Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water heater which includes a phase change material having a freezing/melting temperature from about 30° C. to about 90° C. The water heater include a source of water, a heating element for heating the water, a heat exchange unit which contains the material, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes positioned in the heat exchange unit, which tubes are in heat transfer relation to the phase change material so that heat stored in the material can be transferred to the water. The phase change material is preferably heated from the top down to accommodate the changes in volume during thermocycling.

Abstract: An insulating vacuum panel comprising a microporous, open cell silica foam or a precipitated silica insulating support member enclosed within a sealed, flexible polymeric envelope, the envelope comprising a heat-sealable barrier film comprising a multiple layer laminate containing at least one polyethylene terephthalate layer and at least two barrier layers selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamide, polyolefin and aluminum foil, or a biaxially oriented liquid crystal barrier film which minimizes permeation of gas and liquid through the barrier film, the panel having an R value per inch of at least about 20 wherein the enclosed insulated vacuum panel is useful as insulation to maintain an essentially constant temperature in a closed structure, a system for storing and transporting temperature-sensitive materials wherein the insulated vacuum panels are employed to provide and maintain a constant temperature in the system, a method for manufacturing the insulatin

Abstract: A thermal energy transport and storage system is provided which includes an evaporator containing a mixture of a first phase change material and a silica powder, and a condenser containing a second phase change material. The silica powder/PCM mixture absorbs heat energy from a source such as a solar collector such that the phase change material forms a vapor which is transported from the evaporator to the condenser, where the second phase change material melts and stores the heat energy, then releases the energy to an environmental space via a heat exchanger. The vapor is condensed to a liquid which is transported back to the evaporator. The system allows the repeated transfer of thermal energy using the heat of vaporization and condensation of the phase change material.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage composition is provided which is in the form of a gel. The composition includes a phase change material and silica particles, where the phase change material may comprise a linear alkyl hydrocarbon, water/urea, or water. The thermal energy storage composition has a high thermal conductivity, high thermal energy storage, and may be used in a variety of applications such as in thermal shipping containers and gel packs.

Abstract: A water heater which comprises a phase change material having a thermal energy capacity of at least about 25 cal/g and having a freezing/melting temperature from about 15.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.; a source of water, a heating element for heating the water; a heat exchange unit which contains phase change material; and a plurality of heat exchange tubes positioned in the heat exchange unit with the phase change material located between and around the heat exchange tubes which are in heat transfer relation to the phase change material and in fluid connection with the source of water so that the water heated by the heating element flows through the tubes, heats the phase change material and thereafter the heat stored in the phase change material can be transferred to water flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A portable, self-sustaining refrigeration system for storing and transporting temperature sensitive materials comprising an insulated housing constructed of double wall plastic panels having an R value per inch of at least 20, and a thermal storage phase change material in the form of a reversible gel for operation at about 0.degree. to 10.degree. C. wherein the reversible gel is enclosed in a sealed liquid-impervious enclosure, is disclosed.

Abstract: An insulating vacuum panel comprising an insulating support member enclosed within a sealed, flexible polymeric envelope, the envelope comprising a polymeric barrier film which minimizes permeation of gas and liquid through the barrier film, the panel having an R value per inch of at least about 20 wherein the enclosed insulated vacuum panel is useful as insulation to maintain an essentially constant temperature in a closed structure, and a system for storing and transporting temperature-sensitive materials wherein the insulated vacuum panels are employed to provide and maintain a constant temperature in the system are described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fiber composition comprising a fiber forming polymer and a phase change material integrally incorporated throughout the fiber forming polymer which is either a polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene ether or mixture of various polyolefins. The phase change material has a melting temperature between about 15.degree. C. and about 65.degree. C. The fiber composition can be used as a loose fill insulating material for use in clothing or bedding articles or can be formed into a fabric for the same uses.

Abstract: A microwavable thermal energy storage material is provided which includes a mixture of a phase change material and silica, and a carbon black additive in the form of a conformable dry powder of phase change material/silica/carbon black, or solid pellets, films, fibers, moldings or strands of phase change material/high density polyethylene/ethylene-vinyl acetate/silica/carbon black which allows the phase change material to be rapidly heated in a microwave oven. The carbon black additive, which is preferably an electrically conductive carbon black, may be added in low concentrations of from 0.5 to 15% by weight, and may be used to tailor the heating times of the phase change material as desired. The microwavable thermal energy storage material can be used in food serving applications such as tableware items or pizza warmers, and in medical wraps and garments.

Abstract: A method for fire retarding porous products used for thermal energy storage and products produced thereby is provided. The method includes treating the surface of the phase change material-containing porous products with a urea fire-retarding agent. Upon exposure to a flame, the urea forms an adduct with the phase change material which will not sustain combustion (is self-extinguishing) in air. No halogens or metal oxides are contained in the fire retardant, so no potentially noxious halide smoke or fumes are emitted if the product is continuously exposed to a flame.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cooling unit. The cooling unit comprises a heat exchange unit which contains a phase change material. The heat exchange unit further includes a first plurality of heat exchange conduits which are positioned in the heat exchange unit. The first plurality of heat exchange conduits are positioned in heat transfer relation with the phase change material so that the phase change material can be cooled by a coolant. The first plurality of heat exchange conduits contain a coolant. The heat exchange unit also includes a second plurality of heat exchange conduits positioned in the heat exchange unit. The second plurality of heat exchange conduits are positioned in heat transfer relation with the phase change material so that the phase change material can cool an object.

