HYBRID ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM, RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM INCLUDING THE STORAGE SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF USING SAME
First Claim
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1. A method of stabilizing power provided by an energy source to a load, said method comprising:
- capturing, in a first energy storage device, energy produced by the energy source in excess of an immediate energy requirement of the load for a first predetermined amount of time unless an energy level of the first energy storage device is at a first maximum threshold; and
capturing, in a second energy storage device, energy produced by the energy source in excess of the immediate energy requirement of the load when the energy source continues to produce energy in excess of the immediate energy requirement of the load after expiration of the first predetermined amount of time or when the energy level of the first energy storage device is at the first maximum threshold, unless an energy level of the second energy storage device is at a second maximum threshold.
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Abstract
This disclosure generally relates to stabilizing energy provided by an energy source, and more particularly to systems and methods for using multiple types of energy storage devices to selectively capture and provide energy. An energy source provides energy, and the energy storage devices selectively capture energy provided by the energy source in excess of an immediate energy requirement of a load and selectively provide energy when the immediate energy requirement of the load exceeds the energy provided by the energy source.
65 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of stabilizing power provided by an energy source to a load, said method comprising:
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capturing, in a first energy storage device, energy produced by the energy source in excess of an immediate energy requirement of the load for a first predetermined amount of time unless an energy level of the first energy storage device is at a first maximum threshold; and capturing, in a second energy storage device, energy produced by the energy source in excess of the immediate energy requirement of the load when the energy source continues to produce energy in excess of the immediate energy requirement of the load after expiration of the first predetermined amount of time or when the energy level of the first energy storage device is at the first maximum threshold, unless an energy level of the second energy storage device is at a second maximum threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for providing power to a load comprising:
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an energy source for providing power; a first energy storage device for selectively capturing power from the energy source and selectively providing captured power to the load; a second energy storage device for selectively capturing power from the energy source and selectively providing captured power to the load; an energy flow controller comprising; a power monitor for monitoring a difference between power provided by the energy source and an immediate energy requirement of the load and producing a power signal indicative of the monitored difference; a first energy level monitor for monitoring an energy level of the first energy storage device and providing a first energy level signal indicative of the energy level of the first energy storage device; a second energy level monitor for monitoring an energy level of the second energy storage device and providing a second energy level signal indicative of the energy level of the second energy storage device; an energy converter responsive to a capture signal for converting power from the energy source into power for at least one of the first and second energy storage devices and a switch signal for directing the converted power to at least one of the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device; and a controller for receiving the power signal, the first energy level signal, and the second energy level signal, said controller determining from the power signal that the power provided by the energy source exceeds an immediate energy requirement of the load and providing the capture signal and the switch signal to the energy converter such that the energy provided by the energy source in excess of the immediate energy requirement of the load is captured in the first energy storage device for a first predetermined amount of time unless the first energy level signal indicates that the energy level of the first energy storage device is at a first maximum threshold whereupon the controller alters the switch signal such that the energy converter directs the energy in excess of the of the immediate energy requirement of the load to the second energy storage device unless the second energy level signal indicates that the energy level of the second energy storage device is at a second maximum threshold. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of stabilizing power provided by an energy source to a load, said method comprising:
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capturing, in a first energy storage device, energy produced by the energy source in excess of an immediate energy requirement of the load unless the energy produced in excess of the immediate energy requirement of the load exceeds an intake rate threshold of the first energy storage device; and capturing, in a second energy storage device, energy produced by the energy source in excess of the immediate energy requirement of the load if the energy produced in excess of the immediate energy requirement of the load exceeds an energy intake rate threshold of the first energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification