Mechanical energy storage method and device

• US 8,333,070 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2011
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Henry C. Huang, Jane Huang
• Original Assignee: Henry C. Huang, Jane Huang
• Inventors: Huang, Henry C., Huang, Jane
• Primary Examiner(s): Bomberg, Kenneth
• Assistant Examiner(s): JETTON, CHRISTOPHER M
• Application Number:
  US13/100,492
• Publication Number:
  US 20120280515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 603/72, 603/98, 604/74, 604/95, 604/97, 606/39, 606/40, 606/75, 606/18, 606/20, 290/1.R, 290 53- 55, 290/1.C
• US Class Current: 60/497
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/06 Stations or aggregates of water-storage type, e.g. comprising a turbine and a pumpturbines characterised by having means for functioning alternatively as pumps F03B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/4031 as in toothed gearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

Provided is an energy storage system configured to accumulate energy for subsequent discharge. One embodiment includes an indirect energy storage assembly configured to accept energy input from a direct storage assembly. The indirect energy storage assembly includes a converter for lifting a mass, a speed reducer coupled to the converter for increasing torque provided, and a mass coupled to the speed reducer for generating potential energy when raised. In one embodiment, the direct energy storage assembly produces energy based on descent of a mass, the descent controlled by operation of a speed increaser coupled to a generator. In one example, the speed increaser provides an input:output ratio of at least 1:100. The speed increaser can be configured based on parameters of the generator (e.g., speed and torque). The mass of the direct energy storage assembly can include a float for lifting the mass responsive to water level.

Claims

1. An energy storage system configured to accumulate energy for discharge, the energy storage system comprising:

an indirect energy storage assembly configured to accept energy input, the indirect energy storage assembly comprising;

a converter configured to provide an output rotation upon input of energy from an energy source,

a first gear mechanism coupled to the converter, wherein the first gear mechanism has a first gear ratio to accept an input rotation from the converter and provide a reduced output rotation,

a first clutch coupled to the first gear mechanism and to a first winching arrangement, wherein the first winching arrangement translates rotational motion of the first gear mechanism into a linear motion,

a first mass coupled to the first gear mechanism via a first pulley assembly and the first winching arrangement, wherein the first mass is configured to accept the translated linear motion and generate potential energy over a period of time when the first mass is raised using the reduced output rotation of the first gear mechanism, and

a second gear mechanism coupled to a first generator and coupled to the first winching arrangement via a second clutch, wherein the first mass upon descent is configured to provide an input rotation to the second gear mechanism, wherein the second gear mechanism has a second gear ratio to accept the input rotation and produce an output rotation,

wherein the first generator is configured to produce energy in response to the output rotation provided by the second gear mechanism, and

wherein neither the first clutch nor the second clutch are engaged simultaneously; and

at least one direct energy storage assembly configured to produce energy input into the indirect storage assembly, the direct storage assembly comprising;

a second mass,

a third gear mechanism coupled to the second mass via a second pulley assembly, a second winching arrangement and a third clutch, wherein the second mass upon descent is configured to provide an input rotation to the third gear mechanism, and wherein the third gear mechanism has a third gear ratio and is configured to produce from the input rotation a reduced torque output rotation, and

a second generator coupled to the third gear mechanism, wherein the second generator is configured to produce energy input into the indirect storage assembly in response to the reduced torque output rotation provided by the third gear mechanism.

2. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the first gear mechanism is further configured to provide the reduced rotation output at a ratio of at least one hundred to one.

3. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the first gear mechanism is further configured to increase a torque of the reduced rotation output relative to the input rotation.

4. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the second gear mechanism of the indirect energy storage assembly is further configured to provide an input to output ratio of at least one to one hundred.

5. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the first mass of the indirect energy storage assembly is configured to have a maximum height and at least the second gear mechanism of the indirect energy storage system is configured to control a rate of descent of the first mass to achieve a total descent time.

6. The energy storage system of claim 5, wherein the total descent time is at least one hour.

7. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein at least the second gear mechanism and the first generator of the indirect energy storage assembly are configured to control the rate of descent.

8. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the indirect energy storage assembly further comprises a locking mechanism configured to prevent the first mass from descending while engaged, and wherein the locking mechanism is further configured to permit lift of the first mass by the reduced rotation output of the first gear mechanism when engaged.

9. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the third gear mechanism of the direct energy storage assembly is further configured to provide an input to output ratio of at least one to one hundred.

10. The energy storage system of claim 9, wherein the second mass of the direct energy storage assembly is configured to have a maximum height and at least the third gear mechanism of the direct energy storage system is configured to control a rate of descent of the mass to achieve a total descent time.

11. The energy storage system of claim 10, wherein the total descent time is at least one hour.

12. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the direct energy storage assembly further comprises:

a means for lifting the second mass, wherein the means is configured to lift the second mass to a raised position with high potential energy from an at rest position with little or no potential energy.

13. The energy storage system of claim 12, wherein the at least one direct energy storage assembly further comprises a fluid chamber.

14. The energy storage system of claim 13, wherein the fluid chamber is configured to provide a fluid level to the means for lifting, and the means for lifting is further configured to lift the second mass in response to increases in the fluid level.

15. The energy storage system of claim 14, wherein the second mass of the direct energy storage assembly is configured to have a maximum potential energy at a predetermined fluid level in the fluid chamber and is configured to discharge potential energy as fluid level in the fluid chamber lowers.

16. The energy storage system of claim 14, further comprising an outlet configured to permit discharge of fluid from the fluid chamber.

17. The energy storage system of claim 16, wherein the outlet is connected to at least one of a second direct storage assembly and a turbine configured to produce energy to input to the indirect energy storage assembly.

18. The energy storage system of claim 13, further comprising a natural source of fluid.

19. The energy storage system of claim 18, wherein the natural source of fluid includes at least one of a pond, river, lake, estuary, tidal body of water, runoff, flood water, and precipitation.

20. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the direct energy storage assembly further comprises a locking mechanism configured to prevent the second mass from descending while engaged, and wherein the locking mechanism is further configured to permit lift of the second mass when engaged.

21. An indirect energy storage system configured to accept energy input, the indirect energy storage assembly comprising:

a converter configured to provide an output rotation upon input of energy from an energy source;

a first gear mechanism coupled to the converter, wherein the first gear mechanism has a first gear ratio to accept an input rotation from the converter and provide a reduced rotation output, said first ratio being at least one hundred to one;

a first clutch coupled to the first gear mechanism and to a first winching arrangement, wherein the first winching arrangement translates rotational motion of the first gear mechanism into a linear motion;

a mass coupled to the first gear mechanism via one or more pulley mechanisms and the first winching arrangement, wherein the mass is configured to accept the translated linear motion and generate potential energy over a period of time when the mass is raised by the reduced rotation output of the first gear mechanism; and

a second gear mechanism coupled to a generator and coupled to the first winching arrangement via a second clutch, wherein the mass upon descent is configured to provide an input rotation to the second gear mechanism and wherein the second gear mechanism has a gear ratio of at least one to one hundred to accept the input rotation and produce an output rotation, wherein the generator is configured to produce energy in response to the output rotation provided by the second gear mechanism, and

wherein neither the first clutch nor the second clutch are engaged simultaneously.

22. The indirect energy storage system of claim 21, wherein the first gear mechanism is further configured to increase a torque of the reduced rotation output relative to the input rotation.

23. The indirect energy storage system of claim 21, wherein the mass is configured to have a maximum height and at least the second gear mechanism is configured to control a rate of descent of the mass.

24. The indirect energy storage system of claim 21, wherein the system produces energy only in response to descent of the mass.

25. An energy storage system configured to accumulate energy for discharge, the energy storage system comprising:

an indirect energy storage assembly configured to accept energy input, the indirect energy storage assembly comprising;

a converter configured to provide an output rotation upon input of energy from an energy source,

a first gear mechanism coupled to the converter, the first gear mechanism having a first gear ratio to accept an input rotation from the converter and provide a large output torque,

a first clutch coupled to the first gear mechanism and to a first winching arrangement, the first clutch adaptable to receive an input from a first relay to disengage the first gear mechanism from the first winching arrangement, wherein the first winching arrangement translates rotational motion of the first gear mechanism into a linear motion,

a first mass coupled to the first winching arrangement via a first pulley assembly, the first mass accepting the translated linear motion and being configured to efficiently generate potential energy over a period of time when the first mass is raised by the large output torque of the first gear mechanism, and

a second gear mechanism coupled to a first generator and coupled to the first winching arrangement via a second clutch, wherein the first mass upon descent is configured to provide an input rotation to the second gear mechanism, wherein the second gear mechanism has a second gear ratio to accept the input rotation and produce an output rotation, wherein the first generator is configured to produce energy in response to the output rotation provided by the second gear mechanism, and

wherein neither the first clutch nor the second clutch are engaged simultaneously;

a first direct energy storage assembly configured to produce energy input into the indirect storage assembly, the first direct storage assembly comprising;

a second mass,

a second winching arrangement coupled to the second mass, the second winching arrangement accepting a linear motion of the second mass and translating the linear motion into a rotational motion,

a third clutch coupled to the second winching arrangement and to a third gear mechanism, the third clutch adaptable to receive an input from a second relay and to disengage the third gear mechanism from the second winching arrangement, wherein the third gear mechanism is configured to accept an input rotation from the translated linear movement of the second mass, and wherein the third gear mechanism produces a reduced torque output rotation from the input rotation, and

a second generator coupled to the third gear mechanism, wherein the second generator is configured to produce energy input into the indirect storage assembly in response to the reduced torque output rotation provided by the third gear mechanism; and

a second direct energy storage assembly configured to produce energy input into the indirect storage assembly, the second direct storage assembly comprising;

a third mass,

a third winching arrangement coupled to the third mass, the third winching arrangement accepting a linear motion of the third mass and translating the linear motion into a rotational motion,

a fourth clutch coupled to the third winching arrangement and to a fourth gear mechanism, the fourth clutch adaptable to receive an input from a third relay and to disengage the fourth gear mechanism from the third winching arrangement, wherein the fourth gear mechanism is configured to accept an input rotation from the translated linear movement of the third mass, and wherein the fourth gear mechanism produces a reduced torque output rotation from the input rotation, and

a third generator coupled to the fourth gear mechanism, wherein the third generator is configured to produce energy input into the indirect storage assembly in response to the reduced torque output rotation provided by the fourth gear mechanism.

26. The energy storage system of claim 25 wherein the first, second, and third relays are selected from the group comprising a manually operable relay and an automatic relay.

27. The energy storage system of claim 26, wherein the first direct energy storage assembly further comprises:

a means for lifting the second mass disposed in a first fluid chamber,

wherein the means for lifting the second mass is configured to lift the second mass to a raised position with high potential energy from an at rest position with little or no potential energy, and

wherein the second mass of the first direct energy storage assembly is configured to have a maximum potential energy at a predetermined fluid level in the first fluid chamber and is configured to discharge potential energy as fluid level in the first fluid chamber lowers.

28. The energy storage system of claim 27 wherein the second direct energy storage assembly further comprises:

a means for lifting the third mass disposed in a second fluid chamber,

wherein the means for lifting the third mass is configured to lift the third mass to a raised position with high potential energy from an at rest position with little or no potential energy,

wherein the third mass of the second direct energy storage assembly is configured to have a maximum potential energy at a predetermined fluid level in the second fluid chamber and is configured to discharge potential energy as fluid level in the second fluid chamber lowers, and

wherein the fluid level in the second fluid chamber is conversely dependent on the fluid level in the first fluid chamber.

29. The energy storage system of claim 27 further comprising a natural source of fluid selected from the group consisting of a pond, river, lake, estuary, tidal body of water, runoff, flood water, and precipitation.

30. The energy storage system of claim 26, wherein the second mass of the first direct energy storage assembly is configured to have a maximum height and at least the third gear mechanism of the first direct energy storage system is configured to control a rate of descent of the second mass to achieve a total descent time.