An energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.

An energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.

Disclosed is a device which incorporates a process by which an absorptive material is used to absorb fluid, the weight of said fluid causes the device to move without any outside energy source. The fluid, by way of evaporation or by being absorbed into another absorptive material, substantially disappears, causing the device to return back to its starting position on its own, and repeat the process. The fluid, which is stocked in a holding area, remains stagnant, until the device in its starting position is made in contact with the fluid by use of a counterweight, and thereby absorbs the fluid, however, when the device is saturated, the greater volume of absorbent on one side causes the device to move to its activated position. In its activated position, the device is not exposed to the fluid and therefore remains until the fluid is evaporated or absorbed into another absorbent. In doing so, the device has converted the potential energy in an unsaturated absorbent into kinetic energy. This kinetic energy can be used to, for example rotate an axis that is connected to a magnet within a fixed copper coil, or vice a versa, thereby converting this newly created kinetic energy into electricity.

Disclosed is a device which incorporates a process by which an absorptive material is used to absorb fluid, the weight of said fluid causes the device to move without any outside energy source. The fluid, by way of evaporation or by being absorbed into another absorptive material, substantially disappears, causing the device to return back to its starting position on its own, and repeat the process. The fluid, which is stocked in a holding area, remains stagnant, until the device in its starting position is made in contact with the fluid by use of a counterweight, and thereby absorbs the fluid, however, when the device is saturated, the greater volume of absorbent on one side causes the device to move to its activated position. In its activated position, the device is not exposed to the fluid and therefore remains until the fluid is evaporated or absorbed into another absorbent. In doing so, the device has converted the potential energy in an unsaturated absorbent into kinetic energy. This kinetic energy can be used to, for example rotate an axis that is connected to a magnet within a fixed copper coil, or vice a versa, thereby converting this newly created kinetic energy into electricity.

An energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.

The invention provides a vibration isolation device configured to support a structure, comprising: an air mount having a base part mounted on a reference structure and a vibration isolated part, and an inverted pendulum device, wherein a lower end of the inverted pendulum device is mounted on the vibration isolated part of the air mount and an upper end of the inverted pendulum device support the structure to be supported, wherein the vibration isolation device comprises a stiffness adjustment device configured to adjust the stiffness of the inverted pendulum device.

The invention provides a vibration isolation device configured to support a structure, comprising: an air mount having a base part mounted on a reference structure and a vibration isolated part, and an inverted pendulum device, wherein a lower end of the inverted pendulum device is mounted on the vibration isolated part of the air mount and an upper end of the inverted pendulum device support the structure to be supported, wherein the vibration isolation device comprises a stiffness adjustment device configured to adjust the stiffness of the inverted pendulum device.

A mechanism with a base; a pendulum mounted pivotally relative to the base about a pendulum axis; first/second eccentric elements generating first/second moments of gravitational force about first/second axes; and a synchronization system of the first/second eccentric elements according to a synchronized counter-rotating rotational movement. The pendulum axis and eccentric elements' axes are parallel and arranged in the plane integral to the pendulum. The eccentric elements' axes are supported by the pendulum, above and below the pendulum axis. The eccentric elements are movable in synchronized counter-rotating rotation, with cross-centrifugations, the pendulum pivots alternately on one side then the other, amplifying the rotational movement of the eccentric elements, by simultaneous cross-thrusts of the pendulum against the eccentric elements' axes, and by the transmission of torque to the synchronization system, and the energy generated by centrifugation within the mechanism is recoverable by coupling an energy recovery system to the synchronization system.

A mechanism with a base; a pendulum mounted pivotally relative to the base about a pendulum axis; first/second eccentric elements generating first/second moments of gravitational force about first/second axes; and a synchronization system of the first/second eccentric elements according to a synchronized counter-rotating rotational movement. The pendulum axis and eccentric elements' axes are parallel and arranged in the plane integral to the pendulum. The eccentric elements' axes are supported by the pendulum, above and below the pendulum axis. The eccentric elements are movable in synchronized counter-rotating rotation, with cross-centrifugations, the pendulum pivots alternately on one side then the other, amplifying the rotational movement of the eccentric elements, by simultaneous cross-thrusts of the pendulum against the eccentric elements' axes, and by the transmission of torque to the synchronization system, and the energy generated by centrifugation within the mechanism is recoverable by coupling an energy recovery system to the synchronization system.

A an energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.