US 11,754,319 B2
Pumped thermal storage cycles with turbomachine speed control
Robert B. Laughlin, Cambridge, MA (US); Philippe Larochelle, Cambridge, MA (US); and Nicholas Cizek, Cambridge, MA (US)
Assigned to MALTA INC., Cambridge, MA (US)
Filed by MALTA INC., Cambridge, MA (US)
Filed on Oct. 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/509,341.
Application 17/509,341 is a continuation of application No. 16/289,017, filed on Feb. 28, 2019, granted, now 11,156,385.
Application 16/289,017 is a continuation of application No. 15/440,300, filed on Feb. 23, 2017, granted, now 10,458,721, issued on Oct. 29, 2019.
Application 15/440,300 is a continuation of application No. 14/668,610, filed on Mar. 25, 2015, granted, now 10,012,448, issued on Jul. 3, 2018.
Application 14/668,610 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2013/062469, filed on Sep. 27, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/868,070, filed on Aug. 20, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/706,337, filed on Sep. 27, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2022/0042720 A1, Feb. 10, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F24S 60/10 (2018.01); F01K 13/02 (2006.01); F02C 1/10 (2006.01); F02C 6/14 (2006.01); F01K 3/12 (2006.01); F28D 15/00 (2006.01); F28D 20/00 (2006.01); F01K 3/00 (2006.01); F01K 3/18 (2006.01); F01K 3/20 (2006.01)
CPC F24S 60/10 (2018.05) [F01K 3/00 (2013.01); F01K 3/12 (2013.01); F01K 3/185 (2013.01); F01K 3/20 (2013.01); F01K 13/02 (2013.01); F02C 1/10 (2013.01); F02C 6/14 (2013.01); F28D 15/00 (2013.01); F28D 20/00 (2013.01); F05D 2250/90 (2013.01); Y02E 20/14 (2013.01); Y02E 20/16 (2013.01); Y02E 60/14 (2013.01); Y02E 60/16 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of controlling turbomachinery speed, the method comprising:
in a closed cycle fluid path of a pumped thermal system operable in a heat engine mode and a heat pump mode, circulating a working fluid through the closed cycle fluid path including, in sequence, a compressor, a hot side heat exchanger, a turbine, and a cold side heat exchanger in both the heat engine mode and the heat pump mode, and circulating the working fluid through the closed cycle fluid path in the same direction through the compressor and the turbine in both the heat engine mode and the heat pump mode;
determining an increase in a shaft speed of the turbine; and
responsive to the determination of the increase in the shaft speed of the turbine, transferring a quantity of the working fluid from the closed cycle fluid path to an auxiliary working fluid tank.