Including Heat, Steam, Or Compressed Gas Storage Means Patents (Class 60/659)
  • Patent number: 12241164
    Abstract: An energy storage system and method employ electrolysis to convert excess electrical energy into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas stored in cryogenic flux capacitor units. When needed, the hydrogen and oxygen are liberated from the CFCs and mixed with supercritical CO2 and combusted in a combustion chamber without any nitrogen or air present to form a heated mixture of water and sCO2 that drives a turbine that creates energy that is returned to the power grid. The water in the sCO2 mixture is then extracted and returned to a reservoir for electrolysis when needed again, resulting in a closed system for storing electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Inventors: Jayanta Kapat, Marcel Otto, Ladislav Vesely
  • Patent number: 12234789
    Abstract: There is disclosed a power generation system. The power generation system comprises at least one combustion engine. The power generation system further comprises a power generation arrangement that is constructed and arranged to generate electricity from waste energy from the at least one combustion engine. The power generation arrangement comprises: an electro-turbo compounding engine; a high temperature turbine engine); and a low temperature turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: LANDMARK TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael Avison
  • Patent number: 12222068
    Abstract: A thermal storage subsystem may include at least a first storage reservoir configured to contain a thermal storage liquid at a storage pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. A liquid passage may have an inlet connectable to a thermal storage liquid source and configured to convey the thermal storage liquid to the liquid reservoir. A first heat exchanger may be provided in the liquid inlet passage and may be in fluid communication between the first compression stage and the accumulator, whereby thermal energy can be transferred from a compressed gas stream exiting a gas compressor/expander subsystem to the thermal storage liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Hydrostor Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Stradiotto, Cameron Lewis, Davin Young, Andrew McGillis
  • Patent number: 12188379
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a closed gas system having: a working circuit in which a compressor for a working fluid, a first heat exchanger for heating the working fluid, an expander and a second heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid are arranged; a first pressurised gas tank and a first gas pipe which branches off from the working circuit between the compressor and the first heat exchanger and opens into the first pressurised gas tank; and a second gas pipe which branches off from the first pressurised gas tank and opens into the working circuit between the expander and the second heat exchanger. A method controls pressure in a closed gas system using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Carsten Graeber, Uwe Juretzek
  • Patent number: 12180889
    Abstract: The present invention is a compressed-gas energy storage and recovery system and method. The system comprises a compression line (1), an air storage means (1000) and an expansion line (2). According to the invention, the compression line (1) and expansion line (2) comprise a heat storage means (200, 201, 202) including heat storage particles. The expansion line comprises means (600, 601, 602) for injecting and mixing liquid in expansion line (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: David Teixeira, Elsa Muller-Shernetsky
  • Patent number: 12173649
    Abstract: An energy storage plant includes a casing for the storage of a working fluid different from atmospheric air, in gaseous phase and in pressure equilibrium with the atmosphere; and a tank for the storage of said working fluid in liquid or super-critical phase with a temperature close to the critical temperature. The critical temperature is close to the ambient temperature. The plant is configured to perform a closed cyclic thermodynamic transformation, first in one direction in a charge configuration and then in an opposite direction in a discharge configuration, between said casing and said tank. In the charge configuration the plant stores heat and pressure and in the discharge configuration generates mechanical energy to drive a driven machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: ENERGY DOME S.P.A.
