Abstract: A thermal storage system (10) provides a means for storing thermal energy acquired from electricity purchased at off-peak demand times and from other fuel sources such as fossil fuels, waste heat, and solar energy. The thermal storage system (10) is also designed to supply a plurality of system outputs (124) at individually selected temperatures. The thermal storage system (10) includes a storage tank (12) for storing and heating fluids. Insulation (44) is provided to prevent energy from being transferred to the environment surrounding the storage tank (12). An external housing (46) is provided to protect the insulation (44) and to further insulate the storage tank (12). Heating elements (76) are included for the heating of the stored fluid. A fluid circulator (22) is provided for circulating the fluid to obtain a substantially constant temperature throughout the storage tank (12).

Abstract: The storage box includes a rectangular housing having a chamber filled with a coolant gel, and a plurality of spaced, tube-supporting wells opening at their upper ends on one wall of the housing and having closed ends extending downwardly into said chamber to be surrounded by said coolant gel. A cover which is hingedly connected to the housing, contains a sealed envelope containing more coolant gel, and which is disposed to overlie tubes that are positioned in said wells, when the cover is closed.