US 12,270,404 B2
Gas-driven generator system comprising an elongate gravitational distribution conduit coupled with a gas injection system
Mark J. Maynard, Easthampton, MA (US)
Filed by Mark J. Maynard, Easthampton, MA (US)
Filed on Jun. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/846,004.
Application 17/846,004 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/229,477, filed on Apr. 13, 2021, abandoned.
Application 17/846,004 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/861,987, filed on Apr. 29, 2020, granted, now 10,968,883, issued on Apr. 6, 2021.
Application 17/229,477 is a continuation of application No. 16/250,736, filed on Jan. 17, 2019, granted, now 10,989,110, issued on Apr. 27, 2021.
Application 16/861,987 is a continuation of application No. 16/115,531, filed on Aug. 28, 2018, granted, now 10,683,839, issued on Jun. 16, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/212,914, filed on Jun. 21, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/618,720, filed on Jan. 18, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/550,836, filed on Aug. 28, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0333603 A1, Oct. 20, 2022
Int. Cl. F04D 17/12 (2006.01); F02C 1/00 (2006.01); F04B 25/00 (2006.01); F04B 39/16 (2006.01); F04B 41/06 (2006.01); F04D 13/12 (2006.01); F04D 25/16 (2006.01); F04D 29/00 (2006.01); F04D 29/58 (2006.01); F25B 1/00 (2006.01); F25B 30/06 (2006.01)
CPC F04D 17/12 (2013.01) [F04B 25/00 (2013.01); F04B 39/16 (2013.01); F04B 41/06 (2013.01); F04D 25/16 (2013.01); F04D 29/002 (2013.01); F04D 29/5833 (2013.01); F04D 29/5866 (2013.01); F25B 30/06 (2013.01); F02C 1/00 (2013.01); F04D 13/12 (2013.01); F04D 29/5826 (2013.01); F25B 1/00 (2013.01); F25B 2400/061 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A gas-driven generator system for generating electric power from movement of a working liquid, the gas-driven generator system comprising:
an elongate gravitational distribution conduit with an upper end and a lower end;
plural elongate buoyancy conduits, each buoyancy conduit with an upper end and a lower end;
wherein:
the upper ends of the elongate buoyancy conduits are in fluidic communication with the upper end of the elongate gravitational distribution conduit; and
the lower end of the elongate gravitational distribution conduit is in fluidic communication with the lower ends of the elongate plural buoyancy conduits such that a closed fluid loop is formed between the elongate plural buoyancy conduits and the elongate gravitational distribution conduit with working liquid flowing from the upper ends of the buoyancy conduits fed into the upper end of the elongate gravitational distribution conduit and working liquid flowing downwardly through the elongate gravitational distribution conduit being fed from the lower end of the elongate gravitational distribution conduit into the lower ends of the plural elongate buoyancy conduits;
a liquid turbine system fluidically interposed between the lower end of the elongate gravitational distribution conduit and the lower ends of the plural elongate buoyancy conduits;
an gas injection system operative to inject gas into the lower ends each of the plural elongate buoyancy conduits;
a first heat exchanger in fluidic communication with each of the plural elongate buoyancy conduits, the first heat exchanger comprises a first heat exchange fluid;
a second heat exchanger in fluidic communication with an upper chamber and in fluidic communication with a storage tank; and
a thermal heating system configured to capture thermal energy from an external source, the thermal heating system in fluidic communication with the first heat exchanger;
a thermal storage system, the thermal storage system in fluidic communication with the thermal heating system, the thermal storage system configured to store thermal energy captured from the gas-driven generator system, wherein:
the thermal storage system comprises a second heat exchange fluid; and
the injection of the gas into the working liquid disposed in the plural elongate buoyancy conduits will tend to induce upward flow of the working liquid in the plural elongate buoyancy conduits such that working liquid fed to the upper end of the elongate gravitational distribution conduit will have a downward flow within the elongate gravitational distribution conduit to actuate the liquid turbine system.