Utility grid power averaging and conditioning

• US 8,145,362 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2010
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eestor Inc. (FuelPositive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Eestor Inc. (FuelPositive Corp.)
• Inventors: Weir, Richard D., Nelson, Carl W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick, Michael D
• Application Number:
  US12/785,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20110013427A1
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 361/313, 29/254.2, 29/254.1, 700/286, 700/292, 700/295
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 4/302 obtained by injection of metal in cavities formed in a ceramic body
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/43 Electric condenser making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/435 Solid dielectric type

Abstract

As system is disclosed for providing power averaging for the utility grids and more specifically to utilizing a unique EESU unit with the capability to store electrical energy over 24 hour periods each day and provide power averaging to homes, commercial, and industrial sites to reduce the peak power requirements. Charging such power averaging units during the non-peak times and delivering the energy during the peak-demands times provides for more efficient utilization of utility-grid power-generating plants and the already existing power transmission lines. Such a unit may also have the capability of isolating the users from utility-grid power failures, transients, and AC noise.

Claims

1. A method of power averaging, the method comprising:

receiving power from a utility grid at a bridge of a power system, the power system comprising;

an input coupled to a utility power grid;

the bridge to convert alternating current to direct current;

a current limiting circuit , wherein the bridge is electrically connected between the input and the current limiting circuit;

an electrical energy storage unit coupled to the current limiting circuit, the electrical energy storage unit comprising a dielectric layer disposed between first and second electrode layers, the dielectric layer comprising a high permittivity ceramic material;

a converter to convert direct current to alternating current; and

a power output connected to a portion of the utility grid, wherein the converter is electrically connected between the electrical energy storage unit and the power output;

determining an average daily usage rate with a control computer; and

controlling current supplied by the current limiting circuit with the control computer based on the average daily usage rate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the current includes controlling the current to be constant based on the average daily usage rate.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the current includes controlling the current to fill the electrical energy storage unit during off-peak times.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling access to portable energy storage units based on availability of utility grid power and power level of the electrical energy storage unit.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising isolating the electrical energy storage unit and activating a buffer unit connected in parallel with the electrical energy storage unit.

6. A method of power averaging, the method comprising:

receiving power from a utility grid at a bridge of a power system, the power system comprising;

an input coupled to a utility power grid;

the bridge to convert alternating current to direct current;

a current limiting circuit coupled to an output of the bridge, wherein the bridge is electrically connected between the input and the current limiting circuit;

an electrical energy storage unit comprising a dielectric layer disposed between first and second electrode layers, the dielectric layer comprising a high permittivity ceramic material;

a converter to convert direct current to alternating current; and

a power output, wherein the converter is electrically connected between the electrical energy storage unit and the power output;

determining an average daily usage rate with a control computer;

controlling current supplied by the current limiting circuit with the control computer based on the average daily usage rate; and

accessing a portable energy storage unit based on availability of utility grid power and power level of the electrical energy storage unit.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein controlling the current includes controlling the current to be constant based on the average daily usage rate.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein controlling the current includes controlling the current to fill the electrical energy storage unit during off-peak times.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising isolating the electrical energy storage unit and activating a buffer unit connected in parallel with the electrical energy storage unit.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the power output is connected to a portion of the utility grid.