METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING ENERGY FROM A FLUCTUATING ENERGY FLOW FROM A RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE

摘要

A hydraulic pump is driven by a rotating shaft, driven in turn by a renewable energy source. A hydraulic motor drives a load and a high pressure manifold communicates between the pump, motor and an elastically deformable fluid retaining body. The pressure in the high pressure manifold is measured and the net rate of displacement of working fluid by the hydraulic pump is selected responsive thereto to regulate the torque applied to the rotating shaft. The net rate of displacement of working fluid by the hydraulic motor is selected to smooth the energy flow to the load. The net rate of displacement of working fluid by the hydraulic motor is selected to regulate the pressure in the high pressure manifold to remain within an acceptable pressure range.