Patents by Inventor Gerhard Luther

Gerhard Luther has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230184204
    Abstract: The energy transition involves the electrical power supply being almost completely covered by renewable energy sources such as solar plants or wind turbines. However, due to their naturally fluctuating output, these energy sources require the use of large energy storage systems, the realization of which still represents a major problem today. The present invention relates to supporting the construction of a large-scale pumped-storage power plant, e.g., in the Hambach open-pit mine, by enabling test operation as well as energy generation as early as during the construction phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Horst Schmidt-Böcking, Gerhard Luther
  • Publication number: 20220364539
    Abstract: The energy transition involves the electrical power supply being almost completely covered by renewable energy sources such as solar plants or wind turbines. However, due to their naturally fluctuating output, these energy sources require the use of large energy storage systems, the realization of which still represents a major problem today. The present invention provides a solution which aims to secure the entire short-term storage capacity needed for the energy transition in Germany (and even Europe). For this purpose, in particular, the invention proposes the construction of a large-scale pumped-storage power plant in the Hambach open-pit mine, as a result of which the can mine be put to subsequent use in a sustainable way. The invention also relates to the construction and partial commissioning of the plant in parallel with the use that is being phased out, in particular that of lignite mining (by 2038). This is to avoid the loss of a significant number of existing jobs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Horst Schmidt-Böcking, Gerhard Luther
  • Patent number: 9797366
    Abstract: An underwater pumped storage power plant that includes: an accumulator system with pressure vessels fillable with water and; a water outlet for water flow out of the system into a surrounding ocean against hydrostatic water pressure (PT) corresponding to water depth (T); a pump at the water outlet to pump water out of the system by converting electrical energy into potential energy corresponding to a displaced water column PT; a water inlet to allow water flow into the system from the surrounding ocean; a common generator at the water inlet, to convert the potential energy back into electrical energy when water flows in; electric lines to transport the electrical energy from the ocean surface to the power plant and back, wherein the pressure vessels are pressure-resistant and resistant to deformation from the PT at the ocean floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Roentdek-Handels
    Inventors: Horst Schmidt-Boecking, Gerhard Luther
  • Patent number: 9617970
    Abstract: A pumped storage power plant for a temporary reversible storage of energy, such as the energy available from wind power stations and/or photovoltaic systems that is fluctuating over time. The pumped storage power plant is designed as an underwater pumped storage power plant, wherein the ocean assumes the function of an upper storage basin and a pressure tank placed on the ocean floor serves as a lower storage basin. The storage of the electric energy takes place through pumping water out of the inside of the pressure tank against the hydrostatic water pressure on the ocean floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ROENTDEK-HANDELS GMBH
    Inventors: Horst Schmidt-Böcking, Gerhard Luther
  • Publication number: 20150361948
    Abstract: An underwater pumped storage power plant that includes: an accumulator system with pressure vessels fillable with water and; a water outlet for water flow out of the system into a surrounding ocean against hydrostatic water pressure (PT) corresponding to water depth (T); a pump at the water outlet to pump water out of the system by converting electrical energy into potential energy corresponding to a displaced water column PT; a water inlet to allow water flow into the system from the surrounding ocean; a common generator at the water inlet, to convert the potential energy back into electrical energy when water flows in; electric lines to transport the electrical energy from the ocean surface to the power plant and back, wherein the pressure vessels are pressure-resistant and resistant to deformation from the PT at the ocean floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Horst Schmidt-Boecking, Gerhard Luther
  • Publication number: 20140060028
    Abstract: A pumped storage power plant for a temporary reversible storage of energy, such as the energy available from wind power stations and/or photovoltaic systems that is fluctuating over time. The pumped storage power plant is designed as an underwater pumped storage power plant, wherein the ocean assumes the function of an upper storage basin and a pressure tank placed on the ocean floor serves as a lower storage basin. The storage of the electric energy takes place through pumping water out of the inside of the pressure tank against the hydrostatic water pressure on the ocean floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: ROENTDEK-HANDELS GMBH
    Inventors: Horst Schmidt-Böcking, Gerhard Luther
  • Patent number: 4068358
    Abstract: A machine for air-jet texturizing of synthetic filaments equipped with an arbitrary desired number of compressed air-fed texturizing nozzles is disclosed. Each nozzle is supplied with at least two synthetic filaments, and the nozzles are coordinated with at least two supply mechanisms for feeding the filaments to the machine. The supply mechanisms are arranged on axes that are parallel to the longitudinal middle plane of the machine in a common plane directed at an acute angle to the longitudinal middle plane of the machine. The supply mechanisms are offset from each other. The machine further comprises a pressure tank capable of being charged with compressed air and extending over the full length of the machine to provide a supply of air to the texturizing nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Assignee: Berliner Maschinenbau-AG vormals L. Schwartzkopff
    Inventor: Gerhard Luther