WIND POWER SYSTEM FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION

• US 20100187831A1
• Filed: 04/05/2010
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fabio Paolo Bertolotti
• Original Assignee: Fabio Paolo Bertolotti
• Inventors: Bertolotti, Fabio Paolo
• Granted Patent: US 8,324,750 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/55
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/17 storing energy in pressurised fluids
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/255 connected to electrical distribution networks; Arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/231 Preventing heat transfer
• 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

Abstract

A wind power energy system includes a first source of energy producing variable energy, a second source of energy producing generally constant energy from the variable energy, and a third source of energy that receives the generally constant energy.

Claims

1. A wind power energy system comprising:

a first source of energy producing variable energy;

a second source of energy producing generally constant energy from said variable energy; and

a third source of energy that receives said generally constant energy.

2. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first source of energy comprises rotational energy from a wind turbine that rotates at varying speeds in response to varying wind speeds.

3. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 2, wherein said second source of energy comprises a compression system with a plurality of compressors producing generally constant pressure pressurized air.

4. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 3, wherein said compression system comprises a plurality of clutches for engaging and disengaging said variable source of energy.

5. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 3, wherein said plurality of air compressors comprises mutually exclusive air inlets.

6. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 3, wherein said compression system comprises a conduit that connects an air outlet of a first air compressor to an air inlet of a second air compressor.

7. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 3, wherein said third source of energy is a pressurized air storage portion that receives said pressurized air.

8. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 7, wherein said compression system produces pressurized air having a first temperature and said pressurized air storage portion receives said pressurized air at a second temperature substantially equal to said first temperature.

9. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 8, wherein said pressurized air storage portion includes a first storage portion and a second, different storage portion that each hold the pressurized air from the compression system, and the second storage portion includes a venturi section that accelerates pressurized air within the second storage portion.

10. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 9, further comprising insulation for maintaining the second temperature substantially equal to the first temperature.

11. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

a generator having a rotor in communication with said pressurized air as an input from said third source of energy;

a combustion engine coupled to rotor; and

a control system that detects said input from said third source of energy and in response to said input selectively commands said combustion engine to drive said rotor to achieve a predetermined desired amount of electrical output.

12. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 11, wherein said combustion engine comprises a conduit transferring hot exhaust from said combustion engine to said third source of energy.

13. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 12, wherein said third source of energy comprises a heat exchanger receiving said hot exhaust.

14. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 13, wherein said heat exchanger transfers heat energy from said hot exhaust to said pressurized air.

15. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first source of energy comprises a wind tower storage portion that stores pressurized air.

16. The wind power energy system as recited claim 15, wherein said second source of energy comprises a primary storage portion receiving said pressurized air and producing a generally constant flow of pressurized air.

17. The wind power energy system as recited claim 16, wherein said primary storage portion comprises a flow control valve.

18. The wind power energy system as recited in claim 16, wherein said third source of energy comprises a generator receiving said generally constant flow of pressurized air and generating a generally constant output of electricity.