IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0294862
(2011-11-11)
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등록번호 |
US-8387375
(2013-03-05)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- General Compression, Inc.
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
4 인용 특허 :
213 |
초록
▼
Systems, methods and devices for optimizing thermal efficiency within a gas compression system are described herein. In some embodiments, a device can include a first hydraulic cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder, and a hydraulic actuator. The first hydraulic cylinder has a first working piston di
Systems, methods and devices for optimizing thermal efficiency within a gas compression system are described herein. In some embodiments, a device can include a first hydraulic cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder, and a hydraulic actuator. The first hydraulic cylinder has a first working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the first hydraulic cylinder and which divides the first hydraulic cylinder into a first hydraulic chamber and a second hydraulic chamber. The second hydraulic cylinder has a second working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the second hydraulic cylinder and which divides the second hydraulic cylinder into a third hydraulic chamber and a fourth hydraulic chamber. The hydraulic actuator can be coupled to the first or second working piston, and is operable to move the first and second working pistons in a first direction and a second direction such that volume in the hydraulic chambers are reduced accordingly.
대표청구항
▼
1. An apparatus suitable for use in a compressed gas-based energy storage and recovery system, the apparatus comprising: a first hydraulic cylinder having a first working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the first hydraulic cylinder, the first working piston dividing the first h
1. An apparatus suitable for use in a compressed gas-based energy storage and recovery system, the apparatus comprising: a first hydraulic cylinder having a first working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the first hydraulic cylinder, the first working piston dividing the first hydraulic cylinder into, and defining therewith, a first hydraulic chamber and a second hydraulic chamber;a second hydraulic cylinder having a second working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the second hydraulic cylinder, the second working piston dividing the second hydraulic cylinder into, and defining therewith, a third hydraulic chamber and a fourth hydraulic chamber; the first working piston having substantially the same diameter as the second working piston,a connecting rod disposed between, and coupled to, the first working piston and the second working piston;a first hydraulic actuator having an actuator cylinder and an actuator piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the actuator cylinder, the actuator piston dividing the actuator cylinder into, and defining therewith, a first actuator chamber and a second actuator chamber, the hydraulic actuator being coupled to at least one of the first working piston, the second working piston, and the connecting rod, the hydraulic actuator configured to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid in the first actuator chamber to move the first and second working pistons in a first direction to reduce the volume of the first hydraulic chamber and the third hydraulic chamber, the hydraulic actuator further configured to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid in the second actuator chamber to move the first and second working pistons in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to reduce the volume of the second hydraulic chamber and the fourth hydraulic chamber; anda second hydraulic actuator coupled to at least one of the first working piston, the second working piston, and the connecting rod, the second hydraulic actuator operable to move the first and second working pistons in the first direction and the second direction. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a combined volume of the first and second hydraulic chambers is substantially equal to a combined volume of the third and fourth hydraulic chambers. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder includes a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the second hydraulic cylinder includes a third fluid port and fourth fluid port, and wherein the actuator moving the first and second working pistons in the first direction causes: a) liquid contained within the first hydraulic chamber to be discharged from the first hydraulic chamber to a gas compressor/expander device via the first fluid port, b) liquid from a liquid storage structure to be drawn into the second hydraulic chamber via the second fluid port, c) liquid contained within the third hydraulic chamber to be discharged from the third hydraulic chamber to the liquid storage structure via the third fluid port, and d) liquid from the gas compressor/expander device to be drawn into the fourth chamber via the fourth fluid port. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder includes a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the second hydraulic cylinder includes a third fluid port and fourth fluid port, and wherein the actuator moving the first and second working pistons in the second direction causes: a) liquid from a liquid storage structure to be drawn into the first hydraulic chamber via the first fluid port, b) liquid contained within the second hydraulic chamber to be discharged from the second hydraulic chamber to a gas compressor/expander device via the second fluid port, c) liquid from the gas compressor/expander device to be drawn into the third chamber via the third fluid port, and d) liquid contained within the fourth hydraulic chamber to be discharged from the fourth hydraulic chamber to the liquid storage structure via the fourth fluid port. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder includes a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the second hydraulic cylinder includes a third fluid port and fourth fluid port, and wherein the actuator moving the first and second working pistons in the first direction causes: a) liquid contained within the first hydraulic chamber to be discharged from the first hydraulic chamber to a liquid storage structure via the first fluid port, b) liquid from a gas compressor/expander device to be drawn into the second hydraulic chamber via the second fluid port, c) liquid contained within the third hydraulic chamber to be discharged from the third hydraulic chamber to the gas compressor/expander device via the third fluid port, and d) liquid from the liquid storage structure to be drawn into the fourth chamber via the fourth fluid port. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder includes a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the second hydraulic cylinder includes a third fluid port and fourth fluid port, and wherein the actuator moving the first and second working pistons in the second direction causes: a) liquid from a gas compressor/expander device to be drawn into the first hydraulic chamber via the first fluid port, b) liquid contained within the second hydraulic chamber to be discharged from the second hydraulic chamber to a liquid storage structure via the second fluid port, c) liquid from the liquid storage structure to be drawn into the third chamber via the third fluid port, and d) liquid contained within the fourth hydraulic chamber to be discharged from the fourth hydraulic chamber to the gas compressor/expander device via the fourth fluid port. 7. An apparatus suitable for use in a compressed gas-based energy storage and recovery system, the apparatus comprising: a first hydraulic cylinder having a first working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the first hydraulic cylinder, the first working piston dividing the first hydraulic cylinder into, and defining therewith, a first hydraulic chamber and a second hydraulic chamber;a second hydraulic cylinder having a second working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the second hydraulic cylinder, the second working piston dividing the second hydraulic cylinder into, and defining therewith, a third hydraulic chamber and a fourth hydraulic chamber; the first working piston having substantially the same diameter as the second working piston,a connecting rod disposed between, and coupled to, the first working piston and the second working piston;a hydraulic actuator having an actuator cylinder and an actuator piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the actuator cylinder, the actuator piston dividing the actuator cylinder into, and defining therewith, a first actuator chamber and a second actuator chamber, the hydraulic actuator being coupled to at least one of the first working piston, the second working piston, and the connecting rod, the hydraulic actuator configured to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid in the first actuator chamber to move the first and second working pistons in a first direction to reduce the volume of the first hydraulic chamber and the third hydraulic chamber, the hydraulic actuator further configured to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid in the second actuator chamber to move the first and second working pistons in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to reduce the volume of the second hydraulic chamber and the fourth hydraulic chamber; anda hydraulic controller fluidically coupleable to the hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic controller operable in a compression mode to produce a hydraulic actuator force on the first and second working pistons sufficient to move the first and second working pistons: a) in the first direction such that liquid contained in the first hydraulic chamber and the third hydraulic chamber is discharged from the first hydraulic chamber and the third hydraulic chamber, and b) in the second direction such that liquid contained in the second hydraulic chamber and the fourth hydraulic chamber is discharged from the second hydraulic chamber and the fourth hydraulic chamber,wherein the hydraulic controller is operable to maintain a hydraulic pressure within the first hydraulic chamber substantially equal to a hydraulic pressure within the fourth hydraulic chamber at any given time. 8. A system for increasing the efficiency of a compressed gas-based energy storage and recovery system, the system comprising: a first hydraulic cylinder having a first working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the first hydraulic cylinder, the first working piston dividing the first hydraulic cylinder into, and defining therewith, a first hydraulic chamber and a second hydraulic chamber, the first hydraulic chamber having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port fluidically coupleable to a liquid storage structure and the second fluid port fluidically coupleable to a gas compressor/expander device,the second hydraulic chamber having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port fluidically coupleable to the liquid storage structure and the second fluid port fluidically coupleable to the gas compressor/expander device;a second hydraulic cylinder having a second working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the second hydraulic cylinder, the second working piston dividing the second hydraulic cylinder into, and defining therewith, a third hydraulic chamber and a fourth hydraulic chamber, the third hydraulic chamber having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port fluidically coupleable to the liquid storage structure and the second fluid port fluidically coupleable to the gas compressor/expander device,the fourth hydraulic chamber having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port fluidically coupleable to the liquid storage structure and the second fluid port fluidically coupleable to the gas compressor/expander device;a hydraulic actuator coupled to the first working piston; anda hydraulic controller fluidically coupleable to the hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic controller operable in a first operating mode in which liquid is discharged from the first hydraulic cylinder to the gas compressor/expander device and from the second hydraulic cylinder to the liquid storage structure, and a second operating mode in which liquid is discharged from the first hydraulic cylinder to the liquid storage structure and from the second hydraulic cylinder to the gas compressor/expander device, wherein operation of the hydraulic controller in the first operating mode produces a hydraulic actuator force on the first working piston sufficient to move the first working piston: a) in a first direction such that liquid contained in the first hydraulic chamber is discharged from the first hydraulic chamber into the gas compressor/expander device and liquid is drawn into the second hydraulic chamber from the liquid storage structure, and b) in a second direction, opposite the first direction, such that liquid contained in the second hydraulic chamber is discharged to the gas compressor/expander device and drawn into the first hydraulic chamber from the liquid storage structure. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein operation of the hydraulic controller in the first operating mode produces a hydraulic actuator force on the second working piston sufficient to move the second working piston: a) in a third direction such that liquid contained in the third hydraulic chamber is discharged from the third hydraulic chamber into the liquid storage structure, and b) in a fourth direction, opposite the third direction, such that liquid contained in the fourth hydraulic chamber is discharged to the liquid storage structure. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein movement of the first working piston in the first direction is concurrent with movement of the second working piston in the third direction, the third direction being substantially the same as the first direction. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein fluid pressure in the fourth hydraulic chamber from liquid received into the fourth hydraulic chamber from the gas compressor/expander device produces a hydraulic force on the second working piston sufficient to move the second working piston in the third direction. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second working piston is operatively coupled to the first working piston such that movement of the second working piston in the third direction facilitates movement of the first working piston in the first direction. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein a combined temperature within the first and second hydraulic chambers is greater than a combined temperature within the third and fourth hydraulic chambers. 14. The system of claim 8, wherein liquid contained in the first hydraulic chamber has a first temperature during operation, and liquid contained in the third hydraulic chamber has a second temperature greater than the first temperature during operation. 15. A system for increasing the efficiency of a compressed gas-based energy storage and recovery system, the system comprising: a gas compressor/expander device including a pneumatic cylinder having a pneumatic working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the pneumatic cylinder, the pneumatic working piston dividing the pneumatic cylinder into, and defining therewith, a first pneumatic chamber and a second pneumatic chamber, the first pneumatic chamber having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port fluidically coupleable to a gas source,the second pneumatic chamber having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port fluidically coupleable to the gas source;a liquid management system including a hydraulic cylinder having a hydraulic working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic working piston dividing the hydraulic cylinder into, and defining therewith, a first hydraulic chamber and a second hydraulic chamber, the first hydraulic chamber having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port fluidically coupleable to a liquid storage structure and the second fluid port fluidically coupleable to the second fluid port of the first pneumatic chamber,the second hydraulic chamber having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port fluidically coupleable to the liquid storage structure and the second fluid port fluidically coupleable to the second fluid port of the second pneumatic chamber; anda first hydraulic actuator coupled to the pneumatic working piston and a second hydraulic actuator coupled to the hydraulic working piston; anda hydraulic controller fluidically coupleable to the first and second hydraulic actuators, the hydraulic controller operable to cause the second hydraulic actuator to move the hydraulic working piston to: a) reduce the volume of the first hydraulic chamber and displace a first volume of liquid contained therein to the first pneumatic chamber of the gas compressor/expander device, and b) increase the volume of the second hydraulic chamber and receive therein a second volume of liquid from the liquid storage structure. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the hydraulic controller is operable to cause the first hydraulic actuator to move the pneumatic working piston to reduce the volume of the first pneumatic chamber and displace at least a portion of the first volume of liquid contained therein out of the first pneumatic chamber. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the pneumatic cylinder is a first pneumatic cylinder and the pneumatic working piston is a first pneumatic working piston, the gas compressor/expander device including a second pneumatic cylinder having a second pneumatic working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the second pneumatic cylinder, the second pneumatic working piston dividing the second pneumatic cylinder into, and defining therewith, a third pneumatic chamber and a fourth pneumatic chamber, the third pneumatic chamber having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port fluidically coupleable to the first pneumatic chamber,the fourth pneumatic chamber having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port fluidically coupleable to the second pneumatic chamber,the hydraulic controller operable to cause the first hydraulic actuator to move the first pneumatic working piston to reduce the volume of the first pneumatic chamber and displace at least a portion of the first volume of liquid contained therein to the third pneumatic chamber. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is a first hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic working piston is a first hydraulic working piston, the liquid management system includes a second hydraulic cylinder having a second hydraulic working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the second hydraulic cylinder, the second hydraulic working piston dividing the second hydraulic cylinder into, and defining therewith, a third hydraulic chamber and a fourth hydraulic chamber, the third hydraulic chamber having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port fluidically coupleable to the liquid storage structure and the second fluid port fluidically coupleable to the second fluid port of the fourth pneumatic chamber,the fourth hydraulic chamber having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port fluidically coupleable to the liquid storage structure and the second fluid port fluidically coupleable to the second fluid port of the third pneumatic chamber,the hydraulic controller being operable to cause the second hydraulic actuator to move the second hydraulic working piston to: a) reduce the volume of the third hydraulic chamber and displace a third volume of liquid contained therein to the liquid storage structure, and b) increase the volume of the fourth hydraulic chamber and receive therein a fourth volume of liquid from the third pneumatic chamber of the gas compressor/expander device.
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