Thermal Liquid Battery

A method of use of a thermal battery HVAC system comprising receiving an HVAC input fluid. exchanging heat with the HVAC input fluid to generate a climate-controlled air output and a liquid refrigerant. receiving one or more fluid inputs with a fluid management assembly. storing a portion of the one or more fluid inputs in one or more fluid containers. sending a portion of the one or more fluid inputs out of the fluid management assembly as one or more fluid outputs. managing the one or more fluid inputs and the one or more fluid outputs with a controller application in a controller. assessing a fluid temperature and a fluid flow rate for a portion of the one or more fluid inputs and the one or more fluid outputs. and selectively sending the HVAC input fluid at an optimal temperature from the one or more fluid inputs.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to and incorporates by reference to US provisional utility application Ser. No. 63/382,437 filed on 2022 Nov. 4.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IF APPLICABLE)

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX (IF APPLICABLE)

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention represents a novel approach to thermal energy storage, significantly diverging from the established designs of thermal batteries commonly employed in large-scale applications. Traditional thermal batteries, such as those utilizing a sand medium, are optimized for the conservation of substantial quantities of thermal energy suitable for extensive structures and communal utility systems. The volumetric and infrastructural demands of such sand batteries render them impractical for individual residential applications.

In contrast, the invention at hand capitalizes on the use of water as a thermal storage medium, a resource that is inherently compatible with the domestic environment. Water, ubiquitous and versatile, can be effortlessly integrated into a household setting, functioning dually in its heated and cooled states. This integration is facilitated by the fact that water can be pumped directly into a residence with minimal complexity.

Beyond its suitability for in-home use, water distinguishes itself from materials like fine sands, which necessitate careful sourcing and handling. Water offers an added advantage in off-grid scenarios, where it can be harvested from precipitation, thereby circumventing the need for a dedicated supply network. This aspect is particularly beneficial for remote locations, expanding the accessibility of thermal battery technology.

Through the application of a water-based system, the inventive concept brings forth a significant advancement in thermal battery technology, presenting a versatile solution that is adaptable to a variety of settings and scales. The feasibility of this system relies merely on the availability of water, a source of energy, and a compressor, thus broadening the scope of thermal energy storage to almost any context where these elements are present.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method of use of a thermal battery HVAC system is disclosed. Comprising receiving an HVAC input fluid, exchanging heat with said HVAC input fluid to generate a climate-controlled air output and a liquid refrigerant, receiving one or more fluid inputs with a fluid management assembly, storing a portion of said one or more fluid inputs in one or more fluid containers, sending a portion of said one or more fluid inputs out of said fluid management assembly as one or more fluid outputs, managing said one or more fluid inputs and said one or more fluid outputs with a controller application in a controller, assessing a fluid temperature and a fluid flow rate for a portion of said one or more fluid inputs and said one or more fluid outputs, and selectively sending said HVAC input fluid at an optimal temperature from said one or more fluid inputs. wherein a portion of said one or more fluid inputs comprises said liquid refrigerant from an HVAC fluid output of an HVAC system, and a stored water from said one or more fluid containers. a portion of said one or more fluid outputs comprises said HVAC input fluid sent to a fluid input and a storage input fluid sent to said one or more fluid containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art HVAC system 100 with a blower 110.

FIG. 2 illustrates said prior art HVAC system 100 with a geothermal loop 200, respectively.

FIG. 3 illustrates a thermal battery HVAC system 300.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a first fluid container 302a and one or more fluid containers 302, respectively.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fluid management assembly 304, one or more fluid inputs 306 and one or more fluid outputs 308.

FIG. 6 illustrates a controller block diagram 600 of a controller 500 and portions of said thermal battery HVAC system 300.

FIG. 7 illustrates a HVAC fluid overview 700.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate one or more HVAC settings 624 and a temperature summary table 800 illustrating a delta-temperature 802 throughout a day.

FIG. 9 illustrates a temperature and delta-temperature chart 900 and a projected energy consumption chart 902.

FIG. 10 illustrates said temperature and delta-temperature chart 900 with a second projected energy consumption chart 1000.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a summary table 1100 of said projected energy consumption chart 902 and a daylight projections 1102 of said projected energy consumption chart 902.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method of use 1200 of said thermal battery HVAC system 300.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers' specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art HVAC system 100 with a blower 110.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, said prior art HVAC system 100 can comprise a blower only system 100a comprising an HVAC system 102, a fluid input 104, a climate-controlled air output 106, an HVAC fluid output 108 and said blower 110.