    Inventor: Claudio Spadacini
  • Patent number: 12173626
    Abstract: A rotational power plant using a working fluid in a closed-cycle path. The power plant has a single-shaft, compressor and turbine connected together along the path. There is heat source heat exchanger within the path moving from the compressor to the turbine. There is a heat sink and heat exchanger within the path from the turbine to the compressor. There is an Automated Fluid Inventory Management System (AFIMS). The AFIMS includes sensors to measure temperature and pressure of the working fluid at different locations within the path. There is an electronic control unit connected to the AFIMS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Inventor: Joseph E. Fredley
  • Patent number: 12168943
    Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Matthieu Jonemann, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
  • Patent number: 12158138
    Abstract: Renewable geothermal energy harvesting methods may include distributing the working fluid from a ground surface into thermal contact with at least one subterranean geothermal formation; transferring thermal energy from the subterranean geothermal formation to the working fluid; distributing the working fluid from the subterranean geothermal formation back to the ground surface; and distributing the working fluid directly to at least one thermal application system. The thermal application system may be configured to utilize the thermal energy to perform work. The thermal energy may be utilized at the thermal application system to perform the work. Renewable geothermal energy harvesting systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Inventor: Mark H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 12160102
    Abstract: An energy storage system for use with renewable electrical sources. Illustratively, the system includes a pumped glycerol battery (PGB) which is a mechanical system designed to store renewable electricity in a manner that can be readily dispensed back into the national electrical power grid or smaller grid systems on demand. The energy is illustratively stored in three additive forms of potential energy—(1) gravitational, (2) high-pressure gas derived by phase-change, and (3) vacuum draw. The primary working fluid medium (that which propels a turbine-generator to create electricity) is illustratively a dense liquid material that will be physically elevated at its energy storage site. The secondary working medium (that which assists the primary medium by adding more stored energy) is a gas, such as carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Inventor: Timothy Dean Watson
  • Patent number: 12152510
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a thermal energy storage power plant includes a thermal accumulator to accumulate thermal energy and heat a thermal medium with the thermal energy, and a steam generator to generate steam using the thermal medium. The plant further includes a first path to convey the thermal medium from the accumulator to the generator, and a second path to convey the thermal medium from the generator to the accumulator. The plant further includes an auxiliary module provided on the first path, and a bypass path to convey the thermal medium flowing through the second path to the auxiliary module by bypassing the accumulator, wherein the auxiliary module is supplied with a first thermal medium from the accumulator via the first path, supplied with a second thermal medium from the second path via the bypass path, and supplies a third thermal medium to the generator via the first path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taufiq Hilal Tawab, Toyohiro Akebi, Jianda Goh, Hiromutsu Miki, Keiko Shimizu, Masakazu Shirakawa, Atsushi Matsuzaki, Takahiro Mori, Hironori Watanabe, Yusuke Fukamachi, Syuntaro Abe, Chikako Iwaki
  • Patent number: 12140054
    Abstract: An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the energy storage system provides higher-temperature heat to a steam cracking furnace system for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into cracked gas, thereby increasing the efficiency of the temperature control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery Von Behrens, Robert Ratz, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
  • Patent number: 12129791
    Abstract: Solid-state thermoclines with internal baffle structures are in used in place of heat exchangers in a closed thermodynamic cycle power generation or energy storage system, such as a closed Brayton cycle system. The baffles limit the conductive and/or radiative transfer of heat between a solid thermal medium within different zones defined by the baffle structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: MALTA INC.
    Inventors: Raj Apte, Philippe Larochelle
  • Patent number: 12123628
    Abstract: The receiver (25,50,100,120) according to the invention is provided with the heating area (26) for heating a heat-transporting medium, which has an optical opening (3) for sunlight, an absorber (27, 51) absorbing the sunlight arranged within the path of the incidental sunlight and with a transport arrangement for the transport of the medium through the heating area, wherein the absorber (27, 52) is designed as a blackbody radiation arrangement with reduced convection and the transport arrangement (29) for the transport of a gas is designed as a heat-transporting medium. By means of this, the receiver can be designed in a simpler and more reliable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignees: Synhelion SA, ENI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gianluca Ambrosetti, Philipp Good
  • Patent number: 12085346
    Abstract: An apparatus for the accumulation and transfer of thermal energy is disclosed including a thermal energy charging device having a bed of fluidizable solid particles received within a casing and acting as heat accumulation means by being exposed to a thermal energy source, heat exchange means operating in counter-current, configured for an exchange of thermal energy between a heated vector mass of the bed particles and an operative fluid, transport means configured for feeding the vector mass of the bed particles from the device to the heat exchange means and for returning part of the vector mass, downstream the heat exchange means, to the device, and a control unit associated with parameter detecting means arranged selected locations of the apparatus to control the flow of the vector mass within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: MAGALDI POWER S.P.A.
