Systems and methods for compressed-gas energy storage using coupled cylinder assemblies
First Claim
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1. A method for energy storage and recovery suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the method comprising:
- at least one of expanding or compressing a gas via reciprocal motion within a pneumatic cylinder assembly, the reciprocal motion arising from or being converted into rotary motion, whereby energy is recovered and stored during expansion and compression of the gas, respectively; and
during the at least one of expansion or compression, exchanging heat with the gas by spraying a heat-transfer liquid into the gas via a spray mechanism in order to maintain the gas at a substantially constant temperature, thereby increasing efficiency of the energy recovery and storage,wherein (i) the spray mechanism comprises at least one of a spray head or a spray rod fluidly connected to a circulation mechanism configured to circulate the heat-transfer liquid into the pneumatic cylinder assembly via the spray mechanism at high pressures ranging between 300 psi and 3000 psi, (ii) the heat exchanging is performed by a heat-exchange subsystem, and (iii) a control system controls the pneumatic cylinder assembly and the heat-exchange subsystem to enforce substantially isothermal expansion or compression of the gas.
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Abstract
In various embodiments, a pneumatic cylinder assembly is coupled to a mechanism that converts motion of a piston into electricity, and vice versa, during expansion or compression of a gas in the pneumatic cylinder assembly.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for energy storage and recovery suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the method comprising:
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at least one of expanding or compressing a gas via reciprocal motion within a pneumatic cylinder assembly, the reciprocal motion arising from or being converted into rotary motion, whereby energy is recovered and stored during expansion and compression of the gas, respectively; and during the at least one of expansion or compression, exchanging heat with the gas by spraying a heat-transfer liquid into the gas via a spray mechanism in order to maintain the gas at a substantially constant temperature, thereby increasing efficiency of the energy recovery and storage, wherein (i) the spray mechanism comprises at least one of a spray head or a spray rod fluidly connected to a circulation mechanism configured to circulate the heat-transfer liquid into the pneumatic cylinder assembly via the spray mechanism at high pressures ranging between 300 psi and 3000 psi, (ii) the heat exchanging is performed by a heat-exchange subsystem, and (iii) a control system controls the pneumatic cylinder assembly and the heat-exchange subsystem to enforce substantially isothermal expansion or compression of the gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification