US 12,345,239 B2
Energy storage and delivery system and method
Andrea Pedretti, Thousand Oaks, CA (US); and Mauro Pedretti-Rodi, Canobbio (CH)
Assigned to Energy Vault, Inc., Westlake Village, CA (US)
Filed by Energy Vault, Inc., Westlake Village, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 12, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/771,167.
Application 18/771,167 is a continuation of application No. 18/446,288, filed on Aug. 8, 2023, granted, now 12,037,989.
Application 18/446,288 is a continuation of application No. 17/305,008, filed on Jun. 29, 2021, granted, now 11,761,431, issued on Sep. 19, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/046,187, filed on Jun. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0426281 A1, Dec. 26, 2024
Int. Cl. F03G 3/00 (2006.01); B66C 13/28 (2006.01); B66C 17/06 (2006.01); B66C 23/28 (2006.01); H02K 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC F03G 3/094 (2021.08) [B66C 17/06 (2013.01); F03G 3/00 (2013.01); H02K 7/1853 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An energy storage and delivery system, comprising:
a frame having a vertical height above a foundation, the frame comprising:
multiple vertical levels, each vertical level having
a plurality of rows that extend horizontally, each of the plurality of rows including a pair of beams, the pair of beams having a first end and a second end;
a plurality of elevator shafts, each of the plurality of elevator shafts aligned with the first end or the second end of the pair of beams which define the plurality of rows; and
a trolley movably coupled to the pair of beams, the trolley being operable to lift and carry a block from the first end to the second end of the pair of beams, the trolley being operable to lower the block onto the pair of beams, the trolley comprising:
a trolley frame;
one or more wheel assemblies rotatably coupled to the trolley frame; and
a plurality of support pistons movably coupled to the trolley frame, the plurality of support pistons being selectively movable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the trolley is configured to:
translate along one or more of the plurality of rows with the plurality of support pistons in the retracted position to position the plurality of support pistons under the block that is supported on the pair of beams,
move the plurality of support pistons to the extended position to lift the block above the pair of beams,
translate along one or more of the plurality of rows while lifting the block with the plurality of support pistons in the extended position,
move the plurality of support pistons to the retracted position to lower the block onto the pair of beams, and
translate from under the block lowered onto the pair of beams with the plurality of support pistons in the retracted position; and
an elevator cage movably disposed in the plurality of elevator shafts and operatively coupled to an electric motor-generator, the elevator cage sized to receive the block and vertically move the block between the plurality of rows, the elevator cage operable to lift the block from the pair of beams at or proximate the first end of the pair of beams and/or the second end of the pair of beams.