In one embodiment, said fluid input 104 can receive an outside air 116 and said HVAC fluid output 108 can output an exhaust air 118 to said blower 110. All fluids received by said fluid input 104 can be referred to as an HVAC fluid

As is known in the art, said HVAC system 102 can be powered by an electrical power input 114. In one embodiment, said electrical power input 114 can comprise solar energy, grid energy, battery energy, or similar.

FIG. 2 illustrates said prior art HVAC system 100 with a geothermal loop 200, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, said prior art HVAC system 100 can comprise a geothermal system 100b which can comprise said HVAC system 102, said fluid input 104, said climate-controlled air output 106, said HVAC fluid output 108 and said geothermal loop 200. In both cases and as is known in the art,

In one embodiment, said HVAC fluid output 108 can comprise a liquid refrigerant 202 having received heat or given heat to said climate-controlled air output 106; wherein, said liquid refrigerant 202 can be passed through said geothermal loop 200 to bring said liquid refrigerant 202 to an ambient ground temperature 208 and sent to said fluid input 104 as a geothermally treated fluid 204. In one embodiment, said geothermally treated fluid 204 can also be referred to as an HVAC input fluid 206.

Compressors—such as those used in said HVAC system 102—must account for equal heat and cooling energy output. For example, said climate-controlled air output 106 can comprise cooled air used to cool a home during the summer, but in creating said climate-controlled air output 106 said HVAC system 102 will create said HVAC fluid output 108 having an equal and opposite heating energy to that of the cooled air. Wherein, throughout the US southern states, said HVAC fluid output 108 is discharged by said blower 110 being arranged alongside a building or home. As a result, the sound of a buzzing fan is a commonplace sound in much of the first world during the summer.

One alternative to said blower 110 can comprise said geothermal loop 200 used to pump water through the ground to return the fluid to a temperature approximately equal to ground temperature. Accordingly, a fluid output from said geothermal loop 200 can be returned into said fluid input 104 at ground temperature to bypass said blower 110 and to begin the process of said HVAC system 102 at a higher temperature than at ambient outdoor temperatures. Use of said geothermal loop 200 can be more efficient as less energy from said electrical power input 114 may be required. However, installation of said geothermal loop 200 can be costly and require upkeep.

Nonetheless, with the rising costs of energy summers are keen to reduce the cost of electricity bills. Further where consumers desire to run a home off the grid or from solar energy, the cost of lithium-ion batteries is cost prohibitive. A solution for storing parts of said HVAC fluid output 108 without the use of a battery would be advantageous.

FIG. 3 illustrates a thermal battery HVAC system 300.

In one embodiment, said thermal battery HVAC system 300, as with said prior art HVAC system 100, can comprise said HVAC system 102, said fluid input 104, said climate-controlled air output 106, said HVAC fluid output 108, said blower 110, said geothermal loop 200, and said electrical power input 114. However, said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can comprise one or more fluid containers 302.

In one embodiment, said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can further comprise a fluid management assembly 304. Said fluid management assembly 304 can comprise one or more manifolds and control valves configured to receive one or more fluid inputs 306 from multiple sources and send portions of said one or more fluid inputs 306 to one or more fluid outputs 308.

In one embodiment, said one or more fluid inputs 306 can comprise said liquid refrigerant 202, a fresh input fluids 310, said geothermally treated fluid 204, and a stored water 312. Wherein, said stored water 312 can comprise a portion of fluids stored in said one or more fluid containers 302.

In one embodiment, said one or more fluid outputs 308 can comprise said HVAC input fluid 206, a geothermal input fluid 314, a storage input fluid 316, and a discarded fluid 318.

Examples of destinations for said discarded fluid 318 can include a waste drain 320, an irrigation system 322, or a grey water system 324.

As discussed above, a solution for storing energy otherwise wasted in said HVAC fluid output 108 would be advantageous. In one embodiment said thermal battery HVAC system 300 represent an arrangement of said HVAC system 102 with said one or more fluid containers 302 for reuse in said fluid input 104.

For example, where said liquid refrigerant 202 is water and said climate-controlled air output 106 is cool air, said liquid refrigerant 202 being warmer than said ambient ground temperature 208 or said climate-controlled air output 106, can be stored in said one or more fluid containers 302 for later use. When deemed advantageous, said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can send said stored water 312 from said one or more fluid containers 302 to said fluid input 104.

Alternatively, where said liquid refrigerant 202 is cooler than said climate-controlled air output 106, and said climate-controlled air output 106 is hot air, said cold water can be stored in said one or more fluid containers 302.

By holding thermal energy in fluids in said one or more fluid containers 302, said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can transfer unused heat or cooling energy to a different part of a heating or cooling cycle.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a first fluid container 302a and said one or more fluid containers 302, respectively.

In one embodiment, said one or more fluid containers 302 can comprise said first fluid container 302a, a second fluid container 302b, and a third fluid container 302c.

Each among said one or more fluid containers 302 can comprise one or more temperature sensors 402 and a fluid level sensor 404. As is known in the art, said one or more temperature sensors 402 and said fluid level sensor 404 can monitor a status of a fluid 406 within each among said one or more fluid containers 302. Said fluid level sensor 404 can measure a fluid level 408 within said one or more fluid containers 302.

Each among said one or more fluid containers 302 can comprise at least a first fluid input 410 and a first fluid output 412.

As illustrated, said one or more temperature sensors 402 and said fluid level sensor 404 can comprise a plurality of sensors arranged within said one or more fluid containers 302 for measuring temperatures and fluid status at various heights within an internal cavity 414 of said one or more fluid containers 302.

In one embodiment, said one or more fluid containers 302 can be insulated to prevent heat loss or gain from an outside environment into said internal cavity 414.

One advantage of said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can include the ability to store said fluid 406 at multiple temperatures by utilizing a plurality of said one or more fluid containers 302. For example, said fluid 406 at a temperature above room temperature in said first fluid container 302a and said fluid 406 below room temperature in said second fluid container 302b.

Further, by monitoring a temperature of said fluid 406 using said one or more temperature sensors 402, said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can adjust and calculate a temperature of said fluid input 104 coming from said one or more fluid containers 302.

In one embodiment, fluids into and out of said one or more fluid containers 302 can be pulled and pushed using one or more fluid pumps 416.

FIG. 5 illustrates said fluid management assembly 304, said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308.

Said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can comprise a controller 500 configured for managing data collected by said thermal battery HVAC system 300 and sending control signals to its components for optimal operation, as discussed below.

In one embodiment, each among said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308 can be measured using a fluid temperature sensor 502 to measure a fluid temperature 508 and a fluid flow rate sensor 504 to measure a fluid flow rate 510. Further each among said one or more fluid inputs 306 can be connected to each among said one or more fluid outputs 308 and selectively closed and opened using a control valve 506. For example, said geothermally treated fluid 204 can be connected to each among said HVAC input fluid 206, said discarded fluid 318, said storage input fluid 316 and said geothermal input fluid 314 and managed using a first control valve 506a, a second control valve 506b, a third control valve 506c, and a fourth control valve 506d.

In one embodiment, said controller 500 can receive signals from said fluid temperature sensor 502, said fluid flow rate sensor 504 and said control valve 506 and can manage a flow of said one or more fluid inputs 306, and said one or more fluid outputs 308 according to software instructions, as discussed below.

FIG. 6 illustrates a controller block diagram 600 of said controller 500 and portions of said thermal battery HVAC system 300.

In one embodiment, said controller 500 can comprise a computer configured for controlling parts of said fluid management assembly 304. Said controller 500 can comprise a memory 602, one or more processors 604, a communication system 606, a power system 608, and similar as is known in the art.

Said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can further comprise a controller application 610 stored in said memory 602 and executed in said one or more processors 604. Said memory 602 can store and access a historical data 612 and a system settings 614 for said thermal battery HVAC system 300.

Said communication system 606 can comprise a network hardware, bus or other COMM protocol for communicating with various sensors, peripherals and auxiliary systems as discussed herein and known in the art.

In one embodiment, said communication system 606 can be in data communication with said fluid management assembly 304 to measure and/or control said fluid temperature sensor 502, said control valve 506, and said fluid flow rate sensor 504 for each among said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308.

In one embodiment, control of said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308 of said fluid management assembly 304 can be done according to instructions held withing said controller application 610 in said memory 602 and said controller 500.

In one embodiment, said communication system 606 can communicate with and gather data from remote resources such as a weather database 616, an energy costs data 618 and/or a server application 620 with instructions related the operation of said thermal battery HVAC system 300. In one embodiment, said communication system 606 can communicate with such systems over a network 628 such as the internet.

In one embodiment, said controller 500 can comprise communicate with a human machine interface such as a thermostat for receiving and managing one or more HVAC settings 624 from an end user. Similarly, said controller 500 can receive data from one or more climate control sensors 626 which can be associated with said thermal battery HVAC system 300.

In one embodiment, said controller 500 can be configured to monitor a state of said HVAC system 102, said fluid management assembly 304, said fluid management assembly 304 and said one or more fluid containers 302, as discussed below.

