A gravity energy storage system and method

By designing a gravity energy storage system, the conversion of electrical energy into gravitational potential energy is achieved using cableways, tracks, and material transfer trolleys. This solves the problems of insufficient reliability and power stability in existing gravity energy storage technologies, and improves the stability of the power grid and energy utilization efficiency.

CN119765669BActive Publication Date: 2025-12-05BEIJING SHIDAI CHONGSHU TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
View PDF 4 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202510229060.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-02-28
Publication Date
2025-12-05
Estimated Expiration
2045-02-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing gravity energy storage technology faces problems such as poor reliability due to excessive stress on transmission components, poor wind resistance, insufficient power stability, lack of power recovery system and power compensation system, which limit its application and development in power systems with a high proportion of new energy sources.

Method used

A gravity energy storage system was designed, including a general control system, a transportation subsystem, a power generation and control system, and a storage subsystem. The system realizes the conversion between electrical energy and gravitational potential energy and the recovery of kinetic energy through cableways, tracks, and material transfer trolleys. It utilizes reversible motors, gearboxes, and transmission wheels for energy conversion, and combines cable grippers and buffer zone designs to achieve efficient energy management and power compensation.

Benefits of technology

It has improved the stability of the power grid and the efficiency of energy utilization, enhanced the system's anti-interference ability, reduced energy loss, ensured the stable operation of the power system, and solved the problem of uncertainty in the power generation capacity of new energy sources.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN119765669B_ABST
    Figure CN119765669B_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The application provides a gravity energy storage system and method, which comprises a general control system, a transportation subsystem, a power generation subsystem and a storage subsystem, the general control system is signal connected with the transportation subsystem, the power generation subsystem and the storage subsystem respectively, and is used for controlling the operation of the transportation subsystem, the power generation subsystem and the storage subsystem to perform electric energy transmission on the power grid; the transportation subsystem comprises a cableway, a track and a material transfer trolley, the cableway is connected with the bottom of the material transfer trolley, so that the material transfer trolley moves along the track under the traction of the cableway; the power generation subsystem is used for controlling the running speed of the material transfer trolley to perform conversion between electric energy and gravity potential energy and kinetic energy recovery; the storage subsystem is used for loading and unloading heavy blocks through a material taking mechanical claw when the material transfer trolley reaches a storage stacking area, and is used for storing and taking the heavy blocks through a conveyor and a stacking piece. Through the application, the stability of power supply power of the power grid is enhanced.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of energy storage technology, and more specifically, to a gravity energy storage system and method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the total reserves of non-renewable energy sources such as oil, coal, and natural gas are dwindling, and their utilization causes numerous environmental problems. Therefore, finding new renewable and clean energy sources to replace these fossil fuels has become a major focus. Consequently, the proportion of new energy power generation sources such as wind and solar power, which are characterized by volatility and uneven distribution, continues to rise. This brings significant challenges to the stability and reliability of the power system. Consequently, the uncertainty and uncontrollability of power generation resulting from the high proportion of new energy sources has led to wind and solar curtailment in some areas.

[0003] Currently, the western region of my country, where wind and solar power generation is most widespread, has a large amount of terrain with significant elevation differences. Utilizing slope-based gravity energy storage systems offers natural advantages. However, existing gravity energy storage technologies face several major challenges, including excessive stress on transmission components leading to poor reliability, poor wind resistance resulting in safety issues, insufficient power stability due to environmental and loading errors, a lack of power recovery systems, and the absence of power compensation systems. These problems collectively limit the further development and widespread application of gravity energy storage technology. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this application is to provide a gravity energy storage system and method to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned defects.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a gravity energy storage system, comprising: a main control system, a transportation subsystem, a power generation and control system, and a storage subsystem. The main control system is signal-connected to the transportation subsystem, the power generation and control system, and the storage subsystem, respectively, to control their operation for transmitting electrical energy to the power grid. The transportation subsystem includes a cableway, a track, and a material transfer trolley. The track is a reciprocating track between a high-altitude warehouse and a low-altitude warehouse. The cableway is... At the groove position of the track, the cableway is connected to the bottom of the material transfer trolley, so that the material transfer trolley moves along the track under the traction of the cableway; the power generation and electronic system is used to control the running speed of the material transfer trolley to perform the conversion between electrical energy and gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy recovery; the storage subsystem includes a stacking bin, stacking components, a conveyor belt and a retrieval mechanical claw, used to load and unload heavy blocks by means of the retrieval mechanical claw when the material transfer trolley arrives at the storage stacking area, and to store and retrieve the heavy blocks by means of the conveyor belt and the stacking components.

[0006] In one optional embodiment of this application, the track includes an upward track segment, a downward track segment, a high-altitude track segment, and a low-altitude track segment. The upward track segment, the high-altitude track segment, the downward track segment, and the low-altitude track segment form a closed track. The upward track segment and the downward track segment are arranged in parallel, and the high-altitude track segment and the low-altitude track segment are both arranged in a semi-circular shape.

[0007] In one optional embodiment of this application, the cableway includes an uphill cableway section, a downhill cableway section, a high-altitude cableway section, and a low-altitude cableway section. The uphill cableway section is located at a groove position within the uphill track section, the downhill cableway section is located at a groove position within the downhill track section, the high-altitude cableway section is located at a first preset groove position, and the low-altitude cableway section is located at a second preset groove position.

[0008] In one optional embodiment of this application, the space where the gravity energy storage system is located includes a transfer area, a buffer area, and a storage and stacking area. The transfer area is provided with an upward track section, a downward track section, an upward cableway section, and a downward cableway section. The buffer area includes a high-altitude buffer zone and a low-altitude buffer zone. The high-altitude buffer zone is provided with a high-altitude track section and a high-altitude cableway section, and the low-altitude buffer zone is provided with a low-altitude track section and a low-altitude cableway section.

[0009] In one optional embodiment of this application, the transportation subsystem further includes a cable gripper and multiple cable gripper baffles. The cable gripper is disposed at the bottom of the material transfer trolley and is used to control the connection and separation of the material transfer trolley from the cableway. The multiple cable gripper baffles are respectively disposed at a first preset position on the high-altitude track section in the high-altitude buffer zone and a second preset position on the low-altitude track section in the low-altitude buffer zone. The first preset position is the boundary between the uphill track section and the high-altitude track section, and the second preset position is the boundary between the downhill track section and the low-altitude track section. The multiple cable gripper baffles interact with the cable gripper to separate and reconnect the cable gripper from the cableway.