Abstract: A building product having thermal energy storage properties in the form of a cementitious hollow core building block having a hollow core or cores and having within the hollow core(s) a composite containing a phase change material. The composite may be a cementitious plug sized to fit the hollow core(s) and having a phase change material imbibed into the pores and matrix thereof or having polyolefin pellets containing a phase change material or silica particles containing a phase change material incorporated at the wet mix stage of formation of the cementitious plug. The composite may also be a polyolefin plug sized to fit hollow core(s) and having a phase change material contained within the matrix thereof. Finally the composite may be polyolefin pellets containing a phase change material or silica particles containing a phase change material packed in a container sized to fit the hollow core(s).

Abstract: A composition for thermal energy storage or thermal energy generation comprising a silica based gel or dry powder in the form of silica particles containing a water/urea phase change material for thermal energy storage or an endothermic or exothermic compound for thermal energy generation. The water/urea phase change material stores and releases at least 50 cal/gm of thermal energy in freezing and melting, and has a melting and a freezing point in the range of -11.degree. C. to -15.degree. C. The endothermic compound is preferably ammonium nitrate, urea, or combinations thereof. The exothermic compound is preferably calcium oxide or calcium chloride. The thermal energy storage composition may find use in a variety of applications including medical wraps, food servingware, and "blue ice" for cold packs or food storage.

Abstract: A thermoplastic, moldable, non-exuding phase change material in the form of a composite useful for thermal energy storage. The composite is preferably a solidified melt mixture of a polyolefin resin, and ethylene copolymer, silica particles and a fatty acid, fatty acid ester, primary alcohol or hydrocarbon phase change material. For a microwave heating capability, a microwave absorbing additive may be added as a fifth major ingredient. The composite can be formed into a variety of configurations such as pellets, sheets, rods, tubes, plugs for hollow core cement blocks, films, and fibers, all for thermal energy storage uses.

Abstract: A composition for thermal energy storage or thermal energy generation comprising a silica based gel or dry powder in the form of silica particles containing a water/urea phase change material for thermal energy storage or an endothermic or exothermic compound for thermal energy generation. The water/urea phase change material stores and releases at least 50 cal/gm of thermal energy in freezing and melting, and has a melting and a freezing point in the range of -11.degree. C. to -15.degree. C. The endothermic compound is preferably ammonium nitrate, urea, or combinations thereof. The exothermic compound is preferably calcium oxide or calcium chloride. The thermal energy storage composition may find use in a variety of applications including medical wraps, food servingware, and "blue ice" for cold packs or food storage.

Abstract: A free flowing, conformable powder-like mix of silica particles and a phase change material (PCM) is provided. The silica particles have a critical size of about 0.005 to about 0.025 microns and the PCM must be added to the silica in an amount of 75% or less PCM per combined weight of silica and PCM. The powder-like mix can be used in tableware items, medical wraps, tree wraps, garments, quilts and blankets, and particularly in applications for heat protection for heat sensitive items, such as aircraft flight recorders, and for preventing brake fade in automobiles, buses, trucks and aircraft.

Abstract: A composition for thermal energy storage or thermal energy generation comprising a silica based gel or dry powder in the form of silica particles containing a water/urea phase change material for thermal energy storage or an endothermic or exothermic compound for thermal energy generation. The water/urea phase change material stores and releases at least 50 cal/gm of thermal energy in freezing and melting, and has a melting and a freezing point in the range of -11.degree. C. to -15.degree. C. The endothermic compound is preferably ammonium nitrate, urea, or combinations thereof. The exothermic compound is preferably calcium oxide or calcium chloride. The thermal energy storage composition may find use in a variety of applications including medical wraps, food servingware, and "blue ice" for cold packs or food storage.

Abstract: A free flowing, conformable powder-like mix of silica particles and a phase change material (PCM) is provided. The silica particles have a critical size of about 0.005 to about 0.025 microns and the PCM must be added to the silica in an amount of 75% or less PCM per combined weight of silica and PCM. The powder-like mix can be used in tableware items, medical wraps, tree wraps, garments, quilts and blankets, and particularly in applications for heat protection for heat sensitive items, such as aircraft flight recorders, and for preventing brake fade in automobiles, buses, trucks and aircraft.

Abstract: Free flowing, conformable powder-like mix of silica particles and a phase change material (PCM) is provided. The silica particles have a critical size of about 0.005 to about 0.025 microns and the PCM must be added to the silica in an amount of 75% or less PCM per combined weight of silica and PCM. The powder-like mix can be used in tableware items, medical wraps, tree wraps, garments, quilts and blankets, and in cementitious compositions of the type in which it is beneficial to use a PCM material. The silica-PCM mix can also be admixed with soil to provide a soil warming effect and placed about a tree, flower, or shrub.

Abstract: Compositions containing crystalline, straight chain, alkyl hydrocarbons as phase change materials including cementitious compositions containing the alkyl hydrocarbons neat or in pellets or granules formed by incorporating the alkyl hydrocarbons in polymers or rubbers; and polymeric or elastomeric compositions containing alkyl hydrocarbons.