# US 2014/0190155 A1 · System and method for energy storage and retrieval > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190155 A1 - Document ID: US20140190155A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/205,211 - Filed: 2014-03-11 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-11 - Assignees: Shipstone Corporation - Applicants: Shipstone Corporation - Inventors: Daniel John Kenway; Oleksandr (Alex) Syschenko; Will Bauer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190155A1 ## CPC - B60L 50/30: using propulsion power stored mechanically, e.g. in fly-wheels - F02C 6/16: for storing compressed air - F15B 1/033: with electrical control means - G05F 3/04: wherein the variable is AC - H02K 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass - H02P 27/06: using DC to AC converters or inverters (H02P27/05 takes precedence) - F05D 2260/406: through hydraulic systems - Y02E 60/16: Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids - Y02T 10/70: Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries - B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES - F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00) - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G05F: SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - H02P: CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract Disclosed herein is a system including a generator/motor subsystem configured to interchangeably impart and receive mechanical force; a stiff DC bus; and power conditioning circuitry electrically connected between the generator/motor subsystem and the stiff DC bus, the power conditioning circuitry conditioning electrical power received from the stiff DC bus to control the angular speed of a rotor of the generator/motor subsystem when imparting mechanical force, and also conditioning electrical power generated for provision to the stiff DC bus by the generator/motor subsystem when receiving mechanical force. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a generator/motor subsystem configured to interchangeably impart and receive mechanical force; a stiff DC bus; and power conditioning circuitry electrically connected between the generator/motor subsystem and the stiff DC bus, the power conditioning circuitry conditioning electrical power received from the stiff DC bus to control the angular speed of a rotor of the generator/motor subsystem when imparting mechanical force, and also conditioning electrical power generated for provision to the stiff DC bus by the generator/motor subsystem when receiving mechanical force. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the power conditioning circuitry comprises: an inverter for converting DC electrical power received from the stiff DC bus into AC power having a controllable frequency and voltage for provision to the generator/motor subsystem; and a rectifier for converting AC electrical power generated by the generator/motor subsystem into DC electrical power for provision to the stiff DC bus. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the power conditioning circuitry is electrically connected to the stiff DC bus via a diode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the power conditioning circuitry comprises: bleed resistors electrically connected to respective stator windings of the generator/motor subsystem. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the bleed resistors are electrically connected to respective stator windings via respective contactors. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: an energy storage/retrieval system mechanically coupled to the rotor of the generator/motor subsystem, the energy storage/retrieval system controllable to store energy in response to mechanical force imparted to the energy storage/retrieval system by the rotor, and further controllable to release stored energy via mechanical force imparted to the rotor of the generator/motor subsystem. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the energy storage/retrieval system comprises: a hydraulic pump for pumping hydraulic fluid between first and second pump ports in response to force applied by the generator/motor subsystem and also capable of imparting force to the generator/motor subsystem in response to hydraulic fluid being caused to flow between the first and second pump ports; a first compression/expansion vessel for exchanging hydraulic fluid with the hydraulic pump via the first pump port; a second compression/expansion vessel for exchanging hydraulic fluid with the hydraulic pump via the second pump port; a gas storage subsystem for selectively storing gas from, or releasing gas to, the first and second gas compression/expansion vessels; an internal heat exchanger within each of the first and second compression/expansion vessels for exchanging heat between the hydraulic fluid and the gas therein, each internal heat exchanger having a very large thermal mass relative to the mass of gas within the first and second compression/expansion vessels; and a control subsystem for controlling at least a plurality of gas valves associated with the gas storage subsystem to switch between the storing and releasing, wherein, during storing, responsive to hydraulic fluid being pumped by the hydraulic pump between the first and second pump ports, gas is caused to be compressed in the gas storage subsystem thereby to store energy, and wherein, during releasing, responsive to pressure from release of compressed gas from the gas storage subsystem, hydraulic fluid is forced to flow between the first and second pump ports thereby to release energy. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the gas storage subsystem comprises: a high pressure gas chamber for selectively exchanging gas with the first or second compression/expansion vessel responsive to open/closed states of respective gas valves; and a low pressure gas chamber for selectively exchanging gas with the first or second compression/expansion vessel responsive to open/closed states of respective gas valves. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a flywheel associated with the generator/motor subsystem. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to rotate in the same direction whether hydraulic fluid is flowing from the first pump port to the second pump port or from the second pump port to the first pump port. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the generator/motor subsystem comprises a unitary generator/motor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the generator/motor subsystem comprises both a generator and a motor, each of which are mechanically connected to the hydraulic pump. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the stiff DC bus comprises a supercapacitor. ### Claim 14 A system comprising: a stiff DC bus receiving electrical power from at least one power source and comprising a supercapacitor; at least one motor configured to impart mechanical force; and power conditioning circuitry electrically connected between the at least one motor and the stiff DC bus, the power conditioning circuitry conditioning electrical power received from the stiff DC bus to control the angular speed of a rotor of the generator/motor subsystem when imparting mechanical force. ### Claim 15 A system comprising: a stiff DC bus; a primary power source providing electrical power to the stiff DC bus via a respective diode; at least one motor configured to impart mechanical force; and power conditioning circuitry electrically connected between the motor and the stiff DC bus, the power conditioning circuitry conditioning electrical power received from the stiff DC bus to control the angular speed of a rotor of the generator/motor subsystem when imparting mechanical force. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the power conditioning circuitry comprises: an inverter for converting DC electrical power received from the stiff DC bus into AC power having a controllable frequency and voltage for provision to the generator/motor subsystem. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, further comprising a first backup power source comprising: a generator/motor subsystem configured to interchangeably impart and receive mechanical force; power conditioning circuitry electrically connected between the generator/motor subsystem and the stiff DC bus via a respective diode, the power conditioning circuitry conditioning electrical power generated for provision to the stiff DC bus by the generator/motor subsystem when receiving mechanical force; and an energy storage/retrieval system mechanically coupled to the rotor of the generator/motor subsystem, the energy storage/retrieval system controllable to store energy in response to mechanical force imparted to the energy storage/retrieval system by the rotor, and further controllable to release stored energy via mechanical force imparted to the rotor of the generator/motor subsystem. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the energy storage/retrieval system comprises: a hydraulic pump for pumping hydraulic fluid between first and second pump ports in response to force applied by the generator/motor subsystem and also capable of imparting force to the generator/motor subsystem in response to hydraulic fluid being caused to flow between the first and second pump ports; a first compression/expansion vessel for exchanging hydraulic fluid with the hydraulic pump via the first pump port; a second compression/expansion vessel for exchanging hydraulic fluid with the hydraulic pump via the second pump port; a gas storage subsystem for selectively storing gas from, or releasing gas to, the first and second gas compression/expansion vessels; an internal heat exchanger within each of the first and second compression/expansion vessels for exchanging heat between the hydraulic fluid and the gas therein, each internal heat exchanger having a very large thermal mass relative to the mass of gas within the first and second compression/expansion vessels; and a control subsystem for controlling at least a plurality of gas valves associated with the gas storage subsystem to switch between the storing and releasing, wherein, during storing, responsive to hydraulic fluid being pumped by the hydraulic pump between the first and second pump ports, gas is caused to be compressed in the gas storage subsystem thereby to store energy, and wherein, during releasing, responsive to pressure from release of compressed gas from the gas storage subsystem, hydraulic fluid is forced to flow between the first and second pump ports thereby to release energy. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the gas storage subsystem comprises: a high pressure gas chamber for selectively exchanging gas with the first or second compression/expansion vessel responsive to open/closed states of respective gas valves; and a low pressure gas chamber for selectively exchanging gas with the first or second compression/expansion vessel responsive to open/closed states of respective gas valves. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, further comprising a flywheel associated with the generator/motor subsystem. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to rotate in the same direction whether hydraulic fluid is flowing from the first pump port to the second pump port or from the second pump port to the first pump port. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the generator/motor subsystem comprises a unitary generator/motor. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the generator/motor subsystem comprises both a generator and a motor, each of which are mechanically connected to the hydraulic pump. ### Claim 24 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, further comprising at least one secondary backup power source electrically connected to the stiff DC bus via a respective diode. ### Claim 25 A system comprising: a stiff DC bus; at least one primary power source providing electrical power to the stiff DC bus via a respective diode; at least one backup power source, each of the at least one backup power source electrically connected to the stiff DC bus via a respective diode; and a control subsystem for controlling the output voltage of each of the at least one backup power source such that current from the backup power source is caused to flow onto the stiff DC bus via its respective diode only when the operating voltage of the stiff DC bus drops below an acceptable operating level thereby to smoothly return the stiff DC bus to at least the acceptable operating level. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25, wherein at least one of the backup power sources comprises: a generator/motor subsystem configured to interchangeably impart and receive mechanical force; power conditioning circuitry electrically connected between the generator/motor subsystem and the stiff DC bus via its respective diode, the power conditioning circuitry conditioning electrical power generated for provision to the stiff DC bus by the generator/motor subsystem when receiving mechanical force; and an energy storage/retrieval system mechanically coupled to the rotor of the generator/motor subsystem, the energy storage/retrieval system controllable to store energy in response to mechanical force imparted to the energy storage/retrieval system by the rotor, and further controllable to release stored energy via mechanical force imparted to the rotor of the generator/motor subsystem. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, wherein the energy storage/retrieval system comprises: a hydraulic pump for pumping hydraulic fluid between first and second pump ports in response to force applied by the generator/motor subsystem and also capable of imparting force to the generator/motor subsystem in response to hydraulic fluid being caused to flow between the first and second pump ports; a first compression/expansion vessel for exchanging hydraulic fluid with the hydraulic pump via the first pump port; a second compression/expansion vessel for exchanging hydraulic fluid with the hydraulic pump via the second pump port; a gas storage subsystem for selectively storing gas from, or releasing gas to, the first and second gas compression/expansion vessels; an internal heat exchanger within each of the first and second compression/expansion vessels for exchanging heat between the hydraulic fluid and the gas therein, each internal heat exchanger having a very large thermal mass relative to the mass of gas within the first and second compression/expansion vessels; and a control subsystem for controlling at least a plurality of gas valves associated with the gas storage subsystem to switch between the storing and releasing, wherein, during storing, responsive to hydraulic fluid being pumped by the hydraulic pump between the first and second pump ports, gas is caused to be compressed in the gas storage subsystem thereby to store energy, and wherein, during releasing, responsive to pressure from release of compressed gas from the gas storage subsystem, hydraulic fluid is forced to flow between the first and second pump ports thereby to release energy. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, wherein the gas storage subsystem comprises: a high pressure gas chamber for selectively exchanging gas with the first or second compression/expansion vessel responsive to open/closed states of respective gas valves; and a low pressure gas chamber for selectively exchanging gas with the first or second compression/expansion vessel responsive to open/closed states of respective gas valves. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, further comprising a flywheel associated with the generator/motor subsystem. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The system of claim 27, wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to rotate in the same direction whether hydraulic fluid is flowing from the first pump port to the second pump port or from the second pump port to the first pump port. ### Claim 31 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, wherein the generator/motor subsystem comprises a unitary generator/motor. ### Claim 32 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, wherein the generator/motor subsystem comprises both a generator and a motor, each of which are mechanically connected to the hydraulic pump. ### Claim 33 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, wherein the control subsystem controls the output voltage of the at least one backup power source via its power conditioning circuitry by modifying exciter current applied to its generator/motor subsystem thereby to control balance of power supplied by the primary and at least one backup power source to the stiff DC bus. ### Claim 34 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one primary power source is an AC power source providing rectified DC voltage to the stiff DC bus. ### Claim 35 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25, wherein there are at least two backup power sources, at least one of the at least two backup power sources being an AC power source providing rectified DC voltage for the stiff DC bus, and at least one of the at least two backup power sources being a DC power source providing DC voltage for the stiff DC bus. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The system of claim 35, wherein the DC power source is a battery.