# US 12,180,919 B2 · Power tunnel

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- Number: US 12,180,919 B2
- Document ID: US12180919B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/205,638
- Filed: 2023-06-05
- Published: 2023-10-05
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2021-12-03
- Assignees: Power8 Tech. Inc.
- Applicants: Power8 Tech Inc.
- Inventors: Lien Chun Ding; Chih Cheng Tai
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12180919B2

## CPC

- F03B 13/06: Stations or aggregates of water-storage type, {e.g. comprising a turbine and a pump}(turbines characterised by having means for functioning alternatively as pumps F03B3/10)
- F03B 17/06: using liquid flow {with predominantly kinetic energy conversion}, e.g. of swinging-flap type {, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" (F03B13/264 takes precedence)}
- F05B 2210/12: gaseous, i.e. compressible
- F05B 2210/18: Air and water being simultaneously used as working fluid
- F05B 2260/422: in the form of potential energy, e.g. pressurized or pumped fluid
- Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy
- Y02E 70/30: Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
- F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00)
- F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A power tunnel comprises a tube body, an inlet, and an outlet. The tube body provides space to accommodate gases, liquids, people, vehicles, etc. The power tunnel can be used for energy storage, power generation, air-raid shelter, or other purposes.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An energy storage method comprising:
a) storing an amount of energy by receiving a first amount of water to reduce a gas space in a sheltering space so that a gas pressure is increased from a first level to a second level;
b) generating an amount of electricity by reducing the first amount of water to a second amount in the sheltering space; and
c) providing the sheltering space for a sheltering use by reducing the gas pressure to approximately 1 atm.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The energy storage method of claim 1, wherein a difference of the second level of the gas pressure and the first level of the gas pressure is resulted from the space replacement of the first amount of water.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The energy storage method of claim 1, wherein the first level of the gas pressure is a default pressure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The energy storage method of claim 3, further comprising pre-pressurizing the gas space before the storing the amount of energy.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The energy storage method of claim 1, wherein the sheltering use comprises providing a condition suitable for human stay.