Patent ID: 9611867
Date: 2017-04-04
CPC Classifications: B65G,F03G,F15B

Claim:
1. A method for storing potential energy and subsequently retrieving and utilizing at least some of the stored energy, comprising the steps of: providing a chamber underground having a floor and ceiling; making at least portions the floor and ceiling of the underground chamber smooth; placing at least one hydraulic cylinder in the underground chamber spanning a distance between the floor of the chamber and the ceiling of the underground chamber and cycling a liquid fluid into each of the at least one hydraulic cylinder to extend a piston so as to make contact with the ceiling of the underground chamber; boring wells from a surface above the underground chamber down into the chamber, such that the wells define a large block within the ground above the chamber; mounting rail tracks to one side of each of the wells and cooperating rail wheels to the other side of the wells, and securing the rail tracks and the rail wheels to the walls of the wells; cutting completely through ground between the wells from the surface to the top of the chamber, thereby creating a monolith that rests on at least one of the pistons and which can move up and down along the cooperating rail tracks and rail wheels; and, cycling liquid fluid under high pressure into and out of the at least one hydraulic cylinder through a turbine or hydraulic motor, thereby producing mechanical energy for further conversion as may be desired.