Modular Thermal Energy Retention and Transfer System
Described is a modular thermal energy transfer system. The modular thermal energy transfer system includes a plurality of modular thermal units, each modular thermal unit having a thermal retainer with a conditioning pipe and a usable fluid pipe disposed therein. The conditioning pipes are in fluidic communication with one another, and the usable fluid pipes are in fluidic communication with one another. The conditioning pipes are adapted to carry a conditioning fluid therethrough and to allow transfer of thermal energy between the thermal retainers and the conditioning fluid. The usable fluid pipes are adapted to carry a usable fluid therethrough and to allow the transfer of thermal energy between the thermal retainers and the usable fluid. The various thermal retainers of the modular thermal units are configured to be positionable proximate one another such that thermal energy is transferable between substantially adjacent thermal retainers.
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to a modular system for collecting and/or generating and retaining thermal energy and for transferring the thermal energy to a usable fluid.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of energy management, energy usage during peak periods generally drives the capital expenditures of energy production and imposes increased economic demand on consumable energy. It will be understood that a “peak period” is a time frame within which there is a usual and predictable spike in demand for electricity from a given electrical grid. In several applications, increased demand for consumable energy during peak periods often results in increased costs of energy production, and in certain applications, a shortage of available consumable energy. For example, in the use of thermal energy transfer technology for thermally conditioning ambient fluids such as water or air, it is generally more difficult and/or more costly to cool ambient fluids to a desirable temperature during particularly hot periods such as the summer, and conversely, it is often more difficult and/or more costly to heat ambient fluids during cold periods such as the winter, due in part to the increased differences between the ambient temperature during these periods and the desired temperature for the thermally conditioned fluids. Likewise, due to increased differences between ambient temperature and the desired temperature for thermally conditioned fluids, it is often more difficult and/or more costly to cool ambient fluids during the relative warmth of the day, and conversely, it is often more difficult to heat such ambient fluids during the relative cool of the night. By contrast, during time periods of non-peak energy usage, more economical thermal conditioning of ambient fluids is possible, thereby allowing a decreased economic demand for available consumable energy.
As worldwide energy consumption increases, it is desirable to develop more practical and economical methods for utilizing sources of energy which are intermittently more available during the time periods of non-peak energy usage. A number of thermal energy storage devices have been developed for gathering and storing energy in a thermal reservoir for later reuse. Typical of the art are those devices disclosed in the following U.S. patents:
Of these patents, the '731 patent issued to Harrison discloses a bifurcated, liquid-impervious tank which is built into the ground. The tank of the Harrison patent contains rocks for use as a heat storage material surrounded by water for use as a heat transfer liquid. Water which is heated through a solar collector is circulated through the tank to transfer heat to the heat storage material. Thereafter, the cooled water is pumped back to the solar collector for reheating. A heat exchanger is mounted at the top of the tank for directing heat from the heat storage material to water and/or air to heat the water and/or air for domestic use.
In the '489 patent issued to Swiadek, a plurality of metal containers filled with liquid such as water are provided in a stacked configuration with spaced apart ducts defined therebetween. Hot air is passed through the ducts to transfer heat through the metal container walls to rapidly heat the liquid in each container. Thereafter, heat in the liquid is slowly and controllably released through a pair of thermally diffusing walls disposed on opposite outer portions of the container.
Barbas et al., in the '782 patent, disclose a central air heating system incorporating an alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal salt used as a heat storage material. The heat storage material is surrounded by an inner jacket, which is in turn surrounded by an outer jacket such that the inner jacket and outer jacked are spaced apart to define an air passage therebetween. An air flow control device is provided to selectively direct air flow through either the air space between the two jackets or both the air space between the two jackets and through the inner jacket containing the heat storage material.
The '650 patent issued to Keller et al. discloses a plurality of permeable concrete blocks forming an exterior wall of a building. The blocks cooperate to define channels through which air is circulated to heat or cool the blocks during non-peak usage hours.
In the '659 patent issued to Levin, a multistage tower having a system of flat, rigid containers is provided. Each container is filled with a phase change material adapted to store heat by inducing a phase change of the phase change material. Heat transfer to and from the phase change material is accomplished through a heat transfer fluid within the tower.
