Patent ID: 8806861
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: F04B,F15B,F17C,F17D,H02J,H02P,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: introducing a first quantity of air at a first temperature into a first chamber; in a compression cycle, subjecting the first quantity of air to compression by a first piston coupled to the first chamber; injecting a first determined quantity of fluid into the first quantity of air to absorb thermal energy generated by the compression cycle and thereby maintain the first quantity of air in a first temperature range during the compression; and transferring at least a portion of the first quantity of air to a storage unit, the method further comprising: in an expansion cycle, transferring a second quantity of air from the storage unit to the first chamber through valving under electronic control; allowing the second quantity of air to expand and drive the first piston; and injecting a second determined quantity of fluid into the second quantity of air to provide thermal energy absorbed by the expanding air and thereby maintain the second quantity of air in a second temperature range during the expansion, wherein a valve timing is adjusted dynamically as the storage unit depletes.