System and method for storing, disseminating, and utilizing energy in the form of gas compression and expansion including a thermo-dynamic battery

Abstract

Thermo-dynamic battery is a energy storage unit for converting compressed gas energy into consumable electrical power for application uses with any device that requires electrical power to function. A method for storing electrical energy in the form of compressed gas and converting the same energy to electric power includes compressing gas and storing the compressed gas for release to drive a generator. A system and method for storing, disseminating, and utilizing energy in the form of gas compression and expansion comprises a method for expanding compressed gas in at least two stages and further provides for storing energy in the form of compressed gas through compression in at least two stages. Apparatus is provided to operate in accordance with the described procedure to contribute at or about 90% efficiency.

1 . A system for storing energy and generating electrical power comprising: at least one compressed gas storage device for controllably storing and releasing said gas; at least one generator for generating electricity and capable function in the same way as electric motor resulting from application of electrical power, herein it is called Motor-Generator; at least one gas expander to run electric generator resulting from receiving a flow of gas and capable function in the same way as gas compressor, herein it is called Expander-Compressor; said at least one Generator-Motor being connectable to said at least one Expander-Compressor with a common drive shaft such to compress gas into the said compressed gas storage device resulting from supply of electrical power and generate electricity resulting from receiving a flow of gas from said compressed gas storage device, herein it is called Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter; said at least one compressed gas storage device being connectable to said at least one Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter such that said compressed gas storage device supplies and receives gas flow to said at least one Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter thereby resulting in to store and generate electrical power in the form of gas compression and expansion; said at least one Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter being operable independently substantially any external source of energy during generation of electrical energy.  
     
     
         2 . The invention as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one Motor-Generator device being connectable with common drive shaft to said at least one Expander-Compressor device such that the expanding and compressing gas is passing between armature and rotor gap in direct contact with armature and rotor to obtain energy in the form of heat from said at least one Motor-Generator to expand the volume of said gas during expansion and to increase the pressure of said gas during compression.  
     
     
         3 . The invention as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter includes at least two Expander-Compressor members for driving said at least one Generator-Motor in response to impingement upon said at least two Expander-Compressor members of gas flow, a first Expander-Compressor member being arranged to exchange gas flow from said at least one compressed gas storage device and a second Expander-Compressor member being arranged to exchange gas flow from said at least one Generator-Motor.  
     
     
         4 . The invention as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said device for storing energy and generating electric power comprises; at least one flow control valve; at least one pressure sensor; at least four check valve and at least one controller, for controllable expansion and compression of said gas.  
     
     
         5 . The invention as set forth in  claim 1  including; at least one energy source intended for compressing gas for storage in said compressed gas storage device.  
     
     
         6 . The invention as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said power device for storing energy and generating electric power includes at least one common drive shaft for said Generator-Motor and said at least two Expander-Compressor members.  
     
     
         7 . The invention as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said gas comprises air.  
     
     
         8 . A method for storing energy and for generating power comprising the steps of: 
 (a) Supplying electrical power to Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter intended for compressing gas or providing compressed gas;    (b) Storing said compressed gas for controllable release to drive at least one Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter to generate electrical power.    
     
     
         9 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  further including the step of releasing or compressing at least a portion of said gas thereby driving said at least one power generator Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter to provide power or to store electricity.  
     
     
         10 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  further including the step of providing means for charging compressing said gas.  
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said gas is compressed air.  
     
     
         12 . A system for storing energy and generating power comprising: At least two compressed gas storage devices comprising at least a first compressed gas storage device and at least a second compressed gas storage device, each of said gas storage devices having means for storing compressed gas and for controllably receiving and releasing said gas; at least two Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter means capable of generating power resulting from receiving a flow of gas, and compressing gas into the compressed gas storage device resulting from supply of electrical power, said first compressed gas storage device having higher operating pressure than said second compressed gas storage device, said first compressed gas storage device and said second compressed gas storage device being connectable to one another by Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter and said second Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter being connectable to said second compressed gas storage device such that upon compression or release of gas from or to said first compressed gas storage device and from or to said second compressed gas storage device, gas flow proceeds such that the pressure drop across said first Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter and said second Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter is substantially equal for the duration of gas compression and expansion.  
     
     
         13 . The invention as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter means comprises at least one Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter member connected to said first compressed gas storage device.  
     
     
         14 . The invention as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter means comprises at least one Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter member disposed at least partially within said first compressed gas storage device.  
     
     
         15 . The invention as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter means comprises at least one Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter member connected to said second compressed gas storage device.  
     
     
         16 . The invention as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter means comprises at least one Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter member disposed at least partially within said second compressed gas storage device.  
     
     
         17 . The invention as set forth in  claim 12  further exchanging heat means to receive gas flow from said compressed gas storage device and to receive heat from said Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter means, wherein said heat expands the volume of said gas during expansion and increases pressure of gas during compression.  
     
     
         18 . The invention as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said-Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter means includes at least two Expander-Compressor members for driving said Generator-Motor means in response to impingement upon said at least two Expander-Compressor members of gas flow, a first Expander-Compressor member being arranged to receive gas flow from said compressed gas storage device and a second Expander-Compressor member being arranged to receive gas flow from said Generator-Motor means.  
     
     
         19 . The invention as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said means for controllably releasing and compressing said gas from and to said compressed gas storage device comprises at least one controller member; at least four check valves; and at least one flow control valve for controllable release and compression of said gas.  
     
     
         20 . The invention as set forth in  claim 12  further including Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter means connectable to receive gas flow from said compressed gas storage device wherein said gas flows in direct contact with armature and rotor of Motor-Generator to exchange heat, which expands the volume of said released gas and increases the pressure of said compressed gas.  
     
     
         21 . The invention as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter means includes at least two Expander-Compressor members for driving said Motor-Generator means in response to impingement upon said at least two Expander-Compressor members of gas flow, a first Expander-Compressor member being arranged to receive gas flow from said compressed gas storage device and a second Expander-Compressor member being arranged to receive gas flow from said Motor-Generator means, wherein said Motor-Generator drives said at least two Expander-Compressors in response to electrical power supply to compress gas, a first Expander-Compressor member being arranged to receive gas flow from Motor-Generator and second Expander-Compressor member being arranged to receive gas flow from said compressed gas storage device.  
     
     
         22 . The invention as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said means for controllably releasing and receiving said gas from said compressed gas storage device comprises at least four check valves; at least one pressure sensor; at least one controller member and at least one flow control valve for controllable release and receive of said gas.  
     
     
         23 . The invention as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said first compressed gas storage device includes at least one common drive shaft for said Generator-Motor means and said at least two Expander-Compressor members.  
     
     
         24 . The invention as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said second compressed gas storage device includes at least one common drive shaft for said Generator-Motor means and said at least two Expander-Compressor members.  
     
     
         25 . A system for storing and generating power comprising means compressing gas in response to supply of electrical power for storing energy in the form of compressed gas and connectable to means for generating power in response to flow of gas, said means for storing energy in the form of compressed gas means compressing gas at least two different pressure stages such that pressure differentials between stages for the duration of compression is substantially equal, including means for releasing compressed gas in at least two different pressure stages such that the pressure differentials between stages for the duration of expansion of said compressed gas is substantially equal, thereby reducing energy loss during compression and from expansion of compressed gas.  
     
     
         26 . The invention as set forth in  claim 25  wherein said means for storing energy in the form of compressed gas comprises at least a first compressed gas storage member and a second compressed gas storage member, said first compressed gas storage member being connectable to said second compressed gas storage member, said first compressed gas storage member being at a different pressure from said second compressed gas storage member.  
     
     
         27 . The invention as set forth in  claim 25  wherein said means for storing energy in the form of compressed gas comprises a plurality of compressed gas storage members at differing pressures.  
     
     
         28 . A method for storing energy and generating power comprising the steps of: 
 (a) Compressing gas controllably at least two equal pressure differentials in at least two different pressure levels whereby energy loss due to gas compression is reduced;    (b) Storing compressed gas for controllable release to drive power generator means;    (c) Releasing said compressed gas from at least two different pressure levels in at least two equal pressure differentials, whereby energy loss due to expansion of compressed gas is reduced.    
     
     
         29 . The invention as set forth in  claim 28  wherein there is a plurality of pressure differentials.  
     
     
         30 . The invention as set forth in  claim 28  wherein thermal energy released upon generation and storage of power is at least partially returned to said expanding and compressing gas to reduce energy loss.  
     
     
         31 . The invention as set forth in  claim 28  wherein said gas comprises air.  
     
     
         32 . A system for storing power comprising means for storing energy in the form of compressed gas and connectable to means for providing power, and further including means for compressing gas through application of power from said power providing means, including means for compressing gas in at least two different pressure levels such that the pressure differentials for the duration of compression are substantially equal, thereby reducing energy loss from compression of said gas, said system being operable in substantial thermal isolation from the surrounding.  
     
     
         33 . The invention as set forth in  claim 32  wherein said means for compressing gas comprises at least a first Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter member and a second Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter member, said first Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter member and said second Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter member being connectable to one another and operating at similar differential gas pressure.  
     
     
         34 . The invention as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein at least one of said Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter members is capable to function in the same way as electricity generator and mutually capable to function in the same way as a gas compressor.  
     
     
         35 . The invention as set forth in  claim 32  wherein said means for storing energy in the form of compressed gas comprises a plurality of compressed gas storage members at differing pressures.  
     
     
         36 . The invention as set forth in  claim 32  wherein said Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter means includes at least two Expander-Compressor members operable to drive said gas compression, a first Expander-Compressor member being arranged to receive gas flow from said means for storing energy in the form of compressed gas, said Motor-Generator member and said second Expander-Compressor member being arranged to receive gas flow from the first Expander-Compressor to exchange heat means included in said Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter means.  
     
     
         37 . The invention as set forth in  claim 28  exchanging heat means contributes to controlling temperature of said Motor-Generator members.  
     
     
         38 . The invention as set forth in  claim 33  further including at least two compressed gas storage devices, a first of said at least two compressed gas storage devices including said first Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter member and a second of said at least two compressed gas storage devices including said second Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter member  
     
     
         39 . The invention as set forth in  claim 38 , further including means for controlling gas flow and direction from and to said first compressed gas storage device and further including at least one flow control valve for controlling said gas flow and direction from and to said first compressed gas storage device.  
     
     
         40 . The invention as set forth in  claim 38  further including means for controlling gas flow and direction from and to said second gas storage device, other than said means for controlling gas flow and direction from and to said first compressed gas storage device and further including at least one flow control valve for controlling gas flow and direction from and to said second compressed gas storage device other than said at least one flow control valve for controlling gas flow and direction from and to said first compressed gas storage device.  
     
     
         41 . The invention as set forth in  claim 32  wherein said gas substantially comprises air.  
     
     
         42 . The invention as set forth in  claim 32  wherein said pressure of said compressed stored gas is substantially equal to or greater than 5000 psi.  
     
     
         43 . The invention as set forth in  claim 32  wherein said pressure of said compressed stored gas is substantially equal or less than 5000 psi.  
     
     
         44 . The invention as set forth in  claim 32  wherein said pressure differentials are substantially equal to one another.  
     
     
         45 . A method for storing power in the form of compressed gas comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing power means;    b. providing means for compressing gas through application of power from said power means, whereby said gas is compressed in at least two different pressure levels such that the pressure differentials upon compression of said gas is substantially equal, thereby reducing energy loss.    
     
     
         46 . The method as set forth in  claim 45  wherein said means for compressing gas is operable in reverse to function as a generator.  
     
     
         47 . The method as set forth in  claim 45  wherein said pressure differentials are substantially equal to one another.  
     
     
         48 . A system for storing energy and generating electrical power comprising: 
 a plurality of compressed gas storage devices for storing compressed gas at different pressure levels to create substantially equal pressure differentials between compressed gas storage devices and for controllably compressing and releasing said gas;    a tank member substantially containing said plurality of compressed gas storage devices;    means for controlling charging with compressed gas of said plurality of compressed gas storage devices;    at least one Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter capable of generating electricity resulting from receiving a flow of gas and capable of compressing gas resulting from supply of electrical power;    said plurality of compressed gas storage devices being connectable to said at least one Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter such that said compressed gas storage devices supply and receive gas flow from gas released and compressed there from to said at least one Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter thereby resulting to store and generate electrical power;    control means for controlling release of compressed gas and compressing gas;    heat exchange means exchanging heat between Motor-Generator and gas; and    load sensor means for sensing load in connection with release of compressed gas, said control means for controlling release of compressed gas being connected with said load sensor means such that for smaller loads gas flow is diminished and for higher loads gas flow is increased.    
     
     
         49 . A system for storing energy from compressing gas comprising means for compressing gas to a selected pressure in at least two steps thereby reducing energy loss from said gas compression, said means for compressing gas being connectable to at least one energy storage device for storing compressed gas.  
     
     
         50 . The invention as set forth in  claim 49  wherein pressure differentials in said at least two steps are substantially equal to one another.  
     
     
         51 . The invention as set forth in  claim 48  wherein said Electricity Pressure Mutual Converter had one gas input and one gas output to reduce energy losses.  
     
     
         52 . The invention as set forth in  claim 48 , wherein said Expander-Compressor member is a sliding vane turbine.  
     
     
         53 . The invention as set forth in  claim 48 , wherein said pressure differential is substantially equal to, less than or greater than 10 psi.