Several of the prior art devices are limited in their adaptability to the need for thermal energy storage devices of various sizes, shapes, and capacities. For example, the thermal energy storage devices disclosed in the '731 patent, the '782 patent, the '650 patent, and the '659 patent, as discussed above, each require that the device be constructed and permanently installed at the site of the intended usage of the device, thus limiting the ability to expand or reduce the size and/or capacity of the device following initial installation. Moreover, several of the prior art devices are limited in their ability to be used for collection, storage, and dispensation of thermal energy for use in heating and/or cooling both liquid and gas fluids. Consequently, a modular system for collecting and/or supplying and retaining thermal energy and for transferring the thermal energy to liquid and/or gas fluids is desired.
As worldwide demand for energy continues to increase, renewable sources of energy that do not depend on finite fuel sources are desirable. However, many known renewable sources of energy are intermittent and are therefore not always available coincidentally with the demand for energy. A particular concern is in the area of solar photovoltaic technology. In recent years, great advances have been made in the cost reduction and performance of photovoltaic energy generators. Several organizations throughout the world are currently devoting significant resources to developing photovoltaic technology with the goal of achieving “grid parity” of a given electrical infrastructure. Thus, there is a need for cost effective energy storage technology in order to store the energy delivered from the photovoltaic generators. As a percentage of total energy used in a typical home, electrical energy is relatively small. The majority of energy used by individuals in a typical home is thermal energy, such as energy used to heat water and warm air. Since photovoltaic systems deliver electrical energy during the day, when most electrical energy is consumed, there is less need to store electrical energy from photovoltaic panels for this purpose. However, in order to allow any significant portion of a home's energy needs to be supplied by photovoltaic technology, a thermal energy storage system is needed which is capable of storing heat for use in the heating of water and warming of air in a home when solar energy is unavailable.
Another area of concern involves the charging of electric vehicles at residential homes. In order to recharge an electric vehicle in a reasonable time frame, a large amount of electrical energy must typically be transferred to the vehicle in a short time frame. In a situation in which several electric vehicles are charged simultaneously using a given electrical grid, a very high demand for electricity within the grid is produced. Some residential distribution networks are not designed to accommodate such large power flows. In such situations, the utility supplying the residential distribution network must typically meet these high power demands using another fuel source, such as for example natural gas fired turbines. Such natural gas fired turbines are typically extremely inefficient due to the amount of thermal energy wasted by the natural gas fired turbines due to the theoretical and practical limits imposed by the thermodynamic properties of the natural gas turbines. Thus, a cost effective thermal energy storage technology that can be coupled with a natural gas generator to conserve wasted energy of the natural gas generator is desirable.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the various features of the present invention there is provided a modular thermal energy transfer system for collecting and/or supplying thermal energy during a first time frame, for retaining at least a portion of the thermal energy until a second time frame, and for transferring at least a portion of the thermal energy to a usable fluid during the second time frame. The modular thermal energy transfer system includes generally a plurality of modular thermal units. Each modular thermal unit includes a thermal retainer which defines at least one through opening, and preferably, a first through opening and a second through opening. At least one pipe is disposed within the at least one opening. In one embodiment, a conditioning pipe is disposed within the first through opening and a usable fluid pipe is disposed within the second through opening. The conditioning pipe is adapted to carry a conditioning fluid therethrough and to allow the transfer of thermal energy between the thermal retainer and the conditioning fluid. Likewise, the usable fluid pipe is adapted to carry a usable fluid therethrough and to allow the transfer of thermal energy between the thermal retainer and the usable fluid. In one embodiment, the conditioning pipe and cooperating usable fluid pipe of a given modular thermal unit are collectively defined by a single pipe.
The various thermal retainers of the modular thermal units are configured to be positionable proximate one another such that thermal energy is transferable between substantially adjacent thermal retainers. The conditioning pipes are in fluidic communication with one another, such that conditioning fluid is capable of passing sequentially through each of the conditioning pipes of the modular thermal energy transfer system, thereby allowing thermal exchange between the conditioning fluid and each of the thermal retainers. Likewise, the usable fluid pipes are in fluidic communication with one another, such that usable fluid is capable of passing sequentially through each of the usable fluid pipes of the modular thermal energy transfer system, thereby allowing thermal exchange between the usable fluid and each of the thermal retainers.
In some embodiments, a thermal generating member, such as an electrical heating element, is disposed within each thermal retainer. The thermal generating member provides thermal energy exchange between the thermal retainer and the thermal generating member to accomplish thermal conditioning of the thermal retainer.
The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
The present invention provides a modular thermal energy transfer system for collecting and/or supplying thermal energy during a first time frame, for retaining at least a portion of the thermal energy until a second time frame, and for transferring at least a portion of the thermal energy to a usable fluid during the second time frame. More specifically, the present invention provides a modular apparatus for transferring thermal energy between a first fluid and a medium, and/or supplying thermal energy and transferring the generated thermal energy to the medium, to create a temperature differential in the medium, maintaining the temperature differential in the medium, and applying the temperature differential to a second fluid to change the temperature in the second fluid.
A perspective view of one embodiment of the modular thermal energy transfer system constructed in accordance with the various features of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10 in
Both the conditioning pipe 16 and the usable fluid pipe 18 are adapted to conduct thermal energy between the thermal retainer 14 and fluid travelling through the pipes 16, 18. To this end, both the conditioning pipe 16 and the usable fluid pipe 18 are constructed from a thermally conductive material, such as copper or other thermally conductive metal. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that other thermally conductive materials exist which are suitable for fabrication of the conditioning pipe 16 and the usable fluid pipe 18, and such materials may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As will be further discussed below, the various conditioning pipes 16 of the system 10 cooperate to transfer a conditioning fluid 46 (see
Referring to
Referring to
It will be understood that the conditioning fluid 46 can be either a fluid hotter than the thermal retainer 14 or a fluid colder than the thermal retainer 14. For example, in the embodiment shown in
It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the amount of thermal energy 50 storable by the thermal retainers 14 per unit of volume of the thermal retainers 14 is generally governed by the thermal mass of the thermal retainers 14, as well as a unit of measurement of the various materials comprising the system 10 called the “storage figure of merit” or “SFM,” which is the product of the material's specific heat and its density. In several embodiments, the specific heat of each of the thermal retainers 14 is less than the specific heat of the conditioning fluid 46, however, the material comprising the thermal retainers 14 is more dense than the conditioning fluid 46, such that the SFM of the thermal retainers 14 is similar to the SFM of the conditioning fluid 46. In one embodiment in which the conditioning fluid 46 is water having an SFM of approximately 62.4 BTU/(ft3° F.), the thermal retainers 14 are fabricated from a portland cement having a specific heat of approximately 0.37 BTU/(lb ° F.) and a density of approximately 170-190 lbs/ft3. In another embodiment, the thermal retainers 14 are fabricated from a material having a SFM greater than or equal to approximately 40 BTU/(ft3° F.), and more preferably, between 40-50 BTU/(ft3° F.). It will be understood that, because the system 10 is comprised of the plurality of thermal modules 12, the ultimate size of the system 10, and therefore the ultimate collective volume of the thermal retainers 14 and the ultimate thermal mass of the thermal retainers 14, is adjustable and governed by the number of thermal modules 12 employed. Accordingly, the size of the modular thermal energy transfer system 10 can be adjusted to cooperate with a given site, such as a site where a hot water heater and/or air conditioning unit would be kept. Additionally, because the system 10 is modular, the system 10 is adapted to be constructed on site such that the manufacture and transportation of the system 10 is eased.
