Energy storage

• US 20090284021A1
• Filed: 04/25/2009
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Viewtek2 LLC
• Original Assignee: Viewtek2 LLC
• Inventors: Scott, Tom
• Granted Patent: US 7,973,420 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/16 using weights
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 3/00 Other motors, e.g. gravity or inertia motors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/30 Wind power
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/50 Energy storage in industry with an added climate change mitigation effect

Abstract

Several embodiments are disclosed that enhance and improve the efficiencies of alternative electrical generating sources by converting electrical energy to potential energy through electro-mechanical means. The embodiments provide gravitational energy storage by lifting masses from lower to higher elevations during desired periods, such as when the generating sources are producing excess energy or when electrical rates are the least expensive. Energy storage is maintained until such time as it is need and then converted from potential mechanical energy to electricity by gravitational forces. By storing energy, one can supplement and enhance the efficiencies of producing electricity by alternative means such as wind and solar by expanding the times when electricity is available. Additionally, one can time-shift the purchase and use of commercial power by buying power to store energy when rates are low and using the stored energy when rates are high.

Claims

1. An energy storage and delivery system including:

at least one mass element;

a defined volume containing said at least one mass element;

a source of electrical energy;

a first electro-mechanical device connected to said source for using electrical energy from said source to raise said mass element from a position of relatively low potential energy to a position of relatively higher potential energy in said defined volume;

a second electro-mechanical device connected to said mass while it is lowered to a position of lower potential energy;

said second electro-mechanical device generating electricity in response to said lowering of said mass; and

a control device for individually operating said first and second devices according to a set of predetermined conditions.

2. An energy storage and delivery system as in claim 1, wherein said source of electrical energy is a wind turbine driven generator mounted on a support pylon and said defined volume is an unobstructed column of space existing adjacent to said pylon.

3. An energy storage and delivery system as in claim 1, wherein source of electrical energy is a wind turbine driven generator mounted on a support pylon and said defined volume is an unobstructed column of space existing within said pylon and containing said at least one mass element.

4. An energy storage and delivery system as in claim 1, wherein said defined volume is a cylindrical tube having its axis disposed along the vertical and containing said at least one mass element.

5. An energy storage and delivery system as in claim 1, wherein said defined volume is a plurality of cylindrical tubes disposed in an array with each of their axes disposed along the vertical and each containing at least one mass element.

6. An energy storage and delivery system as in claim 1, wherein said defined volume is at least one vertical core within a multi-storied building and containing at least one mass element.

7. An energy storage and delivery system as in claim 6, wherein said source of electrical energy is a wind turbine integrated into said building.

8. An energy storage and delivery system as in claim 1, wherein said defined volume is configured to contain several parallel stacks of mass elements in vertical series.

9. An energy storage and delivery system as in claim 1, wherein said defined volume is configured to contain a defined lift zone and a defined drop zone, wherein said lift and drop zones are horizontally spaced from each other;

said first electro-mechanical device raises said at least one mass element from a position of relatively low potential energy to a position of relatively higher potential energy in said defined lift zone of said defined volume; and

said system further includes first means for conveying said at least one raised mass element from said lift zone to said defined drop zone while maintaining said at least one mass at said position of higher potential energy.

10. An energy storage and delivery system as in claim 9, wherein said second electro-mechanical device is energized by said at least one mass element entering said drop zone and being released and lowered to a position of lower potential energy.

11. An energy storage and delivery system as in claim 10, wherein said at least one mass element is a plurality of mass elements disposed within said defined volume in individual rows and are individually raised from a position of relatively low potential energy to a position of relatively higher potential energy in said defined lift zone.

12. An energy storage and delivery system as in claim 11, wherein said drop zone extends from one side of said defined volume towards said lift zone and includes a second means for conveying a plurality of mass elements from their positions of relatively higher potential energy towards their positions of relatively low potential energy over said defined drop zone;

and

said second electro-mechanical device is connected to said mass elements via said second conveyor means and energized to energized by said mass elements being conveyed within said drop zone to a position of lower potential energy.

13. A method of increasing the efficiency of a wind turbine generator by storing energy for later delivery through the steps of:

providing an electric motor to be powered by the output of said generator;

providing a vertical space to raise and lower a mass for storage;

providing a mass for storage;

providing a mechanism to raise, hold and lower said mass within said vertical space;

connecting said electric motor to said mechanism to raise said mass within said vertical space;

connecting said mechanism to said generator to generate electrical energy when said mass is lowered within said vertical space.

14. A method as in claim 13, wherein said step of providing a vertical space is performed a plurality of times and said steps of providing a mass, providing an electrical motor and providing a mechanism are performed a corresponding number of times to provide an array of vertical spaces for storing energy.

15. A method as in claim 13, wherein said step of providing said vertical space is performed by providing a defined lift zone and a defined drop zone within said vertical space, wherein said defined lift and drop zones are horizontally spaced from each other;

said step of providing a mechanism to raise, hold and lower said mass within said vertical space is performed by provided a first electro-mechanical device that raises said mass from a position of relatively low potential energy to a position of relatively higher potential energy in said defined lift zone of said defined vertical space; and

said method further includes the step of providing a means for conveying said at mass from said defined lift zone to said defined drop zone while maintaining said mass at said position of higher potential energy.

16. A method of storing and delivering energy including:

providing at least one mass element;

defining a volume containing said at least one mass element;

providing a source of electrical energy;

providing a first electro-mechanical device connected to said source of electrical energy for using electrical energy from said source to raise said mass element from a position of relatively low potential energy to a position of relatively higher potential energy in said defined volume;

providing a second electro-mechanical device connected to said mass while it is lowered to a position of lower potential energy;

providing a said second electro-mechanical device generating electricity in response to said lowering of said mass; and

providing a control device for individually operating said first and second devices according to a set of predetermined conditions to store potential energy and to generate electrical energy.

17. A method as in claim 16, wherein said step of defining said volume is performed by providing a cylindrical tube having its axis disposed along the vertical and containing said at least one mass element.

18. A method as in claim 16, wherein said step of defining said volume is performed by providing a plurality of cylindrical tubes disposed in an array with each of their axes disposed along the vertical and each containing at least one mass element.

19. A method as in claim 16, wherein said step of defining said volume is performed by providing a space that is configured to contain several parallel stacks of mass elements in vertical series.

20. A method as in claim 16, wherein said step of defining said volume is performed by providing a defined lift zone and a defined drop zone, wherein said lift and drop zones are horizontally spaced from each other;

said provided first electro-mechanical device raises said at least one mass element from a position of relatively low potential energy to a position of relatively higher potential energy in said defined lift zone of said defined volume; and

said method further includes the step of providing a means for conveying said at least one raised mass element from said lift zone to said defined drop zone while maintaining said at least one mass at said position of higher potential energy.