SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPRESSED-GAS ENERGY STORAGE USING COUPLED CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES
In various embodiments, a pneumatic cylinder assembly is coupled to a mechanism that converts motion of a piston into electricity, and vice versa, during expansion or compression of a gas in the pneumatic cylinder assembly.
1 . An energy storage and generation system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising:
a first pneumatic cylinder assembly comprising a first compartment, a second compartment, and a piston separating the compartments;
a motor/generator outside the first cylinder assembly;
a transmission mechanism, coupled to the piston and to the motor/generator, for at least one of (i) converting reciprocal motion of the piston into rotary motion of the motor/generator, or (ii) converting rotary motion of the motor/generator into reciprocal motion of the piston; and
a heat-transfer subsystem for expediting heat transfer in at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment of the first pneumatic cylinder assembly.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a shaft having a first end coupled to the piston and a second end coupled to the transmission mechanism.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the second end of the shaft is coupled to the transmission mechanism by a crosshead linkage.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a container for compressed gas; and
an arrangement for selectively permitting fluid communication of the container for compressed gas with at least one compartment of the pneumatic cylinder assembly.
5 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising a second pneumatic cylinder assembly comprising a first compartment, a second compartment, and a piston (i) separating the compartments and (ii) coupled to the transmission mechanism, wherein the second pneumatic cylinder assembly is fluidly coupled to the first pneumatic cylinder assembly.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first and second pneumatic cylinder assemblies are coupled in series.
7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first pneumatic cylinder assembly is a high-pressure cylinder and the second pneumatic cylinder assembly is a low-pressure cylinder.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the second pneumatic cylinder assembly is volumetrically larger than the first pneumatic cylinder assembly.
9 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the second pneumatic cylinder assembly comprises a second shaft having a first end coupled to the piston and a second end coupled to the transmission mechanism.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the second end of the second shaft is coupled to the transmission mechanism by a crosshead linkage.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the transmission mechanism comprises a crankshaft.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the transmission mechanism comprises a crankshaft and a gear box.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the transmission mechanism comprises a crankshaft and a continuously variable transmission.
14 . (canceled)
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the heat-transfer subsystem comprises a fluid circulator for pumping a heat-transfer fluid into at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment of the first pneumatic cylinder assembly.
16 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a mechanism for introducing the heat-transfer fluid disposed in at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment of the first pneumatic cylinder assembly.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the mechanism for introducing the heat transfer-fluid comprises at least one of a spray head or a spray rod.
18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the transmission mechanism varies torque for a given force exerted thereon.
19 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising power electronics for adjusting a load on the motor/generator.
20 - 46 . (canceled)