Patent ID: 8448433
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: F02G,F15B,H02J

Abstract:
1. An energy storage and generation system comprising: a first pneumatic cylinder assembly for at least one of compressing gas to store energy or expanding gas to recover energy, the first pneumatic cylinder assembly comprising a first compartment, a second compartment, and a piston separating the compartments; a motor/generator outside the first cylinder assembly; a transmission mechanism, coupled to the piston and to the motor/generator, for at least one of (i) converting reciprocal motion of the piston into rotary motion of the motor/generator, or (ii) converting rotary motion of the motor/generator into reciprocal motion of the piston; a heat-transfer subsystem for expediting heat transfer in at least one of the first and second compartments of the first pneumatic cylinder assembly; a control system for controlling operation of the first pneumatic cylinder assembly to enforce substantially isothermal expansion and compression of gas therein to thereby increase efficiency of the expansion and compression, the control system being responsive to at least one system parameter associated with operation of the first pneumatic cylinder assembly; and in selective fluid communication with at least one of the first compartment or the second compartment, a vent for at least one of supplying gas for compression or exhausting gas after expansion.