Elevator Winch Assembly for Gravity Block Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are intermittent and unpredictable, limiting the delivery of electricity to the grid.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage and delivery system that uses vertical movement of blocks or bricks to store energy during daylight hours by lifting them to a higher elevation and generate electricity at night by lowering them, utilizing a winch with planetary gear assemblies and brakes for controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If renewable energy sources (solar, wind) are used for power generation, then clean energy production increases, but intermittency and unpredictability limit electricity delivery to the grid
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by lifting and storing blocks at higher elevations during periods of excess renewable energy generation (daylight hours for solar). This pre-stores gravitational potential energy that can be converted to electricity later during peak demand periods, effectively decoupling energy generation from energy delivery timing and ensuring reliable, predictable electricity supply to the grid.
2Quantity of substance
If blocks are lifted to higher elevation to store energy, then potential energy storage increases, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the energy storage function into discrete, modular blocks that can be individually lifted, stored, and lowered. Each block serves as an independent energy storage unit, allowing the system to scale storage capacity by simply adding or removing blocks rather than redesigning the entire infrastructure. This segmentation simplifies system complexity while increasing energy storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes vertical dimension (elevation) for energy storage by lifting blocks to higher positions during off-peak hours and lowering them during peak demand. This vertical movement converts gravitational potential energy into a storable form, adding a spatial dimension to energy storage that avoids the complexity of traditional horizontal expansion of power generation infrastructure.
3Reliability
If blocks are moved vertically to store and generate energy, then energy delivery predictability improves, but mechanical system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where gravity itself performs the work of lowering blocks to generate electricity, eliminating the need for complex mechanical drive systems during energy generation. The gravitational force naturally drives the blocks downward, converting potential energy to kinetic energy and then to electrical energy through the generator, significantly simplifying the mechanical control requirements while maintaining reliable, predictable energy delivery.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system stabilizes the electrical grid by storing and generating electricity efficiently, allowing predictable delivery to consumers.
Implementation Method 1
move a plurality of blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to store solar energy as potential energy in the blocks
Implementation Method 2
move the blocks from the higher elevation to a lower elevation during nighttime to drive a generator to produce electricity
Implementation Method 3
generating an amount of electricity corresponding to a kinetic energy amount of said one or more blocks when moved from the higher elevation to the lower elevation
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage and delivery system includes an elevator operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to store energy and from a higher elevation to a lower elevation to generate electricity. A winch assembly is movably coupled to a cable that is coupled to the elevator. The winch assembly has planetary gear assemblies, brakes that selectively engage at least a portion of the planetary gear assemblies, and a spool coupled to the cable. A drive shaft extends between a motor-generator and the winch assembly. A brake is operable so that the spool rotates to reel-in the cable to raise the elevator to move a block from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to store energy or so that the spool rotates to reel-out the cable to lower the elevator to move a block from a higher elevation to a lower elevation to generate electricity.