Systems and methods for improving drivetrain efficiency for compressed gas energy storage and recovery systems
First Claim
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1. An energy storage and recovery system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising:
- a pressure vessel for storage of compressed gas;
selectively fluidly coupled to the pressure vessel, at least one liquid-piston cylinder assembly for at least one of expansion or compression of gas, whereby energy is recovered and stored during expansion and compression of the gas, respectively;
selectively fluidly coupled to the at least one cylinder assembly, a vent for venting expanded gas to atmosphere;
a control system for operating the at least one liquid-piston cylinder assembly; and
a sensor system for monitoring at least a gas temperature in the at least one liquid-piston cylinder assembly, the control system being responsive to the sensor system,wherein the at least one of expansion or compression of the gas occurs substantially isothermally, thereby increasing efficiency of the energy recovery and storage.
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Abstract
The invention relates to power generation and energy storage and recovery. In particular, the invention relates to compressed gas energy storage and recovery systems using staged pneumatic conversion systems for providing narrow pressure ranges to a hydraulic motor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An energy storage and recovery system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising:
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a pressure vessel for storage of compressed gas; selectively fluidly coupled to the pressure vessel, at least one liquid-piston cylinder assembly for at least one of expansion or compression of gas, whereby energy is recovered and stored during expansion and compression of the gas, respectively; selectively fluidly coupled to the at least one cylinder assembly, a vent for venting expanded gas to atmosphere; a control system for operating the at least one liquid-piston cylinder assembly; and a sensor system for monitoring at least a gas temperature in the at least one liquid-piston cylinder assembly, the control system being responsive to the sensor system, wherein the at least one of expansion or compression of the gas occurs substantially isothermally, thereby increasing efficiency of the energy recovery and storage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An energy storage and recovery system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising:
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a pressure vessel for storage of compressed gas; selectively fluidly coupled to the pressure vessel, at least one liquid-piston cylinder assembly for at least one of expansion or compression of gas over a first range of pressures, whereby energy is recovered and stored during expansion and compression of the gas, respectively; selectively fluidly coupled to the at least one cylinder assembly, a vent for venting expanded gas to atmosphere; a control system for operating the at least one liquid-piston cylinder assembly; a sensor system for monitoring at least a gas temperature in the at least one liquid-piston cylinder assembly, the control system being responsive to the sensor system; a variable displacement hydraulic pump/motor operative over the first range of pressures; and an electric motor/generator (i) coupled to the pump/motor, and (ii) operating at least one of substantially constant RPM, substantially constant torque, or substantially constant power.
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11. An energy storage and recovery system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising:
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a pressure vessel for storage of compressed gas; selectively fluidly coupled to the pressure vessel, at least one liquid-piston cylinder assembly for at least one of expansion or compression of gas, whereby energy is recovered and stored during expansion and compression of the gas, respectively, the at least one liquid-piston cylinder assembly comprising (i) a first liquid-piston cylinder assembly for at least one of expansion or compression of the gas over a first range of pressures, and (ii) a second liquid-piston cylinder assembly for at least one of expansion or compression of the gas over a second range of pressures lower than the first range of pressures; selectively fluidly coupled to the at least one cylinder assembly, a vent for venting expanded gas to atmosphere; a control system for operating the at least one liquid-piston cylinder assembly; and (i) coupled to the first liquid-piston cylinder assembly, a first pump/motor operative over the first range of pressures, and (ii) coupled to the second liquid-piston cylinder assembly, a second pump/motor operative over the second range of pressures. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification