Multi-stage storage system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a multi-stage storage system that includes multiple storage modules that are coupled, with one or more coupled storage modules of the multiple storage modules defining one or more stages of the multi-stage storage system, with fluid concurrently maintained at various temperatures, which depends on fluid position within one or more stages and operational phases of the multi-stage storage system.

1 . A apparatus, comprising:
 a multi-stage storage system that includes:   multiple storage modules that are coupled, with one or more coupled storage modules of the multiple storage modules defining one or more stages of the multi-stage storage system, with fluid concurrently maintained at various temperatures, depending on fluid position within one or more stages and operational phases of the multi-stage storage system.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 one or more stages are independent.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a stage of one or more stages is independent of a next, subsequent stage of one or more stages.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fluid is concurrently maintained at various temperatures, at an inactive phase of operation, with one or more final storage modules maintaining fluid at a final temperature at an active phase of operation.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein:
 a storage module of one or more coupled storage modules is coupled in with a next, subsequent storage module of one or more coupled storage modules.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein:
 one or more first storage modules of multiple storage modules are coupled with a main inlet for receiving fluid; and   one or more final storage modules of multiple storage modules are coupled with one or more main outlets for outputting fluid.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a storage module has an outlet that is coupled with one or more inlet of one or more subsequent storage module.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one storage module is coupled with a next, subsequent storage module via a transfer control mechanism for controlled movement of fluid between storage modules.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one storage module is coupled with a transfer control mechanism for controlled movement of fluid between storage modules.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the at least one storage module is a first storage module.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 an outlet of a storage module is coupled with a tube with an inlet of a next, subsequent storage module.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein:
 a storage module includes a temperature variant system that maintains the fluid in that storage module at a desired temperature.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein:
 the temperature variant system is an electric based system.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein:
 the electric based system is an electric heater comprised of heating element.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein:
 the heating element is coupled with an electrical control module that supplies electrical power from a power source to the heating element.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein:
 a storage module is coupled with an inlet tube that has a first distal end for receiving fluid from a preceding storage module, and a second distal end positioned within a next, subsequent storage module, oriented to horizontally discharge and propel fluid at an interior bottom of the next, subsequent storage module, compelling horizontally discharged fluid therein to swirl within the next, subsequent storage module to maximize contact of fluid with an element therein, generating fluid stratification with respect to temperature within the next, subsequent storage module, whereby fluid with highest temperature is at a highest level of stratification.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein:
 a first storage module is coupled with a main inlet that has a first distal end for receiving fluid from a source, with the main inlet having a second distal end coupled with a first end of a transfer control mechanism, with a second end of the transfer control mechanism coupled with main input port of the first storage module via a first distal end of a main tube, with a second distal end of the main tube positioned within the first storage module, oriented to horizontally discharge and propel fluid at an interior bottom of the first storage module, compelling horizontally discharged fluid therein to swirl within the first storage module to maximize contact of fluid with a first element therein, generating fluid stratification with respect to temperature within the first storage module, whereby fluid with highest temperature is at a highest level of stratification.   
     
     
         18 . A method for varying fluid temperature within a system, comprising:
 separating fluid into different stages;   maintaining fluid at each stage at a first set of various temperatures during a first operational phase; and   maintaining fluid at each stage at a second set of various temperatures during a second operational phase;   wherein the fluid is concurrently maintained at various temperatures and at different stages, dictated by the first and second operational phases.