Air storage system

Abstract

Air storage system adapted for connection with an air-operated power generation system (2), characterized by: a plurality of first air storage units (3) which are fluidly connected to one another, which are adapted to be fluidly connected to the air-operated power generation system (2), which are adapted to interactively enclose the air-operated power generation system (2), and which together define a working area (S1) adapted for the placement of the air-operated power generation system (2), wherein each of the first air storage units (3) comprises at least one air storage subunit (31) and a plurality of support subunits (32) which support the at least one air storage subunit (31), wherein the at least one air storage subunit (31) of each of the first air storage units (3) comprises a plurality of first air storage tubes (311) which are arranged collinearly, which are connected to one another and are fluidly connected, and which are adapted to store compressed air.

Description

[0001] The disclosure relates to an air storage system, and more particularly to an air storage system adapted to be connected to an air-actuated power generation system.

[0002] Fig. 1 illustrates an air-actuated power generation system 1 as disclosed in Taiwanese Utility Model No. M637913 filed by the same applicant as the present disclosure.

[0003] The air-actuated power generation system 1 includes an air storage device 11 for storing compressed air, a housing assembly 12 rotatably mounted on the air storage device 11, an air compressor 13 placed in the housing assembly 12, a blade assembly 14 placed on the housing assembly 12 and connected to the air compressor 13, and a power generation device 15 connected to the air storage device 11.

[0004] The blade assembly 14 drives the air compressor 13 to compress air into compressed air. The compressed air from the air compressor 13 is stored in the air storage device 11. When electricity or power generation is needed, the power generation device 15 is driven by the compressed air stored in the air storage device 11 to generate electricity. The air-driven power generation system 1 is characterized in that the stored compressed air, after being used to generate electricity, can be directly discharged without causing pollution or producing waste, thus being environmentally friendly.

[0005] However, to store a large amount of compressed air, the air storage device 11 must be modified. Furthermore, if a working area of ​​the air-operated power generation system 1 is not enclosed or fenced, ordinary people may inadvertently enter the working area of ​​the air-operated power generation system 1 when the air-operated power generation system 1 is in operation. Therefore, there is room for improvement.

[0006] Therefore, it is an object of the disclosure to provide an air storage system that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] According to the disclosure, the air storage system is adapted to be connected to an air-actuated power generation system and includes a plurality of first air storage units in fluid communication with one another, adapted to be in fluid communication with the air-actuated power generation system, adapted to cooperatively enclose the air-actuated power generation system, and cooperatively define a work area adapted for placement of the air-actuated power generation system. Each of the first air storage units includes at least one air storage subunit and a plurality of support subunits supporting the at least one air storage subunit.The at least one air storage subunit of each of the first air storage units includes a plurality of first air storage tubes arranged colinearly, interconnected and in fluid communication, and adapted to store compressed air.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiment(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that various features may not be drawn to scale.

[0009] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an existing air-actuated power generation system.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view of an air-actuated power generation system adapted to cooperate with an air storage system of the disclosure.

[0011] Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating an air storage system connected to the air-actuated power generation system according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the first embodiment.

[0013] Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the air storage system of the first embodiment.

[0014] Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating an air storage system according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] Before describing the disclosure in more detail, it should be noted that, where considered appropriate, reference numerals or the last digits of reference numerals have been repeated in the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements which may or may not have similar characteristics.

[0016] It should be noted herein that, for the purpose of clarity of description, spatially relative terms such as "above," "below," "upper," "lower," "upon," "above," "over," "downward," "upward," and the like may be used in the disclosure while referring to the features shown in the drawings. The features may be oriented differently (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0017] The Fig. 2 to 4 show an air storage system according to a first embodiment of the disclosure, which is adapted to be connected to an air-actuated power generation system 2 (see Fig. 2) to be connected.

[0018] As in Fig. 2, the air-actuated power generation system 2 includes an air storage device 21 for storing compressed air, a housing assembly 22 rotatably mounted on the air storage device 21, an air compressor 23 placed in the housing assembly 22, a blade assembly 24 placed on the housing assembly 22 and connected to the air compressor 23, a power generation device 25 connected to the air storage device 21, and an air supply device 26.

[0019] The blade assembly 24 drives the air compressor 23 to compress air into compressed air. The power generation device 25 includes an air-operated motor 251 fluidly connected to the air storage device 21 and a power generator 252 driven by the air-operated motor 251 to operate. The air-operated motor 251 is actuated by the compressed air, thus driving the power generator 252 to generate electricity. The air supply device 26 includes a plurality of supply tubes 261 fluidly connected to the air storage device 21, the air compressor 23, and the power generation device 25. The air storage system of the disclosure is fluidly connected to the air storage device 21 via a corresponding one of the supply tubes 261.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 5 in combination with the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the air storage system of the disclosure includes a plurality of first air storage units 3 and a plurality of second air storage units 4.

[0021] The first air storage units 3 are in fluid communication with each other, are adapted to be in fluid communication with the air-actuated power generation system 2, are arranged in a rectangular shape to collectively enclose the air-actuated power generation system 2, and cooperatively define a work area (S1) adapted for the placement of the air-actuated power generation system 2, as shown in Fig. 4 shown.

[0022] Each of the first air storage units 3 includes a plurality of air storage sub-units 31 arranged in a top-down direction and a plurality of support sub-units 32 supporting the air storage sub-units 31.

[0023] Each of the air storage subunits 31 of each of the first air storage units 3 includes a plurality of first air storage tubes 311 arranged colinearly, in fluid communication with each other, and connected to each other by flanges to achieve a fixed connection between them.

[0024] In this embodiment, one of the first air storage tubes 311 of one of the air storage subunits 31 of one of the first air storage units 3 is in fluid communication with the air storage device 21 of the air-actuated power generation system 2 via the corresponding supply tube 261. In some alternative embodiments, the air storage device 21 may be in fluid communication with one of the first air storage tubes 311 of each of the air storage subunits 31 of each of the first air storage units 3 or may be in fluid communication with the first air storage tubes 311 of each of the air storage subunits 31 of each of the first air storage units 3.

[0025] The first air storage tubes 311 of each of the air storage subunits 31 of each of the first air storage units 3 are adapted to store compressed air. The compressed air may be under a pressure of more than one atmosphere. In particular, in order to be effectively stored and used, the compressed air must be under a pressure between 10 kg / cm 2 and 30 kg / cm 2 The optimal compressed air has a pressure of 20 kg / cm 2 .

[0026] For each of the first air storage units 3, each of the support subunits 32 includes two support rod members 321 and a plurality of crossbars 322. The support rod members 321 extend in the top-down direction, are spaced apart from each other, and are respectively placed on opposite sides of the air storage subunits 31. The crossbars 322 connect the support rod members 321 to each other, are spaced apart from each other in the top-down direction, and respectively support the first air storage tubes 311 of the air storage subunits 31.

[0027] Each of the second air storage units 4 is placed between a respective adjacent pair of the first air storage units 3 and is in fluid communication with the air storage subunits 31 of the respective adjacent pair of the first air storage units 3, such that for each of the first air storage units 3, the air storage subunits 31 are in fluid communication with each other via the second air storage units 4, and the first air storage units 3 are in fluid communication with each other. In this embodiment, since the first air storage units 3 are arranged in a rectangular shape, each of the second air storage units 4 is arranged at a corner formed between the respective adjacent pair of the first air storage units 3.

[0028] Each of the second air storage units 4 includes at least one second air storage tube 41 extending in the top-down direction and in fluid communication with the air storage subunits 31 of the respective adjacent pair of first air storage units 3. In this embodiment, the second air storage tube 41 of each of the second air storage units 4 is connected to the second air storage subunits 31 via a plurality of connecting tubes 5 (see Fig. 5) are fluidically connected to the first air storage tubes 311 of the air storage subunits 31 of the adjacent pair of first air storage units 3. As shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the air storage device 21, the first air storage tubes 311 and the second air storage tube 41 of each of the second air storage units 4 are in fluid communication with each other, since the corresponding supply tube 261 and one of the first air storage tubes 311 of one of the air storage subunits 31 of one of the first air storage units 3 are in fluid communication with each other.

