System and method of forming capacitor-based electrical energy storage modules

• US 6,762,591 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AEP Investments, Inc. (American Electric Power Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AEP Emtech LLP
• Inventors: Hayes, Raymond M., Nourai, Ali, Provanzana, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US10/341,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20030231007A1
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 320/166, 320/121, 320/116, 320/120, 320/126, 320/167, 307/110, 363/89
• US Class Current: 320/166
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/08 Housing; Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads

Abstract

A system and method for creating capacitor-based electrical energy storage modules and electrical energy storage systems assembled therefrom. Submodules having a plurality of capacitors capable of storing electrical energy are used in different combinations to create electrical energy storage modules. Preferably, a number of submodules are placed into an enclosure or cabinet, whereafter the submodules are placed in electrical communication. The number of submodules installed in an enclosure is determined by the power output desired, and the space constraints of the area in which the enclosure will be located. One enclosure of one or more submodules, or a plurality of interconnected enclosures of one or more submodules, may form an electrical energy storage module. The module may be designed to output either DC or AC electric power, and may be equipped with a power conversion system and/or communication and control electronics to control the charging and discharging thereof.

Claims

1. A capacitor-based electrical energy storage module, comprising:

at least one interchangeable capacitor-containing submodule;

at least one enclosure for receiving and housing said at least one submodule;

means for providing electrical communication between submodules when more than one submodule is located within an enclosure; and

power conversion means for controlling the charging and discharging of said at least one submodule;

wherein said module is adapted to receive and output electric power, and convert and store electrical energy.

2. The capacitor-based electrical energy storage module of claim 1, further comprising control and communication means for monitoring and controlling the operation of each module.

3. The capacitor-based electrical energy storage module of claim 1, wherein said monitoring and controlling is done remotely.

4. The capacitor-based electrical energy storage module of claim 1, wherein a plurality of enclosures, each containing at least one submodule, may be connected to provide a larger module of greater power output.

5. The capacitor-based electrical energy storage module of claim 1, wherein electric power output therefrom is of the DC variety.

6. The capacitor-based electrical energy storage module of claim 1, wherein electric power output therefrom is of the AC variety.

7. A system for creating a capacitor-based electrical energy storage module, comprising:

at least one interchangeable capacitor-containing submodule of predetermined electrical energy storage capacity;

at least one enclosure for receiving and housing said at least one submodule;

means for providing electrical communication between submodules when more than one submodule is located within a single enclosure; and

power conversion means for controlling the charging and discharging of said at least one submodule;

wherein said module is adapted to receive and output electric power, and convert and store electrical energy; and

wherein any number of said enclosures, each containing at least one submodule, may be interconnected to provide a module of desired power output.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising control and communication means for monitoring and controlling the operation of each module.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said monitoring and controlling is done remotely.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein electric power output therefrom is of the DC variety.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein electric power output therefrom is of the AC variety.

12. A method of forming a capacitor-based electrical energy storage module, comprising:

providing one or more interchangeable capacitor-containing submodules;

providing at least one enclosure adapted to receive one or more of said submodules;

providing for electrical communication between submodules when more than one submodule is installed to an enclosure;

supplying a power conversion means for controlling the charging and discharging of said one or more submodules;

wherein said module is adapted to receive and output electric power, and convert and store electrical energy; and

wherein multiple enclosures each having one or more submodules installed thereto can be electrically interconnected to provide for a module of greater storage capacity.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising supplying a control and communication means for monitoring and controlling the operation of said module.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said monitoring and controlling is done remotely.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein a power conversion means is associated with each enclosure of a multiple-enclosure module.