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Systems and methods for operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for the compression and/or expansion of gas can include at least one pressure vessel defining an interior region for retaining at least one of a volume of liquid or a volum

Systems and methods for operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for the compression and/or expansion of gas can include at least one pressure vessel defining an interior region for retaining at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas and an actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a first mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved to compress and move gas out of the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a second mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved by an expanding gas entering the pressure vessel. The system can further include a heat transfer device configured to transfer heat to or from the at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas retained by the pressure vessel.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An energy storage system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising: a first pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained;a second pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained;a third pre

1. An energy storage system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising: a first pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained;a second pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained;a third pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained, coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel, the third pressure vessel configured to receive compressed gas discharged from the first pressure vessel; andan actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel, the actuator and the first pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a first volume of liquid, the actuator and the second pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a second volume of liquid,the actuator operable in a first compression mode to move at least a portion of the first volume of liquid into the first pressure vessel to compress a gas contained therein and discharge the compressed gas out of the first pressure vessel and simultaneously to draw at least a portion of the second volume of liquid from the second pressure vessel to draw gas into the second pressure vessel,the actuator operable in a second compression mode to move at least a portion of the second volume of liquid into the second pressure vessel to compress a gas contained therein and discharge the compressed gas out of the second pressure vessel and simultaneously to draw at least a portion of the first volume of liquid from the first pressure vessel to draw gas into the first pressure vessel. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a valve disposed between the first pressure vessel and the third pressure vessel. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a first actuator and further comprising: a second actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the third pressure vessel, the second actuator and the third pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a third volume of liquid,the second actuator operable to move at least a portion of the third volume of liquid into the third pressure vessel to compress a gas contained therein received from the first pressure vessel and discharge the compressed gas from the third pressure vessel,a storage structure coupled to and in fluid communication with the third pressure vessel, the storage structure configured to receive the compressed gas discharged from the third pressure vessel. 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a fourth pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained, coupled to and in fluid communication with the second pressure vessel, the fourth pressure vessel configured to receive compressed gas discharged from the second pressure vessel,the second actuator and the fourth pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a fourth volume of liquid,the second actuator further operable to move at least a portion of the fourth volume of liquid into the fourth pressure vessel to compress a gas contained therein received from the second pressure vessel and discharge the compressed gas from the fourth pressure vessel;a first valve disposed between the third pressure vessel and the storage structure; anda second valve disposed between the fourth pressure vessel and the storage structure, the first valve configured to be open when the second valve is closed. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a housing having a working cylinder in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel and a piston disposed for reciprocating movement in the working cylinder, wherein in operation of the actuator in the first compression mode, the piston moves in a first direction to move the at least a portion of the first volume of liquid into the first pressure vessel. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a housing having a working cylinder in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel and a piston disposed for reciprocating movement in the working cylinder, the piston defining at least in part between a first side thereof and the working cylinder a first working chamber, the piston also defining at least in part between a second side thereof and the working cylinder a second working chamber, wherein in operation of the actuator in the first compression mode, the piston moves in a first direction to move the at least a portion of the first volume of liquid from the first working chamber into the first pressure vessel, andwherein in operation of the actuator in the second compression mode, the piston moves in a second direction to move the at least a portion of the second volume of liquid from the second working chamber into the second pressure vessel. 7. An energy recovery system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising: a first pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained;a second pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained;a third pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained, coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel, the third pressure vessel configured to discharge gas to the first pressure vessel such that at least a portion of a third volume of liquid disposed within the interior region of the third pressure vessel is moved into the third pressure vessel; andan actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel, the actuator and the first pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a first volume of liquid, the actuator and the second pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a second volume of liquid,the actuator operable in a first expansion mode to receive at least a portion of the first volume of liquid displaced by compressed gas entering the first pressure vessel from the third pressure vessel and simultaneously to move at least a portion of the second volume of liquid into the second pressure vessel,the actuator operable in a second expansion mode to receive at least a portion of the second volume of liquid displaced by compressed gas entering the second pressure vessel and simultaneously to move at least a portion of the first volume of liquid into the first pressure vessel. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the actuator is a first actuator and further comprising: a storage structure coupled to and in fluid communication with the third pressure vessel, the storage structure configured to supply compressed gas to the third pressure vessel;a second actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the third pressure vessel, the second actuator and the third pressure vessel configured to collectively contain the third volume of liquid,the second actuator operable in first expansion mode to receive at least a portion of the third volume of liquid from the third pressure vessel to allow compressed gas contained therein received from the storage structure to expand;the second actuator operable in a second expansion mode to move at least a portion of the third volume of liquid into the third pressure vessel to discharge the expanded gas into the first pressure vessel. 9. The system of claim 8, further comprising: a fourth pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained, coupled to and in fluid communication with the second pressure vessel and with the storage structure, the fourth pressure vessel configured to receive compressed gas from the storage structure;the second actuator and the fourth pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a fourth volume of liquid;the second actuator further operable in the second expansion mode to receive at least a portion of the fourth volume of liquid from the fourth pressure vessel to allow compressed gas contained therein received from the storage structure to expand;the second actuator further operable in the first expansion mode to move at least a portion of the fourth volume of liquid into the fourth pressure vessel to discharge the expanded gas into the second pressure vessel;a first valve disposed between the third pressure vessel and the storage structure; anda second valve disposed between the fourth pressure vessel and the storage structure, the first valve configured to be open when the second valve is closed. 10. The system of claim 7, further comprising: a valve disposed between the third pressure vessel and the first pressure vessel. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the actuator includes a housing having a working cylinder in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel and a piston disposed for reciprocating movement in the working cylinder, wherein in operation of the actuator in the first expansion mode, the piston is moved in a first direction by the at least a portion of the first volume of liquid being moved out of the first pressure vessel. 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the actuator includes a housing having a working cylinder in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel and a piston disposed for reciprocating movement in the working cylinder, the piston defining at least in part between a first side thereof and the working cylinder a first working chamber, the piston also defining at least in part between a second side thereof and the working cylinder a second working chamber, wherein in operation of the actuator in the first expansion mode, the piston is moved in a first direction by the at least a portion of the first volume of liquid being moved out the first pressure vessel into the first working chamber, andwherein in operation of the actuator in the second expansion mode, the piston is moved in a second direction by the at least a portion of the second volume of liquid being moved out of the second pressure vessel into the second working chamber. 13. An energy storage and recovery system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising: a first pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained;a second pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained;a third pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel; andan actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel, the actuator and the first pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a first volume of liquid, the actuator and the second pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a second volume of liquid,the actuator operable in a first mode to move at least a portion of the first volume of liquid into the first pressure vessel to compress a gas contained therein and discharge the compressed gas from the first pressure vessel into the third pressure vessel, and subsequently to move at least a portion of the second volume of liquid into the second pressure vessel to compress a gas contained therein and discharge the compressed gas from the second pressure vessel,the actuator operable in a second mode to receive at least a portion of the first volume of liquid displaced by compressed gas entering the first pressure vessel from the third pressure vessel and subsequently to receive at least a portion of the second volume of liquid displaced by compressed gas entering the second pressure vessel,the third pressure vessel configured to receive gas from the first pressure vessel when the actuator is operated in the first mode such that at least a portion of a third volume of liquid disposed within the interior region of the third pressure vessel is displaced from the third pressure vessel. 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising: a storage structure coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel, the storage structure configured to supply the compressed gas to one of the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel when operating in the second mode. 15. The system of claim 13, further comprising: a storage structure coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel, the storage structure configured to supply the compressed gas to one of the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel when operating in the second mode;a first valve disposed between the first pressure vessel and the storage structure; anda second valve disposed between the storage structure and the second pressure vessel, the first valve configured to be open when the second valve is closed. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the third pressure vessel is further configured to discharge gas into the first pressure vessel when the actuator is operating in the second mode such that at least a portion of a the third volume of liquid is received within the third pressure vessel. 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the actuator is a first actuator, the system further comprising: a third pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained, coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel, the third pressure vessel configured to receive compressed gas discharged from the first pressure vessel;a fourth pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained, coupled to and in fluid communication with the second pressure vessel, the fourth pressure vessel configured to receive compressed gas discharged from the second pressure vessel; anda second actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the third pressure vessel and the fourth pressure vessel, the second actuator and the third pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a third volume of liquid, the second actuator and the fourth pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a fourth volume of liquid,the second actuator operable in a first mode to move at least a portion of the third volume of liquid into the third pressure vessel to compress a gas contained therein received from the first pressure vessel and discharge the compressed gas from the third pressure vessel, and subsequently to move at least a portion of the fourth volume of liquid into the fourth pressure vessel to compress a gas contained therein received from the second pressure vessel and discharge the compressed gas from the fourth pressure vessel,the second actuator operable in a second mode to receive at least a portion of the third volume of liquid displaced by compressed gas entering the third pressure vessel and subsequently to receive at least a portion of the fourth volume of liquid displaced by compressed gas entering the fourth pressure vessel. 18. An energy storage system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising: a first pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained;a second pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained; andan actuator including a housing having a working cylinder in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel and a piston disposed for reciprocating movement in the working cylinder, the piston defining at least in part between a first side thereof and the working cylinder a first working chamber, the piston also defining at least in part between a second side thereof and the working cylinder a second working chamber,the first working chamber and the first pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a first volume of liquid, the second working chamber and the second pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a second volume of liquid,the actuator operable in a first compression mode in which the piston moves in a first direction to move the at least a portion of the first volume of liquid from the first working chamber into the first pressure vessel to compress a gas contained therein and discharge the compressed gas out of the first pressure vessel and simultaneously to draw at least a portion of the second volume of liquid from the second pressure vessel to draw gas into the second pressure vessel, andthe actuator operable in a second compression mode in which the piston moves in a second direction to move the at least a portion of the second volume of liquid from the second working chamber into the second pressure vessel to compress a gas contained therein and discharge the compressed gas out of the second pressure vessel and simultaneously to draw at least a portion of the first volume of liquid from the first pressure vessel to draw gas into the first pressure vessel. 19. The system of claim 18, further comprising: a storage structure coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel, the storage structure configured to receive the compressed gas discharged from the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel. 20. The system of claim 18, further comprising: a storage structure coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel, the storage structure configured to receive the compressed gas discharged from the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel;a first valve disposed between the first pressure vessel and the storage structure; anda second valve disposed between the second pressure vessel and the storage structure, the first valve configured to be open when the second valve is closed. 21. An energy recovery system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising: a first pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained;a second pressure vessel in which at least one of a liquid or a gas can be contained; andan actuator including a housing having a working cylinder in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel and a piston disposed for reciprocating movement in the working cylinder, the piston defining at least in part between a first side thereof and the working cylinder a first working chamber, the piston also defining at least in part between a second side thereof and the working cylinder a second working chamber,the first working chamber and the first pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a first volume of liquid, the second working chamber and the second pressure vessel configured to collectively contain a second volume of liquid,the actuator operable in a first expansion mode in which the piston is moved in a first direction by the at least a portion of the first volume of liquid displaced by expanding gas entering the first pressure vessel and simultaneously to move at least a portion of the second volume of liquid into the second pressure vessel, andthe actuator operable in a second expansion mode in which the piston is moved in a second direction by the at least a portion of the second volume of liquid displaced by expanding gas entering the second pressure vessel and simultaneously to move at least a portion of the first volume of liquid into the first pressure vessel. 22. The system of claim 21, further comprising: a storage structure coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel, the storage structure configured to supply the compressed gas to the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel. 23. The system of claim 21, further comprising: a storage structure coupled to and in fluid communication with the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel, the storage structure configured to supply the compressed gas to the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel;a first valve disposed between the first pressure vessel and the storage structure; anda second valve disposed between the second pressure vessel and the storage structure, the first valve configured to be open when the second valve is closed.