UTILITY GRID POWER AVERAGING AND CONDITIONING

• US 20110013427A1
• Filed: 05/21/2010
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eestor Inc. (FuelPositive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Eestor Inc. (FuelPositive Corp.)
• Inventors: Nelson, Carl W., Weir, Richard D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,145,362 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 363/37
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 4/302 obtained by injection of metal in cavities formed in a ceramic body
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/43 Electric condenser making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/435 Solid dielectric type

Abstract

As system is disclosed for providing power averaging for the utility grids and more specifically to utilizing a unique EESU unit with the capability to store electrical energy over 24 hour periods each day and provide power averaging to homes, commercial, and industrial sites to reduce the peak power requirements. Charging such power averaging units during the non-peak times and delivering the energy during the peak-demands times provides for more efficient utilization of utility-grid power-generating plants and the already existing power transmission lines. Such a unit may also have the capability of isolating the users from utility-grid power failures, transients, and AC noise.

Claims

1. A power system comprising:

an input connected to a utility grid to receive alternating current (AC) input voltage;

a full wave bridge electrically connected to the input and to provide full wave reactivation of the AC input voltage;

an input filter electrically connected to the full wave bridge to provide direct current (DC) voltage;

a DC current limiting unit electrically connected to the input filter to provide power to the system at a rate approximately a 24-hour average consumption rate;

a main electrical energy storage unit electrically connected to the DC current limiting unit via a first set of solid state switches;

a mid filter electrically connected to the main electrical energy storage units via a second set of solid state switches;

an electrical energy storage unit buffer electrically connected to the mid filter;

a DC/AC converter unit electrically connected to the mid filter; and

an output filter electrically connected to the DC/AC converter unit.

2. The power system of claim 1, wherein the DC current limiting unit is to provide constant power output to the main electrical energy storage unit.

3. The power system of claim 1, wherein the main electrical energy storage unit is a capacitive electrical energy storage unit to provide power on demand to the mid filter, the capacitive electrical energy storage unit to reduce utility grid line AC noise, transients, and short and long term drop outs.

4. The power system of claim 1, wherein the DC/AC converter unit is to convert DC voltage from the main electrical energy storage unit to utility grid acceptable voltages.

5. The power system of claim 1, further comprising a computational circuitry to control the first and second set of solid state switches or the DC current limiting unit to perform at least one of:

adjusting the DC current limiting unit to change the power provided to the main electrical energy storage unit on an as needed basis;

switching delivery of the output power from the main electrical energy storage unit to the electrical energy storage unit buffer and isolating the main electrical energy storage unit to permit adding, removing, or replacing capacitive electrical energy storage units of the main electrical energy storage unit;

switching from the main electrical energy storage units to a portable electrical energy storage unit as a DC power source to the DC/AC converter unit;

or

providing a seamless delivery of power without loss of output power or adding switching noise to the output power.

6. The power system of claim 1, wherein the main electrical energy storage unit is an ultra capacitor configuration fabricated utilizing a composition-modified barium titanate powder coated with aluminum oxide and immersed in a calcium magnesium aluminosilicate glass or polymer matrix.

7. A power system comprising:

an input coupled to a utility power grid;

a bridge electrically connected to the utility power grid and to convert alternating current to direct current;

an electrical energy storage unit electrically connected to the bridge, the electrical energy storage unit comprising a dielectric layer disposed between first and second electrode layers, the dielectric layer comprising a high permittivity ceramic material;

a converter electrically connected to the electrical energy storage unit and to convert direct current to alternating current; and

a power output electrically connected to the converter.

8. The power system of claim 7, wherein the dielectric layer comprises the high permittivity ceramic material dispersed in a polymer matrix.

9. The power system of claim 8, wherein the high permittivity ceramic material is coated with an aluminum oxide coating.

10. The power system of claim 7, further comprising a solid state switch electrically connected between the bridge and the electrical energy storage unit, and further comprising a control computer to control the solid state switch.

11. The power system of claim 10, wherein the control computer is to control the converter.

12. The power system of claim 7, further comprising an electrical energy storage unit buffer electrically connected between the electrical energy storage unit and the converter, the electrical energy storage unit buffer comprising a second dielectric layer disposed between third and fourth electrode layers, the second dielectric layer comprising a high permittivity ceramic material.

13. The power system of claim 7, further comprising a portable electrical energy storage unit comprising a third dielectric layer disposed between fifth and sixth electrode layers, the third dielectric layer comprising a high permittivity ceramic material, the portable electrical energy storage unit electrically connected to the converter.

14. The power system of claim 7, further comprising an electrical energy storage unit buffer electrically connected in parallel with the electrical energy storage unit, the electrical energy storage unit buffer comprising a fourth dielectric layer disposed between seventh and eighth electrode layers, the fourth dielectric layer comprising a high permittivity ceramic material.

15. A method of power averaging, the method comprising:

receiving power from a utility grid at a bridge of a power system, the power system comprising;

an input coupled to a utility power grid;

the bridge electrically connected to the utility power grid and to convert alternating current to direct current;

a current limiting circuit connected to an output of the bridge;

an electrical energy storage unit electrically connected to the current limiting circuit, the electrical energy storage unit comprising a dielectric layer disposed between first and second electrode layers, the dielectric layer comprising a high permittivity ceramic material;

a converter electrically connected to the electrical energy storage unit and to convert direct current to alternating current; and

a power output electrically connected to the converter;

determining an average daily usage rate with a control computer; and

controlling current supplied by the current limiting circuit with the control computer based on the average daily usage rate.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein controlling the current includes controlling the current to be constant based on the average daily usage rate.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein controlling the current includes controlling the current to fill the electrical energy storage unit during off-peak times.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising controlling access to portable energy storage units based on availability of utility grid power and power level of the electrical energy storage unit.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising isolating the electrical energy storage unit and activating a buffer unit connected in parallel with the electrical energy storage unit.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the power output is connected to a portion of the utility grid.