Gravity Field Energy Storage and Recovery System

Abstract

Device for storing energy, using a physical object, such as a mass or buoyant object floating in fluid. A mass is repositioned to greater altitude in a gravitational field to a position of higher potential energy. A buoyant object is forcibly submerged into a fluid, displacing fluid, to a position of higher potential energy. The stored potential energy may be recovered with extremely low loss regardless of the state of charge of the system, or length of time of the storage. Maintaining the charge is indefinitely lossless.

1 . An energy storage device comprising: a first shaft comprising an input end and an output end to input rotational kinetic energy to be stored; a main shaft comprising an input end and an output end; a transmission operably connected to the output end of the first shaft and to the input end of the main shaft such that the transmission can change a rotation ratio between the first shaft and the main shaft;
 a storage unit comprising an object to be displaced vertically such that potential energy due to gravity can be increased;   where the object is a buoyant object;   where the object is rigidly fixed to rack, wherein the rack is operably connected to a gear, wherein the gear is rigidly attached to the main shaft, such that the rotation of the main shaft displaces the object vertically to increase potential energy;   a second shaft comprising an input end and an output end to output the stored energy; a second transmission operably connected to output end of the main shaft and to the input end of the second shaft such that the transmission can change the rotation ratio between the main shaft and the second shaft;   where the first shaft is operably connected to the power take off shaft of a diesel locomotive.   
     
     
         2 . The storage device in  claim 1  where the object is a massive object. 
     
     
         3 . The storage device in  claim 1  where the object is rigidly fixed to cable, wherein the pulley is operably connected to a pulley, wherein the pulley is rigidly attached to the main shaft, such that the rotation of the main shaft displaces the object vertically to increase potential energy; 
     
     
         4 . The storage device in  claim 3  where the object is a massive object. 
     
     
         5 . The storage device in  claim 1  where an electric motor on the diesel locomotive is operably connected to the power take off shaft and diesel locomotive is operably connected to an electrified third rail, such that the electrified third rail can power the power take of shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The storage device in  claim 5  where a multiplicity of power sources, including a hydrogen fuel cell, gas turbine, or others, mounted on the diesel locomotive are operably connected to the power take off shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The storage device in  claim 5  where the electrified third rail is operably connected to a multiplicity of input power sources including one or more sources of energy selected from the following: a power grid, an electrical generator, solar energy, hydroelectric energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, ocean tidal energy, ocean current energy, ocean wave energy, ocean thermal energy, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, electromechanical energy, energy from a chemical reaction, and mechanical energy.