FIG. 7 illustrates a HVAC fluid overview 700.

In one embodiment, said HVAC system 102 can comprise an HVAC fluid loop 702 and a compressor-heat-exchanger assembly 704.

In one embodiment, said HVAC input fluid 206 can come into said HVAC system 102 at an optimal or nearly optimal temperature for the efficient exchange of energy with said HVAC fluid loop 702. Wherein, a compressor can be used to further optimize a temperature of said HVAC input fluid 206, and a heat exchanger can optimally transfer heat from said HVAC input fluid 206 into said HVAC fluid loop 702.

As is known in the art, said HVAC fluid loop 702 can then interact with other portions of said HVAC system 102 such as an evaporator coil to generate said climate-controlled air output 106.

As discussed, said HVAC input fluid 206 can comprise water, but could also be various types of refrigerants as is known in the art. Likewise, said HVAC fluid loop 702 can comprise a fluid as is known in the art.

As discussed above, said HVAC fluid output 108 can be channeled using said fluid management assembly 304 to said one or more fluid containers 302, said electrical power input 114, said HVAC input fluid 206 or said discarded fluid 318.

In one embodiment, said HVAC system 102 can comprise one or more circulating pumps 706 and one or more fans 708 to move said fluid 406 and/or said climate-controlled air output 106.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate said one or more HVAC settings 624 and a temperature summary table 800 illustrating a delta-temperature 802 throughout a day.

Consider the average home in the desert during the spring and fall. Average temperatures in Phoenix, AZ in may are 96 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. If a family sets a home thermostat to 72 degrees, said HVAC system 102 will heat the home overnight by 7 degrees and cool it during the day as much as 24 degrees.

Using said thermal battery HVAC system 300, said HVAC fluid output 108 can comprise hot fluids during daytime and cold fluids overnight. Wherein, said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can send cold water to said fluid input 104 during the day, and hot water to said fluid input 104 during the night. Herein, the terms “hot” and “cold” are relative to an HVAC temperature setting 804. As illustrated herein, said HVAC temperature setting 804 can comprise 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Further wherein, said HVAC system 102 can utilize the off-temperature input of said fluid input 104. In so doing, said electrical power input 114 is reduced come up and consequently the need for a home battery is reduced as well. This example is equally viable in humid climates such as Houston, Texas, or intermediate clients such as Amarillo, Texas. For example, Houston's May temperatures range from 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Said temperature summary table 800 can comprise a calculation of said delta-temperature 802 relative to an outdoor temperature 806, a solar state 808 and a time of day 810.

FIG. 9 illustrates a temperature and delta-temperature chart 900 and a projected energy consumption chart 902.

Said temperature and delta-temperature chart 900 can comprise a graphical representation of said temperature summary table 800. It is noted that in days where said HVAC temperature setting 804 is between a predicted high temperature 904 and a predicted low temperature 906, there will be at least two temperature crossovers 908 comprising a first temperature crossover 908a and a second temperature crossover 908b.

As laid out in FIG. 9 said time of day 810 on said temperature and delta-temperature chart 900 and said projected energy consumption chart 902 are aligned to show energy consumption drops at said two temperature crossovers 908. It follows that if said HVAC system 102 is not working to alter said delta-temperature 802 when said HVAC temperature setting 804 is close to said outdoor temperature 806.

As is known in the art, said blower only system 100a is less efficient than said geothermal system 100b. Said projected energy consumption chart 902 illustrates a consumption by said blower only system 100a with a blower kW data 910, consumption by said geothermal system 100b with a geothermal kW data 912, and consumption said thermal battery HVAC system 300 by a projected improved kW 914. Wherein, said projected improved kW 914 comprises a projection of efficiencies of said thermal battery HVAC system 300 over said blower only system 100a and said geothermal system 100b.

In one embodiment, passing said fluid 406 through said one or more fluid containers 302 after daylight at 7 am-11 am can comprise a substantial benefit since these hours require less stored heat from said one or more fluid containers 302. That is, there is a period of the day in which no use of a compressor in said HVAC system 102 to heat fluids such as said climate-controlled air output 106. In such times, only said one or more fans 708 and said one or more circulating pumps 706 can be operational to circulate cool or hot air using said HVAC system 102. Provided said one or more fluid containers 302 comprises sufficient reserve hot or cold water, relative to said HVAC temperature setting 804, a compressor need not run in said HVAC system 102.

The inventor makes this analogy when describing this system: said thermal battery HVAC system 300 is like a hybrid car where the compressor is the gas engine and said one or more fluid containers 302 are the batteries. The engine only runs as much as said one or more fluid containers 302 need heat and cold for the day. And given that a home has solar panels, said thermal battery HVAC system 300 only runs when the sun shines!!! How cool is that!!