[0010] In one optional embodiment of this application, the power generation system includes a transfer area energy conversion subsystem, a buffer zone kinetic energy recovery and management subsystem, and a power compensation subsystem. The transfer area energy conversion subsystem controls the conversion between electrical energy and gravitational potential energy when the material transfer trolley is running on the track within the transfer area. The buffer zone kinetic energy recovery and management subsystem controls the material transfer trolley to decelerate until it comes to a stop during its movement in the buffer zone, and controls the material transfer trolley to gain kinetic energy after loading and unloading to reach its operating speed. The power compensation subsystem compensates for power differences when the trolley's operating conditions change, to achieve the rated power for the target operating condition.

[0011] In one optional embodiment of this application, the energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area includes a reversible motor, a gearbox, a power shaft, and a transmission wheel. The reversible motor is used to perform a reversible conversion between electrical energy and mechanical energy when the material transfer trolley is running in the transfer area. The gearbox is used to increase the output speed of the motor by a speed-increasing ratio, driving the material transfer trolley to the high-altitude warehouse, and to increase the output torque of the motor by a speed-reducing ratio, allowing the material transfer trolley to run to the low-altitude warehouse under the gravitational potential energy of the heavy object. The power shaft is used to transmit the torque output by the reversible motor to the transmission wheel. The transmission wheel is connected to the track and is used to traction the material transfer trolley to move on the track.

[0012] In one optional embodiment of this application, the energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area is configured to: when receiving a charging signal from the main control system, use the reversible motor as a motor to drive the material transfer trolley loaded with heavy blocks to the high-altitude warehouse via a gearbox, power shaft, and transmission wheel; when receiving a discharge signal from the main control system, use the reversible motor as a generator to drive the material transfer trolley loaded with heavy blocks to the low-altitude warehouse using the gravitational potential energy of the heavy blocks.

[0013] In one optional embodiment of this application, the overall control system is configured to: determine whether the power grid power threshold is greater than a preset power threshold; if the power grid power threshold is greater than the preset power threshold, send a charging signal to the energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area to control the material transfer vehicle to run with heavy objects to the high-altitude warehouse and run empty to the low-altitude warehouse, converting the electrical energy corresponding to the power difference between the power grid power threshold and the preset power threshold into gravitational potential energy; if the power grid power threshold is not greater than the preset power threshold, send a discharging signal to the energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area to control the material transfer vehicle to run empty to the high-altitude warehouse and run with heavy objects to the low-altitude warehouse, converting the gravitational potential energy into electrical energy.

[0014] Secondly, this application also provides a gravity energy storage method applied to a gravity energy storage system. The gravity energy storage system includes a main control system, a transportation subsystem, a power generation and control system, and a storage subsystem. The main control system is signal-connected to the transportation subsystem, the power generation and control system, and the storage subsystem to control their operation for power transmission to the power grid. The transportation subsystem includes a cableway, a track, and a material transfer trolley. The track is a reciprocating track between a high-altitude warehouse and a low-altitude warehouse. The cableway is positioned in a groove in the track and is connected to the bottom of the material transfer trolley, allowing the trolley to move along the track under the cableway's traction. The power electronics system controls the trolley's speed to convert electrical energy into gravitational potential energy and recover kinetic energy. The storage subsystem includes a stacking bin, stacking components, a conveyor belt, and a retrieval robotic claw. When the material transfer trolley arrives at the storage stacking area, the robotic claw loads and unloads heavy objects, and the conveyor belt and stacking components store and retrieve the heavy objects.

[0015] The gravity energy storage system and method provided in this application include a main control system, a transportation subsystem, a power generation and control system, and a storage subsystem. The main control system is signal-connected to the transportation subsystem, the power generation and control system, and the storage subsystem to control their operation for power transmission to the power grid. The transportation subsystem includes a cableway, a track, and a material transfer trolley. The track is a reciprocating track between a high-altitude warehouse and a low-altitude warehouse. The cableway is located in a groove on the track. The bottom of the material transfer trolley is connected, allowing the trolley to move along the track under the traction of the cableway; the power generation and electronic system is used to control the running speed of the material transfer trolley to convert electrical energy into gravitational potential energy and recover kinetic energy; the storage subsystem includes a stacking bin, stacking components, a conveyor belt, and a retrieval mechanical claw, used to load and unload heavy blocks via the retrieval mechanical claw when the material transfer trolley arrives at the storage stacking area, and to store and retrieve heavy blocks via the conveyor belt and stacking components. This application enhances the stability of the power grid and improves energy utilization efficiency.

[0016] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the gravity energy storage system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a partial top view of the gravity energy storage system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cable gripper and cable gripper baffle in the gravity energy storage system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0021] Figure 4 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the material transfer trolley and cable holder provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a second schematic diagram of the material transfer trolley and cable gripper provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0023] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the storage and stacking area provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the gravity energy storage method provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely represents selected embodiments of this application. Based on the embodiments of this application, every other embodiment obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort falls within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] First, the applicable application scenarios of this application will be introduced. This application can be applied to the field of energy storage technology.

[0027] Research has revealed that the western region of my country, where wind and solar power generation is most widespread, has a large number of terrains with significant elevation differences. Utilizing slope-based gravity energy storage systems offers a natural advantage. However, existing gravity energy storage technologies face several major challenges, including excessive stress on transmission components leading to poor reliability, poor wind resistance resulting in safety issues, insufficient power stability due to environmental and loading errors, a lack of power recovery systems, and the absence of power compensation systems. Consequently, the uncertainty and uncontrollability of power generation resulting from the high proportion of renewable energy integration have led to wind and solar power curtailment in some areas.

[0028] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a gravity energy storage system and method, wherein a general control system is signal-connected to a transportation subsystem, a power generation and control system, and a storage subsystem to control the operation of these subsystems for transmitting electrical energy to the power grid; the transportation subsystem includes a cableway, a track, and a material transfer trolley; the track is a reciprocating track between a high-altitude warehouse and a low-altitude warehouse; the cableway is located in a groove on the track and is connected to the bottom of the material transfer trolley, allowing the trolley to move along the track under the traction of the cableway; the power generation and control system... The system controls the operating speed of the material transfer trolley to convert electrical energy into gravitational potential energy and recover kinetic energy. The storage subsystem includes a stacking bin, stacking components, a conveyor belt, and a retrieval robotic claw. When the material transfer trolley arrives at the storage stacking area, the robotic claw is used to load and unload heavy blocks, and the conveyor belt and stacking components are used to store and retrieve heavy blocks. Through this application, using a cable car and track structure, heavy blocks are transported between high-altitude and low-altitude warehouses by the material transfer trolley, converting gravitational potential energy into electrical energy, supplying the electrical energy to the power grid, maintaining grid stability, and improving energy utilization efficiency.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the gravity energy storage system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the gravity energy storage system provided in this application embodiment includes: cableway 1, track 2, material transfer trolley 3, stacking bin 4, stacking component 5, conveyor belt 6, retrieval mechanical claw 7, power generation electronic system 8, and power grid 9.

[0030] Here, the gravity energy storage system includes a central control system, a transportation subsystem, a power generation and control system, and a storage subsystem. The central control system is connected to the transportation subsystem, the power generation and control system, and the storage subsystem to control their operation and transmit electrical energy to the power grid.

[0031] The transportation subsystem includes a cableway 1, a track 2, and a material transfer trolley 3. The track 2 is a round-trip track between the high-altitude warehouse and the low-altitude warehouse. The cableway 1 is located in the groove of the track and is connected to the bottom of the material transfer trolley 3, so that the material transfer trolley 3 moves along the track 2 under the traction of the cableway 1.

[0032] The power generation electronic system is used to control the running speed of the material transfer trolley 3, so as to convert electrical energy into gravitational potential energy and recover kinetic energy.

[0033] The storage subsystem includes a stacking bin 4, stacking components 5, a conveyor belt 6, and a mechanical claw 7 for picking up heavy objects. When the material transfer trolley 3 arrives at the storage stacking area, the mechanical claw 7 is used to load and unload heavy objects, and the conveyor belt 6 and stacking components 5 are used to store and retrieve heavy objects.

[0034] In summary, the main control system is responsible for receiving grid demand and system status information, and sending control signals to other subsystems accordingly to ensure the coordinated operation and efficient management of the entire system.

[0035] The transportation subsystem consists of a cableway 1, a track 2, and a material transfer trolley 3. The cableway 1 is located in the groove of the track 2 and is connected to the bottom of the material transfer trolley 3, which pulls the material transfer trolley 3 to move back and forth between the high-altitude warehouse and the low-altitude warehouse. This design not only improves transportation efficiency, but also helps to realize the effective conversion between gravitational potential energy and electrical energy.

[0036] Specifically, the track includes an upward track segment, a downward track segment, a high-altitude track segment, and a low-altitude track segment. The upward track segment, the high-altitude track segment, the downward track segment, and the low-altitude track segment form a closed track. The upward track segment and the downward track segment are set in parallel, while the high-altitude track segment and the low-altitude track segment are both set in a semi-circular shape.

[0037] The cableway includes an uphill cableway section, a downhill cableway section, a high-altitude cableway section, and a low-altitude cableway section. The uphill cableway section is located in the groove position within the uphill track section, the downhill cableway section is located in the groove position within the downhill track section, the high-altitude cableway section is located in the first preset groove position, and the low-altitude cableway section is located in the second preset groove position.

[0038] The main function of track 2 and cableway 1 is to provide support for material transfer trolley 3 and to pull the trolley up and down the mountain. The main function of material transfer trolley 3 is to load cement blocks and to store and release gravitational potential energy through the up and down movement of the mountain, so as to achieve charging and discharging functions.

[0039] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a partial top view of the gravity energy storage system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, a partial top view of the gravity energy storage system provided in this application embodiment includes a transfer area 21, a buffer zone 22, and a storage and stacking area 23.

[0040] Here, the transfer area 21 is equipped with an uphill track section, a downhill track section, an uphill cableway section, and a downhill cableway section. The buffer zone 22 includes a high-altitude buffer zone and a low-altitude buffer zone. The high-altitude buffer zone is equipped with a high-altitude track section and a high-altitude cableway section, while the low-altitude buffer zone is equipped with a low-altitude track section and a low-altitude cableway section.

[0041] For further details, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the grabber and grabber baffle in the gravity energy storage system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the gravity energy storage system provided in this application embodiment also includes a cable gripper 10 and a cable gripper baffle 11.

[0042] The cable gripper 10 is installed at the bottom of the material transfer trolley 3 to control the connection and separation of the material transfer trolley 3 from the cableway 1;

[0043] Multiple cable gripper baffles 11 are respectively set at the first preset position on the high-altitude track section in the high-altitude buffer zone and the second preset position on the low-altitude track section in the low-altitude buffer zone. The first preset position is the boundary between the up-going track section and the high-altitude track section, and the second preset position is the boundary between the down-going track section and the low-altitude track section. The multiple cable gripper baffles 11 are used to interact with the cable gripper 10 to separate and reconnect the cable gripper 10 and the cableway 1.

[0044] In one specific embodiment, the connection method is as follows: the cableway is at the same height as the track or slightly above or below it, and the cableway is located between the two tracks from a top-down perspective. A support is set on the lower side of the track to support the track and fix the track to the mountain, making the track more stable when erected on the mountain.

[0045] The material transfer trolley 3 is connected to the cableway 1 via a cable gripper 10, remaining connected throughout the ascent and descent. Pulled by the cableway 1, the material transfer trolley 3 moves on the track 2. Upon entering the vicinity of the buffer zone 22, the cable gripper 10 separates from the cableway 1 due to the elasticity of the cable gripper baffle 11 on the cableway 1. The cableway 1 continues its cyclical motion under the traction of the winch. At the exit of the buffer zone 22, it connects with other material transfer trolleys in the same manner and moves with the material transfer trolley 3 towards the other end of the high-altitude warehouse. For example, the winch is located at... Figure 2 The circular position at location 22 in the middle buffer zone drives cableway 1 to perform a cyclical motion.

[0046] Specifically, please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 4 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the material transfer trolley and cable holder provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 5 This is the second schematic diagram of the material transfer trolley and cable gripper provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 4 This is a front view of the material transfer trolley and cable gripper. Figure 5 This is a side view of the material transfer trolley and cable grabber.

[0047] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the rigging system consists of the following key components:

[0048] Support frame (including guide wheels): The support frame is the supporting structure of the system, which ensures the stability and guidance of the entire device. The guide wheels are used to guide the trolley to run smoothly on the track.

[0049] Elastic component: When the baffle contacts the lever, the cable gripper can be reset through the elastic component after the separation action is completed. This structure maintains the cable gripper's gripping action by continuously applying force to the lever.

[0050] Lever: The lever is the key component for raising and lowering the gripper. When the material transfer trolley 3 moves to a specific position, the protruding mechanism in the guide rail will press down the lever, thereby triggering the action of the gripper.

