Abstract: Described is a thermal energy storage and delivery system for delivering thermal energy to both a passenger compartment of a vehicle and a component, such as a battery, located externally of the passenger compartment. The system capitalizes on excess capacity stored in a thermal energy storage apparatus, to heat the external component in addition to the passenger compartment.

Abstract: Described are preferred vapor recovery canisters which are useful in on-board vehicle fuel vapor recovery systems. The preferred canisters incorporate thermal management of solid adsorbent with phase change materials to improve both adsorptive and desorptive capacity of the canisters. Also described are preferred encapsulation members for use in the vapor recovery canisters.

Abstract: Eutectic compositions of hydrated magnesium nitrate and either or both of sodium and potassium nitrate are described, and are useful as reversible liquid/solid phase change materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating or cooling a space comprises a main flow loop including a compressor (1012), an outside heat exchanger (1014), an inside heat exchanger (1016) connected to allow working fluid to circulate therebetween, and a first valve (1026) between the outside heat exchanger (1014) and the inside heat exchanger (1016) selectively to block flow between the outside heat exchanger (1014) and the inside heat exchanger (1016). A first bypass line extends between the outlet of the outside heat (1014) and the inlet of the inside heat exchanger (1016). A thermal storage device (1018) is positioned in the first bypass line. A second bypass line extends between the inlet of the inside heat exchanger (1016) and the outlet of the inside heat exchanger (1016) and communicates with the first bypass line to bypass the inside heat exchanger (1016). A second valve (1030) is positioned in the second bypass line to block flow through the second bypass line selectively.

Abstract: Described are heat pump systems and methods for conditioning air, in which air is dehumidified including the steps of passage over an evaporator to cool and dehumidify the air, followed by passage over a subcooler to heat the air prior to passage into a space to be conditioned. Also described are heat pump systems and methods for conditioning air, in which air is heated by passage over a subcooler followed by passage over a condenser. The methods and systems are readily implemented and highly effective in improving system capacity.

Abstract: A heat pump and air conditioning system is provided with a thermal storage device, a variety of distribution devices for blocking or allowing flow of the system working fluid, and a controller for manipulating the distribution devices to control flow of the working fluid through the thermal storage device to allow thermal energy storage or thermal energy discharged depending upon sensed conditions. In addition, a thermal storage device is provided which is suitable for use in a heat pump and air conditioning system. The thermal storage device includes a container through which refrigerant coils pass. The container is filled with an unencapsulated phase change material having a first melt temperature and an encapsulated phase change material having a second melt temperature higher than the first melt temperature. Further disclosed is a method for conditioning a space by use of heat pump and air conditioning systems incorporating thermal storage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal energy storage composition and a method for reducing rupture failures during freezing cycles of container devices holding aqueous phase change materials. The thermal energy storage composition of the present invention contains about 60 to about 96.5 weight percent water, about 3 to about 40 weight percent of one or a mixture of water-dispersible non-ionic surfactants, particularly alcohol ethoxylates, and preferably an anionic surfactant in an amount sufficient to reduce phase separation of the composition at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal energy storage composition and a method for reducing rupture failures during freezing cycles of container device phase change material. The phase change composition contains about 60 to about 91 weight percent water and about 9 to about 40 weight percent of one or a mixture of water-dispersible non-ionic surfactants, particularly alcohol ethoxylates.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration system for providing cold storing which; during a conventional cycle provides cooling to an indoor heat exchanger in the conventional fashion, during a cooling charging cycle refrigeration effect is stored in a heat storage vessel by refrigerant evaporation with the indoor heat exchanger being by-passed and during a discharging cooling cycle refrigerant passes through the heat storage vessel without evaporation and evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger to provide space cooling.

Abstract: An encapsulation apparatus is provided for a thermal management system for at least one battery. The apparatus comprises a housing including an inner wall defining a receptacle for the battery. The inner wall is positioned in thermal contact with the battery. The housing further comprises an outer wall in spaced-apart relationship with the inner wall to define an enclosure therebetween for receiving a phase change material.