Utilizing Natural Energy Or Having A Geographic Feature Patents (Class 60/398)
  • Patent number: 11913422
    Abstract: Provided is a wave force utilization unit capable of further reducing product cost and installation cost and effectively utilizing a wave force while decreasing the wave force, and a wave force utilization system in which the unit is used. The wave force utilization unit includes a box-shaped floating unit 1 supported via a support to move in an up-down direction, in response to movement of the sea surface in the up-down direction. The floating unit 1 includes a main body 2, an introduction part 3 disposed continuously on one side of the main body 2, and a water drain part 4 disposed continuously on the other side of the main body 2, the main body 2 includes an air chamber 5 that is a sealed space and acts to float up the floating unit 1, and a flow-through chamber 6 through which seawater flows from the introduction part 3 to the water drain part 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Ginjirou Onda
  • Patent number: 11898530
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus that adapts the rate of its computational work to match the availability of energy harvested from a stochastic energy source; and, with respect to some types of energy harvesting, regulates the rate of energy capture, the rate of energy conversion, and the rate of consumption of stored potential energy, through its alteration, regulation, and/or adjustment, of that same computational work load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: LONE GULL HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ivar Lee Thorson, Garth Alexander Sheldon-Coulson, Brian Lee Moffat, Daniel William Place
  • Patent number: 11870253
    Abstract: An energy storage system includes at least one heterogeneous pressure media and interactive actuation module (“module”), a liquid source, a pump, a converter, a first pipeline, and a second pipeline. The module includes a first container storing an initial gas and a second container storing an initial liquid. The liquid source stores a working liquid. The pump regulates the working liquid from the liquid source into the module. The initial liquid is driven by the working liquid to continuously compress the initial gas so that the first container stores a first pressure energy, and the initial gas is continuously expanded to drive the initial liquid to convert the first pressure energy into a second pressure energy. The second pressure energy through the first pipe drives the converter to generate an electrical energy, and the working liquid after driving the converter is returned to the liquid source through the second pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: POWER8 TECH INC.
    Inventors: Lien Chun Ding, Qiu Shui Su, Song Yuan Lin, Chih Cheng Tai
  • Patent number: 11746759
    Abstract: An energy storage and generation device is coupled to a source of energy, preferably green energy, and an energy storage and generation elevator that is configured for allowing the raising and lowering of one or more weights disposed on the energy storage and generation elevator from a lower position to a raised position, the raised position higher than the lower position. A first energy and storage elevator movement mechanism is configured for raising and lowering the energy storage and generation elevator while a second energy and storage elevator movement mechanism is configured for causing the energy generator to generate electrical energy when the energy storage and generation elevator including one or more weights moves from the raised position to the lower position with one or more of the weights disposed on the energy storage and generation elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Howard S. Mitz
  • Patent number: 11655793
    Abstract: A system for generating power is disclosed. The system comprises a first storage reservoir for a first liquid fluid and a second storage reservoir for a second higher density fluid located at a lower elevation. Power is generated using a pump, a generator, and fluid displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: INNOVATOR ENERGY, LLC
    Inventor: Ethan Novek
  • Patent number: 11629686
    Abstract: A system for generating power is disclosed. The system comprises a first storage reservoir for a first liquid fluid and a second storage reservoir for a second higher density fluid located at a lower elevation. Power is generated using a pump, a generator, and fluid displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: INNOVATOR ENERGY, LLC
    Inventor: Ethan Novek
  • Patent number: 11624354
    Abstract: An energy collection apparatus includes an upper body and a lower body. The upper body has a first storage compartment, and is arranged to connect to an external energy generator. The lower body downwardly extends from the upper body, and has a second storage compartment. The energy collection apparatus is securely supported in a deep sea level above seabed so that when sea water enters the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment, geothermal energy and pressure difference between the sea water in the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment create upthrust steam at a top portion of the first storage compartment, the upthrust steam being guided to reach the external energy generator for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventor: Xiangyang Xu
  • Patent number: 11614066
    Abstract: A system for storing and generating power is disclosed. The system comprises a first storage reservoir configured to store a first fluid, a second storage reservoir located at a lower elevation than the first storage reservoir and configured to store a second fluid wherein said second fluid has a higher density than the first fluid, and a pump. In some embodiments a generator may be employed. The pump and the first and the second reservoir are operatively connected such that power is stored by displacing the second fluid in the second storage reservoir by pumping the first fluid from the first storage reservoir to the second storage reservoir and such that power is generated by allowing the pumped first fluid in the second storage reservoir to exit the second reservoir. The first fluid is generally a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: INNOVATOR ENERGY, LLC
    Inventor: Ethan Novek
  • Patent number: 11542786
    Abstract: A system for powering electric hydraulic fracturing equipment, the system including a power storage system and electric powered hydraulic fracturing equipment in selective electrical communication with the power storage system. The system further includes at least one circuit breaker between the power storage system and the electric powered hydraulic fracturing equipment, the circuit breaker configured to facilitate or prevent electrical communication between the power storage system and the electric powered hydraulic fracturing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon N. Hinderliter, Jared Oehring, Steven Riley
  • Patent number: 11499518
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power generation apparatus, and more particularly to a power generation apparatus that generates power by dropping collected water. A power generation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a chamber having an accommodation space for accommodating water, and configured to accommodate water introduced through an intake pipe disposed on the bottom surface thereof; a pressure pump configured to discharge the air of the accommodation space out of the chamber through a discharge pipe provided on the ceiling surface of the chamber by generating pressure; a spray unit provided on the side surface of the chamber, and configured to spray water, introduced by the pressure pump and accommodated in the accommodation space, out of the chamber; and a power generation unit configured to generate power using the pressure of water sprayed by the spray unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Jin Young Kim
  • Patent number: 11441394
    Abstract: A system and method of generating electricity. A work string extends into a wellbore. A heat pump unit at a surface location circulates a working fluid through the work string to absorb heat from a formation surrounding the wellbore. A turbine generates a rotation from the working fluid that has absorbed the heat. A generator generates electricity from the rotation of the turbine. The electricity is transmitted to the surface location via an electrical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mahendra L. Joshi, Alireza Shahkarami, Robert Klenner, Michael Hughes, Alexey Tyshko, Robert Krumm
  • Patent number: 11441532
    Abstract: Wave energy conversion (WEC) systems and methods for harvesting wave energy by use of the systems are described. WEC systems incorporate a plurality of submerged oscillating water columns (SOWC) that encourage oscillating water motion within each submerged column to mimic the motion of waves passing the SOWC system. A WEC system includes multiple SOWC connected to one another via air pockets within each submerged column. Each SOWC includes a float connected to a power take-off. The oscillations of the floats are converted to useful energy by the power take-off of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Idaho State University
    Inventors: Bruce Savage, Mohammadamin Torabi
  • Patent number: 11392100
    Abstract: Disclosed techniques include energy management based on modularized energy control using pooling. Operating data is obtained from a plurality of energy modules within an energy storage system. The plurality of energy modules is pooled. One or more operating goals are obtained for the plurality of energy modules. The operating goals can be based on cost, availability, or energy module status. One or more processors are used to analyze the operating data, the one or more operating goals, energy demand, and energy module operating health. The operation of one or more of the plurality of energy modules is controlled based on the analysis. The energy modules can be a pooled homogeneous bank of energy modules. The homogeneous banks can be pooled into heterogeneous energy modules. The pools can include dynamically added energy module peers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Energy Internet Corporation
    Inventors: Shankar Ramamurthy, Robert A. Gingell, Jr., Sudhir Ramtirth Joshi
  • Patent number: 11391261
    Abstract: A system and method by which energy from ocean waves is converted into hydrogen, and that hydrogen is used to manifest electrical and mechanical energies by an energy consuming device. A portion of the generated electrical power is communicated to water electrolyzers which produce oxygen and hydrogen from water as gases. At least a portion of the generated hydrogen gas is transferred to a transportation ship via a hose-carrying, remotely operated (or otherwise unmanned) vehicle, and subsequently transferred to an energy-consuming module or infrastructure, where a portion of the hydrogen is consumed in order to manifest a generation of electrical energy, a mechanical motion, and/or a chemical reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: LONE GULL HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Garth Alexander Sheldon-Coulson, Brian Lee Moffat, Daniel William Place, Ivar Lee Thorson
  • Patent number: 11391265
    Abstract: A collapsible wind turbine includes a turbine with a vertical axis (A). The turbine is supported by a vertical pylon, pivotably mounted about a hinge, and by linking members connecting the rotation shaft of the turbine to the pylon while maintaining a separation therebetween. The wind turbine includes: —an electricity generator of which the axis of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pylon, the generator being secured to the ground; and—at least one flexible link connecting and synchronising the rotation of the generator with the rotation shaft of the turbine by linear travel of the flexible link in a closed-circuit path, so as to drive the rotation shaft of the generator by the movement of the turbine. The present structure is, in particular related to land-based wind turbines in a cyclone-prone area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE GRENOBLE
    Inventors: Stéphane Barre, Jean-luc Achard, Guillaume Balarac, Guillaume Maurice
  • Patent number: 11371484
    Abstract: Wind turbine farms are presented including: a number of steerable wind turbines each having a turbine diameter, where the number of steerable wind turbines is grouped pairwise into a number of monopole wind tower pairs, where each monopole wind tower pair is placed in a fixed pair placement and oriented in one of a number of fixed pair orientations, where each one of the number of fixed pair orientations corresponds with one of a number of prevailing wind directions, and where the number of monopole wind tower pairs is placed in a number of fixed pair positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventor: William Larry Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11313343
    Abstract: A hydroelectric power generation system includes: a generator driven by the hydraulic turbine; a head adjuster adjusting an effective head of the hydraulic turbine; and a controller cooperatively executing: flow rate control for controlling the generator such that a flow rate in the hydraulic turbine is brought close to a target flow rate; and head adjusting control for adjusting the effective head of the hydraulic turbine using the head adjuster such that the effective head of the hydraulic turbine falls within a first range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Abe, Atsushi Suhara, Takahiro Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11293408
    Abstract: An assembly for a wind turbine, comprising a shaft extending within a main shaft housing. A radially outer portion of the shaft includes at least one engagement formation. A retention mechanism is moveable radially between a radially inward position in which the retention mechanism can engage the at least one engagement formation, such that rotation of the shaft is constrained, and a radially outward position in which the retention mechanism cannot engage the engagement formation, thereby allowing rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventors: Claus Hald Therkildsen, Anders Haslund Liingaard
  • Patent number: 11286902
    Abstract: A wave energy extractor such as a wave energy converter (WEC) or wave energy dissipater has a floating body with a channel at the fore or aft end, the channel having a sloping base, side walls, in some embodiments an end wall, and an opening for receiving waves. Resonance effects enhance the energy extracted from the waves and transferred to the floating body. Embodiments include WECs such as hinged raft WECs and heaving buoy WECs. The channels may also be fitted to a floating breakwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MOCEAN ENERGY LTD.
    Inventors: James Cameron McNatt, Christopher Heinz Retzler
  • Patent number: 11280169
    Abstract: A power generation system includes one or more micro-turbine electric generators (“MTEGs”). The MTEGs include a housing having an inlet for receiving pressurized gas and an outlet for releasing expanded gas. The MTEGs also include a rotor, a user-replaceable nozzle for directing pressurized gas over blades of the rotor, and a stator for generating alternating current (“AC”) responsive to rotation of the rotor. The power generation system also includes a programmable logic controller (“PLC”) coupled to the MTEGs that operates flow control valves (“FCVs”) coupled to the MTEGs to modulate the flow of gas to the MTEGs to generate output power suitable to support an electrical load. The system also includes power conversion circuitry configured to convert AC generated by the MTEGs to direct current (“DC”) and to provide the DC to an electrical load. The system also includes a skid for mounting multiple and MTEGs and FCVs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: REVOLUTION TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Bean, James Stuart Grasty, Jr., David L. Schauer, Blaine E. Alderks
  • Patent number: 11268275
    Abstract: A floating body device for suppressing vibration of enclosure includes a floating body surrounding the enclosure and an excitation device which can excite the floating body to float up and down. The excitation device includes a tether connected to the floating body to prevent the floating body from falling off from the enclosure. When the floating body floats up and down, an airflow boundary layer on an outer wall of a tower can be destroyed, and a cause of vortex-induced vibration can be directly suppressed. In addition, a change of an aerodynamic configuration is obtained. The up and down floating of the floating body disrupts both upper and lower sections of a nearby flow field, thus weakening a combined action thereof, thereby preventing the vortex induced vibration of the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING GOLDWIND SCIENCE & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shengjun Ma
  • Patent number: 11125065
    Abstract: Energy may be stored by injecting fluid into a fracture in the earth and producing the fluid back while recovering power and/or desalinating water. The method may be particularly adapted to storage of large amounts of energy such as in grid-scale electric energy systems. The fracture may be formed and treated with resin so as to limit fluid loss and to increase propagation pressure. The fluid may be water containing a dissolved salt or fresh water and a portion or all of the water may be desalinated using pressure in the water when it is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Quidnet Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Howard K. Schmidt, Aaron H. Mandell
