Method and apparatus for storing energy

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9325231-B2
Application number	US-201414480006-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 8, 2014
Priority date	Feb 6, 2012
Publication date	Apr 26, 2016
Grant date	Apr 26, 2016

Abstract

An energy storage apparatus for storing energy transmitted by a power transmission line includes an elastically deformable component and an actuator-generator. The actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformable component. The actuator-generator is further coupled to the elastically deformable component such that mechanical actuation of the actuator-generator via a release of tension in the elastically deformable component causes a generation of electrical energy by the actuator-generator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An energy storage apparatus comprising:
an elastically deformable component, wherein the elastically deformable component includes a cable; and
an actuator-generator configured for coupling to a power source, the actuator-generator coupled to the elastically deformable component such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformable component and such that mechanical actuation of the actuator-generator via a release of tension in the elastically deformable component causes a generation of electrical energy by the actuator-generator.

2. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator-generator includes at least one of an electro-hydraulic component, an electromechanical component, an electromagnetic component, or an electro-fluidic component.

3. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable has a resonance frequency corresponding to a harmonic of the primary frequency.

4. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator-generator is coupled to at least one end of the cable.

5. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein actuator-generator is coupled to the cable at a point on the cable disposed between a first end of the cable and a second end of the cable.

6. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator-generator is coupled to two ends of the cable.

7. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable is configured in a linear orientation.

8. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates torsional tension in the elastically deformable component.

9. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates linear tension in the elastically deformable component.

10. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator-generator includes at least one of a brake, a releasable ratchet, or a movable pin actuatable to maintain the tension in the elastically deformable component.

11. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the elastically deformable component or the actuator-generator, the at least one sensor configured to measure a force applied by the actuator-generator to generate the tension in the elastically deformable component.

12. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the elastically deformable component or the actuator-generator, the at least one sensor configured to measure a torque applied by the actuator-generator to induce the tension in the elastically deformable component.

13. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the elastically deformable component or the actuator-generator, the at least one sensor configured to measure the tension in the elastically deformable component.

14. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the elastically deformable component or the actuator-generator, the at least one sensor configured to measure stress in the elastically deformable component.

15. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a strain gauge coupled to the elastically deformable component for measuring strain in the elastically deformable component.

16. The energy storage apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the strain gauge measures linear strain in the elastically deformable component.

17. The energy storage apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the strain gauge measures shear strain in the elastically deformable component.

18. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the elastically deformable component or the actuator-generator, the at least one sensor configured to measure an energy storage quantity.

19. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the elastically deformable component or the actuator-generator, the at least one sensor configured to measure cumulative energy storage.

20. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component such that electrically actuating the actuator-generator causes application of a transverse force to the elastically deformable component.

21. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a non-rotating cable.

22. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a monolithic cable.

23. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a stranded cable.

24. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a straight stranded cable.

25. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a twisted stranded cable.

26. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a circular cross-section.

27. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a rectangular cross-section.

28. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a ribbon-like cross section.

29. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a hanging cable.

30. The energy storage apparatus of claim 29 , further comprising weights coupled to the hanging cable.

31. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable is pre-tensioned.

32. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable comprises steel.

33. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable comprises an organic polymer.

34. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable comprises a synthetic polymer.

35. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable comprises Kevlar.

36. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable comprises Zylon.

37. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable comprises carbon fiber.

38. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a force bearing support coupled to the cable.

39. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a torsion bearing support coupled to the cable.

40. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a moment bearing support coupled to the cable.

41. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a controller coupled to the actuator-generator, the controller configured to modulate electrical energy consumption and generation of the actuator-generator.

42. The energy storage apparatus of claim 41 wherein the controller is configured to modulate electrical energy consumption and generation at rates greater than or equal to a primary frequency of the power source.

43. An energy storage apparatus comprising:
an elastically deformable compon

Assignees

• Elwha Llc

Inventors

• Chan Alistair K
• Deane Geoffrey F
• Fyke Aaron
• Gross William
• Hyde Roderick A
• Jung Edward K Y
• Kare Jordin T
• Myhrvold Nathan P
• Tegreene Clarence T
• Wood Jr Lowell L

Classifications

• H02J15/30

  using storage of inertial or mechanical energy, e.g. using flywheels · CPC title

• H02K33/02 Primary

  with armatures moved one way by energisation of a single coil system and returned by mechanical force, e.g. by springs · CPC title

• H02K7/003

  Couplings; Details of shafts (means for mounting rotors on shafts H02K1/28) · CPC title

• H02J3/28 Primary

  Arrangements for balancing of the load in networks by storage of energy · CPC title

• H02K7/1892

  Generators with parts oscillating or vibrating about an axis · CPC title