[0051] Cable gripper: responsible for connecting the material transfer trolley 3 to the towing cable. When the cable gripper is raised, the material transfer trolley 3 is separated from the towing cable; when the cable gripper is lowered, the material transfer trolley 3 is connected to the towing cable.

[0052] Electronic components: used to control the movement of the gripper claw and monitor the operating status of the material transfer trolley 3.

[0053] Motion principle: When the trolley enters the buffer zone 22 from the uphill / downhill transfer area 21, the protruding mechanism in the guide rail will press down the lever, triggering the cable gripper to lift off the traction cable. In this way, the material transfer trolley 3 smoothly enters the buffer zone 22. After entering the buffer zone 22, it resets, and the cable gripper prepares for the next action.

[0054] When the trolley needs to enter the uphill / downhill transfer area 21 from the buffer zone 22, the same cable gripper lifting-lowering process will occur again. This time, the cable gripper will lower and engage the traction cable, allowing the trolley to smoothly enter the uphill / downhill transfer area 21.

[0055] In summary, the cable gripper enables the material transfer trolley to run smoothly and transfer materials efficiently on the track, and the spring-loaded metal brackets and connecting rods shown in the picture are important components of this system.

[0056] Specifically, the material transfer trolley 3 enters the buffer zone 22 along the track 2, starts its own power in the buffer zone 22, decelerates to zero in the middle of the buffer zone 22, and after loading and unloading the goods, it accelerates to the cableway speed in the second half of the journey, and uses the cable gripper 10 and the cable gripper baffle 11 to complete the docking without impact (nearly without impact).

[0057] In this way, the cement blocks can move smoothly up and down the mountain. The cableway's layout provides greater resilience to the impact of the natural environment. The use of cable grippers avoids complex bends in the cableway, reducing wear and tear, and also accommodates the need for transmission mode switching after entering buffer zone 22. The design of buffer zone 22 separates the transfer and stacking processes to a certain extent, allowing the transfer area to freely increase operating speed and charging / discharging power, thereby achieving a wider adjustment range. This enables the same area of ​​gravity energy storage device to balance the power output of more wind and solar power plants. Simultaneously, it ensures zero speed at the loading and unloading points, facilitating docking and eliminating impact loads, reducing safety risks, and increasing safety.

[0058] Furthermore, the power generation electronic system is responsible for controlling the operating speed of the material transfer trolley 3 to realize the conversion between electrical energy and gravitational potential energy, and to recover kinetic energy during transportation, thereby improving energy utilization efficiency and reducing energy loss.

[0059] Specifically, the power generation system includes a transfer area energy conversion subsystem, a buffer zone kinetic energy recovery and energy management subsystem, and a power compensation subsystem. Here, the transfer area energy conversion subsystem is used to control the conversion between electrical energy and gravitational potential energy when the material transfer trolley is running on the track within the transfer area; the buffer zone kinetic energy recovery and energy management subsystem is used to control the material transfer trolley to decelerate until it comes to a stop during its movement in the buffer zone, and to control the material transfer trolley to gain kinetic energy after loading and unloading to reach its operating speed; the power compensation subsystem is used to compensate for the power difference when the trolley's operating conditions change, so as to achieve the rated power of the target operating condition.

[0060] Here, the energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area and the kinetic energy recovery and energy management subsystem of the buffer zone are used to complete the conversion between electrical energy and gravitational potential energy. The power compensation subsystem is used for kinetic energy recovery and acceleration compensation required by the material transfer trolley in the buffer zone during acceleration and deceleration. The power compensation subsystem is used to compensate for the difference between the power during the transition period and the power in the final working state when switching between charging and discharging.

[0061] In one optional embodiment, the buffer zone kinetic energy recovery energy management subsystem is used to recover the kinetic energy lost by the material transfer trolley when braking in the buffer zone and convert it into electrical energy. The electrical energy is then converted into kinetic energy during the acceleration of the corresponding material transfer trolley at the other end of the warehouse, reducing energy waste and additional energy input, improving system efficiency, and connecting all electrical energy to the grid helps to uniformly allocate energy and improve the system's anti-interference capability.

[0062] Specifically, the energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area includes a reversible motor, a gearbox, a power shaft, and a transmission wheel. The reversible motor is used to perform reversible conversion between electrical energy and mechanical energy when the material transfer trolley 3 is running in the transfer area 21.

[0063] Here, the reversible motor, when functioning as a motor, has the ability to output torque; when functioning as a generator, it has the ability to be driven to output electrical energy, thus realizing the reversible conversion between electrical energy and mechanical energy. In charging mode, the reversible motor, acting as a motor, drives a cable-driven trolley uphill with a load and downhill without a load, converting electrical energy into gravitational potential energy. In discharging mode, the reversible motor, acting as a generator, uses gravity as the driving force to convert gravitational potential energy into electrical energy.

[0064] The gearbox is used to increase the output speed of the electric motor by increasing the speed ratio, so as to drive the material transfer trolley to the high-altitude warehouse, and to increase the output torque of the electric motor by increasing the speed reduction ratio, so that the material transfer trolley can be driven by the gravitational potential energy of the heavy object to the low-altitude warehouse.

[0065] Here, the gearbox achieves precise adjustment of the motor's output speed and torque through its internal gear transmission mechanism.

[0066] The power shaft is used to transmit the torque output by the reversible electric motor to the drive wheel;

[0067] Here, the power shaft efficiently transmits the torque output by the electric motor to the transmission wheel, thereby driving the trolley to move on the track. The design of the power shaft needs to take into account the efficiency and stability of torque transmission to ensure the smooth operation of the entire energy conversion process.

[0068] The drive wheel, connected to the cableway, is used to drive the cableway's movement.

[0069] Here, the drive wheel is closely connected to the cableway, and through friction with the cableway, it converts the torque transmitted from the power shaft into the power to propel the cableway forward.

[0070] Specifically, the energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area is configured as follows:

[0071] Upon receiving the charging signal from the overall control system, the reversible motor is used as a motor to drive the material transfer trolley loaded with heavy blocks to the high-altitude warehouse via the gearbox, power shaft, and transmission wheel.

[0072] Upon receiving the discharge signal from the overall control system, the reversible motor is used as a generator, and the gravitational potential energy of the heavy object is used to drive the material transfer trolley to carry the heavy object to the low-altitude warehouse.

[0073] As described above, this application mainly has two operating conditions: charging and discharging. In the charging condition, the reversible motor drives the cable-driven transport trolley to go uphill with a load and downhill without a load through a mechanical transmission system such as a gearbox, which plays the role of lifting heavy objects and converting the electrical energy corresponding to the power exceeding the threshold of the wind power photovoltaic power plant into the gravitational potential energy of the heavy objects. In the discharging condition, the reversible motor acts as a generator, and the transport trolley goes uphill without a load and downhill with a load. Using gravity as the driving force, the trolley moves at a constant speed under the balance of gravity and the electromagnetic damping force of the generator on the winch, thereby realizing the descent of the object and converting the gravitational potential energy of the heavy objects into electrical energy to supplement the energy corresponding to the power below the threshold of the wind power photovoltaic power plant.

[0074] When the reversible motor acts as a generator, it controls the onboard motor of the material transport trolley to smoothly decelerate to zero at the loading and unloading point, recovering kinetic energy according to the kinetic energy recovery principle of electric vehicles or rail transit. Simultaneously, the material transport trolley is connected to the electrified rail via a pantograph, transmitting the recovered energy to the energy storage unit for storage. Furthermore, the energy storage units in the high-altitude and low-altitude warehouses are interconnected and centrally managed. After loading and unloading, the material transport trolley consumes energy from the storage unit, gaining kinetic energy under motor drive to accelerate to the same speed as the cableway. It is noteworthy that whenever a loaded material transport trolley enters one loading and unloading point, an empty material transport trolley simultaneously leaves that point. At the same time, an empty material transport trolley enters the loading and unloading point at the other end of the warehouse, while a loaded trolley leaves. Without considering losses, these two energy sources perfectly complement each other. Therefore, only enough energy needs to be input into the energy storage system to support the losses to achieve the complete movement of the material transport trolley, greatly reducing energy waste.

[0075] Here, the energy storage unit is connected to the main control system to compensate for the power difference and power fluctuation that may occur during the charging and discharging switching process. In traditional power systems, when switching from charging to discharging or vice versa, the system response lag often leads to instantaneous power fluctuations or insufficiency, which may have an adverse effect on the stability of the power grid and the quality of power supply.

[0076] The introduction of energy storage units and connecting circuits effectively solves this problem. Energy storage units can rapidly provide or absorb the required electrical energy at the moment of charging and discharging, thereby filling the power gap, ensuring the stable operation of the power system, ensuring efficient power transmission, reducing energy loss, and further improving the system's response speed.

[0077] In the field of renewable energy generation, such as wind and solar power, the power output of the power grid often fluctuates significantly due to the volatility and uncertainty of natural conditions. In this situation, the combination of energy storage units and connecting circuits plays a crucial role in ensuring grid stability and power quality through rapid response and regulation.

[0078] When switching between these two operating conditions, the material transport trolley needs to first enter the high-altitude warehouse without unloading before switching from the uphill loaded state to the downhill loaded state (or vice versa). This process takes a certain amount of time, resulting in a longer time before all trolleys complete the switch. During this transition period, the power changes in a stepwise manner and cannot reach the rated power of the target operating condition in a sufficiently short time. The power compensation system will release energy when switching from charging to discharging and absorb energy when switching to another state, so that the total power can achieve a stepwise change.

[0079] In summary, the power generation and electronic system converts the kinetic energy lost by the material transfer trolley during braking in buffer zone 22 into electrical energy, and then converts it into electrical energy again during the acceleration of the corresponding material transfer trolley in the other warehouse. This achieves the mutual conversion between gravitational potential energy and electrical energy, reduces energy waste caused by changes in the speed of the material transfer trolley in the buffer zone, effectively improves system efficiency, reduces system response time, and significantly increases system flexibility, which helps to adjust system operating conditions in real time.

[0080] For further details, please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage and stacking area provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the storage and stacking area of ​​the gravity energy storage system provided in this application embodiment includes: a stacking bin 4, a stacking component 5, a conveyor belt 6, and a mechanical claw for retrieving items 7.

[0081] Stacking warehouse 4: Through reasonable rack layout and load-bearing design, the stacking warehouse can accommodate a large number of heavy blocks to meet the needs of long-term storage;

[0082] Stacking Component 5: For example, a gantry crane or similar stacking device is responsible for lifting heavy blocks from a conveyor belt and placing them in designated locations within the warehouse stacking area. These devices are typically equipped with advanced control systems and sensors that precisely control the lifting height and position to ensure accurate stacking of heavy blocks. Furthermore, to improve efficiency, most gantry cranes are capable of lifting multiple heavy blocks simultaneously, further shortening the stacking cycle.

[0083] Conveyor Belt 6: For example, a Y-type conveyor belt can be used. This Y-type conveyor belt can quickly transport heavy objects from the picking claw to the stacking device. Through its unique branching design, it creates a differential speed at the end, providing temporary storage for the stacking device. This design effectively alleviates the speed mismatch problem between the stacking device and the picking claw, improving overall storage and retrieval efficiency. Furthermore, the Y-type conveyor belt also has a speed adjustment function, allowing the conveying speed to be adjusted according to actual needs to adapt to different operating scenarios.

[0084] Mechanical gripper 7: The mechanical gripper is responsible for picking up heavy objects from the material transfer trolley and placing them on the conveyor belt, or picking up heavy objects from the conveyor belt and placing them into the material transfer trolley. The mechanical gripper can quickly and stably pick up and load objects, reducing the trolley's dwell time and impact stress during loading and unloading, thus ensuring the safety and stability of the heavy objects during the transfer process.

[0085] In the workflow of the warehousing subsystem, after the material transfer trolley 3 enters the buffer zone track, it decelerates to a stop at the loading and unloading point, and then opens the carriage door to expose the internal tracks. At this time, the retrieval robotic claw guides the heavy block away from the trolley and onto the conveyor belt 6 via the tracks on the opened door. The conveyor belt 6 transports the heavy block to the storage stacking area at a certain speed. Considering the limited operating speed and stacking efficiency of stacking devices such as gantry cranes, the conveyor belt 6 branches at the end to create a differential speed, providing temporary storage for the stacking bin 4. In this way, the stacking component 5 (such as a gantry crane) can use multiple main and auxiliary cranes to lift the heavy block simultaneously, balancing the difference between its own transfer speed and the retrieval speed of the robotic claw 7, achieving high-efficiency storage and retrieval. After completing the storage and retrieval operation, the stacking component 5, such as the gantry crane, will complete the stacking work in the storage stacking area 23, while the material transfer trolley 3 will gradually accelerate away from the buffer zone 22, preparing for the next transfer task.

