Power supply and storage device for improving drilling rig operating efficiency

• US 20090195074A1
• Filed: 01/31/2008
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Inr G Links, LLC
• Original Assignee: Inr G Links, LLC
• Inventors: Buiel, Edward R.
• Application Number:
  US12/012,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20090195074A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/48
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/10 The network having a local or delimited stationary reach
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/28 Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence

Abstract

An energy supply and storage system for a rig power supply system is disclosed for a rig power supply system of the type having a power generator coupled to rig loads and motors via a bus. The energy supply and storage device is a power supply in parallel with the rig motors and adapted for receiving energy generated by the generator in excess of demand. The energy storage system is in communication with the power supply for receiving and storing the excess energy, with the power supply being adapted to draw energy from the storage system when the rig motor demand exceeds the capacity of the generator.

Claims

1. An energy supply and storage system for use in combination with a rig power supply system, the rig power supply system of the type comprising a power generator coupled to rig loads and motors via a bus, an automated control system for power generation and overall rig power control, the energy supply and storage device comprising:

a. a power supply in parallel with the rig motors and adapted for receiving energy generated by the generator in excess of demand;

b. an energy storage system in communication with the power supply for receiving and storing the excess energy, the power supply being adapted to draw energy from the storage system when the rig motor demand exceeds the capacity of the generator; and

c. an automated control system for rig power management including generator start/stop and power output control.

2. The energy supply and storage system of claim 1, wherein the power supply is also adapted for conditioning the power on the bus.

3. The energy supply and storage system of claim 1, wherein the power supply is also adapted for conditioning the energy stored in and withdrawn from the energy storage system.

4. The energy supply and storage system of claim 1, wherein the energy storage system comprises lead acid batteries.

5. The energy supply and storage system of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device comprises ultra-capacitors.

6. The energy supply and storage system of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device comprises hybrid battery/super-capacitors.

7. The energy supply and storage system of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device comprises Nickel Metal Hydride batteries.

8. The energy supply and storage system of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device comprises Lithium Ion batteries.

9. The energy supply and storage system of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device comprises flow batteries.

10. The energy supply and storage system of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device comprises a system for reversibly storing electrical energy.

11. The energy supply and storage system of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device comprises fly wheels.

12. The energy supply and storage system of claim 1, wherein the rig loads are also in parallel with the power supply and storage system.

13. The energy supply and storage system of claim 1 further including a braking resistor.

15. The drilling rig of claim 13, wherein the energy storage device comprises batteries.

16. The drilling rig of claim 13, wherein the batteries are lead acid batteries.

14. In a drilling rig wherein an engine-generator set forms an alternating current (AC) power supply system for operating the rig electrical equipment and machinery an improvement comprising:

a. a bi-directional AC/DC converter for converting the AC power generated by the engine-generator set; and

b. an electrical storage device by which the excess energy not utilized by the rig can be stored.