Gravitational energy storage

Abstract

The application relates to a gravitational energy storage, wherein - the upper base (2) and the lower base (2') of its support frame structure (1) are at least three inseparably connected sections (3) located in such a way that in top view they resemble a polygonal shape, while on the inside these bases are inseparably connected by fasteners (4) to a vertically located tubular support tower (5), and at the corners of the bases (2, 2') vertical elements (6) are located connecting the two bases together and surrounding the support tower (5), - each at least one upper pulley (7) is attached to the section (3) and opposite each at least one lower pulley (7') is attached to the weight (8), - each weight (8) is positioned between two adjacent vertical members (6) of the support frame structure (1) and two opposing sections (3) of both bases (2, 2'), - at least one spool (10), an electric motor (11) and a current generator (12) are attached to the upper base (2), and each electric motor (11) and current generator (12) is connected by electrical wires to the inverter, - a rope (9) passing through the pulleys (7, 7') is attached to at least one spool (10).

Description

[0001] Gravitational energy storage

[0002] The object of the invention is gravitational energy storage, especially for a domestic or industrial wind power plant or any other energy source, especially renewable energy, for example, from photovoltaic panels.

[0003] From the application description of Chinese utility model CN216767631, a wind energy storage system is known, which includes an energy generation system and an energy storage system. The energy storage system consists of a motor that lifts the balancing weight of the vertical channel and power generation equipment. The balancing weight is placed in a vertical channel, the lifting motor raises the balancing weight inside the channel with the help of electricity generated by the wind turbine generator, while electricity is generated as the weight falls.

[0004] On the other hand, the Czech invention CZ305520B6 provides storage - gravity power plant, which uses sources of motion during weight lifting to rotate an electricity generator by means of a chain. The weight is mounted on pulleys attached to both the bottom and top of the tower channel and to the bottom and top edges of the load. The pulleys are connected by a loop of chain. The movement of the load allows a mechanical alternator to generate electricity.

[0005] From the French invention description FR2460399A1 there is known an energy storage system applicable to wind, tidal or water current conversion, where power is variable and often insufficient for satisfactory operation of an electric generator. A windmill or water turbine is used to lift water from a well through a pipe, which is discharged into a large reservoir on top of the tower. The tank is supported on the underside by two catches that move away when the water reaches a preset level, allowing the tank to fall, with a gearbox connecting the cable supporting the tank to the generator. In this way, electricity is generated, and the speed of the tank's descent is controlled by the generator's load. When the tank reaches the bottom, a post in the sump will force open the hinged base of the tank, allowing all the water to flow out.

[0006] In addition, from U.S. patent description US2021404445A1, an elevator cage used in an energy storage and delivery system to move pulleys between a lower tower height and a higher tower height to store energy is known, also used to move pulleys between a higher tower height and a lower tower height under gravity to generate electricity.

[0007] On the other hand, the utility model CN211666853U shows a gravitational energy storage system. The device consists of a ground platform and a tall tower on which the power generation machine is placed. The mooring rope and fixed pulley block are also located on the high tower platform. The transformer is permanently embedded in the tower, and the mooring rope is connected to a movable pulley and attached pulley block, and then attached to the mooring rope winch. A moving pulley located in the tower is connected to the electrical power-generating machine by a gear mechanism. This innovative system offers efficient energy storage in a high-rise building with low construction cost, minimal footprint and low site requirements.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is to develop a new, hitherto unknown simple and compact design of gravitational energy storage providing its improved efficiency and greater capacity, with relatively low costs associated with the manufacture and installation of this storage relative to competing solutions.

[0009] A further goal is to provide such a structure that can be used without spatial and terrain limitations relative to existing structures and by any potential recipient of such storage (for example, a household or a manufacturing company or a photovoltaic farm).

[0010] The gravitational energy storage according to the invention is characterized by the following:

[0011] - the upper base and the lower base of its support frame are at least three inseparably connected sections located in such a way that in top view they resemble a polygonal shape, while on the inside these bases are inseparably connected by fasteners to a vertically located tubular support tower, and at the corners of the upper base and the lower base, vertical elements are located connecting the two bases together and surrounding the support tower, - each at least one upper pulley (bearing roller) is attached to the lower surface of the upper base section, and located opposite it, each at least one lower pulley (bearing roller) is attached by mounting means to the upper surface of each weight,

[0012] - each weight is placed between each two adjacent vertical members of the support frame and two opposite sections of the upper base and lower base,

[0013] - at least one spool, an electric motor and a power generator are attached to the upper base of the supporting frame by mounting means, and each electric motor and power generator are connected by electrical wires to the inverter,

[0014] - a rope passing through the upper pulleys and lower pulleys is attached to at least one spool connected by motion to an electric motor and at least one power generator.