  • Patent number: 11118846
    Abstract: The present application pertains to novel methods to generate power. In a representative embodiment, power is generated by warming a body of air having a temperature lower than the freezing point of liquid water by contacting the body of air with liquid water. The liquid water has a temperature greater than the freezing point of liquid water. Liquid water freezes thereby generating latent heat from freezing and thereby warming the body of air. The warmed body of air may be passed through an air turbine to generate power. Other methods and systems are described that use similar principles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Innovator Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Ethan J. Novek
  • Patent number: 11121613
    Abstract: A generator system having a dynamo that contains an armature, a stator and a housing. The armature rotates about a first axis of rotation. The stator is concentrically positioned around the armature. Both the armature and the stator are free to rotate in opposite directions about the first axis of rotation. The housing of the dynamo is connected to a motor that can rotate the dynamo around a second axis of rotation. There is an angle of inclination between the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation. This angle of inclination is selectively altered during operation. By changing the angle of inclination between the two axes of rotation, a precession can be created that adds rotational energy to both the armature and the stator. This increases the output of the dynamo and creates a highly efficient electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Craig H. Zeyher
  • Patent number: 11111898
    Abstract: A river, tidal, wave or ocean current or a wind turbine for generating electricity harnesses a predetermined minimum or baseload value of hydrokinetic/wind energy from variable water/wind flow. A harnessing module may have a waterwheel or propeller and a-generator or a waterwheel or propeller alone. A harnessing module harnesses wind or water energy and may be connected to a land module of electrical and mechanical apparatus by an electrical cable. Received variable electrical input from the harnessing module is converted to a-constant electrical frequency by a connected generator feeding a grid, for example, using a Hummingbird speed converter. The received variable electrical load power may be mechanically corrected by feedback to a Kingfisher converter. An output generator to output constant frequency may use a voltage regulator, a variable voltage transformer and a control motor to provide feed forward control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Differential Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Kyung Soo Han
  • Patent number: 11041481
    Abstract: Wind turbine farms are presented including: a number of steerable wind turbines each having a turbine diameter, where the number of steerable wind turbines is separated into a number of modules each placed in a fixed module placement and oriented in one of a number of fixed module orientations, where each one of the number of fixed module orientations corresponds with one of a number of prevailing wind directions, where the number of modules is separated into a number of sets placed in a number of fixed set positions. In some embodiments, each of the number of modules is positioned no closer than approximately six turbine diameters and no further than approximately fifteen turbine diameters from each another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: William Larry Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11041475
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hydropower electric generator, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the hydropower electric generator may include a closed conduit. Further, the closed conduit may include a reservoir, a downward flow pipe, a horizontal pipe, an upward flow pipe. Further, the downward flow pipe may include a first turbine configured to intercept the downward flow of the water and generate rotational force. Further, the upward flow pipe may include an airlift assembly configured to receive compressed air into the upward flow pipe. Further, the upward flow pipe may include a second turbine configured to intercept an upward flow of the water and generate rotational force. Further, the hydropower electric generator may include an air pump configured to generate the compressed air based on electrical energy. Further, the hydropower electric generator may include an energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: Karl Baron Rohl
  • Patent number: 11022089
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electricity generator comprising a pressure chamber having a releasably sealable air vent, a liquid supply, a sump tank configured to deliver liquid to the pressure chamber and a turbine. The electricity generator further comprises a piping network including an upright liquid conduit configured to deliver water from the pressure chamber through the turbine and back to the sump tank, a pressurized air supply operable to pressurize air in the pressure chamber, a plurality of valves, and a controller to operate the plurality of valves. In use, a small amount of air may be used to efficiently move a large body of water which in turn is used to power a turbine. The electricity generated by the turbine may be harvested and subsequently used, thereby reducing electricity spend. The installation is compact and may be installed in a factory or other installation where electricity requirement/spend are high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: STATIC HYDRO ENERGY (S.H.E.) LIMITED
    Inventor: Owen McElroy
