Danielle R Fong

US Patent:

8061132, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Aug 25, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/868701

Inventors:

Danielle A. Fong - Berkeley CA, US
Stephen E. Crane - Santa Rosa CA, US
AmirHossein Pourmousa Abkenar - Irvine CA, US
Kartikeya Mahalatkar - Oakland CA, US
Yongxi Hou - Albany CA, US
Todd Bowers - San Jose CA, US
Karl E. Stahlkopf - Honolulu HI, US

Assignee:

Lightsail Energy, Inc. - Oakland CA

International Classification:

F01B 21/02
F03C 1/00

US Classification:

60417, 60407, 417438

Abstract:

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

US Patent:

8065873, Nov 29, 2011

Filed:

Feb 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/701039

Inventors:

Danielle A. Fong - Berkeley CA, US
Stephen E. Crane - Santa Rosa CA, US

Assignee:

Lightsail Energy, Inc - Oakland CA

International Classification:

F01B 21/02
F03C 1/00

US Classification:

60417, 60407, 417438

Abstract:

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

US Patent:

8065874, Nov 29, 2011

Filed:

Aug 25, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/868695

Inventors:

Danielle A. Fong - Berkeley CA, US
Stephen E. Crane - Santa Rosa CA, US
AmirHossein Pourmousa Abkenar - Irvine CA, US
Kartikeya Mahalatkar - Oakland CA, US
Yongxi Hou - Albany CA, US
Todd Bowers - San Jose CA, US
Karl E. Stahlkopf - Honolulu HI, US

Assignee:

Lightsale Energy, Inc. - Oakland CA

International Classification:

F01B 21/02
F03C 1/00

US Classification:

60417, 60407, 417438

Abstract:

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

US Patent:

8087241, Jan 3, 2012

Filed:

Aug 25, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/868720

Inventors:

Danielle A. Fong - Berkeley CA, US
Stephen E. Crane - Santa Rosa CA, US

Assignee:

Lightsail Energy, Inc. - Oakland CA

International Classification:

F16D 31/02

US Classification:

60415, 60371

Abstract:

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

US Patent:

8146354, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Jan 28, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/695922

Inventors:

Danielle A. Fong - Berkeley CA, US
Stephen E. Crane - Santa Rosa CA, US

Assignee:

Lightsail Energy, Inc. - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

F16D 31/02

US Classification:

60408, 60456

Abstract:

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

US Patent:

8181456, May 22, 2012

Filed:

Nov 10, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/293866

Inventors:

Danielle A. Fong - Berkeley CA, US
Stephen E. Crane - Santa Rosa CA, US

Assignee:

Lightsail Energy, Inc. - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

F01B 21/02
F03C 1/00

US Classification:

60417, 60407, 417438

Abstract:

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

US Patent:

8182240, May 22, 2012

Filed:

Feb 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/701146

Inventors:

Danielle A. Fong - Berkeley CA, US
Stephen E. Crane - Santa Rosa CA, US

Assignee:

Lightsail Energy, Inc. - Oakland CA

International Classification:

F04B 39/06
F04B 41/04
F16D 25/00

US Classification:

417228, 417237, 417266, 60408, 60456

Abstract:

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

US Patent:

8191360, Jun 5, 2012

Filed:

Aug 25, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/217242

Inventors:

Danielle A. Fong - Berkeley CA, US
Stephen E. Crane - Santa Rosa CA, US
AmirHossein Pourmousa Abkenar - Irvine CA, US
Kartikeya Mahalatkar - Oakland CA, US
Yongxi Hou - Albany CA, US
Todd Bowers - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

LightSail Energy, Inc. - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

F16D 31/02

US Classification:

60408, 60370, 60415

Abstract:

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.