High efficiency fuel cell based uninterruptible power supply for digital equipment

Eliminating the ac–dc converter (such as a computerʹs power supply), in a dc system when using a fuel cell based uninterruptible power supply (UPS), serves several primary functions. Firstly, it eliminates the need for a dc–ac inverter, and secondly, it eliminates a usually highly inefficient component—the power supply. Multiple conversions result in multiple inefficiencies. By replacing the computerʹs ac power supply with a high efficiency dc power supply capable of operating directly from a fuel cell – and thereby eliminating the inverter – the overall efficiency of the UPS can be increased by 50% or more. This is essential considering that the primary function of a fuel cell based UPS is long-term operation of the system, and poor efficiency equates to higher fuel consumption. Furthermore, inefficient systems have greater power demands, and therefore a larger fuel cell stack is needed to power them. At the present cost of fuel cell systems, this is a considerable problem. The easiest way to accomplish a direct dc UPS is to replace the computerʹs ac–dc power supply with a dc–dc power supply.