Systems and methods for providing backup energy to a load

• US 7,127,895 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2003
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: P10 Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Active Power Incorporated
• Inventors: Pinkerton, Joseph F, Beatty, David, Perkins, David E
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOANG M
• Application Number:
  US10/361,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20040148934A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,364 Days
• Field of Search: 606/46, 606/57, 606/59
• US Class Current: 60/646
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 6/16 for storing compressed air
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0085 Systems using a compressed air circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/08 requiring starting of a prime-mover
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids

Abstract

Backup energy systems utilizing compressed air storage (CAS) systems and bridging energy systems to supply backup power to a load are provided. During a power failure, the bridging energy system provides backup power to the load at least until the CAS system begins supplying adequate power. In various embodiments, backup power capability is enhanced through the use of one or more exhaustless heaters, which are used to heat compressed air. The compressed air, in turn, drives a turbine which is used to power an electrical generator. In various embodiments, ambient air heat exchangers or other types of heat exchangers are used to heat compressed air prior to the compressed air being routed to the turbine, thereby increasing system efficiency. Backup power and backup HVAC are also provided by utilizing turbine exhaust, heat exchangers and various resistive heating elements.

Claims

1. A backup energy system that provides backup power to a critical load in the event of a disturbance in the supply of power from a primary power source, said system comprising:

a turbine-generator system comprising;

a source of compressed air;

a turbine coupled to said source of compressed air to receive said compressed air, said received compressed air driving said turbine; and

an electrical generator powered by said turbine when said turbine is driven by said compressed air, said generator providing said backup power when powered by said turbine; and

a bridging energy system that, in the event of a disturbance in the supply of power from a primary power source, provides said backup power to said critical load during said disturbance at least until said electrical generator begins providing said backup power, wherein said bridging energy system provides said backup power to said critical load independent of said turbine-generator system and said primary power source.

2. The backup energy system of claim 1, wherein said source of compressed air comprises:

a compressor that compresses air; and

an air reservoir that collects said compressed air.

3. The backup energy system of claim 2, wherein said air reservoir is a pressure tank.

4. The backup energy system of claim 2, wherein said air reservoir is an underground salt dome.

5. The backup energy system of claim 1, wherein said source of compressed air comprises at least one pressure tank, and wherein said turbine produces a turbine exhaust that is routed across said pressure tank.

6. The backup energy system of claim 1, wherein said bridging energy system comprises a flywheel energy storage system.

7. The backup energy system of claim 1, wherein said bridging energy system comprises at least one chemical battery.

8. The backup energy system of claim 1, wherein said bridging energy system comprises a capacitor.

9. The backup energy system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one exhaustless heater coupled between said source of compressed air and said turbine to heat said compressed air, said exhaustless heater providing heated compressed air to said turbine.

10. The backup energy system of claim 9, wherein said turbine is coupled to said source of compressed air and at least a portion of said compressed air bypasses said exhaustless heater.

11. The backup energy system of claim 9, wherein said exhaustless heater is a thermal storage unit.

12. The backup energy system of claim 9, wherein said exhaustless heater is an ambient air heat exchanger.

13. The backup energy system of claim 9, wherein said exhaustless heater is a turbine exhaust heat exchanger.

14. The backup energy system of claim 9, wherein said exhaustless heater is a waste energy heat exchanger.

15. The backup energy system of claim 9, wherein said exhaustless heater is a solar energy heat exchanger.

16. The backup energy system of claim 9, wherein said exhaustless heater is a compression process heat exchanger.

17. The backup energy system of claim 1, further comprising:

switching circuitry that switches the source of power to said critical load between said primary power source and a source of backup power, said source of backup power comprising said electrical generator and said bridging energy system; and

uninterruptible power supply (UPS) control electronics that controls at least said switching circuitry and said turbine based on the quality of power from said primary power source.

18. The backup energy system of claim 17, wherein said switching circuit switches the source of power to said critical load from said primary power source to said source of backup power during degradation of the power coming from said primary power source.

19. The backup energy system of claim 17, wherein said switching circuit switches the source of power to said critical load from said primary power source to said source of backup power during a loss of power from said primary power source.

20. The backup energy system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one fuel-combustion system coupled between said source of compressed air and said turbine to heat said compressed air, said fuel-combustion system providing heated compressed air to said turbine.

21. The backup energy system of claim 20, further comprising:

switching circuitry that switches the source of power to said critical load between said primary power source and a source of backup power, said source of backup power comprising said electrical generator and said bridging energy system; and

uninterruptible power supply (UPS) control electronics that controls at least said switching circuitry and said turbine based on the quality of power from said primary power source.

22. The backup energy system of claim 21, wherein said switching circuit switches the source of power to said critical load from said primary power source to said source of backup power during degradation of the power coming from said primary power source.

23. The backup energy system of claim 21, wherein said switching circuit switches said source of power to said critical load from said primary power source to said source of backup power during a loss of power from said primary power source.

24. An integrated uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system that provides backup power to a critical load in the event of a disturbance in the supply of power from a primary power source, said system comprising:

a turbine-generator system comprising;

a source of compressed air;

a turbine coupled to said source of compressed air to receive said compressed air, said received compressed air driving said turbine; and

an electrical generator powered by said turbine when said turbine is driven by said compressed air, said generator providing said backup power when powered by said turbine;

a bridging energy system that, in the event of a disturbance in the supply of power from a primary power source, provides said backup power to a critical load during said disturbance at least until said electrical generator begins providing said backup power, wherein said bridging energy system provides said backup power to said critical load independent of said turbine-generator system and said primary power source;

switching circuitry that switches the source of power to said critical load between said primary power source and a source of backup power, said source of backup power comprising said electrical generator and a said bridging energy storage system; and

uninterruptible power supply (UPS) control electronics that controls at least said switching circuitry and said turbine based on the quality of power from said primary power source.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein each of said turbine, said electrical generator, said bridging energy system and said switching circuitry are located within a single housing.

26. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

at least one exhaustless heater coupled between said source of compressed air and said turbine to heat said compressed air, said exhaustless heater providing heated compressed air to said turbine.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein said turbine, said electrical generator, said bridging energy system and said switching circuitry share at least one fan.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein said turbine, said electrical generator, said bridging energy system and said switching circuitry share at least one power supply.

32. The system of claim 24, wherein said bridging energy system comprises a flywheel energy storage system.

29. A method for providing backup power to a critical load in the event of a disturbance in the supply of power from a primary power source, said method using a turbine-generator system comprising a source of compressed air, a turbine, and an electrical generator, said method comprising:

providing compressed air;

driving the turbine using said compressed air;

powering the electrical generator with said turbine to provide said backup power during said disturbance; and

supplying bridging energy to said critical load during said disturbance at least until said electrical generator begins supplying said backup power, wherein said bridging energy is provided to said critical load independent of said backup power provided by said turbine-generator system and said primary power source.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

using at least one exhaustless heater to heat said compressed air prior to said compressed air driving said turbine.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein at least a portion of said compressed air bypasses said exhaustless heater.