Systems and methods for utility grid power averaging, long term uninterruptible power supply, power line isolation from noise and transients and intelligent power transfer on demand

• US 7,729,811 B1
• Filed: 08/04/2006
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eestor Inc. (FuelPositive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Eestor Inc. (FuelPositive Corp.)
• Inventors: Nelson, Carl W., Weir, Richard D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick; Michael D
• Application Number:
  US11/499,594
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 428/209, 700/286, 700/288, 700/292, 700/295, 29/254.1, 29/254.2, 361/313
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/43 Electric condenser making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/435 Solid dielectric type

Abstract

The use of electrical energy storage unit (EESU) technology can provide power averaging for utility grids. Such EESUs can also be used to construct a system capable of storing electrical energy over specified periods (e.g., 24 hours) to provide peak power to homes, commercial sites, and industrial sites. By charging these power averaging units during non-peak times and then delivering the energy during peak-demands times, more efficient utilization of the present utility-grid power-generating plants and the already existing power transmission lines will be accomplished. These systems also have the capability of isolating users from utility-grid power failures, transients, and AC noise.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

at least one electrical energy storage unit (EESU) coupled in series between a utility power grid and a load, the EESU comprising a composite material and a plurality of electrodes, the composite material comprising a high-permittivity ceramic material dispersed in a plastic matrix;

a plurality of solid-state switches coupled between the at least one EESU and the utility power grid, wherein the at least one EESU is configured to receive electricity from the utility power grid according to an activation state of at least one of the plurality of solid-state switches; and

a control computer coupled to the at least one of the plurality of solid-state switches, wherein the control computer is configured to adjust the activation state of the at least one of the plurality of solid-state switches; and

a current limiting circuit coupled between the at least one EESU and the utility power grid, wherein the current limiting circuit is further coupled to the control computer.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the high-permittivity ceramic material further comprises a composition modified barium titanate material.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the composition modified barium titanate material further comprises a powder, and wherein the powder further comprises an aluminum oxide coating.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a second plurality of solid-state switches coupled between the at least one EESU and the load, wherein at least one of the second plurality of solid state switches is coupled to the control computer.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising:

at least one buffer EESU coupled between the second plurality of solid-state switches and the load.

6. The system of claim 4 further comprising:

at least one portable EESU coupled to the load and configured to deliver electricity to the load when the at least one EESUs charge state drops below a threshold.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one buffer EESU coupled in parallel with the at least one electrical energy storage unit and between the utility power grid and the load.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising:

a third plurality of solid-state switches coupled to the at least one buffer EESU and to the control computer;

wherein the third plurality of solid-state switches is configured to connect the at least one buffer EESU to the utility power grid and the load according to the control computer.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the control computer is further configured to adjust at least one of an EESU charge rate and an EESU discharge rate according to a power averaging scheme.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the control computer is configured to adjust the activation state of the at least one of the plurality of solid-state switches depending upon at least one of:

weather information, projected power needs, pricing information, an established current flow rate, and time of day.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a control bus coupled between the control computer and the at least one of the plurality of solid-state switches.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the composite material comprises the high-permittivity ceramic material in particulate form, the particulate form dispersed in the plastic matrix.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the current limiting circuit is coupled in series between the at least one EESU and the utility power grid.

14. A system comprising:

at least one electrical energy storage unit (EESU) coupled in series between a utility power grid and a load, the EESU comprising a composite material and a plurality of electrodes, the composite material comprising a high-permittivity ceramic material dispersed in a plastic matrix;

a converter coupled in series between the at least one EESU and the utility power grid, the converter to convert alternating current to direct current;

a direct current limiting unit coupled in series between the converter and the at least one EESU;

a set of switches coupled between the at least one EESU and the utility power grid, wherein the at least one EESU is configured to receive electricity from the utility power grid according to an activation state of at least one of the set of switches; and

a control computer coupled to the at least one of the set of switches, wherein the control computer is configured to adjust the activation state of the at least one of the set of switches, the control computer coupled to the direct current limiting unit to control the direct current limiting unit.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a second EESU coupled in parallel with the at least one EESU and further comprising a second set of switches coupled between the direct current limiting unit and the second EESU, the control computer coupled to at least one switch of the second set of switches to adjust the activation state of the at least one switch of the second set of switched to control charging of the second EESU.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a second converter coupled in series between the at least one EESU and the load, the second converter to convert direct current to alternating current.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a portable EESU coupled between the at least one EESU and the second converter.

18. A system comprising:

an electrical energy storage unit (EESU) coupled in series between a utility power grid and a load;

a first converter coupled in series between the EESU and the utility power grid, the first converter comprising a full wave bridge to convert alternating current to direct current;

a direct current limiting unit coupled in series between the converter and the EESU;

a second converter coupled in series between the EESU and the load, the second converter to convert from direct current to alternating current;

a set of switches coupled between the EESU and the direct current limiting unit, wherein the EESU is configured to receive electricity from the utility power grid according to an activation state of at least one of the set of switches; and

a control computer coupled to the at least one of the set of switches, wherein the control computer is configured to adjust the activation state of the at least one of the set of switches, the control computer coupled to the direct current limiting unit to control the direct current limiting unit.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the control computer is control the direct current limiting unit to provide a constant energy flow to provide the EESU with sufficient power for a 24-hour period.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a second EESU coupled in parallel to the EESU and in series between the direct current limiting unit and the second converter.