Patent ID: 8196398
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: F04B,F15B,F17C,F17D,H02J,H02P,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus to recover energy from compressed gas, the apparatus comprising: a host computer comprising a processor in electronic communication with a nontransitory computer-readable storage medium, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon one or more codes to instruct the processor to: receive an input from an energy storage and recovery system comprising a first chamber in selective fluid communication with a source of compressed gas and having a piston configured to transmit a power of expanding gas out of the first chamber via a linkage, wherein the linkage comprises a mechanical linkage, and wherein the input comprises a gas pressure, a gas volume, or a gas temperature of the energy storage and recovery system; and in response to the received input, control operation of the energy storage and recovery system to achieve an efficiency of conversion of stored energy into work by the energy storage and recovery system, wherein code stored on the nontransitory computer readable storage medium is configured to instruct the processor to control a valve timing of the energy storage and recovery system to control a timing of transfer of expanded gas through a valve to a next lowest pressure stage or to ambient conditions.