[0086] The main function of the storage subsystem is to achieve efficient loading and unloading of heavy blocks and long-term storage of sufficient heavy blocks. Here, the stacking bin 4 and stacking devices such as stacking components 5 (e.g., gantry cranes) are located in the storage and stacking area. The Y-shaped conveyor belt 6 and the picking mechanical claw 7 connect the storage and stacking area 23 and the buffer zone 22. When the material transfer trolley 3 arrives at the storage and stacking area 23, the picking mechanical claw 7 is responsible for loading and unloading the heavy blocks, while the conveyor belt 6 and the stacking components 5 are responsible for storing and retrieving the heavy blocks. This design allows the system to adjust the speed and scale of energy storage and release according to the grid demand and actual conditions, achieving stable and high-speed heavy block stacking and efficient operation, improving the efficiency of the entire gravity energy storage and material transfer system, and reducing operating costs.

[0087] Specifically, the overall control system is configured as follows:

[0088] Determine whether the grid power threshold is greater than the preset power threshold;

[0089] If the power grid power threshold is greater than the preset power threshold, a charging signal is sent to the energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area to control the material transfer trolley to carry heavy blocks to the high-altitude warehouse and run empty to the low-altitude warehouse, converting the electrical energy corresponding to the power difference between the power grid power threshold and the preset power threshold into gravitational potential energy.

[0090] If the power threshold of the power grid is not greater than the preset power threshold, a discharge signal is sent to the energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area to control the material transfer trolley to run empty to the high-altitude warehouse and load heavy objects to run to the low-altitude warehouse, so as to convert gravitational potential energy into electrical energy.

[0091] Here, when the power grid power threshold exceeds the preset power threshold, it means there is excess electrical energy in the grid. At this time, the main control system will respond quickly, sending a charging signal to the energy conversion subsystem in the transfer area. Upon receiving this signal, the material transfer trolley 3 will be instructed to load heavy blocks and travel along a set track to a high-altitude warehouse for storage. After completing the storage task, the trolley will return empty to the low-altitude warehouse to prepare for the next loading task. In this process, the excess electrical energy in the grid is converted into the gravitational potential energy of the heavy blocks at high altitude, thus achieving energy storage.

[0092] Conversely, when the grid power threshold is lower than or equal to a preset power threshold, it indicates insufficient grid power. In this case, the main control system sends a discharge signal to the energy conversion subsystem in the transfer area. Upon receiving this signal, the material transfer vehicle will travel empty to the high-altitude warehouse, load the heavy object, and return to the low-altitude warehouse. During this descent, the gravitational potential energy of the heavy object is converted into electrical energy and transmitted back to the grid through the energy conversion subsystem, providing much-needed power support to the grid.

[0093] The overall workflow for this application is as follows:

[0094] The material transfer trolleys are evenly distributed on the inclined track. According to the charging and discharging needs, they move in a fixed direction in a circular motion under the action of the cableway driven by the motor or generator, and enter the transfer area - buffer zone - other side of the transfer area - other end buffer zone in sequence. The charging and discharging conditions will affect which section of the trolley is loaded and which section is unloaded.

[0095] The horizontal track in the buffer zone is directly integrated with the track on the slope. The material transfer trolley can reach the end of the slope from the slope track in the transfer area. Then, in a method similar to changing the cable of a cable car, the drive cable is released under the action of the cable grip spring and the fixed baffle. However, it will not connect with another cableway but will enter an empty grip state.

[0096] The electric motor on the material transfer trolley is started. At this time, the pantograph of the material transfer trolley is connected to the electrified rail. Under the action of the electric motor, the material transfer trolley will decelerate to 0 according to the principle of kinetic energy recovery in rail transit. The kinetic energy recovered by the material transfer trolley during braking will be input into the energy storage unit for unified management through the pantograph and electrified rail. At this time, the material transfer trolley reaches the retrieval robotic claw, and then the carriage is opened. The retrieval robotic claw guides the heavy object away from the material transfer trolley and into the Y-shaped conveyor belt (in another case, the Y-shaped conveyor belt directly provides the speed for the heavy object to enter the material transfer trolley). On the conveyor belt, the heavy object moves at a certain speed. The conveyor belt moves at a constant speed towards the gantry crane (or other stacking device) (i.e., the storage and stacking area). Considering the limited operating speed and stacking efficiency of the gantry crane and other stacking devices, the Y-shaped conveyor belt will fork at the end, forming a speed difference between the two ends, thus creating a temporary storage effect. The unloaded heavy objects are distributed as needed to two (or more) tracks with different speeds, thereby controlling multiple heavy objects to arrive at the stacking device at the same time, realizing the stacking of multiple heavy objects together, balancing the speed difference between the stacking device and the loading and unloading device, and controlling the distribution of heavy objects with the aim of multiple objects arriving at the stacking device at the same time (multiple objects arriving at the trolley loading and unloading point in sequence at intervals).

[0097] In this way, the gantry crane can balance the gap between its own transfer speed and the picking speed of the mechanical claw (the transport speed at the beginning of the Y-shaped conveyor belt) by using multiple main and auxiliary cranes to lift heavy objects simultaneously, thus achieving high-efficiency storage and retrieval. After storage (retrieval) is completed, the motor inside the material transfer trolley will be powered by the energy storage unit to drive the material transfer trolley to accelerate to the same speed as the cableway of the transport system. Then, under the action of the baffle and cable gripper, the cable gripper in the unsecured state will be released, connecting with the cableway, entering the transfer area to participate in the charging (discharging) process. At the same time, the gantry crane will complete the stacking work in the storage and stacking area (heavy object stacking warehouse).

[0098] When switching operating conditions, the power compensation subsystem will compensate for the power difference that fails to reach the specified value during the discharge process when switching to discharge, and will compensate for the power difference that fails to reach the specified charging power when switching to charging.

[0099] In summary, this application achieves efficient conversion between electrical energy and gravitational potential energy, as well as rapid material transfer. Furthermore, through mechanisms such as kinetic energy recovery and power compensation, it further improves the system's energy utilization efficiency and operational stability.

[0100] The gravity energy storage system and method provided in this application, through a central control system coordinating three subsystems—transportation, power generation, and storage—achieves efficient conversion and utilization of electrical energy and gravitational potential energy. The system utilizes cable cars (material transfer trolleys) and a track structure to transport heavy objects between high-altitude and low-altitude warehouses, thereby converting gravitational potential energy into electrical energy and supplying it to the power grid to maintain its stability. Specifically, the transportation subsystem ensures the smooth operation of the trolley; the power generation subsystem controls the trolley speed to achieve energy conversion and kinetic energy recovery; and the storage subsystem is responsible for loading, unloading, and storing the heavy objects. This system significantly improves energy utilization efficiency and provides strong support for power grid stability.

