Gravity Hydraulic Energy Storage Piston Seal Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage technologies like pumped hydro face geographic, geologic, and environmental constraints, and high construction costs, limiting their scalability and applicability for widespread adoption of renewable energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A gravity-hydraulic energy storage system with a piston and shaft configuration, where a seal assembly with a seal carrier that can expand or contract is used to maintain a tight seal, allowing for efficient energy storage and release, and the system is constructed using simplified techniques to minimize construction costs and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional pumped hydro systems are used for energy storage, then large-scale energy storage capacity can be achieved, but geographic, geologic and environmental constraints limit their applicability and increase construction costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the water-based hydraulic system with a gravity-based mechanical system. Instead of using water reservoirs and pump-turbines, the invention uses a massive concrete block (gravity weight) that moves vertically within a shaft, directly converting gravitational potential energy to mechanical energy and then to electrical energy through a generator, eliminating the need for geographic water resources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters from hydraulic pressure and water flow to gravitational force and vertical displacement. The system operates by lowering and raising a gravity weight through a controlled distance, storing and releasing energy through changes in gravitational potential energy rather than through water level changes, thereby adapting to locations without suitable hydrologic conditions
2Reliability
If a seal member is made rigid to maintain tight contact with the shaft wall, then sealing performance is improved, but the seal cannot accommodate variations in shaft circumference and suffers from high contact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the seal from a rigid static structure to a dynamic flexible structure. The seal member is made of elastomeric material that can dynamically adjust its circumference to match variations in the shaft's inner circumference, maintaining consistent contact pressure without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible elastomeric seal member that conforms to the shaft's inner surface. This flexible membrane-like structure naturally accommodates circumference variations and maintains tight sealing contact through its elastic properties, eliminating the need for rigid segmented seals or complex adjustment mechanisms
3Reliability
If the contact surface for the seal is made rough to increase friction and prevent slippage, then sealing contact is improved, but seal wear accelerates and high pressure leakage causes scouring
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomeric seal member naturally conforms to the shaft surface and maintains continuous contact through its elastic properties, eliminating the need for rough surfaces to prevent slippage. The smooth contact surface reduces wear while the material's elasticity ensures maintaining sealing contact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces friction-based sealing contact (requiring rough surfaces) with elastic deformation-based sealing. The elastomeric material's inherent elasticity provides the necessary contact pressure and conformity without relying on surface roughness, thereby preventing both slippage and wear
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 provides reliable, dispatchable power supplies by efficiently storing and releasing energy, overcoming the limitations of pumped hydro systems while being environmentally compatible and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
The body is disposed within the internal volume of the hollow shaft for movement with gravity from a first elevation position to a second elevation position within the internal volume of the hollow shaft
Implementation Method 2
The seal member is coupled to a mounting surface and slidably engages a contact surface to divide the internal volume into a first portion located vertically below the body and a second portion located vertically above the body
Implementation Method 3
The fluid passage communicates fluid with the first portion of the interior volume of the hollow shaft. The motor/generator is operatively coupled with the fluid passage to drive the electrical energy motor/generator to generate electricity upon movement of the body
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for storing energy includes a body and a shaft having walls defining an internal volume for containing a fluid, a seal member disposed between the body and the walls of the shaft, and a fluid passage in fluid communication with the shaft. The body is disposed within the internal volume of the shaft for movement with gravity from a first elevation position to a second elevation position within the internal volume of the shaft. The seal member divides the internal volume into a first portion located below the body and a second portion located above the body. The fluid passage communicates fluid with the first portion of the interior volume of the shaft. The system further includes a pump/turbine operatively coupled with the fluid passage to drive a motor/generator to generate electricity upon movement of the body from the first elevation position to the second elevation position.