    Inventors: Mario Magaldi, Fulvio Bassetti
  • Patent number: 12077064
    Abstract: A high efficiency hydrogen fuel system for an aircraft at high altitude which utilizes compressors to compress air to a sufficiently high pressure for the fuel cell. Liquid hydrogen is compressed and then utilized in heat exchangers to cool the compressed air, maintaining the air at a temperature low enough for the fuel cell. The hydrogen is also used to cool the fuel cell as it is also depressurized prior to its entry in the fuel cell cycle. A water condensation system allows for water removal from the airstream to reduce impacts to the atmosphere. The hydrogen fuel system may be used with VTOL aircraft, which may allow them to fly at higher elevations. The hydrogen fuel system may be used with other subsonic and supersonic aircraft, such as with asymmetric wing aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregor Veble Mikic, JoeBen Bevirt, Robert Gulliver Lynn, Alex Stoll
  • Patent number: 12072096
    Abstract: A method for improving effectiveness of a steam generator system includes providing a steam generator system including a steam generator vessel, an air supply system and an air preheater. The air supply system is in communication with the steam generator vessel through the air preheater and the steam generator vessel is in communication with the air preheater. The air supply system provides a first amount of air to the air preheater. At least a portion of the first amount of air is provided to the steam generator vessel. A flue gas mixture is discharged from the steam generator vessel. At least a portion of the flue gas mixture flows into the air preheater. SO3 in the flue gas mixture is mitigated before the flue gas mixture enters the air preheater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Arvos Ljungstrom LLC
    Inventors: Kevin O'Boyle, Glenn D. Mattison, David G. Breckinridge, Set Erik Jonas Klingspor
  • Patent number: 12066154
    Abstract: A process for regasifying a fluid and generating electrical energy includes subjecting an operating fluid to 1) pumping, the pumping step including a low pressure pumping step 1a) and a high pressure pumping step 1b), 2) heating in a recuperator to obtain a heated flow, the heating step including a low temperature heat recovery step 2a) and a high temperature heat recovery step 2b), 3) further heating through a high temperature source to obtain a further heated flow, 4) expanding in a turbine, with generation of electrical energy to obtain an expanded flow, 5) cooling by heat exchange to obtain a cooled flow, and 6) condensing the flow of the operating fluid and regasifying the fluid. After low pressure pumping, a portion of the flow of the operating fluid is subjected to recompression to obtain a flow combined with the flow of the operating fluid obtained from step 2a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Sbarsi, Lucio Aurilio, Anton Marco Fantolini, Salvatore De Rinaldis
  • Patent number: 12025305
    Abstract: A solute concentration decision method for deciding a planned value CI of a concentration of a solute in a solution to be supplied to a first drum among one or more steam drums for temporarily containing steam generated in a boiler of a steam turbine plant includes a step of deciding the planned value CI of the concentration of the solute in the solution to be supplied to the first drum, on the basis of a target concentration of the solute in the solution in the first drum and a capacity coefficient of the solute in a drum unit including the first drum and an evaporator for generating steam contained in the first drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Hamasaki, Haruka Kido, Mitsuru Nakamoto, Senichi Tsubakizaki
  • Patent number: 12000660
    Abstract: An energy storage system comprises a hot thermal energy storage medium and a cold thermal energy storage medium, which are interconnected in a thermodynamic gas flow circuit with gas as a working fluid. An energy converter with a motor/generator system is functionally connected to a compressor/expander system for converting between electrical energy and thermal energy of the gaseous working fluid in the thermodynamic fluid circuit. A latent TES medium is thermally connected to the thermodynamic circuit for providing a lower limit for the temperature in the cold TES medium. Specifically, the latent TES medium is liquid, typically water, which is sprayed as droplets into a tank through which the gaseous working fluid flows at subzero temperatures to produce snow in order to efficiently heat the gas to the freezing point or above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Stiesdal Storage A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Stiesdal
  • Patent number: 11971221
    Abstract: A thermal battery includes a heat sink material that remains solid across an operating temperature range (i.e., for all operating modes) of the battery, and a heat conductive material in direct heat transfer relationship with the solid heat sink material. The heat conductive material has a melting point below that of the heat sink material so that in use the heat conductive material is a fluid, for example molten when the heat conductive material is a metal, in the operating temperature range of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: The Sunlands Company Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Sal Catalano, Bruno Ruggiero
  • Patent number: 11952922
    Abstract: Operation of an energy storage system comprising a thermodynamic cycle including first and second thermal reservoirs and a turbomachinery as energy converter for two-way conversion between electrical energy and thermal energy. For controlling the temperature in the system, the compression ratio of the turbomachinery is adjusted in real-time during charging on the basis of temperature measurements downstream of the compression and/or during discharging on the basis of temperature measurements downstream of the expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Stiesdal Storage A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Stiesdal
  • Patent number: 11920449
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for centralized monitoring and control of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The system includes an electric powered fracturing fleet and a centralized control unit coupled to the electric powered fracturing fleet. The electric powered fracturing fleet can include a combination of one or more of: electric powered pumps, turbine generators, blenders, sand silos, chemical storage units, conveyor belts, manifold trailers, hydration units, variable frequency drives, switchgear, transformers, and compressors. The centralized control unit can be configured to monitor and/or control one or more operating characteristics of the electric powered fracturing fleet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring, Brandon Hinderliter
  • Patent number: 11918967
    Abstract: A method for carrying out a thermochemical process includes injecting one or more feed streams into a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is maintained at a reaction temperature using heat obtained directly from a subterranean heat source. The method includes maintaining the one or more feed streams in the reaction chamber for a residence time to form one or more product streams from the one or more feed streams. The one or more product streams are removed from the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: EnhancedGEO Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Greg Lindberg, Kimberly C. Conner
  • Patent number: 11867092
    Abstract: A system includes a combustion power plant for generating power and an electrolysis unit for producing hydrogen. The combustion power plant has a combustion chamber for combustion of a fuel and an offgas conduit for leading off hot offgases formed in the combustion of the fuel. The offgas conduit is thermally coupled to the electrolysis unit. A method for operating the system includes burning the fuel in the combustion power plant, forming the hot offgases in the combustion of the fuel, removing the hot offgases through the offgas conduit, feeding the thermal energy of the hot offgases from the offgas conduit to the electrolysis unit, and producing hydrogen in the electrolysis unit by using the thermal energy from the hot offgases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Broy, Gerald Franz Giering, Alexander Rentschler
  • Patent number: 11852043
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store and extract electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: MALTA INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Bollinger, Mert Geveci, Bao H. Truong, Erhan Karaca, Sebastian W. Freund, David M. Brantzeg, James J. Underwood, John S. Bowen, Roy T. Collins
  • Patent number: 11835265
    Abstract: An apparatus combining a solar tracker and a dual heat source collector includes a heat engine assembly and the solar tracker. The heat engine assembly includes a heat collector, a heat collecting lens, and a heat engine. The heat collector includes a solar heat collecting room and a heat source room. The heat collecting lens is arranged on the heat collector and corresponds to the solar heat collecting room. The heat engine is located in the solar heat collecting room. The solar tracker includes a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, a pivot member, and a driving member. The primary mirror has a first reflective surface and a back surface. The primary mirror has a mounting hole passing through the primary mirror. The secondary mirror is mounted above the primary mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: National Cheng Kung University
    Inventors: Ching-Hsiang Cheng, Tsung-Chieh Cheng, Yen-Fei Chen, Yu-Ting Lin, Shang-Ting Huang
  • Patent number: 11828203
    Abstract: A plant for storing and discharging thermal energy comprises a first heat exchanger coupled to a heat source, a second heat exchanger coupled to a heat user, a fluid configured to store thermal energy, a storage device for the fluid, a circuit configured to couple the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger and the storage device. The storage device comprises N+B storage sections fluidly connected to each other, where N is equal to or greater than two and B is less than N; each of the N+B storage sections has a same containment volume. The fluid occupies a volume substantially equal to N times the containment volume. A separation gas is inserted in the storage device, is in contact with the fluid and is configured to always keep separate a hot portion of the fluid from a cold portion of the same fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: ENERGY DOME S.P.A.
    Inventor: Claudio Spadacini
  • Patent number: 11815023
    Abstract: Power and cooling systems including a drive system, a power generation unit, and a cooled fluid generation unit. A primary working fluid that is expanded within a turbine of the drive system and compressed within compressors in a closed-loop cycle. The power generation unit includes a generator and a heat source configured to heat the primary working fluid prior to injection into the turbine. T cooled fluid generation unit includes an ejector downstream of the compressors and a separator arranged downstream of the ejector and configured to separate liquid and gaseous portions of the primary working fluid. The gaseous portion is directed to the compressors and the liquid portion is directed to an evaporator heat exchanger to generate cooled fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Malcolm MacDonald, Abbas A. Alahyari
  • Patent number: 11815016
    Abstract: Thermal battery systems for management (e.g., load management) of electrical power sources, and related methods, are generally described. Thermal battery systems in certain embodiments have an electric heater, a thermal storage system, a heat exchange system and an electricity generator. The electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, such as an electric power grid and to heat the thermal storage system. The electric heater may be a separate unit from the thermal storage system and heat the thermal storage system indirectly by heating a first fluid that is circulated through the thermal storage system during charging, or the electric heater may be integrated directly into the thermal storage system to heat it directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: 247Solar Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11767950
    Abstract: A compressed gas energy storage system may include an accumulator for containing a layer of compressed gas atop a layer of liquid. A gas conduit may have an upper end in communication with a gas compressor/expander subsystem and a lower end in communication with accumulator interior for conveying compressed gas into the compressed gas layer of the accumulator when in use. A shaft may have an interior for containing a quantity of a liquid and may be fluidly connectable to a liquid source/sink via a liquid supply conduit. A partition may cover may separate the accumulator interior from the shaft interior. An internal accumulator force may act on the inner surface of the partition and the liquid within the shaft may exert an external counter force on the outer surface of the partition, whereby a net force acting on the partition is less than the accumulator force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Hydrostor Inc.
    Inventors: Cameron Lewis, Andrew McGillis, Davin Young, Curtis Vanwalleghem
  • Patent number: 11746697
    Abstract: An energy generation plant in which the exhaust gas from a gas turbine is guided into a thermal energy store, wherein the thermal energy store can be used for various purposes. The energy generation plant has at least one gas turbine having an exhaust gas apparatus, at least one generator, at least one thermal energy store, wherein the generator can be driven by the gas turbine, wherein the hot exhaust gas from the gas turbine is passed directly to a thermal energy store via the exhaust gas apparatus, wherein the thermal energy from the thermal energy store can be used to generate power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Migl, Ronald Schwarz, Denis Tschetschik
  • Patent number: 11728677
    Abstract: Integrated energy storage system including a thermal energy storage coupled with a liquid metal battery storage and a cryogenic energy storage and related methods are described. An example integrated energy storage system includes a liquid metal battery storage, a cryogenic energy storage configured to store energy using a liquefied cryogen, a thermal energy storage, and a control system. The control system is configured to cause selective transfer of heat from the thermal energy storage to at least one battery unit associated with the liquid metal battery storage. The control system is configured to during a first mode associated with the cryogenic energy storage, cause selective transfer of heat from the cryogenic energy storage to the thermal energy storage. The control system is configured to during a second mode associated with the cryogenic energy storage, cause selective transfer of heat from the thermal energy storage to the cryogenic energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ruslan Nagimov, Ehsan Nasr Azadani
  • Patent number: 11662062
    Abstract: A cryogenic energy storage system comprises at least one cryogenic fluid storage tank having an output; a primary conduit through which a stream of cryogenic fluid may flow from the output of the fluid storage tank to an exhaust; a pump within the primary conduit downstream of the output of the tank for pressurising the cryogenic fluid stream; evaporative means within the primary conduit downstream of the pump for vaporising the pressurised cryogenic fluid stream; at least one expansion stage within the primary conduit downstream of the evaporative means for expanding the vaporised cryogenic fluid stream and for extracting work therefrom; a secondary conduit configured to divert at least a portion of the cryogenic fluid stream from the primary conduit and reintroduce it to the fluid storage tank; and pressure control means within the secondary conduit for controlling the flow of the diverted cryogenic fluid stream and thereby controlling the pressure within the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Highview Enterprises Limited
    Inventors: Richard Riley, Miriam Zubizarreta, Nicola Castellucci, Paul Currie
  • Patent number: 11655759
    Abstract: A power generation system comprising a shared hot side thermal store, a shared cold side thermal store, a plurality of power subunits, and an electrical bus is disclosed. Each of the power subunits may connected or isolated from the shared hot side thermal store and/or the shared cold side thermal store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: MALTA, INC.