[0015] It is preferrable when an additional weight is placed inside a tubular support tower, the upper surface of which is connected to one end of an additional rope passing through a block attached by mounting means to the upper inner part of the support tower, and is connected by its other end to an additional spool connected by motion to its electric motor and its power generator, which are located next to the support tower and are attached by mounting means to the upper surface of the upper base of the support frame structure.

[0016] It is also preferrable if a spool is attached to each section of the upper base of the load-bearing frame, connected by motion to its electric motor and its power generator, to which is attached a rope passing through the upper pulleys of this section and the lower pulleys of the load-bearing structure situated opposite it.

[0017] It is also preferrable if the generator has two spools located side by side and seated on a single shaft attached by mounting means to the upper surface of the upper base of the supporting frame structure and movably connected with its one end to an electric motor, the outer face of the spools being equipped with an electrically controlled disc brake connected by electrical wires to an inverter, and each spool being movably connected to a separate power generator, with one end of the rope attached to the first spool and the other end of the rope attached to the second spool.

[0018] It is also preferrable if the sections of the upper base and lower base of the supporting frame are located so that in top view they resemble the shape of a triangle or hexagon, and if all the weights are of equal size and weight. It is also preferrable if the electric motor and / or power generator are equipped with a braking mechanism and if the power generator is an electric generator.

[0019] It is also preferrable if the mounting means are metal brackets and / or screws and / or clamps, and if the number of upper pulleys corresponds to the number of lower pulleys.

[0020] It is also preferrable if each adjacent vertical elements connecting the upper and lower bases are connected to each other by a reinforcing truss made of metal profiles.

[0021] It is also preferrable if the spool is connected by motion to two power generators.

[0022] It is also preferrable if a wind turbine is inseparably attached to the upper face of the supporting tower, which is connected via electrical wires to the inverter.

[0023] It is also preferrable if a photovoltaic panel is attached to the frame support structure, which is connected via electrical wires to the inverter.

[0024] It is also preferrable if the support frame is connected inseparably to a wind turbine fixed directly in the ground next to the gravitational energy storage, connected by electrical wires to the inverter.

[0025] It is also preferrable if either the wind turbine or the photovoltaic panel is located in the ground next to the gravitational energy storage and is connected via electrical wires to the inverter.

[0026] The design of the gravitational energy storage according to the invention ensures its better efficiency and higher capacity, with relatively low costs associated with the manufacture and installation of this storage. In addition, this design allows it to be installed in any terrain (i.e., without space or terrain restrictions).

[0027] The use of weights placed between each vertical element of the support frame and the use of multiple upper and lower pulleys located on the weights and on the upper base of the support frame, through which the rope passes, have significantly increased the performance of the device relative to previously known designs of this type. By distributing weights of equal weight between the vertical elements of the support frame, the load is evenly distributed on each side of the storage, which significantly increases its stability and resistance to wind gusts. On the other hand, the attachment of a wind turbine to a supporting tower and / or photovoltaic panels to a supporting frame additionally allows the hybrid use of gravitational energy storage that is, as energy storage and as a power generation device

[0028] Besides, the installation of the gravitational energy storage according to the invention does not require additional excavations, mine shafts or other special natural or geological conditions.

[0029] As used in the body of the patent description and claims, the term "motion connection" should be considered as a typical mechanical connection of at least two elements, parts or subassemblies allowing their relative motion, which serves to transmit motion and torque usually while changing the characteristics of this motion, such as speed, torque and direction of rotation, for example, through the use of a gear, belt or chain transmission, or other mechanism commonly used in technology.

[0030] In turn, the term "polygon" used in the body of the patent description and claims is to be considered as: a geometric figure lying in the plane, bounded by a closed broken line, consisting of at least three segments (sides) that connect at the vertices. In the context of this disclosure, polygon is understood to mean the shape of the upper and lower bases of the load-bearing structure in top view, which may be in the form of a triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon or other regular or non-regular polygon, depending on the number and length of the sections used to form these bases.

[0031] The object of the invention in twelve embodiments of its execution is visualized in fig. 1 - 26, on which: fig. 1-2 - depict the first embodiment of gravitational energy storage, the bases of which resemble a regular hexagon, and a wind turbine is attached to the supporting tower of this storage, fig. 3-4 - the second embodiment of gravitational energy storage, the bases of which also resemble a regular hexagon, without a wind turbine attached to the supporting tower, fig. 5 - the third embodiment of gravitational energy storage, whose loadbearing frame is reinforced with a truss, and a wind turbine is attached to the supporting tower of this storage, fig. 6 - the fourth embodiment of gravitational energy storage, the frame support structure of which is also reinforced with a truss, without a wind turbine attached to the supporting tower, fig. 7 - 8 - the fifth embodiment of gravitational energy storage, the base of which resembles a scalene triangle and which is equipped with an additional power generator, and a wind turbine is attached to the supporting tower of this storage, fig. 9-10 - the sixth embodiment of gravitational energy storage, the bases of which also resemble a scalene triangle and which is equipped with an additional power generator, without a wind turbine attached to the supporting tower, fig. 11 - 13 - the seventh embodiment of gravitational energy storage, the base of which resembles a regular hexagon and which is equipped with an additional spool with a rope connected to a weight located inside a support tower, as well as an additional power generator and an electric motor, with a wind turbine attached to the support tower of this storage, fig. 14 - 16 - the eighth embodiment of gravitational energy storage, the base of which also resembles a regular hexagon and which is equipped with an additional spool with a rope connected to a weight located inside the support tower, as well as an additional power generator and electric motor, without a wind turbine attached to the support tower, fig. 17- 19 - the ninth embodiment of gravitational energy storage, which is equipped with an additional spool, a power generator and an electric motor, and a wind turbine is attached to the supporting tower of this storage, fig. 20-22 - the tenth embodiment of gravitational energy storage, which is also equipped with an additional spool, a power generator and an electric motor, without a wind turbine attached to the supporting tower, fig. 23-24 - the eleventh embodiment of gravitational energy storage, which is equipped with two spools mounted on a single shaft, which are driven by a single electric motor and are connected in motion to power generators, and a wind turbine is attached to the supporting tower of this storage, and fig. 25-26 - the twelfth embodiment of gravitational energy storage, which is also equipped with two spools mounted on a single shaft, which are driven by a single electric motor and are connected in motion to the power generators, without a wind turbine attached to the supporting tower, wherein fig. 1 - shows gravitational energy storage according to the embodiment in front view, fig. 2 - the same storage in top view, fig. 3 - shows gravitational energy storage according to the second embodiment with a wind turbine placed next to it in front view, fig. 4 - the same storage in top view, fig. 5 - shows gravitational energy storage according to the third embodiment, but without its upper and lower blocks, weights and rope in front view, fig. 6 - shows gravitational energy storage according to the fourth embodiment, but without its upper and lower blocks, weights and rope, with a wind turbine next to it in front view, fig. 7 - shows gravitational energy storage according to the fifth embodiment in front view, fig. 8 - the same storage in top view, fig. 9 - shows gravitational energy storage according to the sixth embodiment with a photovoltaic panel next to it in front view, fig. 10 - the same storage in top view, fig. 11 - shows gravitational energy storage according to the seventh embodiment in front view, fig. 12 - the same storage in top view, fig. 13 - the same storage in a partial vertical cross-section along the line A-A, showing the weight placed inside the supporting tower, fig. 14 - shows gravitational energy storage according to the eighth embodiment with a wind turbine next to it in front view, fig. 15 - the same storage in top view, fig. 16 - the same storage in a partial vertical cross-section along the B-B line, showing the weight placed inside the supporting tower, fig. 17 - shows gravitational energy storage according to the ninth embodiment in front view, fig. 18 - the same storage in top view, fig. 19 - the same storage in perspective view, fig. 20 - shows gravitational energy storage according to the tenth embodiment with a wind turbine next to it in front view, fig. 21 - the same storage in top view, fig. 12 - the same storage in perspective view, fig. 23 - shows gravitational energy storage according to the eleventh embodiment in front view, fig. 24 - the same storage in top view, fig. 25 - shows gravitational energy storage according to the twelfth embodiment in front view, and fig. 26 - the same storage in top view.

[0032] The invention should not be limited to the embodiments described below, as it can also be made in other forms. The embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the invention is full and complete and fully conveys the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0033] In summary, the embodiments presented hereafter do not exhaust all possible solutions that fall within the spectrum of the essence of the invention.

[0034] Gravitational energy storage according to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1-2 consists of a frame support structure 1, whose upper base 2 and lower base 2' are made of welded together metal sections 3 located so that in top view they resemble the shape of a regular hexagon, which are connected from the inside by welding with six metal profile connectors 4 located along the diagonals of this hexagon, connected to a tubular support tower 5 with a wind turbine 5' attached to its upper face by welding, so that the blades of the wind turbine 5' are located above the upper base 2. The bases 2 and 2' are connected to each other by metal tubular vertical members 6 welded with their faces to the corners of the hexagon formed by the sections 3 and surrounding the supporting tower 5.

[0035] Attached to the lower surface of the sections 3 of the upper base 2 of the support frame structure 1 are cylindrical upper pulleys 7 (bearing rollers) divided into assemblies so that six upper pulleys 7 are attached to each section 3, which are situated opposite analogous assemblies of lower pulleys 7' (bearing rollers) attached to the upper surface of identical rectangular concrete weights 8 placed between each two adjacent vertical members 6 of the support frame structure 1 and each two opposite sections 3 of the bases 2 and 2' (so, such that six lower pulleys 7' are attached to each weight 8) and suspended from an elastic cable 9 passing alternately through the upper and lower pulleys 7 and 7', one end of the elastic cable 9 being attached to the section 3 of the upper base 2, and the other to a spool 10 driven by an electric motor 11 connected to it movably at one end, equipped with a brake mechanism not shown, the other end of which is connected analogously (movably) to a power generator 12 constituting an electric generator, also equipped with a brake mechanism not shown in the figure. The spool 10, electric motor 11 and current generator 12 located on the upper surface of the upper base 2 of the support frame structure 1 and the upper pulleys 7 located on its lower surface are attached to the base 2 by typical mounting means not shown in the figure, such as metal brackets, screws or clamps. Using analogous mounting means, the lower pulleys 7' are connected to the weights 8. In addition, the electric motor 11, power generator 12 and wind turbine 5' are connected to each other by electrical wires not shown in the figure via an inverter not shown in the figure connected to a domestic or industrial electrical grid.

[0036] The height of the frame support structure 1 described above is 22 m, and the height of the frame support structure 1 including the wind turbine 5' to the highest end of the turbine's blade is 30 m, with the wind turbine 5' being a typical, commonly used wind turbine with blades of about 7 m in diameter and a power output of 10 kW. In turn, each weight 8 has a volume of 3 m3and weighs about 7800 kg, which in the design of the gravitational energy storage according to the invention with the use of six weights 8 gives a load equal to 46.800 kg, while the length of the flexible rope 9 used is about 1500 m.

[0037] Gravitational energy storage according to the second embodiment shown in fig. 3-4 has a structure similar to the gravitational energy storage according to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1-2, and the difference between the two embodiments is that in the latter, a typical wind turbine 5' generating electricity is fixed directly in the ground next to the gravitational energy storage and is connected by electrical wires and an inverter, not shown in the figure, to an electric motor 11 and a power generator 12 in the same way as described in the first embodiment.

[0038] In another variant of the second embodiment of the gravitational energy storage not shown in the figure, the frame support structure 1 was connected to the wind turbine 5' by metal profiles welded to the frame support structure 1 to the wind turbine, which increased the rigidity of the gravitational energy storage and the wind turbine 5'. The principle of operation of the gravitational energy storage according to the first and second embodiments is that when the wind turbine 5' generates surplus electric current, the inverter sends this current to the electric motor 11 , which, by rotating the spool 10, winds the rope 9 on it and simultaneously raises the weights 8 until they are lifted to their maximum height to the upper pulleys 7, after which it applies the brakes of the electric motor 11 and / or the power generator 12. In turn, in order to use the stored energy, the brakes of the electric motor 11 and / or the current generator 12 are released, and the weights 8 slowly lowering drive, using the rope 9, the spool 10, which drives the current generator 12 and the generated current through the inverter is sent to the electric grid. The operating time of the gravitational energy storage and the possible amount of energy to be stored depends on the length of the rope 9 and the weight of the weights 8.

[0039] Gravitational energy storage according to the third embodiment shown in fig. 5 also has a structure similar to the gravitational energy storage according to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1-2, and the difference between the two embodiments is that in this third embodiment, each adjacent vertical member 6 of the supporting frame 1 is connected by welding to a reinforcing truss 13 made of metal profiles forming an "X" shape repeating in the vertical direction, with the profiles of the truss 13 located in front of the upper and lower pulleys 7 and 7' and the weights 8 so as to further protect them from accidental mechanical damage from the outside.

[0040] Gravitational energy storage according to the fourth embodiment shown in fig. 6 has a structure similar to the gravitational energy storage according to the second embodiment shown in fig. 3-4, and the difference between these embodiments is that in this fourth embodiment the support frame structure 1 is equipped with an analogous truss 13 as described in the third embodiment of the invention.

[0041] In another variant of this third embodiment not shown in the figure, photovoltaic panels connected by electrical wires to the inverter were attached to the frame support structure 1.

[0042] In fig. 5 and 6 for better legibility of the drawings, the upper and lower pulleys 7 and 7', the weights 8 and the rope 9 are not shown, which are positioned in relation to each other and connected to each other analogously as described above in the first and second variation of the design of the gravitational energy store. Gravitational energy storage according to the fifth embodiment shown in fig. 7-8 has a structure similar to the gravitational energy storage according to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1-2, and the difference between the two embodiments is that in this fifth embodiment the upper and lower bases 2 and 2' of the supporting frame 1 are made of three sections 3 of different lengths located so that in top view they resemble a triangular shape. Tower 5, in turn, is connected by welding to each of the bases 2 and 2' by means of three fasteners 4 welded to this tower, the other ends of which are welded to the inner corners of the bases 2 and 2' so that the supporting frame structure 1 surrounds tower 5. In turn, one cylindrical upper pulley (bearing roller) is attached to the lower surface of each section 3 of the upper base 2 of the supporting frame structure 1, and one cylindrical lower pulley 7' (bearing roller) is attached to the upper surface of the rectangular concrete weights 8 placed between each two vertical elements 6 of the supporting frame structure 1 and each two opposite sections 3 of the bases 2 and 2'. In addition, in this fifth embodiment, each weight 8 had different dimensions and weights, and the spool 10 attached to the top surface of the upper base 2 was connected by motion to an additional current generator 12 located next to the electric motor 11.

[0043] Gravitational energy storage according to the sixth embodiment shown in fig. 9-10 has a structure similar to the gravitational energy storage according to the fifth embodiment shown in fig. 7-8, and the difference between the two embodiments is that in this sixth embodiment, the tubular support tower 5 does not have a wind turbine 5', but a typical photovoltaic panel 14, attached to a support structure not shown, is placed next to the gravitational energy storage, connected by means of electrical wires not shown and an inverter to an electric motor 11 and power generators 12 in the same way as described in the first embodiment.

[0044] The principle of operation of the gravitational energy storage according to the fifth and sixth embodiments is analogous to that described above, with the only difference being that during the use of stored energy in the gravitational energy storage according to the invention - an additional current generator 12 connected to the spool 10 acts as an additional generator connected through an inverter to the electric grid, which affects the reliability of the operation of the energy storage in case of failure of the first current generator 12.

[0045] Gravitational energy storage according to the seventh embodiment shown in fig. 11-13 has a structure similar to the gravitational energy storage according to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1-2, and the difference between the two embodiments is that in this seventh embodiment, a cylindrical concrete weight 15 is placed inside the tubular support tower 5, the upper surface of which is connected to one end of a rope 16, the other end of which passes through a pulley 17 (bearing roller) attached by means of mounting means not shown in the figure to the upper inner part of the support tower 5, after which, through a through hole 18 made on the lateral surface of the lower part of the wind turbine 5', it passes outwardly connecting with a spool 19 driven by its electric motor 11 connected thereto at one end equipped with a braking mechanism not shown, and at the other end with a power generator 12 constituting an electric generator also equipped with a braking mechanism not shown. The spool 19 and the motion-connected electric motor 11 and power generator 12 are located next to the support tower 5 and are attached to the upper surface of the upper base 2 of the support frame structure 1 by typical mounting means not shown, such as metal brackets, bolts or clamps. On the other hand, electric motors 11, power generators 12 and wind turbine 5' are connected to each other by electrical wires not shown in the figure via an inverter, also not shown, connected to a domestic or industrial electrical grid.

[0046] Gravitational energy storage according to the eighth embodiment shown in fig. 14-16 has a structure similar to the gravitational energy storage according to the seventh embodiment shown in fig. 11-13, and the difference between the two embodiments is that in this eighth embodiment, the rope 16 connected to the spool 19 and the weight 15 passes through the pulley 17 and the upper face of the sleeve support tower 5, while a typical wind turbine 5' generating electricity is fixed directly in the ground next to the gravitational energy storage and is connected to this storage by electric cables not shown and inverter with electric motors 11 and power generators 12 in the same way as described in the seventh embodiment.

[0047] The principle of operation of the gravitational energy storage according to the seventh and eighth embodiments is analogous to that described above, the only difference being that when the wind turbine 5' generates surplus electric current, the inverter sends this current to the electric motor 11 of spool 10 by lifting the weights 8 and / or the electric motor 11 of spool 19, which, by rotating the spool 19, winds the rope 16 onto it and simultaneously raises the weights 15 until they are raised to their maximum height, after which it applies the brakes of both electric motors 11 and / or both power generators 12.

[0048] In turn, in order to utilise the stored energy, the brakes of both electric motors 11 and / or current generators 12 are released, so that the weights 8 and / or 15, slowly lowering, drive through the cable 9 and / or 16 the spools 10 and / or 19, which drive their current generators 12 which return the current to the electrical grid.

[0049] It is obvious to control the raising or lowering of weights 8 and 15 in other ways, for example, when the gravitational energy storage inverter, not shown in the figure, first transmits the electrical energy generated by the wind turbine 5' to the electric motor 11 driving the spool 19 until the weight 15 is halfway to its maximum height, after which energy storage with weights 8 begins. In the event of further excess energy generation by the wind turbine 5', the inverter restarts the electric motor 11 of spool 19 until the load 15 is raised to its maximum height. In turn, if there is not enough surplus energy - the energy stored by the weight 15 is sent, according to the above-described method, through the inverter to the electric grid or to the electric motor 11 driving the spool 10 for further winding and lifting the weights 8.

[0050] Gravitational energy storage according to the ninth embodiment shown in fig. 17-19 has a structure similar to the gravitational energy storage according to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1-2, and the difference between the two embodiments is that in this ninth embodiment, assemblies of cylindrical upper pulleys 7 (bearing rollers) are attached to the lower surface of the sections 3 of the upper base 2 of the frame support structure 1 so that three upper pulleys 7 are attached to each section 3 of the base 2, whereby the assemblies of cylindrical upper pulleys 7 are situated opposite analogous assemblies of lower pulleys 7' (bearing rollers) attached to the upper surface of the rectangular concrete weights 8 positioned between each two vertical members 6 of the loadbearing frame 1 and each two opposite sections 3 of the bases 2 and 2' (so that three lower pulleys 7' are attached to each weight 8), whereby through the three adjacent sets of upper pulleys 7 and the three sets of lower pulleys 7' situated opposite to them passes alternately the first elastic rope 9, one end of which is attached to one of the sections 3, and its other end is attached to the first spool 10 driven by an electric motor 11 connected to it movably at one end, equipped with a brake mechanism not shown in the figure, and whose other end is connected analogously (movably) to a current generator 12 constituting an electric generator also equipped with a brake mechanism not shown in the figure, while through the remaining upper pulleys 7 and lower pulleys 7' passes alternately a second elastic rope 9, one end of which is attached to the section 3 and the other end of which is attached to a second spool 10 located opposite the first spool 10 and connected analogously (movably) to a separate electric motor 11 and a current generator 12.

[0051] In a further variant of the ninth embodiment not shown in the figure, a separate elastic rope 9 passes alternately through each set of upper pulleys 7 and the set of lower pulleys 7' situated opposite it, one end of which is attached to the section 3 and the other end of which is attached to its spool 10 movably connected to an electric motor 11 and a power generator 12 so that each weight 8 can be independently raised or lowered. Thus, the design variant in question uses six flexible ropes 9, spools 10, electric motors 11 and power generators 12, one for each weight 8 and a set of upper and lower pulleys 7 and 7'.

