Abstract: An apparatus includes a cargo area with a heat exchanger; a thermal battery system having a phase change material (PCM) with first and second heat exchangers embedded in the PCM; fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting the cargo area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger; and a pump creating a fluid flow through the fluid conduits between the cargo area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger. The apparatus also includes external ports configured for connecting to an external charging source for charging the PCM; and fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting the external ports and the second PCM-embedded heat exchanger. The first PCM-embedded heat exchanger, pump, and cargo area heat exchanger form part of a first closed-loop circuit for transferring heat between the cargo area and the thermal battery system. The second PCM-embedded heat exchanger and external ports do not part of the first closed-loop circuit.

Abstract: In one aspect, thermal energy storage systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a system includes at least one active thermal storage battery and at least one passive thermal storage battery. The at least one active thermal storage battery includes a container, a heat exchanger disposed within the container, and a first phase change material disposed within the container and in thermal contact with the heat exchanger. The at least one passive thermal storage battery comprises a plurality of thermal storage cells, individual thermal storage cells comprising a container having an interior volume, and a second phase change material disposed within the interior volume of the container.

Abstract: In one aspect, thermal energy storage systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a system comprises a container, a heat exchanger disposed within the container, and a phase change material (PCM) disposed within the container. The heat exchanger comprises an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe; and a number n of plates in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, wherein n is at least 2. The inlet pipe, outlet pipe, and plates are arranged and connected such that a fluid flowing from the inlet pipe and to the outlet pipe flows through the plates in between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. The PCM disposed within the container is also in thermal contact with the plates.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cargo area with a heat exchanger; a thermal battery system having a phase change material (PCM) with first and second heat exchangers embedded in the PCM; fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting the cargo area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger; and a pump creating a fluid flow through the fluid conduits between the cargo area heat exchanger and the first PCM-embedded heat exchanger. The apparatus also includes external ports configured for connecting to an external charging source for charging the PCM; and fluid conduits defining fluid passageways interconnecting the external ports and the second PCM-embedded heat exchanger. The first PCM-embedded heat exchanger, pump, and cargo area heat exchanger form part of a first closed-loop circuit for transferring heat between the cargo area and the thermal battery system. The second PCM-embedded heat exchanger and external ports do not part of the first closed-loop circuit.

Abstract: A thermal battery assembly includes a modules configured to be stacked vertically on top of each other. The modules includes an electronics module; a first tank module; and a second tank module. A base defines a bottom of the stack and is configured to receive thereon the lowermost module of the stack for supporting the stack on a floor. Each tank module includes a phase change material (PCM); a heat exchanger assembly with heat exchangers immersed in the phase change material, a first set thereof defining a PCM charging circuit, and a second set defining a PCM discharging circuit; a first exterior connection port configured for fluid communication with an inflow of the PCM discharging circuit and a second exterior connection port configured for fluid communication with an outflow of the PCM discharging circuit. Heating or cooling capacity can be increased by adding another tank module to the stack.

Abstract: A thermal retention apparatus includes a tank and a phase change thermal energy storage unit contained within the tank that, in turn, includes a phase change material and a heat exchanger assembly. The heat exchanger assembly includes a phase change material (PCM) charging circuit for charging the phase change material, and a PCM discharging circuit for discharging the phase change material. The heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of heat exchanger modules immersed within the phase change material, and the PCM charging circuit includes a fluid flow arrangement of the heat exchanger modules that is in parallel. The PCM discharging circuit includes a fluid flow arrangement of the heat exchanger modules that is in series.

Abstract: A thermal retention apparatus includes a tank and a phase change thermal energy storage unit contained within the tank that, in turn, includes a phase change material and a heat exchanger assembly. The heat exchanger assembly includes a phase change material (PCM) charging circuit for charging the phase change material, and a PCM discharging circuit for discharging the phase change material. The heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of heat exchanger modules immersed within the phase change material, and the PCM charging circuit includes a fluid flow arrangement of the heat exchanger modules that is in parallel. The PCM discharging circuit includes a fluid flow arrangement of the heat exchanger modules that is in series.

Abstract: A thermal retention apparatus includes a tank and a phase change thermal energy storage unit contained within the tank that, in turn, includes a phase change material and a heat exchanger assembly. The heat exchanger assembly includes a phase change material (PCM) charging circuit for charging the phase change material, and a PCM discharging circuit for discharging the phase change material. The heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of heat exchanger modules immersed within the phase change material, and the PCM charging circuit includes a fluid flow arrangement of the heat exchanger modules that is in parallel. The PCM discharging circuit includes a fluid flow arrangement of the heat exchanger modules that is in series.

Abstract: In one aspect, thermal energy storage systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a system includes at least one active thermal storage battery and at least one passive thermal storage battery. The at least one active thermal storage battery includes a container, a heat exchanger disposed within the container, and a first phase change material disposed within the container and in thermal contact with the heat exchanger. The at least one passive thermal storage battery comprises a plurality of thermal storage cells, individual thermal storage cells comprising a container having an interior volume, and a second phase change material disposed within the interior volume of the container.

Abstract: Thermal energy management kits are described herein. A thermal energy management kit described herein includes one or more thermal storage cells. Individual thermal storage cells have a container. The container may be formed from a thermally conductive material and has an interior volume. The thermal storage cell further includes a phase change material disposed within the interior volume of the container. Thermal energy management kits described herein may optionally further include one or more mounting structures.