    Inventors: Raj B. Apte, Philippe Larochelle, Julian Green
  • Patent number: 11644150
    Abstract: A thermal storage subsystem may include at least a first storage reservoir configured to contain a thermal storage liquid at a storage pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. A liquid passage may have an inlet connectable to a thermal storage liquid source and configured to convey the thermal storage liquid to the liquid reservoir. A first heat exchanger may be provided in the liquid inlet passage and may be in fluid communication between the first compression stage and the accumulator, whereby thermal energy can be transferred from a compressed gas stream exiting a gas compressor/expander subsystem to the thermal storage liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Hydrostor Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Stradiotto, Cameron Lewis, Davin Young, Andrew McGillis
  • Patent number: 11643949
    Abstract: An energy generation system for converting combustible fluid from a nontraditional combustible fluid source to useable energy. The energy generation system including a fluid storage system including a compressor and at least one storage tank, the compressor configured to pressurize a combustible fluid from a combustible fluid source for storage in the one or more storage tanks; and an energy recovery system configured to receive the combustible fluid from the at least one storage tank, the energy recovery system including: a turboexpander configured to depressurize the combustible fluid received from the at least one storage tank; a motor-generator configured to input the combustible fluid as depressurized by the turboexpander, and generate electrical energy from the combustible fluid; and an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system configured to generate electrical energy based on a temperature differential between the combustible fluid input to the motor-generator and a waste heat produced by the motor-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Sean Day
  • Patent number: 11636956
    Abstract: The invention concerns a liquid metal-cooled fast-neutron nuclear reactor (1), comprising a system (2) for removing at least part of both the nominal power and the residual power of the reactor, which ensures, at the same time: removal of the residual power in a totally passive manner from the initial instant of the accident; removal of the heat through the primary vessel; implementation of a final cold source (container with PCM) other than the sodium/air or NaK/air heat exchangers used in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Paul Gauthe, Alessandro Pantano
  • Patent number: 11611263
    Abstract: An electric power generation system receives a gas flow at a heater, heats the gas flow at the heater with a heated fluid from a waste heat process, and directs the heated gas flow to a turbine wheel of an electric generator. The heated gas flow drives rotation of the turbine wheel, and in response to rotating the turbine wheel, electrical current is generated by the electric generator. Generated electrical current is then directed to power electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Sapphire Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Freddie Sarhan, Jeffrey Earl, Jeremy Liu
  • Patent number: 11585243
    Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Jeremy Quentin Keller, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
  • Patent number: 11560879
    Abstract: A solar-aided coal-fired flexible power generation system and an operating method thereof are provided. The system includes a coal-fired thermal power generation system and a high-temperature heat storage system coupled with solar thermal power generation; wherein a heat storage medium heater is arranged in the boiler flue; the flow rates of heat storage medium entering the solar heat collection device and the heat storage medium heater are adjusted by the regulating valve and the pump, eliminating irradiation fluctuation influences and maintaining stable power; a heat storage medium tank is used for peak shaving to reduce steam turbine output under stable boiler combustion; the flow and temperature of the feedwater entering the heat storage medium and feedwater heat exchanger are adjusted to realize rapid load cycling. The present invention can realize solar and coal-fired generation coupling, reduce coal consumption, and greatly improve the flexibility and economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: XI'AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hui Yan, Ming Liu, Daotong Chong, Jinshi Wang, Weixiong Chen, Junjie Yan
  • Patent number: 11519393
    Abstract: A compressed air energy storage system may have an accumulator and a thermal storage subsystem having a cold storage chamber for containing a supply of granular heat transfer, a hot storage chamber and at least a first mixing chamber in the gas flow path and having an interior in which the compressed gas contacts the granular heat transfer particles at a mixing pressure that is greater than the cold storage pressure and the hot storage pressure and a conveying system operable to selectably move the granular heat transfer particles from the cold storage chamber, through the first mixing chamber and into the hot storage chamber, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Hydrostor Inc.
