CH621853A5

CH621853A5 - Device for accumulating energy coming from an intermittent or periodic electric supply

Info

Publication number: CH621853A5
Application number: CH505478A
Authority: CH
Inventors: Pierre Emile Baude
Original assignee: Pierre Emile Baude
Priority date: 1978-05-10
Filing date: 1978-05-10
Publication date: 1981-02-27

Abstract

The device comprises a weighted piston (2) which is free inside a vertical cylinder (1) containing a liquid (5), and the base of which is connected to a turbine (14) associated with an electric generator; the outlet of the turbine being connected to the tank via a pump (16). Means (7 to 10) are provided for raising the piston back up which piston has a vertical passage (17) and means (18) for blocking this passage. <IMAGE>

Description

**ATTENTION** debut du champ DESC peut contenir fin de CLMS **. ** ATTENTION ** start of the DESC field may contain end of CLMS **.

REVENDICATIONS 1. Dispositif d'accumulation d'énergie provenant d'une source d'énergie électrique intermittente ou périodique en vue de la restituer sous la forme d'énergie électrique, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend un piston pesant libre dans un cylindre vertical contenant un liquide sur lequel le piston exerce une pression, la base du cylindre étant reliée à une turbine associée à un générateur électrique et dont la sortie est reliée à la partie supérieure du réservoir par l'intermédiaire d'une pompe électrique alimentée par ledit générateur, et des moyens de levage du piston pour remonter le piston et accumuler ainsi l'énergie de la source, lorsque le piston a atteint le fond du cylindre, le piston présentant au moins un passage vertical et des moyens d'obturation de ce passage. CLAIMS 1. Device for accumulating energy from an intermittent or periodic source of electrical energy with a view to restoring it in the form of electrical energy, characterized in that it comprises a piston weighing free in a vertical cylinder containing a liquid on which the piston exerts a pressure, the base of the cylinder being connected to a turbine associated with an electric generator and the outlet of which is connected to the upper part of the reservoir by means of an electric pump supplied by said generator , and means for lifting the piston to raise the piston and thus accumulate energy from the source, when the piston has reached the bottom of the cylinder, the piston having at least one vertical passage and means for closing this passage.

2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que la base du cylindre est reliée à la turbine à travers une vanne. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base of the cylinder is connected to the turbine through a valve.

3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que les moyens d'obturation du passage du piston sont constitués par un clapet commandé électriquement et se déplaçant parallélement au plan du piston. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for closing the passage of the piston consist of an electrically controlled valve and moving parallel to the plane of the piston.

4. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que les moyens d'obturation du passage du piston sont constitués par une valve antiretour. 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for closing the passage of the piston consist of a non-return valve.

La présente invention a pour objet un dispositif d'accumulation d'énergie provenant d'une source d'énergie électrique intermittente ou périodique, en particulier une source d'énergie électrique utilisant l'énergie solaire, en vue de la restituer sous la forme d'énergie électrique. The subject of the present invention is a device for accumulating energy from an intermittent or periodic source of electrical energy, in particular an electrical energy source using solar energy, with a view to restoring it in the form of 'electric energy.

L'une des principales objections opposées aux sources d'énergie électrique utilisant l'énergie solaire est l'incapacité de la source électrique de délivrer de l'énergie durant la nuit. Il est possible de remédier à ce défaut en accumulant un excès d'énergie diurne dans des accumulateurs traditionnels. Il est toutefois nécessaire d'avoir un grand nombre d'accumulateurs, ce qui constitue une solution coûteuse. En outre, le courant continu délivré par les accumulateurs doit être transformé en courant alternatif au moyen d'installations également coûteuses. One of the main objections to sources of electrical energy using solar energy is the inability of the electrical source to deliver energy overnight. It is possible to remedy this defect by accumulating an excess of daytime energy in traditional accumulators. However, it is necessary to have a large number of accumulators, which is an expensive solution. In addition, the direct current delivered by the accumulators must be transformed into alternating current by means of equally expensive installations.

Dans les installations hydro-électriques, il est connu d'utiliser un excès d'énergie électrique pour remonter de l'eau dans un bassin d'accumulation. Une telle solution nécessite toutefois un bassin de très grand volume et une chute d'eau importante, sans compter qu'il est difficile de trouver des sites permettant la construction de tels bassins. In hydroelectric installations, it is known to use an excess of electrical energy to raise water in a storage tank. However, such a solution requires a very large basin and a large waterfall, not to mention that it is difficult to find sites allowing the construction of such basins.

