Patent Description:
The typical gas turbine, including steam turbines, convert a consistent flow of gas into rotational energy that is often subsequently used to rotate an electric generator. The electric generator provides electrical energy to an electrical load.

During the operation of the gas turbine, the rotating element of the gas turbine (hereinafter the gas turbine rotor) rotates with an angular momentum equal to the tangent velocity of the rotation of the rotor times the mass of the rotor. The tangent velocity of the rotor is expressed as rotations per second, or Hertz (Hz). When a gas turbine is attached to an electric generator, the required power specifications of the generated electric energy sets strict limits on the tangent velocity of the gas turbine rotor. As an example, the gas turbine rotor of gas turbines feeding electricity into the national electric grid of the United States is required to have <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> rotations in a <NUM> hour period.

A common challenge of operating a gas turbine and electric generator is the sensitivity of both the gas turbine and the electric generator to the balance of the energy transfer between the energy provided by the gas turbine and the electric generator. In an ideal situation, which is also the normal operating condition, the energy transferred from the gas turbine to the electric generator equals the electric energy transferred from the electric generator to the electric load. A load imbalance occurs during the operation of a gas turbine and electric generator when: a) the electrical energy demanded by the electric load is greater than the energy provided by the gas turbine; and, b) the energy transferred to electric generator from the gas turbine is greater than the electric energy demanded by the electric load. In the circumstance of the electrical energy demanded by the electric load is greater than the energy provided by the gas turbine, the tangent velocity of the gas turbine rotor decrease to the point where permanent damage will occur to the electric generator. In the circumstance of the energy transferred to electric generator from the gas turbine is greater than the electric energy demanded by the electric load, the tangent velocity of the gas turbine rotor increases to the point where permanent damage will occur to the gas turbine rotor. In either condition, the response to either load imbalance is to disconnect the electric generator from the electric load and to initiate emergency procedures to shut down the gas turbine and electric generator.

This emergency response to a load imbalance between a gas turbine, an electric generator, and an electric load that allows for the continued operation of the gas turbine and the electric generator would be of benefit.

<CIT> discloses a combination of a compressed air energy storage unit and a thermal power plant. The compressed air energy storage unit comprises an air compression device, a compressed air storage device, air turbine and a set of heat exchangers. The heat exchangers comprise an air compression phase where all or part of the heat released by the compression of the air is substituted for the heat taken by the vapor withdrawals from the steam turbine, and an expansion phase where the compressed air it heated by means of hot water and/or steam from the steam boiler.

<CIT> discloses a hybrid energy storage system receiving energy from one or more external sources. The system comprises an air compressor and a lower pressure air energy storage system that receives compressed air from the compressor powered by excess energy from an energy source. An air expansion system is heated by heat taken from the air compression. A high temperature thermal energy storage system receives energy from one or more external sources. The lower pressure air energy storage system and the high temperature thermal energy storage system are used to drive a power turbine.

The Hyperbaric Power Plant of the present invention uses artificially generated wind power (using series fans , compressors , generators ) to generate electricity which is a green energy source. The strength of the artificially generated wind-power to operate the system can be adjusted depending on the output needed (load). If more output is needed, it increases the strength of the incoming windpower using the systems described above, which increases the velocity of the turbines , and hence more rotations, which means more energy.

The Hyperbaric Power Plant feeds back itself in loop where the energy can be stored, used for compressors, generators and fans that aide to run the system. This hyperbaric load can be modulated according to a desired energy output. There is no fatigue in the system as compared to other previously known systems i.e. gas turbine etc..

Potentially there is no limit to the amount of energy that can be generated and harvested by this system. Hyperbaric Power Plant can be operated from small scale to mega scale, and anything in between and beyond. And it can be operational anywhere.

Hyperbaric Power Plant has numerous advantages:.

This invention addresses the challenges of operating a gas turbine and an electric generator that are described above and is defined by the technical features of independent claim <NUM>.

The hyperbaric load control for a power plant is an energy storage device used to regulate the tangent velocity of a gas turbine. Specifically, the hyperbaric load control for a power plant: a) releases previously stored energy in the form of supplemental electrical energy to compensate for an energy deficit created by an operating condition where the electrical energy demanded by the electric load is greater than the energy provided by the gas turbine; and, b) absorbs and stores the excess energy created by an operating condition where the energy transferred to the electric generator from the gas turbine is greater than the electric energy demanded by the electric load. The hyperbaric load control for a power plant comprises an electric motor, a compressor, a high pressure gas tank, a supplemental turbine, a supplemental electric generator, and a control system.

These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the hyperbaric load control for a power plant will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. " Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" or "illustrative" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Detailed reference will now be made to one or more potential embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in <FIG>.

This invention addresses the challenges in operating a gas turbine and an electric generator <NUM> that are described above.

The hyperbaric load control for a power plant <NUM> (hereinafter invention) is an energy storage device used to regulate the tangent velocity of a gas turbine. Specifically, the invention <NUM>: a) releases previously stored energy in the form of supplemental electrical energy <NUM> to compensate for an energy deficit created by an operating condition where the electrical energy demanded <NUM> by an electric load is greater than the energy provided by the gas turbine to the electric generator; and, b) absorbs and stores the excess energy created by an operating condition where the energy transferred to electric generator from the gas turbine is greater than the electric energy demanded <NUM> by the electric load. The invention <NUM> comprises an electric motor <NUM>, a compressor <NUM>, a high pressure gas tank <NUM>, a supplemental turbine <NUM>, a supplemental electric generator <NUM>, a control system <NUM>, and a grid tie inverter <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM>, the compressor <NUM>, and the high pressure gas tank <NUM> stores the excess energy <NUM> generated by the gas turbine and electric generator <NUM> when the tangent velocity of the gas turbine rotor is greater than the targeted tangent velocity. The supplemental turbine <NUM>, the supplemental electric generator <NUM>, and the grid tie inverter <NUM> transfer supplemental electric energy <NUM> to the electric load when the tangent velocity of the gas turbine rotor is lesser than the targeted tangent velocity.

The gas turbine and electric generator <NUM> generates demand energy <NUM> to meet the electric energy requirements of the electric load.

The electric motor <NUM> drives the first drive shaft <NUM> which drives the compressor <NUM>.

The compressor <NUM> draws air flow through the compressor intake <NUM> into the compressor <NUM> and drives compressed air into the compressor exit pipe <NUM>.

The compressed air from the compressor <NUM> then flows through the high pressure gas tank intake valve <NUM> through the high pressure gas tank intake feed pipe <NUM> and into the high pressure gas tank <NUM> where it is stored until needed. When supplemental electric energy <NUM> is required, the high pressure gas tank exit valve <NUM> is opened to release the compressed air which flows through the high pressure gas tank exit pipe <NUM>, high pressure gas tank exit valve <NUM> and the turbine feed pipe <NUM> to rotate the supplemental turbine <NUM>. The compressed air then exits the supplemental turbine <NUM> as the turbine exhaust air <NUM>. The rotation of the supplemental turbine <NUM> rotates the second drive shaft <NUM> which in turn drives the supplemental electric <NUM> to generate supplemental electric energy <NUM> that can be fed into the system. The flow of excess energy <NUM> into the electric motor <NUM> is controlled with the electric motor grid relay <NUM>. The flow of supplemental electric energy <NUM> into the electric grid is controlled with the generator grid relay <NUM>.

The purpose of the electric motor <NUM> is to drive the compressor <NUM>. Specifically, the electric motor <NUM> drives the rotational component of the compressor <NUM> that is required to compress the air. The size and type of electric motor <NUM> selected will depend on the design requirements of the compressor <NUM> and the invention <NUM>. Commercially available electric motors would be suitable for use with the invention <NUM>.

The purpose of the compressor <NUM> is to generate the compressed air that is stored in the high pressure gas tanks <NUM>. Suitable compressors include, but are not limited to axial flow compressors and centrifugal compressors. Commercially available compressors would be suitable for use with the invention <NUM>.

The purpose of the high pressure gas tank <NUM> is to store compressed air. The high pressure gas tank <NUM> stores the energy used by the invention <NUM> to generate electricity. The higher the pressure the compressed air is stored and the greater the volume of compressed air that is stored (at a given pressure) , the more energy will be stored in the tanks and the more electricity can be generated. The implementation of the high pressure gas tank <NUM> in this invention explicitly allows for the use a single tank or the use of multiple tanks configured in a "farm" system to increase the volume and the energy storage capacity of the system. The pressure of the compressed air stored in the high pressure gas tank <NUM> and the overall volume capacity of the single tank or tank farm will depend on the design requirements of the invention <NUM>.

Commercially available high pressure tanks, pipes, and fittings would be suitable for use with the invention <NUM>.

The purpose of the supplemental turbine <NUM> is to convert the compressed air to rotational mechanical energy by flowing the compressed air through a series of blades that turn a wheel or cylinder that in turn rotates the second drive shaft <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the supplemental turbine <NUM> comprises a plurality of turbine blades <NUM>, the second drive shaft <NUM>, and a turbine tube <NUM>. The plurality of turbine blades <NUM> are mounted on the second drive shaft <NUM>. The turbine tube <NUM> is a tube that is formed like a cone in that the diameter of the turbine tube <NUM> increases in the direction of air flow from the turbine feed pipe <NUM> to the turbine exhaust <NUM>. This increase in diameter increases the volume of the turbine tube <NUM> which causes a pressure drop in the compressed air. This pressure drop causes the compressed air to flow over the plurality of turbine blades <NUM> which causes the plurality of turbine blades <NUM> to rotate which in turn rotates the second drive shaft <NUM>. Turbine designs are well known and documented in the art. The specific turbine size and design selected will depend on the design requirements of the invention <NUM>.

The purpose of the supplemental electric generator <NUM> is to convert the rotational energy generated by the supplemental turbine <NUM> into electric energy. Commercially available electric generators would be suitable for this purpose. The electric energy generated by the supplemental electric generator <NUM> is fed into the grid tie inverter <NUM> through the generator grid relay <NUM>. The grid tie inverter synchronizes the electric energy provided by the supplemental electric generator <NUM> to the demand energy <NUM> already being generated by the gas turbine and electric generator <NUM>.

The control system <NUM> is an electric circuit that controls the flow of electrical energy into and out of the invention <NUM>. The control system <NUM> comprises a high tangent velocity signal <NUM> and a low tangent velocity signal <NUM>. The high tangent velocity signal <NUM> monitors the tangent velocity of the gas turbine rotor. The low tangent velocity signal <NUM> monitors the tangent velocity of the gas turbine rotor.

When the tangent velocity of the gas turbine rotor is greater than the target tangent velocity, the high tangent velocity signal <NUM> activates the control system <NUM> to close the electric motor grid relay <NUM> and open the high pressure gas intake valve <NUM>. The electric motor grid relay <NUM> allows the excess energy <NUM>, in the form of electrical energy, to flow into the electric motor <NUM> which in turn operates the compressor <NUM>. Opening the high pressure gas intake valve <NUM> allows the gas compressed by the compressor <NUM> to be transported into the high pressure gas tank <NUM>. The excess energy <NUM> is stored as a pressurized gas in the high pressure gas tank <NUM>.

When the tangent velocity of the gas turbine rotor is lesser than the target tangent velocity, the low tangent velocity signal <NUM> activates the control system <NUM> to close the generator grid relay <NUM> and open the high pressure gas exit valve <NUM>. This allows the previously stored energy, in the form of a compressed gas, to flow into the supplemental turbine <NUM> which in turn rotates the supplemental electric generator <NUM>. Closing the generator grid relay <NUM> allows the supplemental electrical energy <NUM> generated by the supplemental electric generator <NUM> to flow into the grid tie inverter <NUM> for subsequent transport to the electric load.

Claim 1:
A hyperbaric load control,
wherein the hyperbaric load control is an energy storage device used to regulate the tangent velocity of a gas turbine;
and wherein the gas turbine and an electric generator (<NUM>) generates demand energy (<NUM>) to meet the electric energy requirements of an electric load;
wherein the hyperbaric load control is arranged to release previously stored energy in the form of supplemental electrical energy (<NUM>) to compensate for an energy deficit created by an operating condition where electrical energy demanded by the electric load is greater than the demand energy (<NUM>) provided by the gas turbine to the electric generator (<NUM>);
wherein the hyperbaric load control is arranged to absorb and store excess energy created by an operating condition where the energy transferred to the electric generator (<NUM>) from the gas turbine is greater than the electric energy demanded by the electric load;
wherein the hyperbaric load control comprises:
an electric motor (<NUM>), a compressor (<NUM>), a high pressure gas tank (<NUM>), a supplemental turbine (<NUM>), a supplemental electric generator (<NUM>), a control system (<NUM>), and a grid tie inverter (<NUM>) that artificially generates wind power to generate electricity to provide a green energy source;
wherein the electric motor (<NUM>), the compressor (<NUM>), and the high pressure gas tank (<NUM>) stores the excess energy generated by the gas turbine and electric generator (<NUM>) when the tangent velocity of the gas turbine rotor is greater than the targeted tangent velocity;
and wherein the supplemental turbine (<NUM>), the supplemental electric generator (<NUM>), and the grid tie inverter (<NUM>) transfer supplemental electric energy to the electric load when the tangent velocity of the gas turbine rotor is lesser than the targeted tangent velocity.