  • Patent number: 10975831
    Abstract: A hydroelectric power system can include: a first level including a drain system, the drain system including a bell siphon coupled to a mixed flow turbine and a cross flow turbine, the drain system configured to provide a path way for a working fluid to flow from the bell siphon, through the mixed flow turbine, and through the cross flow turbine; and a second level below the first level, the second level for receiving the working fluid from the cross flow turbine of the drain system of the first level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Gene Gavieres
  • Patent number: 10968905
    Abstract: A system and method for producing compressed air from ocean waves. The system includes an enclosing frame having a base anchored to an ocean floor with two or more columns extending upward from the base to above the ocean surface and a platform at an upper end of the columns. A float is located in the frame between the columns so that the float is confined to go up and down. The float is placed on the ocean surface within the frame and goes up and down with the ocean waves. One or more pumps are located on the platform with the hammer head that can be raised and lowered to produce compressed air with the pumps. The hammer head is connected to the float with two or more elongated shafts so that the hammer head is raised and lowered by the ocean waves and produces compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Reuven Weinberg
  • Patent number: 10961975
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for pumping or removing a fluid from a region within or on top of or in contact with a water or liquid body and applications for said systems and methods. Some embodiments may also relate to anti-fouling or reducing fouling structures like docks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Innovator Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Ethan J. Novek
  • Patent number: 10962027
    Abstract: A liquid suction pump comprising: a drive pipe to receive a liquid drive flow for the pump; a liquid conduit with first and second liquid delivery arms to provide pumped liquid, and a connecting valve arrangement between the arms. First and second pump inlets to the arms have respective first and second one-way inlet valves. The valve arrangement has a valve inlet coupled to the drive pipe and valve outlets coupled to the arms to alternately close off a liquid connection between the valve inlet and respective arms. A compliant element is coupled to the drive pipe. The drive flow oscillates in pressure/flow rate due to alternate switching of the valves. A compliance of the compliant element is such that a geometry of the suction pump in combination with the compliance defines a resonant condition, and the oscillation is at a resonant frequency of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas C. B. Smith, Thomas Robert Law, Bart Stockman
  • Patent number: 10920746
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power generating system utilizing current around a structural body. The power generating system is disposed in a flow field, wherein the streams of the flow field flow along a main fluid flow direction. The power generating system comprises a supporting device and a power generating device. The supporting device comprises a supporting body, wherein at least one of a stream-facing region, a side-stream region, and a vortex region is defined on the supporting body. The power generating device comprises at least one power generating unit and a power storage unit, wherein the power generating unit is disposed in at least one of the stream-facing region, the side-stream region, and the vortex region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: NATIONAL APPLIED RESEARCH LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Yung-Bin Lin, Kuo-Chun Chang, Jihn-Sung Lai, Yuan-Shiang Tsai, Chi-Heng Chiang, Ping-Hsun Huang
  • Patent number: 10883476
    Abstract: An air compression apparatus which can be used without requiring power supply equipment, including: a cylindrical body; an impeller which is provided inside the cylindrical body; a rotary shaft provided to be rotatable coaxially with the impeller; a cylindrical casing accommodating a part of the rotary shaft; a rotation transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the impeller to the rotary shaft while increasing the rotation speed of the rotary shaft; a piston connected via a crank unit to the rotary shaft housed in the casing; a cylinder provided on the outer peripheral wall of the casing; an introduction unit provided in a cylinder for introducing air into the cylinder; and a discharge pipe each connected to the cylinder for discharging a compressed air compressed by the piston inside the cylinder. Therefore, it is possible to provide an air compression apparatus which can be used without requiring power supply equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: NGUYEN CHI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nguyen Thanh Le
  • Patent number: 10781787
    Abstract: A facility for generating electricity that includes a water source, at least one water inlet valve for delivering water to a pressure vessel under pressure, a plurality of pressure vessel water outlet valves in flow communication with the pressure vessel and a turbine-powered electrical generator for delivery of water under pressure from the pressure vessel water outlet valves according to a predetermined sequence, and an electrical distribution system for selectively delivering electricity generated by the electrical generator to an external source for use or to an air compressor operatively connected to the water source for pressurizing the water being delivered to the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Go Team CCR LLC
    Inventors: Francis Norbert Hector, Jr., Juan Keith Carroll
  • Patent number: 10738580
    Abstract: An electric driven hydraulic fracking system is disclosed. A pump configuration that includes the single VFD, the single shaft electric motor, and the single hydraulic pump that is mounted on the single pump trailer. The single VFD converts the electric power of at least 13.8 kV to a VFD rated voltage level of at least 4160V and drives the single shaft electric motor at the VFD voltage level of up to 4160V to control the operation of the single shaft electric motor and the single hydraulic pump. The single shaft electric motor drives the single hydraulic pump with the rotation at the rated RPM level of at least 750 RPM. The single hydraulic pump continuously pumps the fracking media into the well at the HP level of at least 5000 HP. The single hydraulic pump operates on a continuous duty cycle to continuously pump the fracking media at the HP level of at least 5000 HP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Service Alliance—Houston LLC
    Inventors: John Fischer, John J. Crosetto, David Kubricht, Richard Cheatham, Jeffrey Pollack, Chad Lawman, David Todd, Tyler Nolen
  • Patent number: 10737677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for pumping or removing a fluid from a region within or on top of or in contact with a water or liquid body and applications for said systems and methods. Some embodiments may also relate to anti-fouling or reducing fouling structures like docks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Ethan J. Novek
  • Patent number: 10669471
    Abstract: Energy may be stored by injecting fluid into a fracture in the earth and producing the fluid back while recovering power and/or desalinating water. The method may be particularly adapted to storage of large amounts of energy such as in grid-scale electric energy systems. The fracture may be formed and treated with resin so as to limit fluid loss and to increase propagation pressure. The fluid may be water containing a dissolved salt or fresh water and a portion or all of the water may be desalinated using pressure in the water when it is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Quidnet Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Howard K. Schmidt, Aaron H. Mandell
  • Patent number: 10641237
    Abstract: An oceanographic sensor mooring section for use with standard oceanographic moorings comprising: mooring oceanographic equipment, such as floatation devices and sensors; and a subsurface power generation unit connected to the mooring oceanographic equipment, wherein the mooring section has connective swivels at opposing ends thereof for attachment of the mooring section to standard oceanographic moorings, mooring lines, or mooring anchors, to allow the mooring section to independently orient in the direction of current flow. The subsurface power generation unit comprises a battery and power management/tracking electronics and a rim turbine generating unit that harnesses the power of underwater currents to power any sensors and related electronics equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Memorial University of Newfoundland
    Inventors: Andrew Cook, Adam Press, Geoff Holden
  • Patent number: 10562511
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for pumping or removing a fluid from a region within or on top of or in contact with a water or liquid body and applications for said systems and methods. Some embodiments may be applicable to, for example, inhibiting or preventing growth formation or fouling of structures in liquid environments. Other embodiments may be applicable to, for example, an energy storage device or a tidal power energy generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Inventor: Ethan J. Novek
  • Patent number: 10519925
    Abstract: A system is provided for converting fluid motion into electrical power, with the system being deployable in a body of fluid. The system includes a support structure and a movable structure connected to the support structure. The support structure includes a generator assembly configured to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy and provide electric power from the electrical energy. The movable structure has three or more degrees of freedom, and is configured to generate mechanical energy for conversion by the generator assembly during a power generation phase of a power cycle in which the fluid motion acts on the movable structure. The movable structure has a first configuration during the power generation phase and a second, different configuration during a recovery phase of the power cycle, with the movable structure in the first configuration having a greater surface area normal to the flow of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Brian C. Grubel
  • Patent number: 10514020
    Abstract: A closed system that captures energy derived from the head differential rather than open-water flows velocities while reducing potential environmental damages and costly maintenance due to bio-fouling. The continuously derived energy system utilizes an offshore bladder in communication with both a primary onshore bladder and a supplemental onshore bladder. Tidal energy is captured by turbines as fluid is transferred between the bladders. In addition, the system continuously extracts energy by diverting fluid to and from the supplemental onshore bladder during periods of near-high-ride and near-low-tide, during which the pressure differential between the offshore bladder and the primary onshore bladder becomes inefficient for energy production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: University of North Florida Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Donald Thomas Resio, William T. Fletcher, Michelle Ann Vieira
  • Patent number: 10502178