The system 10 creates a thermal energy differential in the thermal retainers 14 by altering the average temperature of the thermal retainers 14 as discussed above within a first time frame. In several embodiments, the system 10 is adapted to supply conditioning fluid 46 to the conditioning pipes 16 such that the system 10 is autonomous. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of
As discussed above with reference to
Referring again to
It will be understood that, in conditions in which the various fluids in the system 10 are not undergoing a phase change, the rate at which heat is transferred between the various fluids in the system 10 and the thermal retainers 14, represented by dq/dt is estimated by the following equation:
whereby, Tic represents the initial temperature of the thermal retainers 14, Tif represents the initial temperature of the fluid upon entering the system 10,
represents the flow rate of the fluid through the thermal modules 12, Cpf represents the specific heat of the fluid, Cpc represents the specific heat of the thermal retainers, h represents the thermal energy transfer coefficient, A represents the surface area of the piping through which the fluid flows, and Mc represents the mass of the thermal retainers 14. Thus, the final temperature of the fluid Tuf upon exiting the system 10 is estimated by the following equation:
Referring now to
In the embodiments of
In the embodiment of
It will be understood that the system 10 of the present invention may be placed in any of several configurations employing various components for collecting, generating and/or transferring thermal energy to allow the system 10 to collect and/or generate thermal energy during a first time frame, to retain at least a portion of the thermal energy until a second time frame, and to transferring at least a portion of the thermal energy to a usable fluid during the second time frame, as discussed above. By way of example,
In other embodiments, the system 10 is adapted to shift demand for electricity to cool air during a peak period. In one embodiment, the usable fluid is air which is circulated throughout a structure, such as a residence, while the conditioning fluid is cool water, such as cool potable water from a municipal water supply. As the cool potable water is directed through the conditioning pipes during a non-peak period for a given electrical grid, thermal energy transfers from the thermal retainers 14 to the potable water, thereby cooling the thermal retainers 14 and at least partially warming the potable water during the non-peak period. It will be understood that the at least partially warmed potable water may be thereafter directed to an apparatus for additional warming, such as a water heater, whereby the at least partial warming of the potable water by the system 10 allows for more efficient warming of the potable water with less energy expended by the warming apparatus. Thereafter, during a peak period for electricity to cool air, the air from the structure is directed through the usable fluid pipes 18, whereupon thermal energy transfers from the air to the cooled thermal retainers 14, thereby cooling the air without drawing additional electricity from the electrical grid during the peak period. It should be noted that continual circulation of the conditioning fluid and the usable fluid through respective pipes 16, 18 of the system 10, and therefore continual thermal energy transfer between the conditioning fluid, the thermal retainers 14, and the usable fluid is contemplated.
Another application of one embodiment of the system 10 is illustrated in
It will be understood that, in certain applications, the conditioning pipes 16 become usable fluid pipes 18. For example, the thermal generating members 23 provide thermal energy during a first time frame for conditioning the thermal retainer 14 during the first time frame. Thereafter, both pipes 16, 18 are configured to carry a usable fluid 48 during a second time frame to condition the usable fluid 48 during the second time frame.
In the illustrated embodiment of
It will be understood that, by utilizing the embodiment of
From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will recognize that a modular thermal energy transfer system for generating thermal energy during a first time frame, for retaining the thermal energy until a second time frame, and for transferring the thermal energy to a usable fluid during the second time frame offering advantages over the prior art has been provided. More specifically, the system is adapted to utilize a conditioning fluid to provide the thermal energy during a non-peak period, to retain the thermal energy within a concrete structure, and to transfer the thermal energy to the usable fluid during a peak period, a peak period being a period of time when the utilized electrical grid has an increased demand for delivering electricity. It will be understood that the system may be used in a variety of configurations, such as for example, as a substitute for typical ground loop components of a ground source heat pump. The modular configuration of the system allows for ease of access to the various system components for purposes of maintenance and/or replacement.
