RU2787412C2 - System and method for energy accumulation - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: power engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to lifting devices for movement of blocks. An energy accumulation system includes a crane and a set of blocks, where the crane is made with the possibility of movement of blocks from a lower mark by height to a higher mark by height by stacking blocks, as well as with the possibility of movement of blocks from a higher mark by height to a lower mark by height by disassembling block stacks. The energy accumulation system can, for example, accumulate electricity generated by a solar power plant in the form of potential energy in stacked blocks in the daytime, when solar energy is available, and can transform potential energy of stacked blocks to electricity at night, when solar energy is inaccessible, and, thereby, supply transformed electricity to a power system.

EFFECT: accumulation of electricity in the form of potential energy of blocks is achieved.

67 cl, 48 dwg

Description

INCLUDING ALL PRIORITY APPLICATIONS BY REFERENCE

[0001] All foreign or national applications for which priority of this application is claimed and which are listed in the bibliographic data sheet of the application filed with this application are incorporated into this application by reference in accordance with paragraph 37 CFR 1.57 and should be considered part of this description.

State of the art

Technical field

[0002] The invention relates to energy storage systems in general, and in particular to energy storage systems that store and release energy by stacking blocks.

Description of the Prior Art

[0003] The generation of electricity from renewable energy sources (eg, solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric power, biomass, and the like) continues to grow. However, many of these renewable energy sources (eg solar, wind) are intermittent and unpredictable, limiting the amount of electricity that can be supplied to the grid from such intermittent renewables.

Brief description of the invention

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system for storing electricity generated from renewable energy sources for its predictable supply to the power grid.

[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an energy storage system is disclosed. An exemplary energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, in which the crane is configured to move one or more blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to store energy (for example, using the potential energy of the block for more high elevation), as well as with the ability to move one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation in order to generate electricity (for example, due to the kinetic energy of the block when it moves to a lower elevation).

[0006] In accordance with another feature of the invention, a gravitational energy storage and generation system is disclosed. An exemplary gravity energy storage and generation system includes a crane with one or more booms (e.g., a plurality of booms) configured to store energy by moving one or more blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation, and with the ability to generate electricity by moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation under the influence of gravity.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the energy storage system may, in one example, store solar energy to generate electricity during off-peak times. The energy storage system is made with the possibility of stacking (stacking) a plurality of blocks in order to accumulate solar energy in the form of potential energy contained in such blocks that are stacked in daytime, with excess volumes of generated solar electricity. The energy storage system can then dismantle the stack of blocks at night, bringing the generator into operation in order to generate electricity for its subsequent supply to the power grid.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for storing and generating electricity is disclosed. The method includes actuating a crane to stack a plurality of blocks by moving one or more blocks from a lower height mark to a higher height mark for energy accumulation in blocks, in which each of the blocks accumulates an amount of energy corresponding to the amount of potential energy such a block. The method also includes actuating a crane to dismantle the stack by moving one or more blocks from a higher height mark to a lower height mark under the action of gravity, as a result of which electricity is generated in an amount corresponding to the amount of kinetic energy of the above one or multiple blocks as they move from a higher elevation to a lower elevation.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an energy storage system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of blocks and a crane, including a frame, an electric motor-generator, one or more cargo trucks movably connected to the frame, and a cable movably connected to one or more trucks and functionally connected to the electric motor-generator. The cable is configured to be functionally connected to one or more blocks from a plurality of blocks. The crane is configured to stack one or a plurality of blocks stacked on top of each other by moving said blocks from a lower height mark to a higher height mark to accumulate in said blocks a certain amount of electricity corresponding to the amount of potential energy of these blocks. In addition, the crane is configured to dismantle a stack of one or more blocks of a plurality of blocks by moving said blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation under the action of gravity to generate an amount of electricity corresponding to the amount of kinetic energy. of the specified one or more blocks that occurs when they are moved from a higher elevation to a lower elevation.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a unit is disclosed for use in a power storage and generation system. The block includes a body made of concrete, having a rectangular shape, and the size of which in length exceeds the size in width, and the size in width exceeds the size in depth, a flat edge connecting the mating sides of the body, and one or more recesses on the bottom surface of the body. The block also includes a metal plate attached to one or more of the recesses mentioned above, designed to prevent wear of the block during its movement.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a gripping device is disclosed for use in lifting and lowering blocks in a power storage and generation system. The gripping device includes a body including a transverse element connected to a cable actuated by a crane, a pair of grips extending distally from the transverse element body, and one or more levers located in the peripheral part of each grip of the said pair of grips. One or more of the levers can be moved to two positions: a retracted position allowing the gripper to be lowered below the bottom end of the block, and a cocked position allowing one or more of the levers to engage the bottom end of the block and thereby engage the block.

[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for controlling the operation of a gripper to raise and lower blocks in a power storage and generation system. The method includes lowering the gripper relative to the block, inserting a pair of grippers of the gripper through a pair of channels in the block until the peripheral end of the pair of grippers protrudes from the pair of channels, moving one or more levers movably connected to the pair of grippers from the retracted position to the cocked position. positioning and engaging the recessed peripheral surface of the channel pair with one or more levers in the cocked position to allow the block to be lifted by the gripping device.

Brief description of the drawings

[0013] FIG. 1-3 are schematic views of an exemplary energy storage system.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the output power of the energy storage system per unit time.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of an energy storage system shaped like a round tower.

[0016] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an energy storage system shaped like a round tower with multiple arrows in one operating configuration.

[0017] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the round tower shown in FIG. 6A.

[0018] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the energy storage system shown in FIG. 6A in another working configuration.

[0019] FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view of the round tower shown in FIG. 6C.

[0020] FIG. 6E is a partial perspective view of the energy storage system shown in FIG. 6C.

[0021] In FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a square tower energy storage system with an overhead crane in one operating configuration.

[0022] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the square tower shown in FIG. 7A.

[0023] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the energy storage system shown in FIG. 7A in another working configuration.

[0024] FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view of the square tower shown in FIG. 7C.

[0025] In FIG. 8A-8H are schematic plan views of overhead crane power storage systems.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a portion of an energy storage system with an overhead overhead crane.

[0027] FIG. 10A is a schematic view of the first row of blocks in the energy storage system.

[0028] In FIG. 10B is a schematic view of a second row of blocks located above the first row of blocks in a power storage system.

[0029] FIG. 10C is a schematic view of the first and second rows of blocks shown in FIG. 10A-10B are superimposed on each other.

[0030] FIG. 11A is a schematic top perspective view of a pair of blocks adjacent to each other.

[0031] In FIG. 11B is a schematic bottom perspective view of the pair of blocks shown in FIG. 11A.

[0032] FIG. 12A is a schematic top perspective view of three blocks, one stacked on top of the other two.

[0033] FIG. 12B is a schematic plan view of the blocks shown in FIG. 12A.

[0034] FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of the block shown in FIG. 12A.

[0035] FIG. 13B is another cross-sectional view of the block shown in FIG. 12A.

[0036] FIG. 13C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the block shown in FIG. 13A.

[0037] FIG. 14A is a perspective view from below of the gripper.

[0038] FIG. 14B is a top perspective view of the gripper shown in FIG. 14A.

[0039] FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the gripper being inserted through the block with the lever(s) in the retracted position.

[0040] In FIG. 14D is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the gripper protruding from the block with the lever(s) in the retracted position.

[0041] FIG. 14E is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the gripper with the lever(s) in the cocked position.

[0042] FIG. 14F is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the gripper with the lever(s) in the raised position and (are) engaged with the block.

[0043] FIG. 14G is a top perspective view of a gripper passing through a block.

[0044] FIG. 14H is a bottom perspective view of a gripper passing through a block with the lever(s) in the cocked position and (are) engaged with the block.

[0045] FIG. 14I is a block diagram of a gripper control system.

[0046] FIG. 14J is a block diagram of another embodiment of a gripper control system.

[0047] FIG. 14K is a block diagram of another version of the gripper control system.

[0048] FIG. 14L is a cross-sectional view of a gripper attached to a pulley block.

[0049] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of how the gripper works.

[0050] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the operation method of the energy storage system.

[0051] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the power interface between the energy storage system and the power grid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

CRANE DESIGN

[0052] FIG. 1-3 shows an example of an energy storage system 100 (hereinafter also referred to as “system”) configured to convert electrical energy or electricity into potential energy for storage, as well as converting potential energy into electrical energy or electricity, for example, to supply it. into the energy system.

[0053] System 100 includes a crane 101 with tower 102 and one or more booms 104. In one example, one or more booms 104 extend transversely (eg, perpendicular) to tower 102. One or more booms 104 extend radially outward along relation to the tower 102. Optionally, the booms 104 can rotate around the perimeter of the tower 102. In FIG. 1-3 shows a crane 101 having two booms 104 located on opposite sides of the tower 102, which balance each other. In one example, crane 101 is optionally z-symmetrical with tower 102. Although in FIG. 1-3 depict a crane 101 with two booms 104 as described below, another example of energy storage system 100 may have multiple pairs of booms 104, with each pair of booms 104 on opposite sides of tower 102 to balance each other.

[0054] Although FIG. 1-3 only show a portion of the second boom 104 (shown to the left of tower 102), one skilled in the art will appreciate that, in one example, the second boom 104 is a mirror image of the first boom 104 (e.g., shown to the right of tower 102). ). Optionally, tower 102 and/or booms 104 may be trussed. The crane 101 optionally includes a support cable 110 connecting the parts 105 (for example, peripheral or end parts) of the boom(s) 104 and optionally attached to the tower 102.

[0055] Faucet 101 optionally includes motor generator 120. In one example, as shown in FIG. 1-3, motor generator 120 is coupled to one or both towers 102 and boom(s) 104. In other examples, motor generator 120 may be located at other suitable locations relative to tower 102 and/or boom(s) 104. In one of the examples, motor generator 120 is a monoblock capable of operating both as a motor and as a generator. In another example, motor generator 120 has a separate motor unit and a separate electric generator unit (eg, a separate motor unit located adjacent to the generator unit or elsewhere).

[0056] Crane 101 may have a load cart 106 movably coupled to boom(s) 104. In one example shown in FIG. 1-3, crane 101 has two load carts 106 each movably connected to one of two booms 104. A cable 108 (e.g., one or more cables) is movably connected to each load cart 106 such that cable 108 can be retracted. or extended (eg, set apart) relative to the cargo truck 106 in an approximately vertical direction (eg, approximately in a direction perpendicular to the boom(s) 104). Cable 108 is operatively connected to block 150 (eg, by means of gripper 500 as described below) to allow block 150 to be raised and lowered. In one example, each pair of booms 104 raises (eg, vertically raises) or lowers (eg, vertically lowers) blocks 150 at the same time to balance them. Although the drawings show a single cable 108, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a pair of cables 108 may be connected at one end to the load cart 106 and the opposite end to a sheave block through which they are operatively connected to the sheave 150 (for example, by means of gripper 500 described below).

[0057] As shown in FIG. 1-3, energy storage system 100 has a plurality of units 150. In one example shown in FIG. 1, each of the plurality of blocks 150 has the same size and shape. In another example shown in FIG. 2-3, the energy storage system has a plurality of blocks 150', of which one or more blocks 150' vary in size. Blocks 150' of varying sizes can be used in an example system 100 in which blocks 150' are to be moved along the boom(s) further away from tower 102 so as not to exceed the maximum capacity of crane 101 and to prevent damage to crane 101. More information about blocks 150, 150' is given below.

tower crane design

[0058] FIG. 5-6E show an example of a power storage system 100A (hereinafter also referred to as "the system") configured to convert electrical energy or electricity into potential energy for storage, as well as converting potential energy into electrical energy or electricity, for example, to supply it. into the power system. Some features of the energy storage system 100A are similar to those of the energy storage system 100 shown in FIG. 1-3. Thus, the structure and description of various features of the power storage system 100 shown in FIG. 1-3 also refer to the corresponding features of the power storage system 100A shown in FIG. 5-6E, except as described below.

