Hybrid electric power generator and method for generating electric power

摘要

A system for generating electric power comprises an electrically driven air compression unit (10), a high-pressure storage tank (14) and a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system comprises a fluid reservoir (20), a pneumatically driven fluid pump (18) and a hydraulic motor (26), having a drive shaft (28) rotatably coupled to an electric generator (8). Initially a high-speed compression unit (10) is operated by an outside electric source. The air is compressed into the high-pressure storage tank (14) and controllably released into the pneumatically driven fluid pump (18), causing its operation. Hydraulic fluid being pressured from the fluid reservoir (20) into the hydraulic motor (26) causes the rotation of the motor drive shaft (28) and the electric generator (8). Electric power is generated. The outside electric source is removed. Part of the generated power is used to operate the compression unit (10) the other part of the power is used by a load.