| 摘要 |
<p>An electrical energy storage and generating unit includes a large weight 1 suspended on a strong cable or chain 2 in a deep hole 3, eg a disused mine shaft, in the ground. The cable or chain passes over a pulley wheel 4 supÂported over the top of the hole and is connected to and wound round a nearby winding drum 5 which can be engaged to and disengaged from an electric motor 6 and an electric generator 7 via gearboxes 8. Under low demand power is taken from an external primary source of electricÂity to drive the motor to wind up the weight. During high demand on the primary source the weight descends under gravity, turning the generator to provide a secondary supply of power to supplement the primary source. The weight may be of streamlined shape to work in a flooded hole 3. In a modification (figs. 3,4), a combined motor-generator (12 is used instead of separate machines and the weight 1 is suspended using a block and tackle (10,11). Two winding drums 5 may be connected to one weight (fig.5).</p> |