[0052] Gravitational energy storage according to the tenth embodiment shown in fig. 20-22 has a structure similar to the gravitational energy storage according to the ninth embodiment shown in fig. 17-19, and the difference between the two embodiments is that in this tenth embodiment, the typical 5' wind turbine that generates electricity is fixed directly into the ground next to the gravitational energy storage.

[0053] The principle of operation of the gravitational energy storage according to the ninth and tenth embodiments is analogous to that described above, the only difference being that when the wind turbine 5' generates surplus electric current, the inverter not shown in the figure sends this current to one or all of the electric motors 11 of the spools 10, which motors, by rotating the spools 10, wind the ropes 9 onto them and at the same time raise the weights 8 until they are raised to their maximum height, after which it applies the brakes of the electric motor(s) 11 and / or the power generator(s) 12.

[0054] The use of at least two independently driven electric motors 11 connected by motion to spools 10, which are also connected by motion to power generators 12, has made it possible to store or use energy independently, and has increased the reliability of gravitational energy storage (for example, if one electric motor 11 fails, it is possible to continue storing energy by turning on another electric motor 11).

[0055] Gravitational energy storage according to the eleventh embodiment shown in fig. 23 and 24 has a structure similar to the gravitational energy storage according to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 -2, and the difference between the two embodiments is that in this eleventh embodiment, two spools 10 are attached to the upper surface of the upper base 2, located side by side on a single shaft 20, each of which is movably connected to a current generator 12 constituting an electric generator having a brake mechanism not shown. The two spools 10, through the end of a shaft 20 with a larger diameter, are motion- connected to an electric motor 11 equipped with a brake mechanism not shown. In addition, the outer face of each spool 10 is connected to an also not shown in the figure typical electrically controlled disc brake connected via electrical wires to an inverter not shown in the figure. In turn, one end of the rope 9 is attached to the first spool 10, and the other end of the rope 9 is attached to the second spool 10. The shaft 20 and spool disc brakes 10, as well as the electric motor 11 and power generators 12, are attached to the top surface of the upper base 2 of the support frame structure 1 by typical mounting means not shown in the figure, such as metal brackets, screws or clamps.

[0056] Gravitational energy storage according to the twelfth embodiment shown in fig. 25 and 26 has a structure similar to the gravitational energy storage according to the eleventh embodiment shown in fig. 23 and 24, and the difference between the two embodiments is that in this twelfth embodiment, the 5' wind turbine that generates electricity is fixed directly in the ground next to the gravitational energy storage in question.

[0057] The principle of operation of the gravitational energy storage according to the eleventh and twelfth embodiments is analogous to that described above, the only difference being, that in the case of generation by the wind turbine 5' of surplus electric current, the inverter, not shown in the figure, sends this current to the electric motor 11 thereby driving both spools 10 through the shaft 20 and winding the rope 9 on the spools 10 and at the same time lifting the weights 8 until they are raised to their maximum height after which it applies the brakes of both spools 10, the electric motor 11 and / or the power generators 12.

[0058] In turn, in order to use the stored energy, the brakes of the spools 10, the electric motor 11 and / or the current generators 12 are released, as a result of which the weights 8, slowly lowering, drive through the rope 9 the spools 10, which drive the current generators 12 that return the current to the electric grid. The use of two spools 10 with disc brakes to utilize the stored energy makes it possible to disengage the brake of only one spool 10, allowing you to adjust the amount of current output as needed.

[0059] It is obvious that the upper and lower bases 2 and 2' of the support frame structure 1 can have in top view the shape of any polygon consisting of three, four, five, six, ten or any other number of sections 3, on the number of which the number of weights 8 depends. In turn, the supporting tower 5 can be a pipe of any shape, such as round, rectangular, cube, etc., depending on the height and preference of the builder. Also, the number of upper and lower pulleys 7 and 7' depends on the designer's preference and affects, among other things, the length of the rope 9, the weight of the weights 8 that can be lifted by the electric motor 11 and the descent time of the weights 8.

[0060] It is also obvious that several side-by-side located ropes 9 attached to spools 10 can pass through the upper and lower pulleys 7 and 7', and the electrical energy stored by the gravitational energy storage according to the invention can come from several wind turbines, photovoltaic panels or other energy sources (including the electric grid).

[0061] It is also obvious to a person skilled in the art that the electric motor 11 and / or the current generator 12 can be equipped with a mechanical transmission (e.g., a multiplier), which can increase the torque transmitted to the spools 10 or 19 or the rotor speed of the current generator 12.