[0059] Energy storage system 100A differs from energy storage system 100 in that crane 101 has multiple pairs of booms 104 connected to tower 102. For example, in FIG. 6A-6E show three pairs of booms 104A-104B, 104C-104D, 104E-104F connected to (eg, crossing with) tower 102 of crane 101. Optionally, the ends of each pair of arrows 104 diverge into opposite sides of the tower 102, providing, as an advantage, a counterbalance to each other. In addition, several (for example, three) pairs of booms 104 are oriented in different angular orientations and, therefore, form a polar coordinate system in which the blocks 150 move. cables 108 that are connected to the gripper 500 (described below). The gripper 500 is selectively actuated to connect to the block 150 to lift (eg, vertically lift) the block 150 from the first (start) position, move the block 150 (to a different polar coordinate position), and lower (eg, vertically down) the block 150 to second (final) position. In another example, crane 101 may have more pairs of booms 104 (eg, four pairs, five pairs, etc.) or fewer pairs of booms 104 (eg, two pairs). Although the drawings show one cable 108 attached to each load cart 106 on each boom 104, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a pair of cables 108 may be connected to the load cart 106 at one end and to a pulley block. at the opposite end, through which they can be operatively connected to the block 150 (for example, using the gripper 500, described below).

[0060] In one example, each pair of arrows 104 raises or lowers blocks 150 simultaneously to balance them. In one example, while one pair of booms 104 lowers (e.g., simultaneously lowers) blocks 150 (e.g., to generate electricity), another pair of booms 104 raises (e.g., simultaneously raises) a pair of grippers 500 (described below) without blocks 150 attached to them, to reposition the grippers 500 to attach them to another pair of blocks 150 and lift another pair of blocks 150. lowering the blocks 150 because one or more pairs of the plurality of pairs of booms 104 always lower the blocks 150 in order to generate electricity.

[0061] A stack of blocks 150 forms a tower 900 (eg, having a generally cylindrical shape). In one example, tower 900 may have 40 to 60 levels or rows of blocks 150. Tower 900 includes a plurality of blocks 150, optionally arranged to form a windbreak structure 910. In one example, windbreak structure 910 may have a total cylindrical shape. A second plurality of blocks 150 are optionally stacked to form cross members 920 that reinforce (e.g., support) windbreak structure 910. Optionally, cross members 920 may be provided oriented radially in space between tower 102 (e.g., away from the center of tower 900) and windbreak. structure 910. FIG. 5 shows three of the four cross members 920 (the fourth has been removed from the image so that the internal structure of tower 900 can be seen). In one example, the cross members are typically flat and form four quadrants.

[0062] The third plurality of blocks 150 forms an energy storage block 930 that can be stacked or laid out within a space defined (e.g., limited) by the windbreak structure 910 to store electrical energy or electricity in the form of potential energy and convert the potential energy into electrical energy or electricity, as described above. Advantageously, the windbreak structure 910 prevents (e.g., prevents) the third plurality of blocks 150 from being exposed to wind forces when they are raised or lowered for potential energy storage or power generation, thereby improving the power generation efficiency of the power storage system 100A.

[0063] In one example, a third plurality of blocks 150 of energy storage block 930 are stacked and laid out within each quadrant formed by windbreak structure 910 and cross members 920. In such an example (see FIG. 5), blocks 150 forming the wind protection structure 910 and the cross members 920 do not move. Optionally, to increase the rigidity of the windbreak structure 910, reinforcement can be inserted into the channels (eg, channels 157, see FIG. 13A) of the blocks 150 forming the windbreak structure 910; Optionally, in order to ensure the integrity of the windbreak structure 910, the channels (eg, channels 157, see FIG. 13A) of the blocks 150 forming the windbreak structure 910 may additionally or alternatively be filled with concrete.

[0064] In another example (see, for example, FIGS. 6A-6E), the blocks 150 of the first plurality of blocks forming the windbreak 910 and/or the blocks 150 of the second plurality of blocks forming the cross members 920 can also be raised or lowered with the purpose of accumulating potential energy or generating electricity. In FIG. 6A-6B depict tower 900 fully collapsed (eg, fully charged or at approximately maximum potential energy storage level). In FIG. 6C-6E depict tower 900 in a discharged state (eg, in an approximately fully discharged state with a lower, eg, minimum level of potential energy storage).

[0065] As described below, in one example, each of the blocks 150 has a length L that is approximately twice the width W of the blocks 150. Therefore, the blocks 150 may be stacked in an east-west or north-south orientation, such as using alternating stacking patterns (for example, each level or row of blocks that make up the tower 900 may have a different stacking pattern than the stacking pattern of adjacent levels or rows). - Accordingly, the advantage is that the blocks 150 can be tied, as described below, to increase the structural integrity and stability of the stacked blocks 150 (for example, the stability of the tower 900).

Overhead crane design

[0066] FIG. 7A-7D show an example of a 100G energy storage system (hereinafter also referred to as “system”) configured to convert electrical energy or electricity into potential energy for storage, and also capable of converting potential energy into electrical energy or electricity, for example, to supply it. into the energy system. Some features of the energy storage system 100G are similar to those of the energy storage system 100 shown in FIG. 1-3 and system 100A shown in FIG. 5-6E. Thus, the same numeric identifiers are used, except that the letter “G” is added to the numeric identifiers of the energy storage system 100G, and it is also understood that the structure and description of the various features of the energy storage system 100 shown in FIG. 1-3 and the energy storage systems 100A shown in FIGS. 5-6E also refer to the corresponding features of the energy storage system 100G shown in FIG. 7A-7D, except as described below.

[0067] The energy storage system 100G differs from the energy storage system 100 and the energy storage system 100G in that the crane 101G is supported by a pair of guide rails 902G. In one example, a crane 101G forms a bridge 104G with one or more sets of wheels 103G at opposite ends of the bridge 104G. In one example, the wheel(s) 103G can move along the rails 902G, thereby allowing the bridge 104G of the crane 101G to be moved, repositioned, or similarly moved along the entire length of the rails 902G (e.g., in the first direction). Crane 101G may also include one or more trolleys 106G connected to bridge 104G. In one example, the cargo truck(s) 106G is movably coupled(s) to the bridge 104G, allowing the cargo truck(s) 106G to travel or otherwise move the entire length of the bridge 104G (e.g., in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction) . One or more cables 108G are movably connected to the cargo cart(s) 106G. For example, cable(s) 108G is(are) coupled to a winch of cargo truck(s) 106G configured to retract (e.g., reel in) or pull (e.g., unwind) cable(s) 108G relative to cargo truck(s) 106G (for example, regarding the winch of the cargo truck (cargo trucks) 106G). One or more cables 108G may be connected to a gripping device 500 (described below), which can be selectively actuated to engage pulley 150. Although the drawings show one cable 108G attached to each of the cargo trucks 106G mounted on the bridge 104G , one skilled in the art will appreciate that the pair of ropes 108 may be connected at one end to the trolley 106G and at the opposite end to a pulley block through which they are operatively connected to the block 150 (for example, using the gripping device 500 described below).

[0068] The advantage is that the crane 101G forms a rectangular coordinate system in which the blocks 150 are moved (for example, rails 902G forming the first axis or direction, and bridge 104G forming the second axis or direction perpendicular to the first axis or direction ). In one example, moving one or both of the bridges 104G along the rail(s) 902G and the trolley(s) 106G along the bridge 104G allows the crane 101G to position one or more blocks 150 at various positions of the rectangular coordinate system. In one example, gripper 500 is configured to lift (e.g., vertically lift) block 150 from a first (start) position (e.g., first position of a rectangular coordinate system), move block 150 (to a second position of a rectangular coordinate system other than the first position of the rectangular coordinate system) and lower (eg, vertically lower) the block 150 to the second (final) position.

[0069] The stack of blocks 150 forms a tower 900G (eg, having a generally square cross-sectional shape when viewed from above). In one example, tower 900G may have 40 to 60 levels or rows of blocks 150. Tower 900G includes a plurality of blocks 150 arranged to form windbreak structure 910G. In one example, rail(s) 902G may be mounted on the top row of windbreak structure 910G (e.g., a pair of rails 902G may be coupled, installed, or otherwise attached to top surface 151A of blocks 150 forming top row of 910G wind protection).

[0070] In one example, the windbreak 910G is generally square or rectangular in shape (eg, the outer surface is generally square in cross section when viewed from above). The third plurality of blocks 150 forms a power storage block 930G, which can be stacked or unfolded within a space defined (for example, limited) by the windbreak structure 910G to store electrical energy or electricity in the form of potential energy and convert the potential energy into electrical energy or electricity as described above. Advantageously, the windproof structure 910 prevents the second plurality of blocks 150 from being affected by wind forces when they are raised or lowered for potential energy storage or power generation, thereby improving the power generation efficiency of the 100G power storage system. In one example, in order to increase the rigidity of the windbreak structure 910G (for example, to ensure the integrity of the windbreak structure 910G), rods of rebar or concrete.

[0071] FIG. 7A-7B show tower 900 fully collapsed (eg, fully charged or at approximately maximum potential energy storage level). In FIG. 7C-7D depict tower 900 in a low potential energy storage view (eg, approximately no potential energy storage, with a lower, eg, minimum potential energy storage level).

[0072] As described below, in one example, each of the blocks 150 has a length L that is approximately twice the width W of the blocks 150. Therefore, the blocks 150 may be stacked in an east-west or north-south orientation, such as using alternating stacking patterns (for example, each level or row of blocks that make up the tower 900 may have a different stacking pattern than the stacking pattern of adjacent levels or rows). - Accordingly, the advantage is that the blocks 150 can be tied, as described below, to increase the structural integrity and stability of the stacked blocks 150 (for example, the stability of the tower 900G).

[0073] FIG. 8A-8H show other examples of energy storage systems 100H-100P. The 100H-100M energy storage systems are the same as the 100G energy storage system except for the features described below. Thus, the same numerical identifiers are used, and it is also understood that the structure and description of various features of the 100G power storage system shown in FIG. 7A-7D also refer to corresponding features of the energy storage systems 100H-100M shown in FIGS. 8A-8F, except as described below. The 100N, 100P energy storage systems are similar to the 100A energy storage system, with the following features. Thus, the same numerical identifiers are used, and it is also understood that the structure and description of the various features of the power storage system 100A shown in FIG. 5-6E also refer to the respective features of the energy storage systems 100N, 100P shown in FIG. 8G-8H, except as described below.

[0074] The 100H energy storage system differs from the 100G energy storage system solely in that the windbreak structure 910G is rectangular (when viewed from above) and that the crane 101G has two bridges 104G that move (linearly) along rails 902G, each of bridges 104G has a corresponding load trolley 106G that winds and unwinds a cable 108G attached to it to raise and lower the blocks 150 (for example, using a gripper 500, described below). In one example, windbreak 910G is about 60 meters wide and about 30 meters deep when viewed from above. Other suitable sizes are also available.

[0075] The energy storage system 100I differs from the energy storage system 100H solely in that it further has a cross member 920G that can optionally reinforce (eg, support) the windbreak structure 910G. In one example, the cross member 920G is typically flat and divides the space formed (eg, defined) by the windbreak structure 910G into two halves. Each of the bridges 104G is optionally actuated (eg, moves linearly) in each of the halves to move blocks 150 within its associated half.

[0076] The energy storage system 100J differs from the energy storage system 100G in that it includes four transverse members 920G that (e.g., protruding from the center of the tower 900G) divide the space formed by (e.g., bounded by) the windbreak structure 910G into four quadrants. The energy storage system 100J optionally has four bridges 104G, one of which is actuated (eg, moves linearly) in each of the quadrants to move the blocks 150 within its associated quadrant.

[0077] The 100K energy storage system differs from the 100G energy storage system solely in that the windproof structure 910G is C-shaped with an open end instead of a square one.

[0078] The energy storage system 100L differs from the energy storage system 100I solely in that the wind protection structure 910G has two open ends, and thus the wind protection structure 910G and the cross member 920G form an "I"-like shape (when viewed from above).

[0079] The energy storage system 100M differs from the energy storage system 100J only in that the wind protection structure 910G has four open ends, and thus the wind protection structure 910G and the cross member 920G form a figure resembling two Latin letters "I" (when viewed from above) .

[0080] Energy storage system 100N differs from energy storage system 100A in that instead of booms 104, crane 101 has bridges 104 that move or rotate around the center of tower 900 (when viewed from above). Optionally, the end of the plurality of bridges 104 moves along a rail attached to the top of the cylindrical windbreak 910G, allowing the bridges 104 to rotate polarly (around a common center) and move the blocks 150 to various polar coordinate positions.

[0081] The energy storage system 100P differs from the energy storage system 100A in that it has four bridges 104G, each having one end fixed close to the center of the tower 900 and the opposite end movably connected to a portion of the cylindrical windbreak structure 910. Optionally , each of the bridges 104G is actuated to wrap around the center of the tower 900 to move the blocks 150 within its associated quadrant of the tower 900.

[0082] FIG. 9 shows an example of a 101G crane with a 104G bridge that can optionally be used with the 100G energy storage systems shown in FIG. 7A-7D and energy storage systems 100H-100M depicted in FIG. 8A-8F. Optionally, bridge 104G can move multiple blocks 150 at the same time. In one example, bridge 104G may have one or more trolleys 106G that wind and unwind a plurality of cables 108G operatively connected to multiple (eg, three) grippers 500 (described below). Thus, multiple cables 108 and grippers 500 can be selectively connected to multiple (eg, three) pulleys 150 at the same time (eg, multiple pulleys 150 can be lifted, carried, and lowered at the same time).

Block layout

[0083] FIG. 10A-10B depict two different rows of blocks 150 (eg, energy storage systems 100, 100A, 100G-100P). In one example, two different rows of blocks 150 may be used to form at least a portion of different levels of tower or stack 900, 900G, such as different portions of windbreak structure 910 and/or energy storage block 930 (e.g., multiple blocks 150 that are moved to store and generate electrical energy or electricity). In one example, one or more blocks 150 are stacked on top of two other blocks 150 (eg, to tie blocks 150), and the advantage is that this prevents (eg, prevents) lateral movement of blocks 150 in a tower or stack 900, 900G (eg, provides increased stability to the tower or stack) and/or prevents (eg, prevents) the tower or stack 900, 900G from tipping over.

[0084] FIG. 10A shows blocks 150 of the first row 700 that are closely stacked on top of each other with minimal space between blocks 150. FIG. 10B shows the blocks 150 of the second row 800 being stacked on top of the first row 700 of the blocks 150. FIG. 10C shows a second row 800 stacked on top of the first row 700 such that each block 150 of the second row 800 rests on two blocks 150 of the first row 700. In one example, this stacking pattern is repeated in other rows (e.g., all rows) of the tower. or stacks 900, 900G. In one example, two or more stacking patterns (e.g., 3 or 4 stacking patterns) of blocks 150 may be used in the rows or levels forming the tower or stack 900, 900G. In one example, to construct or form the tower or stack 900, 900G, four different block stacking patterns 150 can be used.

[0085] The blocks 150 in the rows (eg, in the first row 700 and the second row 800, and in all rows or levels) of the tower or stack 900, 900G are located (eg, lowered or positioned by the gripper 500 described below) such that the sides blocks 150 are not in contact with each other and form a gap G between opposite side surfaces of adjacent blocks 150, providing the advantage that this prevents (for example, prevents) friction between blocks 150 and their wear when they are lifted from the first ( initial) position and lowering to the second (final) position. In one example, the gap width G is between about 50 mm and about 200 mm (eg, 50 mm, 70 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm, and the like).

Block construction

[0086] FIG. 11A-13C depict an exemplary pair of blocks 150. Optionally, the paired blocks 150 are identical to each other. Block 150 optionally has a rectangular shape with length L, width W, and depth D (eg, any two of the three parameters (length L, width W, and depth D) form a rectangular surface). In one example, the length L is approximately twice the width W of block 150. In one example, the width W is approximately twice the depth D of block 150. In one example, block 150 has a length L, width W, and depth D ratio of 4: 2:1. In another example, block 150 has a length L to width W to depth D ratio of 3:2:1. In one example, block 150 is approximately 4 meters (m) long. Advantageously, the aspect ratio of the block 150 allows for the stability of the blocks 150 when they are stacked, and hence the stability of the stacking structure, while reducing the number of rows of blocks 150 that form the desired height of the stacking structure, such as the tower 900 described above. 900g. Block 150 may optionally have a weight in the range of about 20 to 60 tons, such as about 55 tons. However, in other examples, block 150 may have a weight equal to other suitable values. In one example, blocks 150 forming the top rows (e.g., top row, two top rows) of a stacked structure, such as the tower described above, may be heavier than blocks 150 forming the bottom rows (e.g., bottom row, two lower rows and the like) of a stacked structure.

[0087] The block 150 has a top portion 151 forming the top surface 151, a middle portion 152 forming the outer surface 152A, and a bottom portion or base 153 forming the bottom surface 153A. In one example, outer surface 152 may have front and rear surfaces 152A1 as well as left and right side surfaces 152A2. In one example, the front and rear surfaces 151A1 are connected to the left and right side surfaces 152A2 via a facet surface (eg, beveled or sheared surface) 152A3. The facet surface 152A3 optionally extends at a 45 degree angle with respect to the front and rear surfaces 151A1, as well as with respect to the left and right side surfaces 152A2.

[0088] Top 151, middle 152, and bottom 153 optionally form the outer layer or shell S of block 150. In one example, top 151 may have a thickness t1 of approximately 10-25 cm, such as 10 cm. example, bottom 153 may have a thickness t2 of approximately 10-25 cm, such as 15 cm. In one example, top 151 may have an outer beveled surface 151C (e.g. outer surface 152A).

[0089] Block 150 includes ballast 154 (e.g., load-bearing filler) enclosed in a shell S. In one example, ballast 154 is made from a material different from that of shell S. For example, soil, coal, fly ash, debris, demolition or demolition material, gravel, construction waste and/or recycled material mixed and/or compressed with low grade or low cost concrete as described below. Advantageously, this reduces the cost of manufacturing block 150 and provides a mechanism to use material (eg, demolition material, construction waste, debris, and the like) that would otherwise be disposed of in a landfill. In another example, the ballast 154 and the shell S are made of the same material (eg, form a monolithic or single mass without any boundaries or seams). Optionally, the block 150 may be reinforced (for example, with steel), for example, by providing one or more reinforcing layers 155 made of steel mesh or reinforcement (for example, structural steel) and located in one or more of the following parts of the block 150: in the upper part 151, in the middle part 152 and in the bottom part 153.

[0090] Optionally, block 150 may be made, at least in part, of concrete (for example, shell S of block 150 may be made of concrete). The advantage is that because concrete has a higher density than water, the volume of block 150 can store more potential energy than the corresponding volume of water. In one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the block 150 may be made of high strength concrete (for example, having a compressive strength in the range of 10 to 60 megapascals (MPa), such as 25 to 40 MPa), which allows the block 150 to support the weight a plurality of blocks 150 stacked thereon. In one example, at least a portion of block 150 may be made of low grade concrete (eg, having a compressive strength of less than 10 MPa, eg, 3 to 8 MPa). In one example, one of the following parts, the upper part 151 or the lower part 153, or both of these parts, can be made of high strength concrete (for example, having a compressive strength of 10 to 60 MPa, for example 25 to 40 MPa), and the middle portion 152 may be made of low grade concrete (eg, having a compressive strength below 10 MPa, eg, 3 to 8 MPa), providing the block with sufficient strength to withstand the load of the blocks laid on top of it. In instances where the block 150 is fully load-bearing, the required compressive strength of the block walls may be reduced. In one example, blocks 150 used in the bottom rows of a stack, as described above, may have higher compressive strength (for example, most of the block 150 may be made of high-strength concrete) to provide blocks 150 located in such bottom rows rows, the ability to withstand the load of the remaining rows of the stack placed on top of them. In one example, blocks 150 used in one of the top rows (e.g., topmost row) of a stack as described above may have lower compressive strength (e.g., most of block 150 may be made of low grade concrete) because said blocks 150 used in one of the top rows (eg, topmost row) of the stack are subject to less stress (eg, blocks 150 in the topmost row of the stack are not subject to any load at all).

[0091] Top surface 151A and bottom surface 153A may be predominantly flat (eg, made so that no part of the surface deviates more than 1 mm from a plane running along the surface). The top and bottom surfaces 151A and 153A may be substantially parallel to each other, and the middle portion 152 may be located vertically between the top and bottom portions 151 and 153 (eg, perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces 151A and 153A). Advantageously, the flat nature of the top and bottom surfaces 151A and 153A allows substantially the entire bottom surface 153A of one block 150 to contact substantially the entire top surface 151A of the immediately below it, increasing the stability of the stacked blocks 150.

[0092] The block 150 may have one or more channels 157 that are located between the proximal opening 156 at the top 151 and the distal opening 158 at the bottom 153. In one example, the block 150 has two channels 157A and 157B that extend from the proximal holes 156A and 156B at the top to distal holes 158A and 158B at the bottom 153. In one example, channels 157A, 157B optionally have a circular shaped cross-section with a diameter of about 30 cm.

[0093] The advantage is that one or more proximal holes 156 (for example, two holes 156A and 156B) and one or more distal holes 158 (for example, two distant holes 158A and 158B) are centered on the upper surface 151A and the lower surface 153A respectively, so as to ensure the symmetry of the block about the central axis in width W of the block 150, as well as about the central axis in depth D of the block 150. In FIG. 13A, the proximal holes 156A and 156B are centered on the top surface 151A so that the holes 156A and 156B are equidistant from the side ends of the blocks across the width W of the block 150, and the far holes 158A, 158B are centered on the bottom surface 153A so that the holes 158A and 158B are equidistant from the side ends of the blocks across the width W of the block 150. This allows the block 150 to rotate 180 degrees without changing the location of the channels 157A and 157B of the block 150, thereby allowing the channels 157A and 157B to remain aligned coaxially with respect to each other, when one block 150 is stacked directly on top of another block 150, even if it is rotated 180 degrees (for example, all channels 157A and 157B in all blocks 150 that make up a stack, having, for example, the shape of a tower or stack 900 or 900G, are aligned coaxially relation to each other starting from the top row or stack level and ending with the bottom row or stack level). The advantage is that this coaxial alignment of channels 157A and 157B facilitates alignment of the stacked blocks, as described below.

[0094] In addition, in some instances where the length L of the blocks 150 is approximately twice the width W of the blocks 150, the blocks 150 may be bandaged in the manner illustrated in FIG. 12A, which shows two blocks at the same level and in the same orientation, but offset by half their width W, as shown in FIG. 12B, with the third block 150 placed on top of them and rotated 90 degrees as shown in FIG. 12A - 12V. Since the channels 157A, 157B are centered coaxially with respect to each other, each of the channels in the upper block 150 will be aligned coaxially with one of the channels 157A or 157B in the two lower blocks 150.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 13C, the proximal holes 156A, 156B are optionally formed by an at least partially beveled (e.g., at an obtuse or acute angle with respect to one of the surfaces, or at the same angles with respect to both surfaces) surface 151B, which is located between the upper surface 151A and channel surface 157A or 157B. In one example, the top 151 may include a metal support or reinforcement (eg, ring support) 159A. Optionally, a metal support or reinforcement 159A is incorporated into the top 151. Optionally, a metal support or reinforcement 159A forms at least a portion of the openings 156A and 156B (eg, forms at least a portion of the beveled or tapered surface 151B).

[0096] In one example, the distal openings 158A and 158B are optionally formed, at least in part, by a stepped (eg, recessed) surface 153B. In one example, bottom 153 may include a metal support or reinforcement (eg, ring support) 159B. Optionally, the metal support or reinforcement 159B forms at least a portion of the openings 158A and 158B (eg, forms at least a portion of the beveled or tapered surface 153B). Optionally, a metal support or reinforcement 159B is built into the bottom portion 153. The metal support or reinforcement 159B forms an inner surface 159C (eg, a shoulder surface) to allow the block 150 to be lifted and installed as described below. In another example, bottom surface 153A of block 150 may be provided with one or more protrusions (e.g., a cylindrical protrusion) around distal holes 158A and 158B that can protrude from bottom surface 153A of block 150 and be shaped (e.g., bevelled) to match the shape of the proximal holes 156A and 156B of the block 150 on which it is placed, which ensures that the blocks 150 are mutually engaged as they are stacked.

gripping mechanism

[0097] FIG. 14A-14L show an example of a clamping or gripping mechanism 500 (“clamping mechanism” or “gripper”) configured to releasably clamp or grip blocks 150 (eg, one at a time), and FIG. 14F-14H show a gripper 500 in communication with a pulley 150. The gripper 500 is located between the proximal end 502 and the distal end 504. The gripper 500 optionally includes a proximal connector 505 operatively connected to a cable 108. The gripper 500 also includes a transverse member. 530 attached (for example, rotatably) to the connector 505, for example, using a bearing 512 (for example, a turntable bearing) located between the flange of the proximal connector 505 and the surface of the cross member 530. The gripper 500 also includes one or more grippers 540 , one or more locking mechanisms 550, and, optionally, one or more self-centering tips 570. Accordingly, the gripper 500 provides a functional connection of the cable 108 to the block 150 (for example, so that the load cart 106 and cable 108 can lift and move the block 150, as it is described above). At least a portion of the gripper 500 (eg, proximal connector 505, cross member 530, grips 540) may be made of a rigid material (eg, metal). Optional self-centering tips 570 can be made of metal. The grippers 540 and the self-centering tips 570 may be spear-shaped together.

[0098] In one example shown in FIG. 14A, the gripper 500 has two arms 540A and 540B, two locking mechanisms 550A, 550B (one on each of the arms), and two self-centering tips 570A, 570B (one on each of the arms). In one example, grips 540A and 540B may be tubular (eg, cylindrical) and self-centering tips 570A and 570B may be conical. As shown in FIG. 14C, the outer diameter of the grips 540A and 540B may be less than the diameter of the channel 157 by an amount ranging from about 5 millimeters (mm) to about 10 mm (for example, 5 mm, 7 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm), allowing the grips 540A, 540B pass through channel(s) 157 as shown in FIG. 14C - 14F.

[0099] FIG. 14C-14F show the actuation of the lock mechanism 550 to allow the gripper 500 to engage with the block 150. In one example, the lock mechanism 550 has a body 550C with an outer surface 550D and includes one or more (e.g., a plurality) of fingers or levers. (or hooks) 551 that can be engaged between a retracted position (see, for example, FIGS. 14C-14D) and an extended or deployed position (see, for example, FIG. 14E) relative to the housing 550C. In one example, lever(s) 551 may be located on opposite sides of housing 550C to form one or more operating pairs of lever(s) 551 that actuate substantially simultaneously (eg, between retracted and deployed positions). In one example, lever(s) 551 may optionally be located around the circumference of housing 550C. In one example, the locking mechanism 550 may have four levers 551 located around the circumference of the housing 550C.

[0100] The lever(s) 551 optionally rotate around the swivel 551A between the lever(s) 551 and the body 550C. The housing 550C has an inclined surface 550E located below the bottom surface 551F of the lever(s) 551 which forms a gap S1 therebetween, allowing the lever(s) 551 to pivot outward relative to the housing 550C until the bottom surface 551F contacts the sloped surface 550E body 550C (for example, as shown in Fig. 14E). In one example, the lever(s) 551 have an outer surface 551E that is generally in the same plane as the outer surface 550D of the body 550C when the lever(s) 551 are brought to the retracted position, allowing the grippers 540A, 540B to pass through the channel(s) 157 of the block 150 without engaging the lever(s) 551 with the surface of the channel(s) 157 (see, for example, Fig. 14C).

[0101] In one example, the lever(s) 551 optionally have beveled proximal surfaces 551C and 551D that are at an angle (eg, 90 degrees) relative to each other. Optionally, beveled proximal surfaces 551C and 551D meet at end 551B. In one example, when the lever(s) 551 are in the extended or operative position (see, for example, FIG. 14E), surface 551D is oriented in a substantially horizontal plane and surface 551C is oriented in a substantially vertical plane. Optionally, in the cocked position, the proximal ends of the lever(s) 551 are spaced apart from each other by a distance generally corresponding to the size of the inner surface (for example, the surface of the shoulder 159C) of the distal holes 158A and 158B (for example, the holes of a metal support or reinforcement 159B of the distal holes 158A and 158B). Brought to the extended or working position, the gripper 500 can be raised (for example, using a cable 108), whereby the lever (levers) 551 engage with the surface of the shoulder 159C (for example, close on it), thereby allowing the block 150 to be raised. with gripper 500.

[0102] As shown in the same FIGS. 14C-14F, the locking mechanism 550 may have cables 553 that optionally wrap around the pulleys 552 and connect to (e.g., attached to, the lever(s) 551, such as at points near the sloped surfaces 551C, 551D). The cables 553 are optionally connected to a proximal connector 557 which is connected to a spring 556 (eg, a coil spring). In one example, a spring 556 is positioned between and attached to the proximal connector 557 and the distal connector 555. In one example, the spring 556 is biased such that it pulls the proximal connector 557 (and hence the cables 553) towards the distal connector 555, which moves the lever(s) 551 to the retracted position. The drive cable 558 may be connected to the proximal connector 557. In one example, the drive cable 558 is driven (e.g., retracted by a tensile force) towards the proximal end 502 of the gripper 500 by a force (e.g., a tensile force) exceeding the compressive force of spring 556 and pulls the proximal connector 557 toward the proximal end 502. Optionally, this action causes the cables 553 to move (outward) over the pulleys 552, allowing the arm(s) 551 to rotate outward relative to the housing 550C into the extended or working position. Once tension is released from the drive cable 558, the compression force of the spring 556 can optionally overcome the drive force of the cable 558, allowing the spring 556 to pull the proximal connector 557 back toward the distal connector 555, retracting the lever(s) 551 back to a retracted position (e.g., , with the help of cables 553, moving along the pulleys 552).

[0103] In one example shown in FIG. 14I, the gripper 500 (e.g., locking mechanism 550) may be controlled by an electrical system 531. The electrical system 531 may have one or more electrical motors 532 optionally located in, for example, a cross member 530. Electric motor(s) 532 configured to actuate the drive cable 558 to effect movement of the lever(s) 551. For example, an electric motor(s) 532 can be applied to apply a tension force to the cable 558, whereby the lever(s) 551 will be moved to the extended or working position, and can also be used to release the tension on the cable 558, as a result of which the lever (levers) 551 will be moved to the retracted position. In one example, the proximal end of the cable 558 may be operatively connected to the output shaft of the electric motor 532 (eg, through a wheel, gear, or pinion gear attached to the output shaft of the electric motor 532). When the motor output shaft 532 rotates in one direction, it selects the cable 558, causing the lever(s) 551 to be cocked, and when the motor output shaft 532 rotates in the opposite direction, it completely removes or reduces the tension on the cable 558, thereby the lever(s) 551 are moved to the retracted position. In one example, the lock mechanism 550 in each of the grips 540A and 540B is optionally driven by a different electric motor 532. In another example, the lock mechanism 550 of each of the grips 540A and 540B is powered by the same electric motor 532. the motor 532 can optionally be fed through the crane 101, for example, through a power cable, diverted from the power source of the crane 101 or from the power source located on the crane 101, which is then routed along the cable 108 (enclosed within or wrapped around the cable 108) to the gripping device 500 (for example, it is inserted into the gripper 500 through the channel 511 of the proximal connector 505). In another embodiment of the invention, a power source (eg, a battery) powering the electric motor(s) 532 may be located in the gripper 500 (eg, in the cross member 530).

[0104] In another example shown in FIG. 14J, the pneumatic system 531A may be used instead of the electric motor(s) 532 to actuate the locking mechanism 550. For example, pneumatic system 531A may include compressor 532A (eg, located in transverse member 530) that may actuate piston 534A. Piston 534A may be operatively connected to cable 558 and configured to either apply tension to cable 558 to move lever(s) 551 to the cocked position, or completely remove or reduce tension on cable 558 to move lever(s) 551 to the cocked position. retracted position as described above.

[0105] In another example shown in FIG. 14K, an electromagnetic system 531B may be used instead of the electric motor(s) 532 to actuate the locking mechanism 550. For example, the electromagnetic system 531B may have an electromagnet 532B that can be selectively actuated to attract or repel a metallic element (eg, a permanent magnet) 534B. Rope 558 may be operatively connected to permanent magnet 534B. When the electromagnet is energized to attract the permanent magnet 534B, movement of the permanent magnet 534B towards the electromagnet 532B causes a tensile force to be applied to the cable 558, which moves the lever(s) 551 to the cocked position. When electromagnet 532B is actuated to repel permanent magnet 534B, the tension on cable 558 can be reduced or eliminated, causing lever(s) 551 to move to the retracted position.

[0106] Shown in FIG. 14L, gripper 500 may optionally include a gearbox 525 to rotate gripper 550 (eg, relative to proximal connector 505, relative to associated boom 104, and the like). Gearbox 525 may optionally include a first disc or gear 526 fixed to a proximal connector 505, a second disc gear 528 coupled to a motor 529 attached to the inner surface of cross member 530, and a chain, cable, or belt 527 that wraps around the discs or gears. 526 and 528 connecting them. As shown in FIG. 14L, the gripper 500 may be coupled to a pulley block 535 having a frame 536 on which one or more rotatable pulleys (eg, four pulleys) 537 are mounted. The frame 536 may be connected to the proximal connector 505 by a bracket 538. One or more cables 108 (e.g., cables 108A and 108B) may be at least partially wrapped around one or more sheaves 537, and the proximal ends of the cable(s) 108 can be movably connected to the cargo truck 106.

[0107] In one example, gearbox 525 is actuated to effect relative rotation of gripper 500 in a direction opposite to proximal connector 505 while associated boom 104 rotates relative to tower 102 of crane 101 or 101A ( thereby also rotating the load cart 106, cable(s) 108 and pulley block 535 over the gripper 500 along the circumference of the tower 102). As boom 104 rotates in a first direction relative to tower 102 of crane 101 or 101A (and trolley 106, cable(s) 108 and pulley block 535 located above gripper 500 wrap in the first direction and at the same speed along the circumference of tower 102 ), the gearbox 525 rotates the gripper 500 relative to the proximal connector 505 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and at a rotation speed equal to the speed of the boom 104 wrapping around the circumference of the tower 102. The advantage is that the block 150 is not subjected to any rotation (i.e., block 150 maintains the same orientation) and experiences zero torque (i.e., block 150 only moves and does not rotate). The motor 529 may rotate the second disk or gear 528 relative to the first disk or gear 526 via the chain, cable or belt 527. Because the first disk or gear 526 is secured to the proximal connector 505, the rotation of the second disk or gear 528 by the motor 529 causes the second disk or gear 528 to move. circumferentially around the first disc or gear 526, allowing the transverse member 530, and hence the gripper 500, to maintain a fixed orientation in space, which has the advantage that it prevents (e.g., prevents) the cable(s) 108 from twisting (or causing torque on them) and prevents the block 150 from pendulum gyrating. Accordingly, the advantage is that the gearbox 525 keeps the absolute orientation of the gripper 500 and the block 150 unchanged (for example, with respect to the world coordinate system), while gripper 500 soy dineno with the block 150, and the boom 104 wraps around the tower 102 of the crane 101 or 101A.

[0108] In another example, the gearbox 525 is actuated to rotate the gripper 500 when the gripper 500 is not connected to the block 150 (for example, to orient the gripper 500 at 90 degrees with respect to its previous orientation before connecting to the block 150 , which is oriented 90 degrees relative to the previous block 150 previously moved by the gripper 500). The motor 529 can rotate the second disk or gear 528 relative to the first disk or gear 526 via chain, cable or belt 527. However, since the first disk or gear 526 is secured to the proximal connector 505, rotation of the second disk or gear 528 by the motor 529 will rotate the first disk or gear 528. disk or gear 526 (thereby rotating the pulley block 535 and twisting the cables 108 over the gripper 500) due to the relatively lower amount of inertia of the pulley block 535 placed above the gripper 500 compared to that of the gripper 500.

[0109] To avoid such a rotation of the first disk or gear 526 and twisting of the cables 108 over the gripper 500, mounted on the transverse member 530 (for example, fixed at the center of the transverse member 530 along the central axis of the gripper 500), the motor 522 rotates the flywheel or reaction flywheel 523 connected to the engine 522. The torque applied by the engine 522 to the flywheel 523 is also transmitted to the cross member 530 in the opposite direction and at a different speed (due to the difference in inertia between the cross member 530 and the reaction flywheel 523) so that the rotation of the engine 522 of the reactive flywheel 523 in one direction causes the transverse member 530 to rotate in the opposite direction. When the speed of rotation of the reaction flywheel 523 in one direction increases (due to the operation of the engine 522), the rotation speed of the cross member 530 in the opposite direction also increases (by an amount that is the ratio of the moment of inertia of the cross member 530 and the moment of inertia of the reaction flywheel 523). When the speed of rotation of the reaction flywheel 523 in one direction decreases (due to the operation of the engine 522), the rotation speed of the cross member 530 in the opposite direction also decreases (by an amount that is the ratio of the moment of inertia of the cross member 530 and the moment of inertia of the reaction flywheel 523) and eventually rotation stops. When the rotational speed of reaction flywheel 523 in one direction is maintained at a constant value (due to the operation of the motor 522), the rotation speed of the cross member 530 also remains unchanged in the opposite direction of rotation of reaction flywheel 523.

[0110] When the transverse member 530 rotates in the indicated opposite direction with respect to the reaction flywheel 523, the motor 529 rotates the transverse member 530 relative to the proximal connector 505 in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the transverse member 530 to thereby suppress (for example, prevent) the cable(s) 108 and/or sheave-block 535 from twisting over the gripper 500 (or causing torsional stress on them). The motor 529 rotates the second disk or gear 528 in the same direction as the reaction flywheel 523, and the gripper 500 rotates in the opposite direction of rotation of the reaction flywheel 523 and the second disk or gear 528, resulting in the rope(s) 108 do not twist.

[0111] As described above, the self-centering tip(s) 570 may be tapered. Advantageously, this allows the gripper 500 to self-center with respect to the block 150 as the grip(s) 540 pass through the opening(s) 156 in the block 150 and along the channel(s) 157. For example, even if there is slight misalignment of the grip(s) ) 540 with respect to the proximal hole(s) 156, the tapered shape of the tip(s) 570 will allow the grip(s) 540 to self-center in the channel(s) 157 as they advance through the block 150. The beveled surface 151B of the proximal port(s) 156 also optionally facilitates self-centering of grip(s) 540 of gripper 500 relative to channel(s) 157 of block 150. As shown in FIG. 14F, after gripper 500 engages (eg, locks) block 150, self-centering tip(s) 570 are extended with respect to bottom surface 153A of block 150. Advantageously, this allows gripper 500 to align (e.g., center) the engaged block 150 with the block(s) 150 onto which it is to be lowered, with the self-centering tip(s) 570 extending into the proximal opening(s) 156 of the lower block(s) 150 when engaged the block 150 descends on them (and before the bottom surface 153A of the engaged block 150 contacts the top surface 151A of the lower block(s) 150). Accordingly, the advantage is that the self-centering tip(s) 570 facilitate centering of the gripper 500 on the block 150 to grip the block 150, and also facilitate the centering of the hooked block 150 on the lower block 150 when lowering the hooked block 150.

[0112] In one example, gripper 500 (e.g., locking mechanism 550 of gripper 500) includes one or more sensors (e.g., pressure sensors, contact sensors, proximity sensors, capacitive sensors) that determine which position the lever(s) 551: in retracted position or in cocked/working position. In one example, (for example, the locking mechanism 550 of the gripper 500) includes one or more sensors (for example, pressure sensors, contact sensors) that determine when the arm(s) 551, which is (are) in the cocked/operated position, is greater than is(are) in contact or engagement with the block 150 (e.g., shoulder surface 159C of block 150) so that the lever(s) 551 can be moved(s) to a retracted position (e.g., by means of a single or several electric motors 522).

[0113] In one example, gripper 500 (e.g., locking mechanism 550 of gripper 500, lever(s) 551 of gripper 500) includes one or more sensors (e.g., ultrasonic sensors, proximity sensors) that sense the vertical position of the gripper. device 500 (e.g., arm(s) 551 of gripper 500), for example, relative to the block 150 that gripper 500 is approaching. Advantageously, said one or more sensors can help ensure adequate engagement of gripper 500 with the block. 150 in the manner described above and take into account any changes in the length of the cable 108 (for example, due to changes in ambient temperature or elongation of the cable 108 due to repeated use), which could lead to an error in the positioning of the gripper 500 relative to the block 150 if such sensors were not present. .

[0114] In one example, the gripper 500 may selectively supply some compressed air (eg, through holes in the self-centering tip(s) 570) to the upper surface 151A of the block 150 prior to (or during the insertion process) of the gripper 500 ( for example, inserting the self-centering tip(s) 570, inserting the grip(s) 540) into the channel(s) 157 of the block 150. surface 151A, thereby ensuring that the upper surface 151A is kept clean as the block 150 is moved. during the repositioning of the block 150 and its installation on another block 150, namely during the period of time when the gripper 500 lowers the upper block 150 and until the bottom surface 153A of the top block 150 comes into contact with the top surface 151A of the bottom block 150, the top surface 151A of the bottom block 150 can be supplied (for example, through holes in the self-centering tip(s) 570) with some amount of compressed air to clean it (for example , removing dust, debris, etc.).

[0115] In one example, gripper 500 may selectively supply some compressed air (eg, through openings in housing 550C) to space S1 between bottom surface 551F of arm(s) 551 and sloped surface 550E of housing 550C to remove dust or debris. from space S1 and causing the lever(s) 551 to be moved to the cocked or operating position (eg, the position where the bottom surface 551F contacts the sloped surface 550E of the body 550C). Additionally or alternatively, gripper 500 may supply some compressed air to space S2 between inner surface 550F of housing 550C and inner surface 551G of lever(s) 551 to remove dust or debris from space S2 to allow lever(s) 551 to move into a retracted position (eg, when the inner surface 551G of the arm(s) 551 contacts the inner surface 550F of the housing 550C). Said pressurized air may optionally be supplied to space S1 before the lever(s) 551 is in the cocked or operating position (eg, when the position of the lever(s) 551 corresponds to the position depicted in FIGS. 14C-14D). Said compressed air may optionally be supplied to space S2 before the lever(s) 551 is moved to the retracted position (eg, when the position of the lever(s) 551 corresponds to the position depicted in Figs. 14E-14F). Advantageously, this compressed air supply ensures that the locking mechanism 550 operates properly to engage and lift the block(s) 150 and disengage the block(s) 150.

[0116] In one example, the gripper 500 may rotate (eg, the proximal connector 505 may rotate relative to the cross member 530) when the gripper 500 is not coupled to the block 150, such as via a gearbox 525 and reaction flywheel 523, as this is described above. For example, the gripper may be rotated between at least two orientations in space (eg, between two orientations at 90 degrees to each other) before the gripper 500 is lowered from a position when it is close to the boom(s) 104, and/or during lifting of the gripper 500 after the block 150 has been lowered and separated from the block 150. The advantage is that the rotation of the gripper 500 allows it to grip blocks 150 that are located in various orientations (for example , are at 90 degrees to each other), such as blocks 150 forming a row or level in which some of the blocks 150 have different orientations (e.g., oriented at 90 degrees to each other) relative to other blocks 150 arranged in the same row or level as described above to form a stacking pattern 150.

[0117] In operation, the gripper 500 is lowered onto the block 150 and engaged with the block 150 in the manner described above. Optionally, the gripper 500 supplies compressed air to the top surface 151A of the block 150 to remove dust or debris as described above. As soon as the grip(s) 540 pass(s) through the opening(s) 157 of the block 150, the locking mechanism 550 is actuated to move the lever(s) 551 to the cocked position. Optionally, prior to actuating the locking mechanism 550, before moving the lever(s) 551 to the cocked or operating position, a position sensor (eg, an ultrasonic sensor) determines if they are in the proper (vertical) position. The gripper 500 is then lifted (eg, by means of a cable 108, which is optionally selected by a winch located, for example, on a cargo cart 106). When the gripper 500 is raised, the cocked lever(s) 551 engage shoulder surface 159C on the bottom of the block 150, allowing the gripper 500 to lift the block 150. When connected to the block 150 (for example, due to the weight of the block 150), the gripper 500 does not rotate (for example, because a large amount of torque would be required to rotate the block 150). Accordingly, blocks 150 are raised, moved, and lowered by gripper 500 in the same orientation. Therefore, blocks 150 oriented in the North-South direction will be raised, carried and lowered by the gripper 500 in the same North-South orientation. Similarly, blocks 150 oriented in the East-West direction will be raised, carried and lowered by the gripper 500 in the same East-West orientation. Therefore, block 150 will have the same orientation in its start position (eg, before it is lifted by gripper 500) and in its final position (eg, after it is lowered by gripper 500).

[0118] In FIG. 15 shows one method 600 of operating the gripper 500. The method 600 includes lowering 610 the gripper 500 relative to the block 150. The method 600 also includes inserting 620 a pair of grippers 540 of the gripper 500 through a pair of channels 157 in the block 150 until the distal end of the pair the grips 540 will not protrude from the pair of channels 157. The method also includes actuating 630 one or more levers 551 movably connected to the pair of grips 540 from a retracted position to a cocked position and engaging 640 a recessed peripheral surface 153B of the pair of channels 157 with one or more levers 551 in the cocked position to allow lifting (e.g., vertical lifting) of block 150 by gripper 500.

Crane work

[0119] An energy storage system 100, 100A, 100G-100P, configured to convert electrical energy or electricity into potential energy for storage by lifting (e.g., vertically lifting) the blocks 150, 150' from a lower elevation to a higher elevation, as well as for the purpose of converting potential energy into electrical energy or electricity, carried out by moving (for example, vertical movement, vertical lowering) one or more blocks 150, 150' from a higher elevation to a lower elevation height under the influence of gravity.

[0120] In FIG. 16 shows one way 650 of the energy storage system 100, 100A, 100G-100P. Method 650 includes operating 660 a crane 101 to stack a plurality of blocks 150 by moving one or more blocks 150 from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to store energy in the blocks 150, each of the blocks storing an amount of energy corresponding to an amount of potential block energy 150. The method also includes moving 670 one or more blocks to another location. The method also includes controlling 680 the crane 101 to retrieve one or more blocks 150 from the stack by moving one or more blocks 150 from a higher elevation to a lower elevation under the action of gravity, thereby generating electricity in an amount corresponding to the amount of kinetic energy of said one or more blocks 150 as they move from a higher elevation to a lower elevation.

[0121] The motor generator 120 of the crane 101 can operate the cargo cart(s) 106 and cable(s) 108 to lift (e.g., vertically lift) one or more blocks 150 or 150' from a lower elevation, move the indicated blocks 150 or 150' to another location (for example, to a different polar coordinate point along boom(s) 104 relative to tower 102, to a different point of the rectangular coordinate system along bridge 104G) and setting blocks 150 or 150' at a higher elevation in specified other location (for example, placing one block on top of another) to form stacks of blocks 150 or 150', as shown, for example, in FIG. 1, 6A-6B and 7A-7B. Each of the stacked blocks 150 or 150' accumulates an amount of potential energy corresponding to (e.g., proportional to) its mass and the difference in height between the lower elevation and the higher elevation of the block 150 or 150' (e.g., potential energy = mass x gravity x height above a reference surface, such as ground level). The heavier the blocks 150 or 150' and the higher their position in the stack, the more potential energy can be stored.

[0122] To convert the stored potential energy into electricity, the crane 101 may operate the cargo cart(s) 106 and cable(s) 108 to lift (e.g., vertically lift) one or more stacked blocks 150 or 150' with a higher elevation marks, moving the cargo truck(s) 106 to another location (e.g., to another point in the polar coordinate system along the boom(s) 104 relative to the tower 102, another point in the rectangular coordinate system along the bridge 104G), moving the specified block(s) 150 or 150' to a lower height (for example, their vertical lowering, at least partially, under the influence of gravity) to drive the motor-generator 120 (along the cable 108) in the mode of generating electricity that can be supplied to power system.

[0123] Energy in the form of electricity is generated each time the block 150 is lowered. In FIG. 4 is a graph of the amount of electricity produced over time showing the power generated by one pair of booms 104 on opposite sides of the tower 102 of the crane 101 shown in FIG. 1-3, 6A-6E. As shown in FIG. 4, there are three peaks 510 corresponding to the lowering of three pulleys 150. After each pulley 150 is lowered, power 520 is consumed for a short period of time to raise the cable 108 and gripper 500 before it is engaged with the new pulley 150, stacked.

[0124] In FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram showing motor/generator 120 connected to power system 130 via regenerative variable frequency drive 125. Regenerative variable frequency drive 125 is the interface between motor/generator 120 and power system 130. variable speed drive 125 may include a power-side transistor bridge, a DC bus, and a motor-side transistor bridge. The grid-side transistor bridge is an inverter that converts the entire amount of DC electrical power from motor/generator 120 to 50 Hz or 60 Hz in grid 130 (when regenerated). In the absence of regeneration, the variable frequency drive 125 rectifies electricity from the network 130, converting it into direct current. On the engine side, VFD 125 changes the frequency at which engine/generator 120 is operating (e.g., to control deceleration and/or acceleration of engine 120, to adjust the load on engine/generator 120, to control or adjust the power output of engine/generator 120 by adjusting the speed variation of the 101 or 101G crane lift motor).

[0125] The energy storage system 100 can be operated in a manner that maximizes the storage of electrical energy or electricity. With regard to FIG. 1, the crane 101 stacks the blocks 150 (all blocks of the same size) so that all the stacks have the same height. In FIG. 2, the system 100 is shown in a state of zero potential energy, since many blocks 150' of various sizes are at ground level. The height of the blocks 150' (which is proportional to their weight) varies along the length of the boom 104, where heavier blocks (eg, blocks A-D) are located closer to the tower 102, and lighter blocks (eg, blocks E-J) are located farther from the tower 102. In one from the examples shown in Fig. 3, crane 101 lays down the heaviest blocks 150' (eg blocks A-D) first and closest to tower 102, after which crane 101 lays down lighter blocks 150' (eg blocks E-J), one after the other, from the heaviest to the lightest until all blocks 150' (eg blocks A-J) are stacked in one or more stacks or columns of blocks 150' to maximize the amount of stored potential energy of system 100. Referring to the above FIG. 3, in order to generate electricity by moving the blocks 150' from a higher elevation to a lower elevation, in the manner described above, the blocks 150' are removed from the stack in order from lightest to heaviest and placed back on the ground in the order shown in FIG. . 2.

[0126] The advantage is that, energy storage systems 100, 100A, 100G - 100P can, for example, store electricity generated from solar energy in the form of potential energy of stacked units 150, 150' during the daytime, when available solar energy, and can convert the potential energy of the stacked units 150, 150' into electricity at night when solar energy is not available, and supply the converted electricity to the power grid.

Stacking from outside to inside

[0127] With reference to FIG. 1-3, the blocks 150, 150' move from a lower elevation located at a circular coordinate point along the boom(s) 104, which is further away from tower 102, to a higher elevation elevation located at a circular coordinate point along the boom ( arrows) 104, which is located closer to the tower 102, which allows you to store electricity in the form of potential energy in the blocks 150, 150'. To generate electricity, the units 150, 150' are then moved from a higher elevation, located radially along the boom(s) 104 closer to the tower 102, to a lower elevation, located radially along the boom(s) 104 farther away. from tower 102.

Stacking from the inside out

[0128] With reference to FIG. 6A-6E, blocks 150 move from a lower elevation at a point of circular coordinates along boom(s) 104 that is closer to tower 102 (see FIGS. 6C-6E) to a higher elevation at a point of circular coordinates along the boom(s) 104 that is further away from the tower 102 (see FIGS. 6A-6B), which allows electricity to be stored in the form of potential energy in the blocks 150 forming the tower 900. To generate electricity, the blocks 150 then move from a higher elevation mark located radially along boom(s) 104 further from tower 102 to a lower elevation mark located radially along boom(s) 104 closer to tower 102.

Practical use

[0129] This patent document describes examples of an energy storage system (for example, energy storage systems 100, 100A, 100G-100P) capable of converting electrical energy or electricity into potential energy for storage and for converting potential energy into electrical energy or electricity. , for example, for its supply to the power system. The advantage is that the energy storage system is virtually maintenance free and can operate for decades (eg 30-50 years) with little to no reduction in energy storage capacity.

[0130] In some implementations, the energy storage system described in this patent document can store approximately 10 megawatt-hours (MWh) or more energy (for example, from 10 MWh to 100 MWh, for example, 15 MWh, 20 MWh, 30 MWh, 50 MWh, 80 MWh, 90 MWh) and supply approximately 10 MWh or more electricity (for example, 10 MWh to 100 MWh, to 15 MWh, 20 MWh, 30 MWh, 50 MWh, 80 MWh, 90 MWh) into the grid. The power storage system described in this patent document can supply power every hour (for example, from 1 MW to 6 MW or more). However, in other implementations, the energy storage system described in this patent document may have other suitable parameters in terms of the amount of energy storage and delivery (for example, 1 MWh, 3 MWh, 5 MWh, and the like). In one of the embodiments of the invention, the energy storage system can optionally provide energy to about 1000 homes per day.

[0131] An advantage is that the energy storage system described in this patent document can be connected to a renewable energy (e.g., green energy) electricity generation system, such as a solar or wind (e.g., wind turbines) generation system. energy or the like. The advantage is that, during the operation of the renewable energy generation system (for example, during the operation of a solar power plant during the daytime or during the operation of a wind power plant in appropriate wind conditions), the energy storage system stores the electricity generated by the power generation system from renewable energy sources. The energy storage system can subsequently supply the stored electricity to the power grid when the renewable energy generation system cannot be activated (eg, at night, in calm conditions). Accordingly, the energy storage system acts as a battery for the renewable energy generation system, and can supply electricity generated by renewable energy sources to the power grid during periods of downturn in demand.

[0132] In the embodiments of the invention described above, the energy storage system uses a crane 101, 101G to stack blocks 150, 150' to store electrical energy in the form of potential energy and to disassemble blocks 150, 150' to generate electricity. In one embodiment, the faucet 101 or 101G may use excess power from the grid. The amount of energy recovered by the energy storage system for each unit of energy used to lift the units 150, 150' may optionally be 80-90%.

Additional embodiments of the invention

[0133] In various embodiments of the present invention, the energy storage system and method of operating it may correspond to any of the following:

Clause 1. The method of accumulation and generation of electricity, including:

actuating a crane for stacking a plurality of blocks by moving one or more blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to store energy in the blocks, wherein each of the blocks accumulates an amount of energy corresponding to the amount of potential energy of the block; and

actuating a crane to remove one or more blocks from a stack by moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation under the action of gravity, as a result of which electricity is generated in an amount corresponding to the amount of kinetic energy of said one or multiple blocks as they move from a higher elevation to a lower elevation.

Item 2. The method according to item 1, characterized in that stacking a plurality of blocks for the purpose of energy storage includes using a motor to move said blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation.

Claim 3. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation activates an electrical generator to generate electricity.

Claim 4: A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation or from a lower elevation to a higher elevation includes moving said one or more blocks without changing the orientation of the block in space during its movement between a lower elevation and a higher elevation.

Claim 5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation or from a lower elevation to a higher elevation includes moving said one or more blocks based on the change in the azimuth angle of the crane.

Item 6. The method in accordance with item 5, characterized in that moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation includes moving said one or more blocks from a position more distant from the tower to a position more close to the tower.

Item 7. The method of claim 5, characterized in that moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation includes moving said one or more blocks from a position closer to the tower to a position more distant from towers.

Claim 8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation or from a lower elevation to a higher elevation includes moving said one or more blocks from one position to another position due to the translational movement of the crane, as well as the fact that the crane is an overhead crane installed on the second set of blocks.

Claim 9. A method corresponding to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in order to balance the forces on the crane, moving one or more blocks from a lower elevation mark to a higher elevation mark includes, from a practical point of view, the simultaneous movement of two blocks fixed on opposite crane arms, from a lower elevation to a higher elevation.

Claim 10. A method corresponding to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in order to balance the forces on the crane, moving one or more blocks from a higher height mark to a lower height mark includes, from a practical point of view, the simultaneous movement of two blocks, fixed on opposite booms of the crane, from a higher elevation to a lower elevation.

Claim 11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for the purpose of preventing lateral movement or tipping of the stacked blocks, stacking a plurality of blocks comprises such positioning of a first row of blocks having a first stacking pattern and such positioning of a second row of blocks over the first row of blocks, wherein the second row of blocks has a second block pattern different from the first block pattern.

Item 12. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for the purpose of tying the blocks, stacking the plurality of blocks in a stack includes positioning each of the blocks so that it is oriented at an angle of 90 degrees and is in contact with at least part of the two blocks below it.

Claim 13. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in order to minimize the space between blocks in a row in which the blocks do not contact each other, moving blocks from a lower height mark to a higher height mark with the purpose of stacking them includes arranging blocks in a row such that one or more blocks in a row are oriented at 90 degrees relative to their adjacent blocks in a row.

Item 14. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in order to prevent friction when raising and lowering the blocks, moving the blocks from a lower height mark to a higher height mark for stacking blocks in a stack includes placing blocks in in a row in such a way that one or more adjacent blocks in a row do not come into contact with each other.

Claim 15. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation or from a lower elevation to a higher elevation includes supporting the block. on the bottom of the block.

Item 16. An energy storage system, comprising:

many blocks; and

faucet including

frame,

electric motor-generator,

one or more movable trolleys connected to the frame,

a cable movably connected to one or more cargo trucks and functionally connected to the electric motor-generator, and configured to be functionally connected to one or more of the plurality of blocks,

characterized in that the crane is configured to stack one or more of the plurality of blocks stacked on top of each other by moving said blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to accumulate in said blocks an amount of electrical energy corresponding to the amount of potential energy of said blocks , wherein the crane is also configured to retrieve one or more of the plurality of blocks from the stack by moving said blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation under the action of gravity to generate an amount of electricity corresponding to the amount of kinetic energy of said one or more blocks when they are moved from a higher elevation to a lower elevation.

Item 17. The system according to item 16, characterized in that one or more cargo trucks select a cable to lift one or more blocks from a lower height mark to a higher height mark, and also in that the electric motor-generator generates electricity during the etching of the cable when lowering one or more blocks from a higher height mark to a lower height mark under the influence of gravity.

Item 18. The system in accordance with any of items 16-17, characterized in that the frame includes a tower and a plurality of booms connected to the tower, with each pair of booms extending to opposite sides of the tower, and one or more cargo carts movably connected to each of the many arrows.

Item 19. The system according to item 18, characterized in that the set of arrows consists of two arrows.

Item 20. The system according to item 18, characterized in that the set of arrows consists of six arrows.

Item 21. The system according to item 20, characterized in that the six arrows form three pairs of arrows, with each pair of arrows extending to opposite sides of the tower with a different angular orientation.

Claim 22. The system according to any one of claims 16-21, characterized in that the plurality of blocks includes a first plurality of blocks and a second plurality of blocks, wherein the first plurality of blocks is stacked so that they form a surrounding peripheral windbreak structure designed in order to prevent the effect of wind force on the space, and also includes a crane configured to move the second plurality of blocks located inside the space in order to accumulate or generate electricity.

Item 23. The system according to item 22, characterized in that the wind protection structure forms a peripheral surface having a generally circular shape.

Item 24. The system according to item 22, characterized in that the wind protection structure forms a peripheral surface having a generally rectangular shape.

Item 25. The system according to item 24, characterized in that the peripheral surface has a square shape.

Item 26. The system in accordance with item 25, characterized in that the frame forms a bridge that movably rests on rail guides located on top of the windproof structure and is movable in the first direction, and includes one or more movable trolleys connected to the bridge, made movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Item 27. The system according to item 22, further comprising a third plurality of blocks of which, within said space, one or more transverse elements are formed to support the windbreak, the space being divided into one or more parts by one or more transverse elements, and the second plurality of blocks can be moved within said one or more portions of the space defined by the windbreak structure.

Item 28. A system according to any one of items 16-27, further including a gripping device connected to a cable and selectively actuated to connect with one or more of a plurality of blocks for the purpose of raising and lowering the specified block.

Item 29. The system in accordance with item 28, characterized in that the gripper includes a pair of grips, each grip having one or more levers that can be moved to a retracted position, allowing the grips to be lowered beyond the lower end of the block, and to the cocked a position allowing one or more claws to be located in one or more recesses at the lower end of the block for the purpose of engaging the claws with the block.

Item 30. The system according to item 28, characterized in that the pair of grips has proximal ends connected to the transverse element of the gripper, while the pair of grips is at a certain distance from each other and are parallel to each other ending with the peripheral ends of the grips.

Item 31. A unit intended for use in an energy storage and generation system, including:

a body consisting of concrete and having a rectangular shape, the size of which in length exceeds the size in width, and the size in width exceeds the size in depth, a flat edge connecting the mating sides of the body, and one or more recesses on the bottom surface of the body; and

a metal plate attached to one or more recesses, designed to prevent wear of the block during its movement.

Clause 32. A block in accordance with clause 31, characterized in that the ratio of length, width and depth of the body is 4:2:1.

Clause 33. The block in accordance with clause 31, characterized in that the ratio of length, width and depth of the body is 3:2:1.

Item 34. A block in accordance with any of items 31-33, characterized in that the length of the hull is approximately 4 m.

Item 35. A block in accordance with any of items 31-34, characterized in that the flat face is located at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the mating sides of the body.

Item 36. Block in accordance with any of items 31-35, characterized in that the weight of the hull is from 20 tons to 55 tons.

Clause 37. A block according to any one of paragraphs 31-36, characterized in that the body is symmetrical with respect to the first central plane along the width of the block, as well as with respect to the second central plane along the depth of the block.

Item 38. The block in accordance with any one of paragraphs 31-37, characterized in that the body has one or more channels passing through the entire length of the block from one or more proximal holes located at the upper end of the block to one or more far holes located at the lower end of the block, and the far holes coincide with one or more recesses located on the bottom surface of the housing.

Item 39. A block in accordance with any of items 31-38, characterized in that one or more channels are a pair of channels located at a certain distance from each other, extending along the entire length of the block and centered along the width and depth of the block.

Clause 40. A block in accordance with clause 38, characterized in that one or more proximal holes are conical.

Item 41. A block in accordance with item 38, characterized in that one or more distal holes are stepped, and also in that at least part of the metal plate forms at least one distal hole from a plurality of distal holes, consisting of one or more distal holes. holes.

Item 42. The block according to item 38, further including a metal plate embedded in the block around one or more proximal holes, where at least a portion of the metal plate forms a beveled surface of one or more proximal holes.

Item 43. A block according to any one of items 31-42, characterized in that the hull includes an outer shell of concrete enclosing a ballast of another material.

Clause 44. A block in accordance with any of paragraphs 31-43, characterized in that the block includes reinforcement embedded in concrete.

Claim 45. A block according to any one of paragraphs 31-44, characterized in that the block includes an upper part forming the upper surface of the block, a middle part forming the outer surface of the block, and a lower part forming the lower surface of the block, and the upper and the lower portions comprise high strength concrete with a relatively higher compressive strength; and the middle portion comprises low grade concrete having a relatively lower compressive strength.

Item 46. The block according to item 45, characterized in that the upper and lower parts include high-strength concrete having a compressive strength of 10 to 60 MPa, and the middle part includes low-grade concrete having a compressive strength of 3 to 8 MPa.

Clause 47. A block in accordance with paragraph 45, additionally including one or more reinforcing layers located in one of the following parts of the block: upper, middle and lower, or simultaneously in several of them.

Clause 48. A block in accordance with clause 47, characterized in that said one or more reinforcing layers are made of structural steel.

Item 49. A gripping device designed for use in lifting and lowering blocks in a power storage and generation system, including:

body including

a cross member connected to a cable operated by a crane,

a pair of grippers extending distally from the body of the transverse element, and

one or more levers located in the peripheral part of each grip of a pair of grips,

characterized in that one or more levers can be moved to two positions: a retracted position, which allows the gripper to be lowered below the lower end of the block, and a cocked position, which allows one or more levers to engage with the lower end of the block and thereby engage with the block .

Item 50. The gripping device according to item 49, further including a conical peripheral end attached to each of the pairs of grips, which allow the grips to self-center relative to the proximal holes of the block when the peripheral ends are inserted into the proximal holes, while the conical parts are configured to extend beyond the bottom surface of the block when the gripper is connected to the block.

Item 51. The gripping device according to item 50, characterized in that one or more levers are a plurality of levers located in a circle around the peripheral part of each of the grips from the side of the peripheral ends.

Claim 52. A gripping device according to any one of paragraphs 49-51, characterized in that each of the pairs of grippers is tubular.

Claim 53. A gripper according to any one of claims 49-52, characterized in that, in the retracted position, one or more arms are oriented parallel to the central axis of the grips.

Item 54. A gripper according to any one of claims 49-53, characterized in that, in the cocked position, one or more arms rotate outward relative to the grips so as to protrude beyond the side surface of the grips.

Item 55. A gripping device according to item 54, characterized in that in the cocked position one or more levers turn outward and protrude at an acute angle relative to the central axis of the grips.

Item 56. The gripping device according to item 55, further including a spring-loaded cable device having one or more cables attached to one or more levers and to a spring, characterized in that the extension of the spring causes one or more levers to rotate outward to the cocked position, and also in that the compression of the spring causes one or more of the levers to pivot inward to a retracted position.

Claim 57. A gripping device according to any one of clauses 49-56, further including an ultrasonic sensor configured to determine the position of one or more arms relative to the block prior to engagement of the one or more arms with the block.

Item 58. The gripping device in accordance with any one of items 49-57, further including one or more holes in the peripheral part of at least one of the pair of grippers in fluid communication with the air supply source, while the air supply source is made with the possibility of supplying air through one or more holes to the upper surface of the block as the grippers approach the block, in order to remove dust and debris from the upper surface of the block until the case contacts the block.

Item 59. The gripping device in accordance with any of items 49-58, further including one or more holes located near one or more levers and in fluid communication with the air supply source, while the air supply source is configured to supply air through said one or more openings into the space between the levers and the pair of grips while the grips are in the cocked position, in order to clear said space of debris and allow one or more levers to freely move to the retracted and cocked positions.

Item 60. The gripper according to any one of items 49-59, further including a gearbox including a first disk mounted on a proximal connector rotatably attached to the cross member, a second disk attached to the cross member and rotated by means of an electric motor, as well as a chain that wraps around and connects the first and second disks.

Item 61. The gripping device according to item 60, characterized in that the gearbox is configured to rotate the housing in the state when the latter is not attached to the block, while the electric motor rotates the second disk relative to the first disk to cause a change in the orientation of the housing relative to the proximal connector .

Item 62. The gripping device according to item 60, characterized in that the gearbox is configured to rotate the housing in the state when the latter is attached to the block, in order to compensate, at least in part, for the rotation of the valve operatively connected to the proximal connector, for whereby the electric motor rotates the second disc relative to the first disc to effect a reorientation of the housing relative to the proximal connector so that the block connected to the housing maintains the same orientation and experiences zero torque.

Item 63. A method of operating a gripping device for lifting and lowering blocks in a power storage and generation system, including:

lowering the gripping device relative to the block;

inserting the pair of grippers of the gripper through the pair of channels in the block until the peripheral end of the pair of grippers protrudes beyond the pair of channels;

transferring one or more levers, movably connected to a pair of grippers, from the retracted position to the cocked position; and

engagement of one or more levers, which are in the cocked position, with the recessed peripheral surface of the pair of channels, which allows the block to be lifted using a gripping device.

Item 64. The method in accordance with item 63, further comprising determining the position of one or more levers located on a pair of grippers, relative to the block using an ultrasonic sensor before moving one or more levers to the cocked position.

Item 65. The method according to any one of items 63-64, characterized in that the introduction of a pair of grippers into a pair of channels includes the introduction of the conical end parts of the pair of grippers into the pair of channels, in which the conical end parts self-center the pair of grippers relative to the pair of channels during introducing a pair of grippers into a pair of channels.

Item 66. The method according to any one of items 63-65, further comprising supplying some air from the conical end portions to the proximal surface of one or more blocks to clean the proximal surface of the blocks.

Claim 67. A gripping device according to any one of paragraphs 63-66, further comprising supplying some air to the space between one or more arms and a pair of grippers, when the arms are in the cocked position, to clear said space of debris and provide the possibility of transferring one or more grippers to the retracted position or to the cocked position.

[0134] Although some embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments of the invention have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Indeed, the new methods and systems described in this patent document can be implemented in many other forms. In addition, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described in this patent document can be made without departing from the general idea of the present invention. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as fall within the scope of protection and are covered by the general spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

[0135] Functions, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular feature, embodiment, or example should be understood to apply to any other feature, embodiment, or example described in this section or elsewhere in this description, unless they are incompatible with them. All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying material such as claims, abstract and drawings) and/or all steps of any method or process thus disclosed may be combined in any combination, except for combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The scope of protection is not limited to the details of any embodiments of the invention set forth above. Any new feature or any new combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying material such as claims, abstract and drawings) or any new step or any a new combination of steps in any method or process thus disclosed.

[0136] In addition, some features that are described in the present invention in the context of various variants of its implementation, can also be implemented in combination in one embodiment of the invention. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of one embodiment of the invention may also be implemented in multiple embodiments of the invention alone or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although the features may be described above as providing a technical result in certain combinations, one or more features from the claimed combination may in some cases be excluded from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a sub-combination or a variation of the sub-combination.

[0137] In addition, despite the fact that certain actions may be shown in the drawings or described in the description in a certain order, such actions do not have to be performed in that order, or sequentially, nor is it necessary to achieve the desired technical result. all steps described have been completed. Other acts that are not depicted or described may be included in the exemplary methods and processes. For example, one or more additional actions may be performed before, after, simultaneously with or between any of the described actions. In addition, in other embodiments of the invention, the order of operations can be changed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments of the invention, the actual steps taken in the depicted and/or described processes may differ from those shown in the drawings. Depending on the embodiment of the invention, some of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. In addition, the features and attributes of the particular embodiments of the inventions described above may be combined in various ways to form additional embodiments of the invention, all of which are within the scope of protection claimed by this patent document. Furthermore, the separation of the various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood to require such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the components and systems described can generally be integrated together into a single product or included in multiple products. .

[0138] For the purposes of the present invention, certain aspects, advantages and new features are described in this patent document. Not necessarily all such advantages can be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied or carried out in such a way that one advantage or group of advantages is achieved, as described in this patent document, without the need to achieve other advantages, as may be described or proposed in this patent document.

[0139] The conditional mood, denoted by such linguistic units as “may”, “could”, “possible”, or “may be”, unless otherwise specifically indicated or understood differently based on the context in which it is used, as a rule, is intended to convey that some embodiments of the invention include, while other embodiments of the invention do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such a conditional does not generally imply that the features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments of the invention, or that one or more embodiments of the invention necessarily include logic for making a decision, with user input or request or not, regardless of whether these features, elements and/or steps are included in any particular embodiment of the invention or must be performed in its implementation, or not.

[0140] The subjunctive mood, denoted by such linguistic units as, for example, "at least one of X, Y and Z", unless expressly stated otherwise or if otherwise understood in connection with the context in which it is used, is generally intended to convey that an element, term, and the like can be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such a subjunctive usually does not imply that certain embodiments of the invention require the presence of at least one of the elements of X, at least one of the Y elements and at least one of the Z elements.

[0141] An indication of relative values used in this patent document, denoted by such linguistic units as terms such as “approximately”, “about”, “in general”, and “practically”, is an indication of a value, magnitude or characteristic close to the claimed meaning, quantity or characteristic that nevertheless performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, the terms "approximately", "about", "generally", and "substantially" may refer to a value that is in the range of less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0.1%, and less than 0.01 % of the specified value. As another example, in some embodiments of the invention, the terms "generally parallel" and "substantially parallel" refer to a value, magnitude, or characteristic that deviates from exactly parallel by less than 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees. , 1 degree or 0.1 degree.

[0142] The scope of the present invention should not be limited by the specific descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the invention set forth in this section or elsewhere in this description, and may be defined by the claims presented in this section or elsewhere in this description, or by a formula that may be presented in the future. The wording used in the claims is to be construed broadly based on the wording used in the claims, and in no way limitingly in accordance with the examples described in the present description or at the time of consideration of the present application; this means that such examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.