Abstract: In one aspect, thermal energy storage systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a system comprises a container, a heat exchanger disposed within the container, and a phase change material (PCM) disposed within the container. The heat exchanger comprises an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe; and a number n of plates in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, wherein n is at least 2. The inlet pipe, outlet pipe, and plates are arranged and connected such that a fluid flowing from the inlet pipe and to the outlet pipe flows through the plates in between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. The PCM disposed within the container is also in thermal contact with the plates.

Abstract: A thermal retention apparatus includes a tank and a phase change thermal energy storage unit contained within the tank that, in turn, includes a phase change material and a heat exchanger assembly. The heat exchanger assembly includes a phase change material (PCM) charging circuit for charging the phase change material, and a PCM discharging circuit for discharging the phase change material. The heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of heat exchanger modules immersed within the phase change material, and the PCM charging circuit includes a fluid flow arrangement of the heat exchanger modules that is in parallel. The PCM discharging circuit includes a fluid flow arrangement of the heat exchanger modules that is in series.

Abstract: A thermal battery assembly includes a modules configured to be stacked vertically on top of each other. The modules includes an electronics module; a first tank module; and a second tank module. A base defines a bottom of the stack and is configured to receive thereon the lowermost module of the stack for supporting the stack on a floor. Each tank module includes a phase change material (PCM); a heat exchanger assembly with heat exchangers immersed in the phase change material, a first set thereof defining a PCM charging circuit, and a second set defining a PCM discharging circuit; a first exterior connection port configured for fluid communication with an inflow of the PCM discharging circuit and a second exterior connection port configured for fluid communication with an outflow of the PCM discharging circuit. Heating or cooling capacity can be increased by adding another tank module to the stack.

Abstract: In one aspect, thermal energy storage systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a system includes at least one active thermal storage battery and at least one passive thermal storage battery. The at least one active thermal storage battery includes a container, a heat exchanger disposed within the container, and a first phase change material disposed within the container and in thermal contact with the heat exchanger. The at least one passive thermal storage battery comprises a plurality of thermal storage cells, individual thermal storage cells comprising a container having an interior volume, and a second phase change material disposed within the interior volume of the container.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved operations of ski lifts increase skier safety at on-boarding and off-boarding locations by providing an always-on, always-alert system that “watches” these locations, identifies developing problem situations, and initiates mitigation actions. One or more video cameras feed live video to a video processing module. The video processing module feeds resulting sequences of images to an artificial intelligence (Al) engine. The AI engine makes an inference regarding existence of a potential problem situation based on the sequence of images. This inference is fed to an inference processing module, which determines if the inference processing module should send an alert or interact with the lift motor controller to slow or stop the lift.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved operations of ski lifts increase skier safety at on-boarding and off-boarding locations by providing an always-on, always-alert system that “watches” these locations, identifies developing problem situations, and initiates mitigation actions. One or more video cameras feed live video to a video processing module. The video processing module feeds resulting sequences of images to an artificial intelligence (AI) engine. The AI engine makes an inference regarding existence of a potential problem situation based on the sequence of images. This inference is fed to an inference processing module, which determines if the inference processing module should send an alert or interact with the lift motor controller to slow or stop the lift.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments of a temperature control cart (100) are disclosed. The temperature control cart (100) comprises a top portion (116) with one or more wells (202), wherein the one or more wells (202) is operable to receive one or more pans (102). The wells (202) are configured to hold pans (102), wherein the pans (102) often contain a payload, such as food or medicine, that requires temperature control. Further, the top portion (116) is disposed in a tank (108) that contains phase change material (PCM). In another aspect, a method for controlling temperature of a payload is disclosed. A temperature control cart (100) is further provided with one or more heat exchangers. Wherein the one or more heat exchangers circulate a heat exchange fluid, thereby heating or cooling the PCM disposed in the tank (108) of the temperature control cart (100) to above or below a transition temperature of the PCM.

Abstract: District energy systems, also known as district heating and cooling networks, are utilized to provide distributed heating and cooling through an infrastructure of pipes and connectors from source points to destination addresses. The application of PCM within the network of pipes and connectors and with the surrounding environment improves the thermal regulation goals of transferring thermal energy in fluid form from source to destination, often times over great distances and through varying environmental conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved operations of ski lifts increase skier safety at on-boarding and off-boarding locations by providing an always-on, always-alert system that “watches” these locations, identifies developing problem situations, and initiates mitigation actions. One or more video cameras feed live video to a video processing module. The video processing module feeds resulting sequences of images to an artificial intelligence (AI) engine. The AI engine makes an inference regarding existence of a potential problem situation based on the sequence of images. This inference is fed to an inference processing module, which determines if the inference processing module should send an alert or interact with the lift motor controller to slow or stop the lift.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved operations of ski lifts increase skier safety at on-boarding and off-boarding locations by providing an always-on, always-alert system that “watches” these locations, identifies developing problem situations, and initiates mitigation actions. One or more video cameras feed live video to a video processing module. The video processing module feeds resulting sequences of images to an artificial intelligence (AI) engine. The AI engine makes an inference regarding existence of a potential problem situation based on the sequence of images. This inference is fed to an inference processing module, which determines if the inference processing module should send an alert or interact with the lift motor controller to slow or stop the lift.