US4082991A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Superconducting energy system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-10-23
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Granted: 1978-04-04
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Expires: 1995-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A superconducting energy storage system comprising storage elements arrayed in a transmission line for receiving, storing, and reproducing charges in the form of current. The system stores charges in potential wells inside elements and moves the charges (representing stored energy) by applying external transfer voltages for moving the potential wells. The energy stored is increased by resonating the storage elements and/or by imparting kinetic energy to the stored charges. The system may be modified to store vortices instead of charges.
Inventors
- 👤 James Nickolas Constant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:57
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N60/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/869
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A cryogenic energy storage system comprising: a plurality of charge coupled energy storage elements for storing electromagnetic energy in the form of charges in commercial power amounts, such as kilowatts; means for interconnecting said elements in an array of elements, including input, output, and intermediate elements; refrigeration means for cooling at least portions of said elements to cryogenic temperatures; means for connecting a source of electrical energy to said input elements for feeding energy to said system, with energy fed to said input elements propagating to said output elements through said intermediate elements; means for controlling the travel time of said charges between said elements and including a transfer source for applying one of transfer control currents and voltages to selected elements for transferring charges from element to element; and means for connecting a load to said output elements for consuming energy provided by said system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A cryogenic energy storage system comprising: a plurality of charge coupled energy storage elements for storing electromagnetic energy in the form of charges in commercial power amounts, such as kilowatts; means for interconnecting said elements in an array of elements, including input, output, and intermediate elements; refrigeration means for cooling at least portions of said elements to cryogenic temperatures; means for connecting a source of electrical energy to said input elements for feeding energy to said system, with energy fed to said input elements propagating to said output elements through said intermediate elements; means for controlling the travel time of said charges between said elements and including a transfer source for applying one of transfer control currents and voltages to selected elements for transferring charges from element to element; and means for connecting a load to said output elements for consuming energy provided by said system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 including means for increasing the stored energy by imparting kinetic energy to said stored charges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 including means for operating said elements as a transmission line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 including computer means for accessing said elements and for providing the logic and control functions of receiving, storing, propagating, and recovering energy in said system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as defined in claim 1 including means for resonating said elements for increasing the stored energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said energy storage elements are charge coupled capacitors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said elements comprising charge coupled devices include a first metal - insulator - first semiconductor - second semiconductor - second metal sandwich.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of cryogenic energy storage comprising the steps of: connecting a plurality of charge coupled energy storage elements capable of storing electromagnetic energy in the form of charges in commercial power amounts, such as kilowatts, in an array of elements, including input, output, and intermediate elements; cooling said elements to cryogenic temperatures; feeding a source of electrical energy to the input elements; forming charges in the elements; propagating charges through the array of elements by applying a source of one of a transfer control current and voltage to selected elements to move charges from element to element; and recovering the charges from the output elements.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of cryogenic energy storage comprising the steps of: connecting a plurality of charge coupled energy storage elements capable of storing electromagnetic energy in the form of charges in commercial power amounts, such as kilowatts, in an array of elements, including input, output, and intermediate elements; cooling said elements to cryogenic temperatures; feeding a source of electrical energy to the input elements; forming charges in the elements; propagating charges through the array of elements by applying a source of one of a transfer control current and voltage to selected elements to move charges from element to element; and recovering the charges from the output elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 8 including the steps of: generating a transfer source of current or voltage; applying the transfer source to the elements; forming potential wells in the elements; capturing the charges in the potential wells; and moving the charges from element to element by moving the potential wells.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of imparting kinetic energy to the charges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 8 including forming a transmission line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 8 including the steps of: accessing the element; and providing the logic and control functions of storing, propagating, and recovering energy in the system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 8 including the step of resonating the elements of the array for increasing the stored energy.
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) | 1981-04-03 | 1981-10-03 | 1982-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-03 | 1985-10-03 | 1986-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-03 | 1989-10-03 | 1990-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |