A SYSTEM OF ENERGY ACCUMULATION Technical field

The present invention refers to the technical field relative to systems suitable of energy accumulation.

In particular, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a type of system for the accumulation of energy, convertible into electric energy, that results long-lasting, with low production costs and low management costs, and of low environmental impact.

Background art

Energy accumulation systems have been known for some time, formed by a series of electric accumulators which, in fact, are real batteries that keep the electric energy produced and that wants to be accumulated.

The electric energy produced and stored in such accumulators can be obtained in different known ways, such as hydroelectric centrals, Aeolian and/or photovoltaic plants .

The accumulator, as it is well known, keeps the electric energy accumulated and releases it, at the moment required, exactly like a battery when installed in an electric device for feeding it.

A technical problem related to such types of electric accumulators is that they have a very low average life (in the order of about 5-10 years at most) and require frequent maintenance. Their performance, above all, decays rapidly with the passage of time.

In that sense, it is necessary to perform continuous maintenance and a frequent substitution in order to guarantee the constant standard energetic quantity required.

It is obvious that for systems of significant dimensions, and in cases in which it is necessary to guarantee a high quantity of energy reserve, maintenance costs are too high.

Disclosure of invention

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide a new type of system of energy accumulation that solves said technical inconveniences.

In particular, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a system that has a long life, a low environmental impact and implies at the same time minimum maintenance costs.

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide a system that allows to accumulate energy in alternative ways to then re-use them at the necessary moment, converting them into electric energy.

These and other aims are therefore obtained with the present system 1, in accordance with claim 1.

In a first variant of the invention, such system (1) can comprise:

- A station (2) for the production of electric current ;

- An accumulation system (3, 8, 9) ;

- A tank (3) for the containment of a fluid in pressure, such as a gas like air;

- Means (8) for injecting said fluid in the tank in such a way as to obtain a pre-determined pressure value of the fluid in the tank, the means (8) being electrically connected with the station (2) so that they can be activated through the reception of at least a part of the electric current produced by the station (2) .

In such a manner, in case of a surplus of current produced by the station 2 with respect to the requests of the users, it can be used to fill the tank progressively.

Means (9) are further foreseen, placed in fluid communication with the tank, and configured to produce electric current in correspondence of the sending of the fluid in pressure stored in the tank (3) . Such means 9 become activated and work through the reception of said fluid in pressure, that is by taking advantage of the pressure of the fluid.

In such a manner, in an economical and efficient way the compressed air stored in the tank can be used for the production of current to send to the external consumptions (for example in case of need when the photovoltaic panels and/or the Aeolian system are not capable of producing enough quantity of energy) .

This solution is much more advantageous with respect to the traditional energy accumulators since it is structurally simple, subject to a very low risk of breakage and malfunctioning and therefore of low management costs and of low environmental impact.

An alternative variant of such a system (1) can comprise always the same station (2) for the production of electric current and the accumulation system (203, 204, 205, 206, 210, 211) .

In such a case, however, the accumulation system comprises a mass (204) and means (205, 206, 210) electrically connected with the station (2) and configured to be activated in correspondence of the sending of at least a part of current produced by the station (2), said means foreseeing the sending of a fluid in pressure that keeps the mass suspended at a pre-determined height. Means (211) are also foreseen configured to be activated and produce electric current through the pressure with which the fluid is pushed by means of the fall by gravity of the suspended mass.

In this alternative case, therefore, instead of a gas in pressure the weight of a suspended mass is used.

In a third variant, the system can foresee, in addition to the station (2) for the production of electric current, a system of accumulation (320, 330) that foresees two containers (320) for a liquid placed at two different heights and means (330, 390, 360) electrically connected with the station (2) and configured to be activated in correspondence of the sending of at least a part of current produced by the station (2) in such a way as to be able to send the liquid from the container at a lower height to the container placed at a greater height. Means (330) are further foreseen configured to produce electric current in correspondence of the fall by gravity of the liquid from the container (320) at a greater height towards the container at a lower height.

In accordance with the first embodiment described, the tank (3) can advantageously be a single serpentine- shaped tank.

Always with reference to such a first embodiment, said means (8) comprise a compressor (8) and said means (9) comprise a compressed-air current generator.

The compressor injects air in pressure in the tank and the generator, activated by the compressed air, produces current.

The generator (9) in fact comprises an engine (9'') that is activated through the sending of compressed air, that is the air contained in the tank.

Advantageously, in accordance with said second embodiment, said means (205, 206, 210) can comprise one or more actuators (205, 206) provided with an fluid in pressure being made through a compressor (210) .

In such a case, advantageously, said means (211) comprise a current generator that is activated through the sending of the fluid in pressure in return.

Always in accordance with such a second embodiment, a circulation (230) for the fluid and valve means (221, 220) are foreseen, controllable in such a way as to allow the sending of the fluid in pressure from. the compressor (210) to the actuators to lift the mass through the extraction of the stems (206) and further controllable for commanding an opening of them that allows the retraction of the stems by means of the weight of the overlying mass with consequent inverse flow of the fluid in pressure towards the generator (211) .

In such a manner, the production process of the current is controllable.

Such a second embodiment can advantageously foresee an accumulation tank (250) where the oil is cyclically collected.

In all the embodiments described, advantageously, the station (2) can comprise a photovoltaic and/or an Aeolian system.

Always in all the embodiments, advantageously, a distributing device (6) can be foreseen interposed between the station (2) and the accumulation system in such a way as to send a part of the current produced towards an external consumption and a part of the current produced towards the accumulation system.

All the systems described, advantageously, can obviously be easily dimensioned in such a way as to produce an excess of energy with respect to the average quantity required by the external consumption in the installation place.

In this way, the surplus of current is accumulated in the accumulation systems described.

Advantageously, the accumulation system can be electrically connected in return with the distributing device (6) so as to send such energy produced to the external consumptions.

Advantageously, the accumulation system can be provided with a control panel so as to be controllable, that is activated also from remote.

Brief description of drawings

Further features and advantages of the present invention will result clearer with the description that follows of some embodiments, made to illustrate but not to limit, with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 shows a scheme of a system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, in which the energy accumulation device 3 has the shape of an air- compressed container;

- Figure 2 shows a lateral view of the air tank;

- Figure 3 and figure 4 are further a view and a section relative to the air tank;

- Figure 5 shows a scheme of a system in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, in which the energy accumulation device has the shape of a mass that activates by gravity oleodynamic pistons;

- Figure 6 shows a scheme of a system in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, in which the energy accumulation device has the shape of two water basins placed on two different levels of height.

Description of some preferred embodiments

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention that is particularly functional. In accordance with said embodiment, a first station 2 is foreseen, which is suitable for the production of electric energy.

Such a station 2 can foresee a photovoltaic system 2, for example comprising one or more photovoltaic panels 4 (according to the potentiality of the system that wants to be realized), well known in the state of the art.

The photovoltaic panel is in fact capable of converting solar energy into electric energy.

In combination with the photovoltaic system 4 an

Aeolian system 5 can be foreseen, well known in the state of the art as well. The Aeolian system is therefore formed by one or more windmill blades connected to a current generator which is capable of transforming the rotation of the windmill blades in electric current.

Obviously, the station 2 of production of electric energy can be formed only by photovoltaic panels, only by windmill blades or by a combination of both. Further, said preferred embodiment of the invention describes a station 2 which produces electric current with notoriously eco- compatible systems but, despite this, nothing would exclude the production of energy with traditional systems, such as hydroelectric centrals or even to withdraw it from national electric networks and form an accumulation in case of black-out of the high voltage energy cables.

Going on with the structural description of the invention, with number 6 an energy distributing device has been indicated (inverter-distributor of energy) , which is capable of separating the energy produced for the external consumptions that require it and send a part of it towards the accumulation 3 (see direction of arrow in figure 1).

The energy distributor 6 comprises an inverter in order to transform the continuous current in alternate current suitable for industrial and home uses. Connected to the energy distributor 6 a feeding 7 for a compressor 8 is foreseen. Such a feeding, as indicated by the continuous line 8', converges at the compressor in such a way that the compressor can be activated.

The compressor is further provided with specific control panel which, thanks to the electric feeding received from the distributor 6, is activated and feeds the compressor itself.

The compressor, always as shown in figure 1, is then connected to an air tank 3 through a connection 10 in such a way that, once activated, it is capable of compressing the air inside it at pre-determined pressure values. Basically, the compressor pushes air inside the tank in such a way as to reach pre-determined pressure values.

The tank, as shown in figure 2, is preferably serpentine-shaped and has a pre-determined length.

Obviously, the size can be selected at will according to the quantity of energy reserve that wants to be accumulated in the shape of compressed air. The advantage of having a single serpentine-shaped tank is that such a shape allows to have a big volume of containment of the air in view of. a low value of volumetric space of encumbrance occupied by the tank itself.

In this manner, above all, a single connection to the compressor can be foreseen on one side and, as clarified below, a subsequent connection to the generator 9 on the opposite side. This minimizes the leaks, reduces the volumes and renders the entire system structurally simpler since a connection in succession between many tanks is not necessary, guaranteeing at the same time a greater seal. The tank will be anyway dimensioned in the choice of the materials (generally metals such as iron or steel) and thicknesses in order to contain air at a predetermined pressure (exactly like a cylinder) . Indicative pressure values, just with the aim of giving a non- limiting example, can be comprised within a range between the 5 Bar and the 300 Bar.

Figure 2 shows a lateral view with three rectilinear sections of the tank, overlapped one to the other and connected through U-shaped connections.

Figure 3, for greater clarity, shows a further front view of the tank and figure 4 a section of the same.

Going back to figure 1, the tank 3 converges at an electric generator 9 provided with air-compressed engine. Basically, through the injection of compressed air coming from the tank 3, the engine 9' ' is activated, which allows to activate the generator 9' and therefore to produce current which, along the electric line of communication 11 (connection line 11), is sent to the external consumptions as needed.

In use, therefore, said system works in the following way.

A pre-determined quantity of electric energy is produced through the station 2. The station 2 can therefore be dimensioned and projected in such a way as to have a surplus of production with respect to the one normally required on average by the users in the area of installation of the system.

The use of windmill blades and/or photovoltaic panels is obviously a preferred solution for environmental impact and pollution reduction reasons, and in the places where the national or private electric network is not present .

As shown in the scheme of figure 1, the eventual excess of pre-established current produced feeds, through the line 8' , the compressor, which compresses the air in the tank at pre-determined pressure values.

The tank 3 is obviously watertight and therefore is in fact an energy tank (the air pressure) , which is not only ecologic but is also much more long-lasting with respect to a system that uses ordinary electric accumulators. This is because, in fact, the tank does not have electric or mechanic components in movement but is simply a container that keeps the compressed air inside it. Even in hot places, the gauge pressure increases naturally, increasing further also the power itself of the system in an absolutely "free" manner.

The pressure value desired can be obtained in a predetermined operative exercise time of the system, on the basis of the quantity of energy that wants to be accumulated.

The connection 10 can converge at the tank through a non-return valve; therefore, once the tank has been pressurized, the valve does not allow the inverse return of the air and the compressor can be switched off, for example manually or automatically through a specific intelligent pressure switch or piezoresistive sensors.

When it is necessary to have in return a certain quantity of energy, then the tank releases air in pressure towards the air-compressed engine 9' that activates the generator 9' ' . The generator produces current and sends it along the line 11 towards the consumptions, passing through an inverter in case it is required.

To that aim, in correspondence of the connection between engine 9' ' and tank a motorized electric valve can be foreseen, controllable at a distance for opening and closing.

A variant of the invention is shown in figure 5.

Remaining what has been previously described valid, this solution substitutes the previously described tank with an oleodynamic device 203.

In this case, the oleodynamic device 203 foresees a mass 204 arranged on top of a support base. The support base is formed by four or more oleodynamic pistons 205 provided with extractable/retractable stems 206, of an adequate size on the basis of the oil in pressure in them foreseen and sent.

In that sense, the excess of current (pre- established) can command an oleodynamic pump 210, which is activated to send oil in pressure in the circuit so that the stems extend, keeping the mass lifted. Figure 5 shows the circuit 230 of circulation of the oil that from the pump 210 goes towards the pistons. The mass 204 is lifted and kept in position once the specific valves of non- return 220 and 221 are closed. At this point the pump 210 will switch off automatically, controlled by an intelligent pressure switch or piezoresistive sensor. At the moment in which current is required, the valve 221 opens and the oil flows through it towards the generator 211, pushed with the pressure due to the weight force of the overlying mass 204. The oil therefore activates the generator 211 that produces current, while specific circulation takes the oil to a storage container 250 for repeating the cycle.

Figure 5 in fact shows a communication conduit that further connects the storage container 250 with the pump 210. In a new cycle, therefore, the pump draws from the storage devices and lifts the mass 204 through the surplus of current produced by the station 2.

A third variant of the invention is described in figure 6.

In this case, remaining what has been previously described valid, two tanks 320 or basins of containment of a liquid, for example water, are arranged, on two different levels of height (that is at two heights that are different between them) .

A reversible turbine 330 is then foreseen, which, for clarity purposes, is also shown on its own in an enlarged manner. Actually, the turbine is interposed in a circulation 350 that puts in communication the two tanks

320 placed at two different heights.

The figure then shows a natural water source, for example a lake or a river bed 380, from which water can be withdrawn through a pump 360 and sent through specific circulation to the tank 320 placed at a lower height.

Alternatively, or in combination with the river bed, a well 390 can be used as source, from which, always through the pump, the water is sucked.

In use, the system in accordance with said third embodiment works in the following manner.

The excess of energy produced by the station formed by the Aeolian and/or by the solar system is used to bring in height the water from the inferior tank to the superior tank. The inferior tank has obviously been filled previously through the pump 360 and/or 390 and relative circulation. The same pump 360 and/or 390 could be activated by using energy produced by the station 2.

At the moment in which a surplus of energy is needed, this can be obtained by making the reversible turbine 330 work in the inverse way, that is by activating it through the fall of water that from the superior tank falls towards the inferior tank along the conduit 350, thus producing current.