    Inventors: Cameron Lewis, Andrew McGillis
  • Patent number: 11499477
    Abstract: A system and method of increasing efficiency and power output of a gas turbine system using a compressed air storage system including delivering a compressed air charge from the compressed air storage system, the compressed air charge having a pressure greater than ambient pressure and a temperature less than ambient temperature, the compressed air charge being delivered to the gas turbine and the compressed air charge operable to cool at least a portion of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Patrick J. E. Lemieux
  • Patent number: 11473851
    Abstract: A solar concentrator comprising: a base; a framework, the framework being hingedly joined to the base such that the framework can be rotated relative to the base; and a plurality of mirrors arranged relative to a first axis of the framework, such that all of the mirrors are located on one side of a plane which contains the first axis, each mirror being fixed to the framework and each mirror being arranged to reflect light travelling parallel to the first axis towards a common focus which lies on the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Storenergy Holdings Ltd.
    Inventor: Marko Vuksanovic
  • Patent number: 11459944
    Abstract: There is provided a thermal energy storage system, comprising at least two thermal storage masses, wherein an inner thermal storage mass (48) is contained within an outer thermal storage mass (49). A pump or compressor (42) forces a compressible fluid around the system. A first storage mass heat exchanger (50) has a first side in fluid communication with the pump or compressor (42), and a second side in contact with the outer thermal storage mass (49). A second storage mass heat exchanger (51) has a first side in fluid communication with the first side of the first storage mass heat exchanger (50), and a second side in contact with the inner thermal storage mass (48). A turbine (43) has a turbine inlet in fluid communication with the first side of the second storage mass heat exchanger (51), and a turbine outlet. An electrical generator is driven by the turbine (43). The system further comprises a thermal store (52) containing a thermal store medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
    Inventor: Adam Robinson
  • Patent number: 11454167
    Abstract: A system including: (i) a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”), wherein the PHES system is operable in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy in a hot thermal storage (“HTS”) medium; (ii) an electric heater in thermal contact with the hot HTS medium, wherein the electric heater is operable to heat the hot HTS medium above a temperature achievable by transferring heat from a working fluid to a warm HTS medium in a thermodynamic cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: MALTA INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Bollinger, Bao H. Truong
  • Patent number: 11428445
    Abstract: Methods and systems for energy storage and management are provided. In various embodiments, heat pumps, heat engines and pumped heat energy storage systems and methods of operating the same are provided. In some embodiments, methods include controlling thermal properties of a working fluid by virtue of the timing of the operation of cylinder valves. Methods and systems for controlling mass flow rates and charging and discharging power independent of working fluid temperature and system state-of-charge are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: GRIDWORTHY TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin L. Norris
  • Patent number: 11421329
    Abstract: A hydrogen production system includes: a hydrogen production device connected to an electric power system and configured to produce hydrogen by electrolyzing pure water; an output control unit capable of controlling an amount of power supplied from the electric power system to the hydrogen production device according to request from the electric power system; a first pure water line for supplying pure water to the hydrogen production device; a first adjustment device capable of adjusting an amount of pure water supplied to the hydrogen production device via the first pure water line; and a first control unit configured to control the first adjustment device, based on a power amount signal indicating information on an amount of power supplied from the electric power system to the hydrogen production device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Marushima, Atsushi Tsutsumi, Yoshimasa Ando, Kazunori Fujita, Tadateru Tanioka
  • Patent number: 11396826
    Abstract: A method including: (i) operating a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”) in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy in a hot thermal storage medium (“HTS medium”) by transferring heat from a working fluid to a warm HTS medium, resulting in a hot HTS medium, wherein the PHES system is further operable in a generation mode to convert at least a portion of the stored thermal energy into electricity; and (ii) heating the hot HTS medium with an electric heater above a temperature achievable by transferring heat from the working fluid to the warm HTS medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: MALTA INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Bollinger, Bao H. Truong
  • Patent number: 11352909
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a system for providing heat, cold, and/or electric power comprising: a first and a second compressor; a first and a second expander; and a first heat store and a second heat store. An output of the first compressor is thermally coupled to a first input of the first heat store and to a second input of the second heat store. An output of the second compressor is thermally coupled to a first input of the second heat store and to a second input of the first heat store. An input of the first expander is thermally coupled to a first output of the first heat store and to a second output of the second heat store. An input of the second expander is thermally coupled to a first output of the second heat store and to a second output of the first heat store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Vladimir Danov