[0029] The air storage system according to the first embodiment of the disclosure is characterized in that the air storage subunits 31 can serve as fences to prevent ordinary people from entering the work area (S1), thereby increasing safety during operation of the air-operated power generation system 2. Furthermore, each of the first air storage tubes 311 of the air storage subunits 31 of the first air storage units 3 stores compressed air, so that a large amount of compressed air can be stored for energy conversion.

[0030] Fig. 6 illustrates an air storage system according to a second embodiment of the disclosure, having a substantially similar structure to the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, the second air storage units 4 are omitted. In the second embodiment, for the adjacent pairs of the first air storage units 3, the first air storage tubes 311 of the air storage subunits 31 are fluidly connected to one another at the same height by a plurality of transverse connecting tubes 51. For each of the first air storage units 3, the first air storage tubes 311 of the top-down air storage subunits 31 are fluidly connected to one another by a plurality of top-down connecting tubes 52.

[0031] In summary, the first air storage units 3 can serve as fences that prevent ordinary people from entering the work area (S1), thereby increasing safety during operation of the air-operated power generation system 2. Furthermore, each of the first air storage tubes 311 of the air storage subunits 31 of the first air storage units 3 stores compressed air, so that a large amount of compressed air can be stored for energy conversion.

[0032] In the foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment(s). However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be noted that reference throughout this description to "one embodiment," an embodiment by reference to a number, etc., means that a particular function, structure, or feature may be incorporated into the practice of the disclosure. It should further be noted that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof in order to structure the disclosure and facilitate understanding of the various inventive aspects.This does not mean that each of these features must be performed in the presence of all other features.

[0033] In other words, in any described embodiment, if the implementation of one or more features or specific details does not affect the implementation of one or more other features or specific details, then that one or more features may be singled out and implemented alone, without the other one or more other features or specific details. It should further be noted that one or more features or specific details of one embodiment may be used in conjunction with one or more features or specific details of another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.

Claims

[1] Air storage system adapted for connection to an air-operated power generation system (2), characterized by : a plurality of first air storage units (3) in fluid communication with one another, adapted to be in fluid communication with the air-actuated power generation system (2), adapted to cooperatively enclose the air-actuated power generation system (2), and cooperatively define a work area (S1) adapted for placement of the air-actuated power generation system (2), wherein each of the first air storage units (3) includes at least one air storage sub-unit (31) and a plurality of support sub-units (32) supporting the at least one air storage sub-unit (31), wherein the at least one air storage sub-unit (31) of each of the first air storage units (3) includes a plurality of first air storage tubes (311) arranged co-linearly, connected to one another and in fluid communication, and adapted to store compressed air. [2] Air storage system according to claim 1, characterized by , that: for each of the first air storage units (3), the at least one air storage sub-unit (31) includes a plurality of air storage sub-units (31) arranged in a top-down direction; the air storage system further comprises a plurality of second air storage units (4); and each of the second air storage units (4) is placed between a respective adjacent pair of the first air storage units (3) and is in fluid communication with the air storage sub-units (31) of the respective adjacent pair of the first air storage units (3), such that for each of the first air storage units (3), the air storage sub-units (31) are in fluid communication with each other via the second air storage units (4) and the first air storage units (3) are in fluid communication with each other. [3] Air storage system according to claim 2, characterized by that each of the second air storage units (4) includes at least one second air storage tube (41) extending in the top-down direction and in fluid communication with the air storage sub-units (31) of the respective adjacent pair of first air storage units (3). [4] Air storage system according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized by that for each of the first air storage units (3), each of the carrier subunits (32) includes: two support rod members (321) extending in the top-down direction, spaced apart from each other, and placed on opposite sides of the air storage subunits (31), respectively; and a plurality of cross bars (322) connecting the support bar members (321) which are spaced apart from each other in the top-down direction and which respectively support the first air storage tubes (311) of the air storage sub-units (31).

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