[0101] The technical effects of this application are as follows:

[0102] Enhanced load-bearing capacity and environmental resistance: The cable rail design not only significantly improves the system's load-bearing capacity but also enhances its resistance to the natural environment, while avoiding the use of high-cost special equipment and reducing overall costs.

[0103] Improved operational efficiency and safety: The cableway is located below the vehicle body at a similar height to the track, effectively reducing interference from external factors such as wind, thereby increasing operating speed and power output.

[0104] Simplified switching mechanism and enhanced cable safety: The purely mechanical switching design of the trolley cable gripper requires no additional operation, greatly simplifying the system structure and reducing construction costs. At the same time, its clever matching with the cableway location reduces complex cable bends and improves cableway safety.

[0105] Optimize transfer and stacking efficiency: The buffer zone separates the energy conversion transfer area from the storage and stacking area that requires stable docking, allowing the transfer area to operate efficiently. In the storage and stacking area, the trolley can decelerate to zero when loading and unloading goods, which facilitates docking, reduces impact load, and improves the safety and robustness of storage.

[0106] Meeting personalized braking needs: The self-powered design of the buffer zone trolley meets the needs of each trolley for speed changes at different positions, avoiding the limitations of uniform transmission and traction.

[0107] Improving overall system efficiency: The design of the power generation and deceleration system effectively reduces energy waste during the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle in the buffer zone, thereby improving the energy utilization efficiency of the entire system.

[0108] Achieving rapid response and real-time adjustment: The introduction of the power compensation subsystem solves the problem of slow system response during charge and discharge switching, realizes step-like state switching, and ensures that the system can respond quickly and adjust the power plant's output power in real time.

[0109] Please see Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a gravity energy storage method provided in an embodiment of this application. The gravity energy storage method is applied to a gravity energy storage system, which includes a main control system, a transportation subsystem, a power generation and control system, and a storage subsystem, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the method includes:

[0110] S701, The overall control system is connected to the transportation subsystem, the power generation and electronics system and the storage subsystem respectively, and is used to control the operation of the transportation subsystem, the power generation and electronics system and the storage subsystem to transmit electrical energy to the power grid;

[0111] S702. The transportation subsystem includes a cableway, a track, and a material transfer trolley. The track is a round-trip track set between a high-altitude warehouse and a low-altitude warehouse. The cableway is set in the groove of the track and is connected to the bottom of the material transfer trolley, so that the material transfer trolley moves along the track under the traction of the cableway.

[0112] S703, The power generation electronic system is used to control the running speed of the material transfer trolley in order to perform the conversion between electrical energy and gravitational potential energy and the recovery of kinetic energy;

[0113] S704. The storage subsystem includes a stacking bin, stacking components, a conveyor belt, and a retrieval mechanical claw, used to load and unload heavy blocks via the retrieval mechanical claw when the material transfer trolley arrives at the storage stacking area, and to store and retrieve the heavy blocks via the conveyor belt and the stacking components.

[0114] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working process of the method described above can be referred to the corresponding process in the aforementioned system embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0115] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. The apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Additionally, the shown or discussed mutual couplings, direct couplings, or communication connections may be through some communication interfaces; indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0116] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0117] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0118] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a processor-executable, non-volatile, computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0119] Finally, it should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely specific implementations of this application, used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not to limit them. The scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that any person skilled in the art can still modify or easily conceive of changes to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features, within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application. Such modifications, changes, or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A gravity energy storage system, characterized in that, This includes the overall control system, transportation subsystem, power generation and control system, and warehousing subsystem. The overall control system is connected to the transportation subsystem, the power generation and electronics system, and the storage subsystem via signals to control the operation of the transportation subsystem, the power generation and electronics system, and the storage subsystem in order to transmit electrical energy to the power grid. The transportation subsystem includes a cableway, a track, a material transfer trolley, a cable gripper, and multiple cable gripper baffles. The track is a round-trip track set between the high-altitude warehouse and the low-altitude warehouse. The cableway is set in the groove of the track and is connected to the bottom of the material transfer trolley, so that the material transfer trolley moves along the track under the traction of the cableway. The power generation system includes an energy conversion subsystem for the transfer area, a kinetic energy recovery and energy management subsystem for the buffer zone, and a power compensation subsystem, used to control the running speed of the material transfer trolley in order to perform the conversion between electrical energy and gravitational potential energy and the recovery of kinetic energy. The overall control system is configured as follows: Determine whether the grid power threshold is greater than the preset power threshold; If the power grid power threshold is greater than the preset power threshold, a charging condition is determined, and the power compensation subsystem is controlled to absorb energy so that the total power of the system reaches the rated discharge power. The overall control system sends a charging signal to the energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area, controlling the material transfer trolley to load heavy objects and move to the high-altitude warehouse at its operating speed. The material transfer trolley is connected to the cableway via a cable grabber. Under the traction of the cableway, the material transfer trolley moves on the track. When the material transfer trolley reaches the first preset position, it separates from the cableway under the action of the cable grabber baffle and its own elasticity. The reversible motor on the material transfer trolley is started, causing the material transfer trolley to move from the first preset position. Assuming the speed of the trolley decelerates from high speed to zero when it reaches the storage and stacking area, the kinetic energy recovery and energy management subsystem of the control buffer zone recovers and stores the kinetic energy. The mechanical claw grabs the heavy block from the material transfer trolley and places it on the conveyor belt. After the heavy block on the material transfer trolley is lifted, the reversible motor is controlled to drive the material transfer trolley to increase its speed from zero to the same speed as the cableway when it moves from the storage and stacking area to the position of the grabber baffle. The trolley is then connected to the cableway through the grabber and grabber baffle, allowing the material transfer trolley to run empty to the low-altitude warehouse. The electrical energy corresponding to the power difference between the power grid power threshold and the preset power threshold is converted into gravitational potential energy. In this system, whenever a material transport vehicle loaded with heavy blocks enters the loading and unloading point of the high-altitude warehouse, an empty material transport vehicle leaves the loading and unloading point. The energy stored when the speed of the material transport vehicle loaded with heavy blocks decelerates from high speed to zero complements the energy consumed when the speed of the empty material transport vehicle increases from zero to the same speed as the cableway.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The overall control system is further configured to: If the power grid power threshold is not greater than the preset power threshold, a discharge condition is determined, and the power compensation subsystem is controlled to release energy so that the total power of the system reaches the rated charging power. The main control system sends a discharge signal to the energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area, controlling the material transfer trolley to run unloaded to the high-altitude warehouse. The material transfer trolley moves on the track under the traction of the cableway. When the material transfer trolley reaches the first preset position, it separates from the cableway under the action of the cable grip baffle and its own elasticity. The reversible motor on the material transfer trolley is started, causing the material transfer trolley to move from the first preset position to the storage and stacking area. The speed decelerates from high speed to zero. The kinetic energy recovery and energy management subsystem in the control buffer zone recovers and stores the kinetic energy. The mechanical claw grabs the heavy block from the conveyor belt and places it on the material transfer trolley. After the heavy block is placed on the material transfer trolley, the reversible motor is controlled to drive the material transfer trolley from the storage stacking area to the position of the grabber baffle, and the speed increases from zero to the same as the cableway speed. The trolley is connected to the cableway through the grabber and grabber baffle, so that the material transfer trolley loaded with heavy objects runs to the low-altitude warehouse, and the gravitational potential energy corresponding to the power difference between the power grid power threshold and the preset power threshold is converted into electrical energy.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The track includes an upward track segment, a downward track segment, a high-altitude track segment, and a low-altitude track segment. The upward track segment, the high-altitude track segment, the downward track segment, and the low-altitude track segment form a closed track. The upward track segment and the downward track segment are arranged in parallel, and the high-altitude track segment and the low-altitude track segment are both arranged in a semi-circular shape.