    Abstract: A hydropower system for generating electrical energy from water flowing along a bank includes a shaft configured to rotate about a vertical axis, an electrical generator configured to generate electrical energy in response to rotation of the shaft, and a first hydrokinetic device including a plurality of blades attached to the shaft and angularly displaced from each other around the axis. A portion of the first hydrokinetic device is submerged in the water within a cavity formed in the bank, and a portion of the first hydrokinetic device extends outside the cavity and is submerged within the flowing water. The flowing water pushes on the blades located outside the cavity, which drives rotation of the first hydrokinetic device and the shaft about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Michele Guala, Jeffrey Marr, Lian Shen
  • Patent number: 10422312
    Abstract: An energy storage and generation system uses a combination of compressed air energy storage systems and fluid energy systems, to store energy producing capability at a time when electricity requirements are low, to release that stored energy producing capability at a time when electricity requirements are high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Inventor: Olalekan A. Alao
  • Patent number: 10400743
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade having a geometry that decreases the distance downstream at which freestream momentum is recovered is disclosed. The blade design increases the loading on the inboard portion of the blade and unloads the tip portion relative to a conventional blade designed to maximize power coefficient. A wind farm having a reduced inter-turbine distance and including one or more wind turbines having the new blade designs is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Lee Kelley, David Charles Maniaci, Brian R. Resor
  • Patent number: 10371280
    Abstract: The following invention relates to an actuator for controlling a valve (100) in a subsea installation, the valve having a spring (108) to return the valve to a failsafe condition upon loss of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventor: Heyn Halfdan Magnus
  • Patent number: 10344741
    Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic energy storage system for deep sea water (DSW) is described. The system includes a floating support structure including a floating support platform, and a floating air chamber mounted on the floating support platform. The floating air chamber is configured for holding compressed air. The system also includes a sea-bottom mounted structure including a sea-bottom accumulator chamber configured for holding the compressed air and the DSW to store the DSW under pressure of the compressed air, and an air umbilical pneumatically interconnecting the floating air chamber with the sea-bottom accumulator chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
    Inventors: Tonio Sant, Daniel Buhagiar
  • Patent number: 10288221
    Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive concept include a manufactured pressure vessel including pressure cells having an impermeable layer containing porous material in which air can permeate, and a big mass layer disposed atop the pressure vessel to pressurize the air within the pressure vessel. The impermeable layer can include rubber from recycled vehicle tires. The big mass layer can have a total weight of between one (1) million and one (1) billion tonnes, or more. The big mass layer can include a remediated upper surface. The pressure vessel can include an interface section through which the air can enter and exit the pressure vessel. Pressure lines can be coupled to the interface section. A turbine center can be coupled to the pressure lines to generate electricity in response to pressurized air received through the pressure lines, or to pump air through the pressure lines into the pressure vessel to pressurize the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventors: Raymond Allen Donelick, Margaret Burke Donelick, Greg Bonarr Arehart
  • Patent number: 10233925
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a hydraulic style motor having a first power input housing containing a first plurality of rotary or centrifugally driven pumps and associated valves, such that the pumps are driven in a determined stacked fashion by a powered input (or drive) shaft. A second power output housing contains at least one second rotary driven pump and associated valve, the second pumps rotatably engaging a second output (driven) shaft. A pressure resistant fluid line interconnects a manifold associated with the first housing with another manifold associated with the second housing so that the pressurized fluid generated by rotation of the input pumps in the input housing is communicated to the output housing to drive the output pumps to rotate the output (driven) shaft. A return line communicates with the output housing manifold, via each of the individual pump and valve subassemblies, for redirecting flow back to an input feed to the input housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: James D. Sutton
  • Patent number: 10205323
    Abstract: A hydroelectricity and compressed-air power converter system includes a first fill pool, a plurality of internal fill tanks, an external fill tank, a wave channel, a plurality of air-generator systems, a second fill pool, at least one air storage tank, and at least one generator system. The first fill pool is intermittently in fluid communication with the external fill tank through the plurality of internal fill tanks while the external fill tank is intermittently in fluid communication with the second fill pool through the wave channel. The second fill pool is selectively in fluid communication with the first fill pool through the at least one generator system so that a set amount of water can be circulated within the power converter system as it generates compressed-air from the plurality of air-generator systems and hydroelectricity from the at least one generator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventor: James Arthur Lowell