably is less than the standby rotational speed. Finally, in response to the loss of line power the device is connected to the load whereby the stored thermal energy in the working fluid and the stored kinetic energy in the rotating member are converted by the device to power for the load.

1 .- 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . An uninterruptible power supply associated with a power line supplying a load comprising: 
 (a) a load circuit connecting said power line to said load for powering the same when said power line is operable;    (b) a battery system for supplying power to the load;    (c) an electric generator associated with a cold standby power unit comprising an organic Rankine cycle turbine system for generating power when said power unit is operated, said organic Rankine cycle turbine system having a boiler containing liquid organic working fluid, a burner for heating said liquid organic working fluid contained in said boiler, an organic Rankine cycle turbine for expanding organic working fluid vapor produced in said boiler and driving said generator for producing electric power, and a condenser for condensing expanded working fluid vapor exiting said organic Rankine cycle turbine;    (d) a control that senses the state of the power line such that the power unit commences operation for supplying power to said load when line power drops out wherein said battery supplies power to said load until nominal power is produced by said power unit; and    (e) a pump for supplying the working fluid condensate produced by said condenser to the boiler and portion thereof to the bearings of said turbine for lubricating said bearings.    
   
   
       8 . The uninterruptible power supply according to  claim 7  wherein said organic working fluid comprises a mixture of isomers of an alkalyted aromatic fluid.  
   
   
       9 . The uninterruptible power supply according to  claim 7  wherein said power unit further includes conduits for supplying said working fluid condensate to said boiler and a portion thereof to the bearings of said turbine for lubricating said bearings.  
   
   
       10 . The uninterruptible power supply according to  claim 7  wherein said control includes a connection to said burner for sending a control signal to the burner to commence operation once said control senses that said power line has dropped out.  
   
   
       11 . An uninterruptible power supply associated with a power line supplying a load comprising: 
 (a) a load circuit connecting said power line to said load for powering the same when said power line is operable;    (b) a battery system for supplying power to the load;    (c) an electric generator associated with a cold standby power unit comprising a Rankine cycle turbine system for generating power when said power unit is operated, said Rankine cycle turbine system having a boiler containing liquid working fluid, a burner for heating said liquid working fluid contained in said boiler, a Rankine cycle turbine for expanding working fluid vapor produced in said boiler and driving said generator for producing electric power, and a condenser for condensing expanded working fluid vapor exiting said Rankine cycle turbine;    (d) a control that senses the state of the power line such that the power unit commences operation for supplying power to said load when line power drops out wherein said battery supplies power to said load until nominal power is produced by said power unit; and    (e) a pump for supplying the working fluid condensate produced by said condenser to the boiler and a portion thereof to the bearings of said turbine for lubricating said bearings.    
   
   
       12 . The uninterruptible power supply according to  claim 11  wherein said working fluid is an organic working fluid.  
   
   
       13 . The uninterruptible power supply according to  claim 12  wherein said organic working fluid comprises a mixture of isomers of an alkalyted aromatic fluid.  
   
   
       14 . The uninterruptible power supply according to  claim 11  wherein said power unit further includes conduits for supplying said working fluid condensate to said boiler and a portion thereof to the bearings of said turbine for lubricating said bearings.  
   
   
       15 . The uninterruptible power supply according to  claim 11  wherein said condenser is an air-cooled condenser.  
   
   
       16 . The uninterruptible power supply according to  claim 11  wherein said condenser is an air-cooled condenser having a fan.  
   
   
       17 . The uninterruptible power supply according to  claim 11  wherein said control includes a connection to said burner for sending a control signal to the burner to commence operation once said control senses that said power line has dropped out.  
   
   
       18 . The uninterruptible power supply according to  claim 11  wherein said Rankine cycle turbine further comprises an organic Rankine cycle turbine.  
   
   
       19 . A power unit for use as a cold standby power unit comprising: 
 (a) a battery system for supplying power to the load;    (b) an electric generator associated with a cold standby power unit comprising a Rankine cycle turbine system for generating power when said power unit is operated, said Rankine cycle turbine system having a boiler containing liquid working fluid, a burner for heating said liquid working fluid contained in said boiler, a Rankine cycle turbine for expanding working fluid vapor produced in said boiler and driving said generator for producing electric power, and a condenser for condensing expanded working fluid vapor exiting said Rankine cycle turbine;    (c) a control that senses the state of the power line such that the power unit commences operation for supplying power to said load when line power drops out wherein said battery supplies power to said load until nominal power is produced by said power unit; and    (d) a pump for supplying the working fluid condensate produced by said condenser to the boiler and a portion thereof to the bearings of said turbine for lubricating said bearings.    
   
   
       20 . The power unit according to  claim 19  wherein said working fluid is an organic working fluid.  
   
   
       21 . The power unit according to  claim 19  wherein said organic working fluid comprises a mixture of isomers of an alkalyted aromatic fluid.  
   
   
       22 . The power unit according to  claim 19  wherein said power unit further includes conduits for supplying said working fluid condensate to said boiler and a portion thereof to the bearings of said turbine for lubricating said bearings.  
   
   
       23 . The power unit according to  claim 22  further comprising a reservoir from which working fluid liquid is supplied to the bearings of said Rankine cycle turbine.  
   
   
       24 . The power unit according to  claim 23  further comprising a conduit for supplying working fluid liquid from said reservoir to said boiler.  
   
   
       25 . The power unit according to  claim 19  wherein said Rankine cycle turbine further comprises an organic Rankine cycle turbine.  
   
   
       26 . The power unit according to  claim 19  wherein said condenser is an air-cooled condenser.  
   
   
       27 . The power unit according to  claim 26  wherein said condenser is an air-cooled condenser having a fan.  
   
   
       28 . The power unit according to  claim 19  wherein said control includes a connection to said burner for sending a control signal to the burner to commence operation once said control senses that said power line has dropped out.  
   
   
       29 . The uninterruptible power supply according to  claim 9  further comprising a reservoir from which working fluid liquid is supplied to the bearings of said organic Rankine cycle turbine.  
   
   
       30 . The uninterruptible power supply according to claim further comprising a conduit for supplying working fluid liquid m said reservoir to said boiler.  
   
   
       31 . The uninterruptible power supply according to claim further comprising a reservoir from which working fluid liquid supplied to the bearings of said Rankine cycle turbine.  
   
   
       32 . The uninterruptible power supply according to claim further comprising a conduit for supplying working fluid liquid m said reservoir to said boiler.