US 12,435,648 B1
Thermal energy storage system coupled with thermal power cycle systems
John Setel O'Donnell, Oakland, CA (US); and Yusef Desjardins Ferhani, Menlo Park, CA (US)
Assigned to RONDO ENERGY, INC., Alameda, CA (US)
Filed by Rondo Energy, Inc., Alameda, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 25, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/754,047.
Application 18/754,047 is a division of application No. 18/142,564, filed on May 2, 2023, granted, now 12,018,596.
Application 18/142,564 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/668,333, filed on Feb. 9, 2022, granted, now 11,702,963, issued on Jul. 18, 2023.
Application 17/668,333 is a continuation of application No. 17/537,407, filed on Nov. 29, 2021, granted, now 11,603,776, issued on Mar. 14, 2023.
Application 18/142,564 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2021/061041, filed on Nov. 29, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/434,919, filed on Dec. 22, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/427,374, filed on Nov. 22, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/378,355, filed on Oct. 4, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/347,987, filed on Jun. 1, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/338,805, filed on May 5, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/337,562, filed on May 2, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/231,155, filed on Aug. 9, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/170,370, filed on Apr. 2, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/165,632, filed on Mar. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/155,261, filed on Mar. 1, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/119,443, filed on Nov. 30, 2020.
Int. Cl. F01K 3/02 (2006.01); B63H 11/00 (2006.01); F01K 3/08 (2006.01); F01K 3/18 (2006.01); F01K 13/02 (2006.01); F01K 15/00 (2006.01); F03G 6/00 (2006.01); F22B 29/06 (2006.01); F22B 35/10 (2006.01); F28D 20/00 (2006.01); H01M 8/04007 (2016.01); H01M 8/04014 (2016.01); H01M 8/04029 (2016.01); H02J 1/10 (2006.01); H02J 3/00 (2006.01); H02J 3/04 (2006.01); H02M 1/00 (2006.01); B63H 11/12 (2006.01); B63H 11/14 (2006.01); B63H 11/16 (2006.01); F01K 11/02 (2006.01); F01K 19/04 (2006.01); F03D 9/18 (2016.01)
CPC F01K 3/02 (2013.01) [B63H 11/00 (2013.01); F01K 3/08 (2013.01); F01K 3/186 (2013.01); F01K 13/02 (2013.01); F01K 15/00 (2013.01); F03G 6/071 (2021.08); F22B 29/06 (2013.01); F22B 35/10 (2013.01); F28D 20/00 (2013.01); H01M 8/04014 (2013.01); H01M 8/04029 (2013.01); H01M 8/04037 (2013.01); H01M 8/04052 (2013.01); H01M 8/04074 (2013.01); H02J 1/102 (2013.01); H02J 3/00 (2013.01); H02J 3/04 (2013.01); H02M 1/0003 (2021.05); H02M 1/007 (2021.05); B63H 11/12 (2013.01); B63H 11/14 (2013.01); B63H 11/16 (2013.01); F01K 11/02 (2013.01); F01K 19/04 (2013.01); F03D 9/18 (2016.05); F28D 2020/0004 (2013.01); Y02E 60/14 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermal power generation system, including:
a first continuous source of noncombustion heat, configured to heat a first working fluid to a first temperature and pressure;
a thermal energy storage system configured to store thermal energy derived from intermittent electric power in a liquid and/or solid thermal storage medium as latent and/or sensible heat at or above a second temperature higher than the first temperature, and to controllably deliver the stored heat into a second working fluid at temperatures up to the second temperature;
a first thermal power turbine configured to generate electric power using heat from a first turbine inlet flow of pressurized vapor;
a primary heat exchanger or condenser configured to cool a fluid exhaust of the first thermal power turbine to deliver a cooled returning liquid flow to a first source of noncombustion heat, either directly or indirectly via a secondary heat exchanger;
a second thermal power turbine configured to receive a second turbine inlet flow of pressurized vapor delivered at a third temperature higher than the first temperature and up to the second temperature, and configured to deliver an outlet flow at or above the first temperature and pressure, the outlet flow including at least a portion of heat flow of the first turbine inlet flow.