Nested Gas Storage Structure for Relative Pressure Energy Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas energy storage systems face high construction and maintenance costs, large consumption of non-renewable energy, and difficulty in miniaturization and efficiency improvement due to their complex structures and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A paired compress gas energy storage device with a double-body structure comprising an inner body for high-pressure gas and an outer body for low-pressure gas, utilizing brake isolation support mechanisms to enhance pressure bearing capacity and safety, and a thermal functional circulation system for improved energy storage density and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional high-pressure compressed air energy systems are used, then energy storage capacity is achieved, but construction and maintenance costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidconstruction and maintenance costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing the inner body (storing high-pressure gas) inside the outer body (storing low-pressure gas). This nested configuration allows two different pressure zones to coexist in a single compact unit, achieving high energy storage capacity while reducing the overall system footprint and associated construction costs compared to separate storage systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure bearing mechanism is segmented into multiple brake components (first brake, second brake, third brake) that are distributed between the inner and outer bodies. This segmentation allows the system to handle high pressures through distributed braking forces, improving reliability and reducing maintenance costs by isolating wear to specific replaceable components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If adiabatic high-pressure compressed air energy systems are used, then thermal system efficiency is improved to about 70%, but construction and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal system efficiencyVSAvoidconstruction and maintenance costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves adiabatic efficiency through self-service mechanisms where the compression and expansion processes are thermally isolated within the inner and outer bodies. The brake isolation support mechanisms provide thermal separation without requiring external active cooling or heating systems, maintaining 70% thermal efficiency while reducing construction and maintenance costs by eliminating complex thermal management infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Volume of stationary object

If high-pressure compressed air energy systems for supercritical low-temperature adiabatic air are used, then volume of the air reservoir is reduced, but construction and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair reservoir volumeVSAvoidconstruction and maintenance costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The nested configuration of inner and outer bodies achieves compact volume by utilizing the space between the two bodies for low-pressure gas storage while the inner body stores high-pressure gas. This eliminates the need for separate large-volume reservoirs, reducing overall system volume while keeping construction costs manageable through a modular design that can be manufactured in sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Device complexity

If a single-body structure is used for gas storage, then device complexity is reduced, but energy storage density between high-pressure and low-pressure gases cannot be improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidenergy storage density
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The nested dual-body structure increases energy storage density by creating two distinct pressure zones within a single integrated unit. The inner body stores high-pressure gas while the outer body stores low-pressure gas, effectively doubling the energy storage capacity per unit volume compared to a single-body structure, while maintaining relatively simple construction through the concentric arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional pressure storage approach to a two-dimensional pressure gradient approach by utilizing both high-pressure (inner body) and low-pressure (outer body) zones simultaneously. This dimensional expansion in pressure space allows significantly higher energy storage density without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

5Reliability

If brake isolation support mechanisms are added to enhance pressure bearing capacity, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake isolation support mechanism is segmented into three distinct brake components (first brake between inner body and first wall, second brake between inner body and second wall, third brake between outer body and second wall). This segmentation isolates wear and thermal effects to specific components, improving safety through distributed braking forces while keeping each individual brake component relatively simple in design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brake components act as intermediary elements between the inner/outer bodies and the walls, providing controlled isolation and support. These intermediary brakes manage the interaction between moving and stationary parts, enhancing safety by providing controlled friction and support while maintaining relatively simple overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 paired compress gas energy storage device improves energy storage density, reduces construction and maintenance costs, and enhances safety by using the thermal energy exchange between gases, allowing for efficient energy storage and utilization without the need for additional heat or cold sources, thus improving overall system efficiency and reducing non-renewable energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

the gases can be used as heat of a thermal functional circulation system to flow in the inner body and the cavity between the outer body and the inner body, and exchange

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3415715B1Relative pressure gas energy storage device and inspection method therefor, storage system and balance detection mechanism
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 BEIJING IPEC TECH LTD
  • EP3415715B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3415715B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3415715B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A relative pressure gas energy storage device (10) comprises an inner unit (1) and an outer unit (2) sleeved onto the outside of the inner unit (1). A first gas is filled in the inner unit (1). A second gas is filled in a cavity (21) formed between the outer unit (2) and the inner unit (1). There is a pressure difference between energy of the first gas and energy of the second gas. The pressure difference is relative pressure gas energy. The relative pressure gas energy storage device (10) can store gases having two different pressure intensities, has a simple structure, is convenient for transport, and is favorable for effective energy storage and long term storage of gases. Also disclosed are an inspection method for the relative pressure gas energy storage device, a relative pressure gas energy storage system and a balance detection mechanism.