Potential energy storage system
First Claim
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1. A hydraulic power system for use with a weighted object comprising:
- the weighted object includes a weighted platform;
an electric generating equipment carried by the weighted platform;
a plurality of hydraulic support cylinders constructed and arranged to support the weighted object;
a vertical guide that maintains vertical orientation of the weighted object;
a fluid reservoir to retain hydraulic fluid;
at least one conduit configured and dimensioned to provide fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the plurality of hydraulic support cylinders so as to elevate and lower the weighted object during use;
a motor driven generator operatively connected to the cylinders that generates electricity during a fluid discharge from the cylinders; and
wherein during use the generator acts as a pump to deliver fluid from the reservoir, through the conduit and to the cylinders so as to elevate the weighted object a predetermined distance in order to create sufficient potential energy which can then be stored for retrieval and thereafter utilized as a power source.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a stand alone system for generating electrical power using hydraulic supports on which a weighted object is mounted. A pump injects fluid into the supports to raise the weighted object and thereby store energy in the elevated object. A valve can be opened to deliver fluid under pressure to a turbine or hydraulic motor driven generator to generate electricity.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A hydraulic power system for use with a weighted object comprising:
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the weighted object includes a weighted platform; an electric generating equipment carried by the weighted platform; a plurality of hydraulic support cylinders constructed and arranged to support the weighted object; a vertical guide that maintains vertical orientation of the weighted object; a fluid reservoir to retain hydraulic fluid; at least one conduit configured and dimensioned to provide fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the plurality of hydraulic support cylinders so as to elevate and lower the weighted object during use; a motor driven generator operatively connected to the cylinders that generates electricity during a fluid discharge from the cylinders; and wherein during use the generator acts as a pump to deliver fluid from the reservoir, through the conduit and to the cylinders so as to elevate the weighted object a predetermined distance in order to create sufficient potential energy which can then be stored for retrieval and thereafter utilized as a power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 10, 11)
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5. A hydraulic power system for use with a weighted object comprising:
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a hydraulic support cylinder system having a plurality of hydraulic support cylinders constructed and arranged to support the weighted object; a conduit configured and dimensioned to supply fluid to the plurality of hydraulic support cylinders to elevate and lower the weighted object during use; a turbine or hydraulic motor driven generator operatively connected to the cylinders which generates electricity during a fluid discharge from the hydraulic support cylinder system, wherein the weighted object is elevated a predetermined distance in order to create sufficient potential energy which can then be stored for retrieval and thereafter utilized as a power source; a valve that controls hydraulic fluid flow to the turbine or hydraulic motor; a fluid reservoir to collect fluid during discharge; a volume of fluid deliverable to members of the plurality of support cylinders; a cylinder valve that controls fluid flow between each member of the plurality of support cylinders and the conduit; a level control system connected to the cylinder valves for maintaining the horizontal orientation of the weighted object; and an electrical distribution controller that distributes generated power. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method of generating power comprising:
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delivering a fluid to a hydraulic support cylinder to elevate a weighted object a predetermined distance only during off-peak hours in order to create sufficient potential energy; controlling delivery of the fluid from the support cylinder to a motor driven generator; rotating a shaft of the generator which generates electricity; and distributing generated power from the generator using an electrical distribution controller distributing power generated from the turbine. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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Specification