US3677008A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy storage system and method
Assignee: Gulf Oil Corp
•
Filing: 1971-02-12
•
Granted: 1972-07-18
•
Expires: 1991-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and system are described for using compressed air for storing and utilizing energy. Air is compressed and stored and the heat of compression is removed from the air prior to storage. The air is subsequently removed from storage and the stored heat is restored to the air prior to expansion of the air for deriving work.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley L Koutz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:19
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02C; F02C6/00; F02C6/14; F02C6/16; F05; F05D; F05D2260/00; F05D2260/20; F05D2260/212; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/16; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of using compressed air for storing and utilizing energy comprising: compressing a quantity of air and storing same, removing a substantial amount of the heat of compression of the air and storing such removed heat, removing at least a part of the stored compressed air, heating the removed compressed air by restoring a substantial amount of the stored heat of compression, and deriving work from the removed and heated compressed air by allowing it to expand.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of using compressed air for storing and utilizing energy comprising: compressing a quantity of air and storing same, removing a substantial amount of the heat of compression of the air and storing such removed heat, removing at least a part of the stored compressed air, heating the removed compressed air by restoring a substantial amount of the stored heat of compression, and deriving work from the removed and heated compressed air by allowing it to expand.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein no heat is removed during compression of the air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the heat is removed by intercooling during compression of the air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the removed compressed air is additionally heated after restoration of the stored heat and prior to expansion.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for using compressed air for storing and utilizing energy comprising: compressor means for compressing a quantity of air, a reservoir for storing the compressed air, a regenerator between said compressor means and said reservoir for removing a substantial amount of the heat of compression of the air passing from said compressor means to said reservoir and for storing such removed heat, prime moving means, means for conducting at least a part of the stored compressed air upon demand from said reservoir to said prime moving means, said conducting means passing the removed compressed air through said regenerator for restoring a substantial amount of the stored heat of compression to the air prior to expansion at said prime moving means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for using compressed air for storing and utilizing energy comprising: compressor means for compressing a quantity of air, a reservoir for storing the compressed air, a regenerator between said compressor means and said reservoir for removing a substantial amount of the heat of compression of the air passing from said compressor means to said reservoir and for storing such removed heat, prime moving means, means for conducting at least a part of the stored compressed air upon demand from said reservoir to said prime moving means, said conducting means passing the removed compressed air through said regenerator for restoring a substantial amount of the stored heat of compression to the air prior to expansion at said prime moving means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 5 including intercooling means in said compressor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 5 including a heater for additionally heating the compressed air between said regenerator and said prime moving means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said reservoir comprises an underground cavity, and wherein said regenerator comprises a volume filled with crushed rock.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said crushed rock has a 10-25 percent void fraction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said regenerator comprises an underground cavity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 5 including means for cooling said compressor means by water injection to facilitate operation of said system as a conventional gas turbine system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |