Patent ID: 7832207

Claim:
A compressed gas-based energy storage and recovery system comprising a staged energy conversion system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising: a compressed gas storage system; a first cylinder assembly having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a boundary mechanism, wherein at least one of the chambers is a pneumatic chamber, the first cylinder assembly being configured to transfer mechanical energy from the first chamber to the second chamber at a first pressure ratio; a second cylinder assembly having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a boundary mechanism, wherein at least one of the chambers is a pneumatic chamber, the second cylinder assembly being configured to transfer mechanical energy from the first chamber to the second chamber at a second pressure ratio greater than the first pressure ratio; and a control system for operating the compressed gas storage system and the first and second cylinder assemblies in a staged manner to provide a predetermined pressure profile at, at least one outlet.