4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cableway includes an uphill cableway section, a downhill cableway section, a high-altitude cableway section, and a low-altitude cableway section. The uphill cableway section is located at a groove position within the uphill track section, the downhill cableway section is located at a groove position within the downhill track section, the high-altitude cableway section is located at a first preset groove position, and the low-altitude cableway section is located at a second preset groove position.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The space where the gravity energy storage system is located includes a transfer area, a buffer area, and a storage and stacking area. The transfer area is equipped with an upward track section, a downward track section, an upward cableway section, and a downward cableway section. The buffer area includes a high-altitude buffer zone and a low-altitude buffer zone. The high-altitude buffer zone is equipped with a high-altitude track section and a high-altitude cableway section, and the low-altitude buffer zone is equipped with a low-altitude track section and a low-altitude cableway section.

6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transport subsystem also includes cable grippers and multiple cable gripper baffles. The cable gripper is located at the bottom of the material transfer trolley and is used to control the connection and separation of the material transfer trolley from the cableway. The plurality of cable grip baffles are respectively set at a first preset position on the high-altitude track section in the high-altitude buffer zone and a second preset position on the low-altitude track section in the low-altitude buffer zone. The first preset position is the boundary between the up-going track section and the high-altitude track section, and the second preset position is the boundary between the down-going track section and the low-altitude track section. The plurality of cable grip baffles are used to interact with the cable grip to separate and reconnect the cable grip from the cableway.

7. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area is used to control the conversion between electrical energy and gravitational potential energy when the material transfer trolley is running on the track in the transfer area; The buffer zone kinetic energy recovery energy management subsystem is used to control the material transfer trolley to decelerate until it stops during its movement in the buffer zone, and to control the material transfer trolley to gain kinetic energy after loading and unloading to achieve its operating speed. The power compensation subsystem is used to compensate for the power difference when the trolley switches operating conditions, so as to achieve the rated power of the target operating condition.

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area includes a reversible motor, a gearbox, a power shaft, and transmission wheels. The reversible motor is used to perform reversible conversion between electrical energy and mechanical energy when the material transfer trolley is running in the transfer area; The gearbox is used to increase the output speed of the electric motor by increasing the speed ratio, thereby driving the material transfer trolley to the high-altitude warehouse, and to increase the output torque of the electric motor by increasing the speed reduction ratio, so that the material transfer trolley can be driven by the gravitational potential energy of the heavy object to the low-altitude warehouse. The power shaft is used to transmit the torque output by the reversible motor to the drive wheel; The drive wheel is connected to the track and is used to pull the material transfer trolley to move on the track.

9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area is configured as follows: Upon receiving the charging signal from the overall control system, the reversible motor is used as a motor to drive the material transfer trolley loaded with heavy blocks to the high-altitude warehouse via the gearbox, power shaft, and transmission wheel. Upon receiving the discharge signal from the overall control system, the reversible motor is used as a generator, and the gravitational potential energy of the heavy object is used to drive the material transfer trolley to carry the heavy object to the low-altitude warehouse.

10. A gravity energy storage method, characterized in that, Applied to the gravity energy storage system as described in claim 1, the method includes: Determine whether the grid power threshold is greater than the preset power threshold; If the power grid power threshold is greater than the preset power threshold, a charging condition is determined, and the power compensation subsystem is controlled to absorb energy so that the total power of the system reaches the rated discharge power. The overall control system sends a charging signal to the energy conversion subsystem of the transfer area, controlling the material transfer trolley to load heavy objects and move to the high-altitude warehouse at its operating speed. The material transfer trolley is connected to the cableway via a cable grabber. Under the traction of the cableway, the material transfer trolley moves on the track. When the material transfer trolley reaches the first preset position, it separates from the cableway under the action of the cable grabber baffle and its own elasticity. The reversible motor on the material transfer trolley is started, causing the material transfer trolley to move from the first preset position. Assuming the speed of the trolley decelerates from high speed to zero when it reaches the storage and stacking area, the kinetic energy recovery and energy management subsystem of the control buffer zone recovers and stores the kinetic energy. The mechanical claw grabs the heavy block from the material transfer trolley and places it on the conveyor belt. After the heavy block on the material transfer trolley is lifted, the reversible motor is controlled to drive the material transfer trolley to increase its speed from zero to the same speed as the cableway when it moves from the storage and stacking area to the position of the grabber baffle. The trolley is then connected to the cableway through the grabber and grabber baffle, allowing the material transfer trolley to run empty to the low-altitude warehouse. The electrical energy corresponding to the power difference between the power grid power threshold and the preset power threshold is converted into gravitational potential energy. In this system, whenever a material transport vehicle loaded with heavy blocks enters the loading and unloading point of the high-altitude warehouse, an empty material transport vehicle leaves the loading and unloading point. The energy stored when the speed of the material transport vehicle loaded with heavy blocks decelerates from high speed to zero complements the energy consumed when the speed of the empty material transport vehicle increases from zero to the same speed as the cableway.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Composite gravity energy storage system and control method thereof

    CN115441592A

  • Conveyor belt type kinetic energy recovery and mechanical shock buffering method for gravity energy storage system

    CN116517798A

  • Gravity energy storage system for continuously conveying bulk materials

    CN118128716A

  • Mountain gravity energy storage system and method with multiple weight blocks running continuously

    CN119267132A