Claims (80)

1. The method of accumulation and generation of electricity, including: actuating a crane for stacking a plurality of blocks by moving one or more blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to store energy in the blocks, wherein each of the blocks accumulates an amount of energy corresponding to the amount of potential energy of the block; and actuating a crane to remove one or more blocks from a stack by moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation under the action of gravity, as a result of which electricity is generated in an amount corresponding to the amount of kinetic energy of said one or multiple blocks as they move from a higher elevation to a lower elevation. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein stacking a plurality of blocks for energy storage comprises using a motor to move said blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement of one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation activates an electrical generator to generate electricity. 4. The method of claim 1, characterized in that moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation or from a lower elevation to a higher elevation includes moving said one or more blocks without changing orientation of the block in space during its movement between a lower height mark and a higher height mark. 5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation or from a lower elevation to a higher elevation includes moving said one or more blocks to based on changing the azimuth angle of the crane. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation includes moving said one or more blocks from a position more distant from the tower to a position closer to tower. 7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation includes moving said one or more blocks from a position closer to the tower to a position more distant from towers. 8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation or from a lower elevation to a higher elevation includes moving said one or more blocks from one position to another position due to the translational movement of the crane, as well as the fact that the crane is an overhead crane mounted on the second set of blocks. 9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in order to balance the forces on the crane, the movement of one or more blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation includes, from a practical point of view, the simultaneous movement of two blocks mounted on opposite crane booms, from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. 10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in order to balance the forces on the crane, moving one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation includes, from a practical point of view, simultaneously moving two blocks mounted on opposite crane booms, from a higher elevation to a lower elevation. 11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in order to prevent lateral displacement or tipping of stacked blocks, stacking a plurality of blocks includes such positioning of the first row of blocks having a first stacking pattern, and such positioning of the second row of blocks on top of the first row of blocks, wherein the second row of blocks has a second block stacking pattern different from the first block stacking pattern. 12. The method of claim. 1, characterized in that for the purpose of tying the blocks stacking a plurality of blocks in a stack includes positioning each of the blocks so that it is oriented at an angle of 90 degrees and in contact with at least a part of the two blocks located below it. 13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in order to minimize the space between blocks in a row in which the blocks do not contact each other, moving the blocks from a lower height mark to a higher height mark in order to stack them includes placing blocks in a row so that one or more blocks in a row are oriented at an angle of 90 degrees relative to their neighboring blocks in a row. 14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in order to prevent friction when raising and lowering the blocks, moving blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation for stacking blocks includes placing blocks in a row so that one or several laterally mated blocks in a row were not in contact with each other. 15. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that moving one or more blocks from a higher height mark to a lower height mark or from a lower height mark to a higher height mark includes supporting the block by the lower surface of the block. 16. An energy storage system, including a plurality of blocks and a crane, including a frame, an electric motor-generator, one or more cargo trucks movably connected to the frame, a cable movably connected to one or more cargo trucks and functionally connected to the electric motor-generator, and made with the possibility of functional connection with one or more of the many blocks, characterized in that the crane is configured to stack one or more of the plurality of blocks stacked on top of each other by moving said blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to accumulate in said blocks an amount of electrical energy corresponding to the amount of potential energy of said blocks , wherein the crane is also configured to retrieve one or more of the plurality of blocks from the stack by moving said blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation under the action of gravity to generate an amount of electricity corresponding to the amount of kinetic energy of said one or more blocks when they are moved from a higher elevation to a lower elevation. 17. The system according to claim 16, characterized in that one or more cargo trucks select a cable to lift one or more blocks from a lower height mark to a higher height mark, and also in that the electric motor generator generates electricity during etching time of the cable when lowering one or more blocks from a higher height mark to a lower height mark under the action of gravity. 18. The system according to claim 16, characterized in that the frame includes a tower and a plurality of booms connected to the tower, with each pair of booms extending to opposite sides of the tower, and one or more cargo carts movably connected to each of the plurality of booms. 19. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that the set of arrows consists of two arrows. 20. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that the set of arrows consists of six arrows. 21. The system according to claim 20, characterized in that the six arrows form three pairs of arrows, with each pair of arrows extending to opposite sides of the tower with different angular orientations. 22. The system according to claim 16, characterized in that the plurality of blocks includes a first plurality of blocks and a second plurality of blocks, wherein the first plurality of blocks is stacked so that they form a peripheral windproof structure surrounding the space, designed to prevent impact on the space wind force, and also includes a crane configured to move the second plurality of blocks located inside the space in order to accumulate or generate electricity. 23. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that the wind protection structure forms a peripheral surface having a generally circular shape. 24. The system of claim. 22, characterized in that the windproof structure forms a peripheral surface having a generally rectangular shape. 25. The system according to claim 24, characterized in that the peripheral surface has a square shape. 26. The system according to claim. 25, characterized in that the frame forms a bridge that movably rests on rail guides located on top of the windproof structure and is movable in the first direction, and includes one or more cargo carts movably connected to the bridge, configured to moving in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. 27. The system according to claim 22, further comprising a third set of blocks, of which one or more transverse elements are formed within the specified space, serving as a support for the windproof structure, while the space is divided into one or more parts by one or more transverse elements and the second set of blocks can be moved within said one or more portions of the space defined by the windbreak. 28. The system of claim. 16, further including a gripping device connected to the cable and selectively actuated for connection with one or more of the plurality of blocks for the purpose of raising and lowering the specified block. 29. The system according to claim 28, characterized in that the gripper includes a pair of grips, each grip having one or more levers that can be moved to a retracted position, allowing the grips to be lowered beyond the lower end of the block, and to the cocked position, allowing one or more grips to be located in one or more recesses at the lower end of the block for the purpose of engaging the grips with the block. 30. The system according to claim 28, characterized in that the pair of grips has proximal ends connected to the transverse element of the gripper, while the pair of grips are at a certain distance from each other and are parallel to each other, ending with the peripheral ends of the grips. 31. Block intended for use in the energy storage and generation system, including: a body consisting of concrete and having a rectangular shape, the size of which in length exceeds the size in width, and the size in width exceeds the size in depth, a flat edge connecting the mating sides of the body, and one or more recesses on the bottom surface of the body; and a metal plate attached to one or more recesses, designed to prevent wear of the block during its movement. 32. The block according to claim 31, characterized in that the ratio of the length, width and depth of the body is 4:2:1. 33. The block according to claim 31, characterized in that the ratio of the length, width and depth of the body is 3:2:1. 34. Block according to claim 31, characterized in that the body length is approximately 4 m. 35. The block according to claim 31, characterized in that the flat edge is located at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the mating sides of the body. 36. Block according to any one of paragraphs. 31-35, characterized in that the hull weight is from 20 to 55 tons. 37. Block according to claim 31, characterized in that the body is symmetrical with respect to the first central plane along the width of the block, as well as with respect to the second central plane along the depth of the block. 38. The block according to claim 31, characterized in that the housing has one or more channels passing through the entire length of the block from one or more proximal holes located at the upper end of the block to one or more far holes located at the lower end of the block, moreover, the distal holes coincide with one or more recesses located on the lower surface of the housing. 39. Block according to claim 38, characterized in that one or more channels are a pair of channels located at a distance from each other, passing along the entire length of the block and centered along the width and depth of the block. 40. The block according to claim 38, characterized in that one or more proximal holes are conical. 41. The block according to claim 38, characterized in that one or more distal holes are stepped, and also in that at least part of the metal plate forms at least one distal hole from a plurality of distal holes, consisting of one or more distal holes. 42. The block of claim. 38, further including a metal plate embedded in the block around one or more proximal holes, where at least a portion of the metal plate forms a beveled surface of one or more proximal holes. 43. The block according to claim 31, characterized in that the hull includes an outer shell made of concrete, which encloses a ballast made of another material. 44. Block according to claim 31, characterized in that the block includes reinforcement embedded in concrete. 45. Block according to claim 31, characterized in that the block includes an upper part forming the upper surface of the block, a middle part forming the outer surface of the block, and a lower part forming the lower surface of the block, and the upper and lower parts include high-strength concrete with relatively more high compressive strength and the middle part includes low-grade concrete having a relatively lower compressive strength. 46. The block according to claim 45, characterized in that the upper and lower parts include high-strength concrete having a compressive strength of 10 to 60 MPa, and the middle part includes low-grade concrete having a compressive strength of 3 to 8 MPa. 47. Block according to p. 45, additionally including one or more reinforcing layers located in one of the following parts of the block: upper, middle and lower, or simultaneously in several of them. 48. The block according to claim 47, characterized in that said one or more reinforcing layers are made of structural steel. 49. A gripping device intended for use when lifting and lowering blocks in an energy storage and generation system, including: housing, including a transverse element connected to a cable driven by a crane, a pair of grippers extending distally from the body of the transverse element, and one or more levers located in the peripheral part of each grip of a pair of grips, characterized in that one or more levers can be moved to two positions: a retracted position, which allows the gripper to be lowered below the lower end of the block, and a cocked position, which allows one or more levers to engage with the lower end of the block and thereby engage with block. 50. The gripping device of claim 49, further comprising a conical peripheral end attached to each of the pairs of grippers that allow the grippers to self-center relative to the proximal holes of the block when the peripheral ends are inserted into the proximal holes, wherein the conical portions are configured to extend beyond the bottom surface block when the gripper is connected to the block. 51. The gripping device according to claim 50, characterized in that one or more levers are a plurality of levers located in a circle around the peripheral part of each of the grips from the side of the peripheral ends. 52. The gripping device according to claim 49, characterized in that each of the pairs of grippers is tubular. 53. The gripping device according to claim 49, characterized in that in the retracted position one or more levers are oriented parallel to the central axis of the grips. 54. The gripping device according to claim 49, characterized in that in the cocked position one or more levers rotate outward relative to the grips so as to protrude beyond the side surface of the grips. 55. The gripping device according to claim 54, characterized in that in the cocked position one or more levers turn outward and protrude at an acute angle relative to the central axis of the grips. 56. The gripping device according to claim 55, further including a spring-loaded cable device having one or more cables attached to one or more levers and to a spring, characterized in that the extension of the spring causes one or more levers to rotate outward to the cocked position, and also in that the compression of the spring causes one or more of the levers to pivot inward to a retracted position. 57. The gripping device of claim. 49, further including an ultrasonic sensor configured to determine the position of one or more levers relative to the block before engaging one or more levers with the block. 58. The gripping device according to claim 49, further comprising one or more holes in the peripheral part of at least one of the pair of grippers in fluid communication with the air supply source, while the air supply source is configured to supply air through one or more holes on the top surface of the block as the grippers approach the block in order to remove dust and debris from the top surface of the block until the body touches the block. 59. The gripping device according to claim 49, additionally including one or more holes located near one or more levers and in hydraulic communication with the air supply source, while the air supply source is configured to supply air through the specified one or more holes into the space between the arms and the pair of grips while the grips are in the cocked position to clear said space of debris and allow one or more of the arms to move freely to the retracted and cocked positions. 60. The gripping device according to claim 49, further including a gearbox including a first disk mounted on a proximal connector rotatably attached to the transverse element, a second disk attached to the transverse element and rotating by means of an electric motor, as well as a chain, an envelope and connecting the first and second disks. 61. The gripping device according to claim 60, characterized in that the gearbox is configured to rotate the housing in the state when the latter is not attached to the block, while the electric motor rotates the second disk relative to the first disk to cause a change in the orientation of the housing relative to the proximal connector. 62. The gripping device according to claim 60, characterized in that the gearbox is configured to rotate the housing in the state when the latter is attached to the unit, in order to compensate, at least in part, for the rotation of the crane operatively connected to the proximal connector, for which the electric motor rotates the second disk relative to the first disk to reorient the housing relative to the proximal connector so that the block connected to the housing maintains the same orientation and experiences zero torque. 63. A method of operation of a gripping device for lifting and lowering blocks in an energy storage and generation system, including: lowering the gripping device relative to the block; inserting the pair of grippers of the gripper through the pair of channels in the block until the peripheral end of the pair of grippers protrudes beyond the pair of channels; transferring one or more levers, movably connected to a pair of grippers, from the retracted position to the cocked position; and engagement of one or more levers, which are in the cocked position, with the recessed peripheral surface of the pair of channels, which allows the block to be lifted using a gripping device. 64. The method of claim. 63, further comprising determining the position of one or more levers located on a pair of grippers relative to the block using an ultrasonic sensor before moving one or more levers to the cocked position. 65. The method of claim 63, wherein inserting the pair of grippers into the pair of channels comprises inserting the conical end portions of the pair of grippers into the pair of channels, wherein the conical end portions self-center the pair of grippers with respect to the pair of channels during insertion of the pair of grippers into the pair of channels. 66. The method of claim 63, further comprising supplying some air from the conical end portions to the proximal surface of one or more blocks to clean the proximal surface of the blocks. 67. The method of claim 66, further comprising supplying some air to the space between the one or more arms and the pair of grips when the arms are in the cocked position to clear said space of debris and allow the one or more grips to be moved to the retracted position. or in the cocked position.

Images