Claims

Claims1. A gravitational energy storage having a support frame structure, the upper and lower bases of which are connected to each other inseparably by vertical members, and to the upper base of the support frame structure are attached by mounting means to upper pulleys located opposite lower pulleys also attached by mounting means to weights, with at least one rope passing alternately through each upper and lower pulley, and furthermore the storage is equipped with an inverter and with at least one power generator and an electric motor, characterized in that:- the upper base (2) and the lower base (2’) of its support frame structure (1) are at least three inseparably connected sections (3) located in such a way that in top view they resemble a polygonal shape, while on the inside these bases are inseparably connected by fasteners (4) to a vertically located tubular support tower (5), and at the corners of the upper base (2) and the lower base (2’), vertical elements (6) are located connecting the two bases together and surrounding the support tower (5),- each at least one upper pulley (7) is attached to the lower surface of the section (3) of the upper base (2), and opposite each at least one lower pulley (7') is attached to the upper surface of the weight (8),- each weight (8) is positioned between two adjacent vertical members (6) of the support frame structure (1) and two opposing sections (3) of the upper base (2) and the lower base (2')- at least one spool (10), an electric motor (11) and a current generator (12) are attached to the upper base (2) of the support frame structure (1) by means of mounting means, and each electric motor (11) and current generator (12) is connected by electrical wires to the inverter,- a rope (9) passing through the upper pulleys (7) and lower pulleys (7') is attached to at least one spool (10) which is movably connected to an electric motor (11) and at least one power generator (12).

2. Gravitational energy storage according to claim 1, characterised in that inside the tubular support tower (5) there is a weight (15), the upper surface of which is connected to one end of a rope (16) passing through a pulley (17) fixed by mounting means to the upper inner part of the support tower (5) and is connected by its other end to a spool (19) movably connected to its electric motor (11) and its power generator (12), which are located next to the support tower (5) and are attached by means of mounting means to the upper surface of the upper base (2) of the support frame (1).

3. Gravitational energy storage according to claim 1, characterised in that to each section (3) of the upper base (2) of the superstructure (1) is attached a spool (10) movably connected to its electric motor (11) and its current generator (12), to which is attached a rope (9) passing through the upper pulleys (7) of this section (3) and the lower pulleys (7') of the weight (8) situated opposite it.

4. Gravitational energy storage according to claim 1, characterised in that it has two spools (10) positioned side by side and mounted on a single shaft (20) attached to the upper surface of the upper base (2) of the supporting frame (1) and movably connected by its one end to an electric motor (11), wherein the outer face of the spools (10) is provided with an electrically controlled disc brake connected by electrical wires to an inverter, and each spool (10) is movably connected to a separate power generator (12), and one end of the rope (9) is attached to the first spool (10) and the other end of the rope (9) to the second spool (10).

5. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the sections (3) of the upper base (2) and lower base (2') of the support frame structure (1) are located so that in top view they resemble the shape of a triangle or a hexagon.

6. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the claims 1-4, characterised in that all weights (8) are of equal size and weight.

7. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the electric motor (11) and / or the power generator (12) are equipped with a braking mechanism.

8. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the claims 1-4 and 7, characterized in that the power generator (12) is an electric generator.

9. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the claims 1-4, characterised in that the mounting means are metal brackets and / or screws and / or clamps.

10. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the number of upper pulleys (7) corresponds to the number of lower pulleys (7').

11. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the claims 1-4, characterised in that each adjacent vertical element (6) is connected to each other by a reinforcing truss (13) made of metal profiles.

12. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the claims 1, characterised in that at least one spool (10) is movably connected to two power generators (12).

13. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the claims 1-12, characterised in that a wind turbine (5') is inseparably attached to the upper face of the support tower (5), which is connected by electrical wires to the inverter.

14. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the claims 1-12, characterised in that a photovoltaic panel is attached to a support frame structure (1), which is connected by electrical wires to an inverter.

15. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the claims 1-12, characterised in that the support frame structure (1) is inseparably connected to a wind turbine (5') fixed directly in the ground next to the gravitational energy storage, connected by electrical wires to the inverter.

16. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the claims 1-12, characterised in that the wind turbine (5') or photovoltaic panel (14) is located in the ground next to the gravitational energy storage and is connected by electrical wires to the inverter.

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