La présente invention a pour but de réaliser, par des moyens simples, un stockage d'énergie dans un volume réduit permettant d'obtenir de l'énergie électrique sous forme de courant alternatif. The present invention aims to achieve, by simple means, energy storage in a reduced volume for obtaining electrical energy in the form of alternating current.

Le dispositif selon l'invention, tel que défini par la revendication 1, peut être réalisé avec un cylindre en acier ou en béton, de hauteur réduite, par exemple d'une dizaine de mètres, I'accumulation d'énergie se faisant par l'élévation du piston, c'est-à-dire sous la forme d'un travail mécanique, L'énergie mécanique potentielle ainsi accumulée étant restituée par la chute contrôlée du piston. The device according to the invention, as defined by claim 1, can be produced with a steel or concrete cylinder, of reduced height, for example of ten meters, the energy accumulation being made by the elevation of the piston, that is to say in the form of mechanical work, the potential mechanical energy thus accumulated being restored by the controlled fall of the piston.

Le dispositif selon Invention diffère essentiellement d'une accumulation hydraulique, telle qu'on la connaît dans un bassin d'accumulation, en ce que le liquide, par exemple l'eau, ne constitue pas la source d'énergie, mais est utilisé comme moyen auxiliaire, simple et pratique, de transmission d'énergie du piston au turbogénérateur. Le piston, par exemple en acier ou en béton, permet d'accumuler de l'énergie élevée équivalente à celle d'une colonne d'eau relativement très haute. The device according to the invention essentially differs from a hydraulic accumulation, as it is known in an accumulation basin, in that the liquid, for example water, does not constitute the source of energy, but is used as auxiliary means, simple and practical, of energy transmission from the piston to the turbogenerator. The piston, for example made of steel or concrete, makes it possible to accumulate high energy equivalent to that of a relatively very high water column.

Le dessin annexé représente, à titre d'exemple, une forme d'exécution de l'invention. The accompanying drawing shows, by way of example, an embodiment of the invention.

La fig. 1 représente une vue schématique en coupe d'un dispositif. Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a device.

La fig. 2 représente un détail de la fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows a detail of FIG. 1.

La fig. 3 représente une variante d'exécution du détail représenté à la fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the detail shown in FIG. 2.

Le dispositif comporte un cylindre vertical 1, par exemple en acier ou en béton, revêtu d'une chemise en métal ou en matière synthétique, dans lequel est monté un piston 2 relativement épais et lourd entouré d'au moins deux garnitures de joint 3 et 4 permettant au piston de coulisser dans le cylindre 1. Le piston peut être réalisé entièrement en fonte ou, par exemple, au moyen d'une carcasse de fonte dans laquelle a été coulé du béton. Pour un diamètre compris entre 5 et 10 m à une épaisseur de 0,5 à 1 m, on peut obtenir un piston dont le poids atteint plusieurs centaines de tonnes. The device comprises a vertical cylinder 1, for example made of steel or concrete, coated with a metal or synthetic jacket, in which is mounted a relatively thick and heavy piston 2 surrounded by at least two seal packings 3 and 4 allowing the piston to slide in the cylinder 1. The piston can be made entirely of cast iron or, for example, by means of a cast iron carcass in which concrete has been poured. For a diameter between 5 and 10 m at a thickness of 0.5 to 1 m, one can obtain a piston whose weight reaches several hundred tonnes.

Le cylindre 1 est rempli d'eau 5 jusqu'à son bord supérieur. Il est recouvert d'une coupole 6. Le piston est relié par un ou plusieurs câbles 7 à la chape d'une poulie 8 faisant partie d'un palan différentiel 9 susceptible d'être entraîné par un moteur électrique 10. The cylinder 1 is filled with water 5 to its upper edge. It is covered with a dome 6. The piston is connected by one or more cables 7 to the yoke of a pulley 8 forming part of a differential hoist 9 capable of being driven by an electric motor 10.

La base du cylindre 1 présente une ouverture 1 1 reliée à une conduite 12 à travers une vanne 13, de préférence commandée automatiquement en fonction de la pression au point 11, de manière à assurer une pression constante dans la conduite 12. La conduite 12 est reliée à un turbogénérateur 14, dont la sortie de la turbine est reliée à une conduite 15 sur laquelle est montée une pompe électrique 16 alimentée par le turbogénérateur 14. L'eau pompée est renvoyée à travers une conduite 16 au réservoir 1. The base of the cylinder 1 has an opening 11 connected to a line 12 through a valve 13, preferably controlled automatically as a function of the pressure at point 11, so as to ensure a constant pressure in the line 12. The line 12 is connected to a turbogenerator 14, the outlet of the turbine of which is connected to a pipe 15 on which is mounted an electric pump 16 supplied by the turbogenerator 14. The pumped water is returned through a pipe 16 to the tank 1.

Le piston 2 est muni d'un passage vertical 17, normalement fermé par un clapet 18 déplaçable parallèlement au plan du piston dans le sens de la double flèche Fl. Ce clapet est commandé par un électro-aimant 19 alimenté par un câble souple 20. The piston 2 is provided with a vertical passage 17, normally closed by a valve 18 movable parallel to the plane of the piston in the direction of the double arrow Fl. This valve is controlled by an electromagnet 19 supplied by a flexible cable 20.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif est le suivant: on suppose tout d'abord que le piston 2 repose au fond du cylindre 1. Cette position correspond au début de la période diurne. A ce moment, la source électrique solaire débite et une partie de l'énergie fournie peut être utilisée pour alimenter le moteur 10 qui remonte le piston 2 du réservoir. Pour cette remontée, le passage 17 est ouvert, de telle sorte que l'eau 5' se trouvant au-dessus du piston peut s'écouler à travers ce passage. La vanne 13 est fermée. Une fois que le piston est en haut, le clapet 18 vient refermer l'orifice 17. A la fin de la période diurne, un dispositif à cellule photoélectrique non représenté commande l'ouverture de la vanne 13. The operation of the device is as follows: it is first assumed that the piston 2 rests at the bottom of the cylinder 1. This position corresponds to the start of the daytime period. At this time, the solar electric source flows and part of the energy supplied can be used to power the motor 10 which raises the piston 2 of the tank. For this ascent, the passage 17 is open, so that the water 5 ′ located above the piston can flow through this passage. The valve 13 is closed. Once the piston is at the top, the valve 18 closes the orifice 17. At the end of the daytime period, a photoelectric cell device, not shown, controls the opening of the valve 13.

L'eau contenue dans le cylindre 1, sous la pression du piston 2, peut alors s'écouler par la conduite 12 et entraîner le turbogénérateur 14 qui prend le relais de la source solaire. The water contained in the cylinder 1, under the pressure of the piston 2, can then flow through the line 12 and drive the turbogenerator 14 which takes over from the solar source.

Après avoir traversé la turbine, I'eau est reconduite dans le réservoir par les conduits 15 et 16. On a donc ainsi un circuit fermé et l'eau en retour vient s'accumuler au-dessus du piston 2, comme représenté au dessin, son poids s'ajoutant à celui du piston. Les dimensions du cylindre et du piston, ainsi que le débit de la vanne 13 et de la conduite 12, sont calculés de telle sorte que la descente du piston se fait en environ 12 h. Lorsque le piston arrive en bas, la source solaire reprend le relais du turbogénérateur 14 et remonte le piston, et ainsi de suite. After passing through the turbine, the water is returned to the tank through the conduits 15 and 16. There is thus a closed circuit and the water in return comes to accumulate above the piston 2, as shown in the drawing, its weight added to that of the piston. The dimensions of the cylinder and of the piston, as well as the flow rate of the valve 13 and of the pipe 12, are calculated so that the descent of the piston takes place in approximately 12 h. When the piston reaches the bottom, the solar source takes over from the turbogenerator 14 and raises the piston, and so on.

En variante, le clapet 18 peut être remplacé par un simple clapet antiretour 21 (fig. 3). Le clapet 21 est retenu par une grille 22. As a variant, the valve 18 can be replaced by a simple non-return valve 21 (fig. 3). The valve 21 is retained by a grid 22.

Ce piston peut, bien entendu, avoir une autre forme que celle représentée au dessin, par exemple une forme convexe. On peut en outre prévoir deux passages 17, ou davantage. This piston can, of course, have another shape than that shown in the drawing, for example a convex shape. It is also possible to provide two or more passages 17.

Au lieu d'utiliser un moteur électrique pour remonter le piston, on peut utiliser tout autre moyen, ou source d'énergie, disponible, par exemple un dispositif thermodynamique. Instead of using an electric motor to raise the piston, any other means, or source of energy, available, for example a thermodynamic device, can be used.

Claims

1. Device for accumulating energy from an intermittent or periodic source of electrical energy with a view to restoring it in the form of electrical energy, characterized in that it comprises a piston weighing free in a vertical cylinder containing a liquid on which the piston exerts a pressure, the base of the cylinder being connected to a turbine associated with an electric generator and the outlet of which is connected to the upper part of the reservoir by means of an electric pump supplied by said generator , and means for lifting the piston to raise the piston and thus accumulate energy from the source, when the piston has reached the bottom of the cylinder, the piston having at least one vertical passage and means for closing this passage.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base of the cylinder is connected to the turbine through a valve.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for closing the passage of the piston consist of an electrically controlled valve and moving parallel to the plane of the piston.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for closing the passage of the piston consist of a non-return valve.

The present invention relates to an energy storage device from an intermittent or periodic electric energy source, in particular an electric energy source using solar energy, in order to restore it in the form of 'electric energy.

One of the main objections to sources of electrical energy using solar energy is the inability of the electrical source to deliver energy overnight. It is possible to remedy this defect by accumulating an excess of daytime energy in traditional accumulators. However, it is necessary to have a large number of accumulators, which is an expensive solution. In addition, the direct current delivered by the accumulators must be transformed into alternating current by means of equally expensive installations.

In hydroelectric installations, it is known to use an excess of electrical energy to raise water in an accumulation tank. However, such a solution requires a very large basin and a large waterfall, not to mention that it is difficult to find sites allowing the construction of such basins.

The present invention aims to achieve, by simple means, energy storage in a reduced volume for obtaining electrical energy in the form of alternating current.

The device according to the invention, as defined by claim 1, can be produced with a steel or concrete cylinder, of reduced height, for example of ten meters, the accumulation of energy taking place by the elevation of the piston, that is to say in the form of mechanical work, the potential mechanical energy thus accumulated being restored by the controlled fall of the piston.

The device according to the invention essentially differs from a hydraulic accumulation, as it is known in an accumulation basin, in that the liquid, for example water, does not constitute the source of energy, but is used as auxiliary, simple and practical means of transmitting energy from the piston to the turbogenerator. The piston, for example made of steel or concrete, makes it possible to accumulate high energy equivalent to that of a relatively very high water column.

The accompanying drawing shows, by way of example, an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a device.

Fig. 2 shows a detail of FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the detail shown in FIG. 2.

The device comprises a vertical cylinder 1, for example made of steel or concrete, coated with a metal or synthetic jacket, in which is mounted a relatively thick and heavy piston 2 surrounded by at least two seal packings 3 and 4 allowing the piston to slide in the cylinder 1. The piston can be made entirely of cast iron or, for example, by means of a cast iron carcass in which concrete has been poured. For a diameter between 5 and 10 m at a thickness of 0.5 to 1 m, one can obtain a piston whose weight reaches several hundred tonnes.

The cylinder 1 is filled with water 5 to its upper edge. It is covered with a dome 6. The piston is connected by one or more cables 7 to the yoke of a pulley 8 forming part of a differential hoist 9 capable of being driven by an electric motor 10.

The base of the cylinder 1 has an opening 11 connected to a line 12 through a valve 13, preferably controlled automatically as a function of the pressure at point 11, so as to ensure a constant pressure in the line 12. The line 12 is connected to a turbogenerator 14, the outlet of the turbine of which is connected to a pipe 15 on which is mounted an electric pump 16 supplied by the turbogenerator 14. The pumped water is returned through a pipe 16 to the tank 1.

The piston 2 is provided with a vertical passage 17, normally closed by a valve 18 movable parallel to the plane of the piston in the direction of the double arrow Fl. This valve is controlled by an electromagnet 19 supplied by a flexible cable 20.

The operation of the device is as follows: it is first assumed that the piston 2 rests at the bottom of the cylinder 1. This position corresponds to the start of the day period. At this time, the solar electric source flows and part of the energy supplied can be used to power the motor 10 which raises the piston 2 of the tank. For this ascent, the passage 17 is open, so that the water 5 ′ located above the piston can flow through this passage. The valve 13 is closed. Once the piston is at the top, the valve 18 closes the orifice 17. At the end of the daytime period, a photoelectric cell device, not shown, controls the opening of the valve 13.

The water contained in the cylinder 1, under the pressure of the piston 2, can then flow through the line 12 and drive the turbogenerator 14 which takes over from the solar source.

After passing through the turbine, the water is returned to the tank via the conduits 15 and 16. There is thus a closed circuit and the water in return comes to accumulate above the piston 2, as shown in the drawing, its weight added to that of the piston. The dimensions of the cylinder and of the piston, as well as the flow rate of the valve 13 and of the pipe 12, are calculated so that the descent of the piston takes place in approximately 12 h. When the piston arrives at the bottom, the solar source takes over from the turbogenerator 14 and raises the piston, and so on.

As a variant, the valve 18 can be replaced by a simple non-return valve 21 (fig. 3). The valve 21 is retained by a grid 22.

This piston can, of course, have another shape than that shown in the drawing, for example a convex shape. It is also possible to provide two or more passages 17.

Instead of using an electric motor to raise the piston, any other means, or source of energy, available, for example a thermodynamic device, can be used.

** ATTENTION ** end of the CLMS field may contain start of DESC **.