It will further be understood that the system may be used in a load-shifting capacity, wherein the thermal retainers of the system are heated during non-peak electrical usage hours, and where in the system provides an alternate source of thermal energy during periods of peak electrical usage. By moving heating demands to non-peak electrical usage times, a base load power plant is capable of supplying cool air to air conditioning equipment during warm periods and creating cool temperature differentials within the system for storage during cool periods. Conversely, utilizing the system, a base load power plant is capable of supplying electricity for warming air to heating equipment during cool periods and delivering energy to the system for storage during warm periods. Because the thermal energy dissipated in a fixed electrical resistance increases as a function of the square of the current passing through the fixed resistance, load shifting the electrical energy demand for heating purposes further reduces transmission losses and reduces the maximum current needed in a given electrical grid. Moreover, by storing heat for later use, the system allows a heat pump having a reduced heating capacity, and therefore a greater efficiency, to be employed for a given building's heating needs.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
Claims
1. A modular thermal energy transfer system for transferring a thermal energy differential from a conditioning fluid, storing the thermal energy differential, and dissipating at least a portion of the thermal energy differential to thermally condition a usable fluid, said modular thermal energy transfer system comprising:
- a plurality of modular thermal units, each of said modular thermal units having: a thermal retainer having a volume defining a first through opening and a second through opening; a conditioning pipe disposed within said first through opening, said conditioning pipe being adapted to carry the conditioning fluid to transfer thermal energy between said thermal retainer and said conditioning fluid; and a usable fluid pipe disposed within said second through opening, said usable fluid pipe being adapted to carry a usable fluid to transfer thermal energy between said thermal retainer and said usable fluid;
- wherein each said thermal retainer is positionable proximate at least one other thermal retainer such that thermal energy is transferable between substantially adjacent thermal retainers, wherein each said conditioning pipe is in fluidic communication with at least one other conditioning pipe, and wherein each said usable fluid pipe is in fluidic communication with at least one other usable fluid pipe.
2. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 1, each said thermal retainer being fabricated from a material having a density greater than the density of the usable fluid and the conditioning fluid.
3. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 1, each said thermal retainer defining a substantially elongated dimension, each said first and second through openings being configured along said elongated dimension of said corresponding thermal retainer.
4. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 3, wherein each said thermal retainer is stackable adjacent at least one other thermal retainer.
5. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 4, each said thermal retainer defining a substantially elongated rectangular prism, wherein each said thermal retainer is stackable adjacent at least one other thermal retainer along said elongated dimension to form a block configuration.
6. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 5, said modular thermal energy transfer system further comprising a substantially insulative housing, each of said plurality of modular thermal units being arranged in said block configuration within said housing.
7. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 1, each said conditioning pipe having a diameter sized to maintain at least intimate contact along an inner surface of said first through opening of said corresponding thermal retainer, each said usable fluid pipe having a diameter sized to maintain at least intimate contact along an inner surface of said second through opening of said corresponding thermal retainer.
8. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 7, each said conditioning pipe being cemented along an inner surface of said first through opening of said corresponding thermal retainer, each said usable fluid pipe being cemented along an inner surface of said second through opening of said corresponding thermal retainer.
9. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 1, each said modular thermal unit further comprising a thermal generating member disposed to maintain at least intimate contact with said thermal retainer, each said thermal generating member being configured to provide thermal energy to said cooperating thermal retainer.
10. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 1 wherein each said thermal retainer is fabricated from portland cement.
11. A modular thermal energy transfer system for transferring a thermal energy differential from a conditioning fluid, storing the thermal energy differential, and dissipating at least a portion of the thermal energy differential to thermally condition a usable fluid, said modular thermal energy transfer system comprising:
- a housing having a conditioning fluid input, a conditioning fluid output, a usable fluid input, and a usable fluid output;
- a plurality of modular thermal units disposed within said housing, each of said modular thermal units having: a conditioning pipe adapted to carry a conditioning fluid; a usable fluid pipe disposed substantially along said conditioning pipe, said usable fluid pipe being adapted to carry a usable fluid; and a thermal retainer having a greater thermal mass than said conditioning pipe and said usable fluid pipe, said thermal retainer substantially surrounding said conditioning pipe and said usable fluid pipe, said conditioning pipe being adapted to transfer thermal energy between said thermal retainer and said conditioning fluid, said usable fluid pipe being adapted to transfer thermal energy between said thermal retainer and said usable fluid;
- a plurality of first joining pipes, each of said conditioning pipes being joined to another of said conditioning pipes by at least one of said first joining pipes, and
- a plurality of second joining pipes, each of said usable fluid pipes being joined to another of said usable fluid pipes by at least one of said second joining pipes;
- wherein at least one of said conditioning pipes is in fluid communication with said conditioning fluid intake and at least one other of said conditioning pipes is in fluid communication with said conditioning fluid output, and wherein at least one of said usable fluid pipes is in fluid communication with said usable fluid intake and at least one other of said usable fluid pipes is in fluid communication with said usable fluid output.
12. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 11 further including an insulation disposed between said housing and said plurality of modular thermal units, said insulation comprising a fiberglass material.
13. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 11, each said thermal retainer defining a substantially elongated dimension, each said conditioning pipe and said usable fluid pipe being configured along said elongated dimension of said corresponding thermal retainer.
14. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 13 wherein each said thermal retainer is fabricated from portland cement.
15. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 14, each said modular thermal unit further comprising a thermal generating member in thermal communication with said thermal retainer, each said thermal generating member being in electrical communication with an electrical power source, said electrical power source being configured to supply electric current to said thermal generating members to generate thermal energy within said thermal generating members.
16. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 15 further including a pump in fluid connection with said conditioning fluid input, said pump being configured to move conditioning fluid through said plurality of conditioning pipes.
17. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 16 wherein the rate of flow of conditioning fluid through said plurality of conditioning pipes is selectively adjustable, thereby regulating heat transfer to said modular thermal unit.
18. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 11, each said modular thermal unit further comprising a thermal generating member in thermal communication with said thermal retainer, each said thermal generating member being in electrical communication with an electrical power source, said electrical power source being configured to supply electric current to said thermal generating members to generate thermal energy within said thermal generating members.
19. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 18 further including a pump in fluid connection with said conditioning fluid input, said pump being configured to move conditioning fluid through said plurality of conditioning pipes.
20. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 19 wherein the rate of flow of conditioning fluid through said plurality of conditioning pipes is selectively adjustable.
21. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 20 further including a pump in fluid communication with said usable fluid input, said pump being configured to move usable fluid through said plurality of usable fluid pipes.
22. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 21 wherein the rate of flow of usable fluid through said plurality of usable pipes is selectively adjustable, thereby regulating heat transfer from said modular thermal unit.
23. A modular thermal energy transfer system for transferring a thermal energy differential from a fluid during a first time frame, storing the thermal energy differential, and dissipating at least a portion of the thermal energy differential to thermally condition a usable fluid during a second time frame, said modular thermal energy transfer system comprising:
- a housing having at least one usable fluid input and at least one usable fluid output;
- a plurality of modular thermal units disposed within said housing, each of said modular thermal units having: a thermal retainer having a volume defining at least one through opening; a usable fluid pipe disposed within said through opening, said usable fluid pipe being adapted to carry a usable fluid to transfer thermal energy between said thermal retainer and said usable fluid, said thermal retainer having a greater thermal mass that said usable fluid pipe, said thermal retainer substantially surrounding said usable fluid pipe, said usable fluid pipe being adapted to transfer thermal energy between said thermal retainer and said usable fluid pipe; and
- a plurality of first joining pipes, each of said usable fluid pipes being joined to another of said usable fluid pipes by at least one of said first joining pipes;
- wherein at least one of said usable fluid pipes is in fluid communication with a usable fluid intake and at least one other of said usable fluid pipes is in fluid communication with a usable fluid output, and wherein each said thermal retainer is positionable proximate at least one other thermal retainer such that thermal energy is transferable between substantially adjacent thermal retainers, wherein each said pipe is in fluidic communication with at least one other pipe.
24. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 23 further including an insulation disposed between said housing and said plurality of modular thermal units.
25. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 24, each said thermal retainer defining a substantially elongated dimension, each said usable fluid pipe configured along said elongated dimension of said corresponding thermal retainer.
26. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 25, wherein each said thermal retainer is fabricated from portland cement.
27. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 26, each said modular thermal unit further comprising a thermal generating member in thermal communication with said thermal retainer, each said thermal generating member being in electrical communication with an electrical power source, said electrical power source being configured to supply electric current to said thermal generating members to generate thermal energy within said thermal generating members.
28. The modular thermal energy transfer system of claim 27, wherein the rate of flow of usable fluid through said plurality of usable fluid pipes is selectively adjustable, thereby regulating heat transfer from said modular thermal unit.
Type: Application
Filed: May 19, 2010
Publication Date: Nov 24, 2011
Inventor: Travis Goodman (Oliver Springs, TN)
Application Number: 12/783,174
International Classification: F24H 7/04 (20060101); F28D 15/00 (20060101); F28D 17/00 (20060101);