FIG. 10 illustrates said temperature and delta-temperature chart 900 with a second projected energy consumption chart 1000.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a summary table 1100 of said projected energy consumption chart 902 and a daylight projections 1102 of said projected energy consumption chart 902.

Said summary table 1100 comprises projected consumption of power by said blower only system 100a, said geothermal system 100b and said thermal battery HVAC system 300, as discussed above. likewise, said daylight projections 1102 comprises a pivot table of said summary table 1100 with said solar state 808 as a left-hand column.

One objective of said thermal battery HVAC system 300 is to capture heat when said solar state 808 is in daylight and spend that heat during dark. Thereby, said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can minimize a size of a battery required for a household if powered by solar power. For example, where said one or more fluid containers 302 provides heat for 3-5 hours into the dark periods, as illustrated, a nighttime power consumption 1104 can be reduced by 25%.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method of use 1200 of said thermal battery HVAC system 300.

Said method of use 1200 can comprise one or more steps 1202 which can comprise a first step 1202a, a second step 1202b, a third step 1202c, a fourth step 1202d, a fifth step 1202e, a sixth step 1202f, a seventh step 1202g, and an eighth step 1202h, as illustrated and described below.

In one embodiment, said method of use 1200 can comprise: receiving said HVAC input fluid 206, exchanging heat with said HVAC input fluid 206 to generate said climate-controlled air output 106 and said liquid refrigerant 202, receiving said one or more fluid inputs 306 with said fluid management assembly 304, storing a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 in said one or more fluid containers 302, sending a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 out of said fluid management assembly 304 as said one or more fluid outputs 308, managing said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308 with said controller application 610 in said controller 500, assessing said fluid temperature 508 and said fluid flow rate 510 for a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308, selectively sending said HVAC input fluid 206 at an optimal temperature from said one or more fluid inputs 306; wherein a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 can comprise said liquid refrigerant 202 from said HVAC fluid output 108 of said HVAC system 102, and said stored water 312 from said one or more fluid containers 302; a portion of said one or more fluid outputs 308 can comprise said HVAC input fluid 206 sent to said fluid input 104 and said storage input fluid 316 sent to said one or more fluid containers 302.

Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”

Preferred Embodiment

said method of use 1200 of said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can comprise receiving said HVAC input fluid 206, exchanging heat with said HVAC input fluid 206 to generate said climate-controlled air output 106 and said liquid refrigerant 202, receiving said one or more fluid inputs 306 with said fluid management assembly 304, storing a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 in said one or more fluid containers 302, sending a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 out of said fluid management assembly 304 as said one or more fluid outputs 308, managing said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308 with said controller application 610 in said controller 500, assessing said fluid temperature 508 and said fluid flow rate 510 for a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308, and selectively sending said HVAC input fluid 206 at an optimal temperature from said one or more fluid inputs 306. Wherein a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 comprises said liquid refrigerant 202 from said HVAC fluid output 108 of said HVAC system 102, and said stored water 312 from said one or more fluid containers 302. A portion of said one or more fluid outputs 308 comprises said HVAC input fluid 206 sent to said fluid input 104 and said storage input fluid 316 sent to said one or more fluid containers 302.

Said method of use 1200 of said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can comprise receiving said HVAC input fluid 206, exchanging heat with said HVAC input fluid 206 to generate said climate-controlled air output 106 and said liquid refrigerant 202, receiving said one or more fluid inputs 306 with said fluid management assembly 304, storing a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 in said one or more fluid containers 302, sending a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 out of said fluid management assembly 304 as said one or more fluid outputs 308, managing said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308 with said controller application 610 in said controller 500, assessing said fluid temperature 508 and said fluid flow rate 510 for a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308, and selectively sending said HVAC input fluid 206 at an optimal temperature from said one or more fluid inputs 306. Wherein a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 comprises said liquid refrigerant 202 from said HVAC fluid output 108 of said HVAC system 102, and said stored water 312 from said one or more fluid containers 302. A portion of said one or more fluid outputs 308 comprises said HVAC input fluid 206 sent to said fluid input 104 and said storage input fluid 316 sent to said one or more fluid containers 302.

Said method of use 1200 of said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can comprise receiving said HVAC input fluid 206, exchanging heat with said HVAC input fluid 206 to generate said climate-controlled air output 106 and said liquid refrigerant 202, receiving said one or more fluid inputs 306 with said fluid management assembly 304, storing a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 in said one or more fluid containers 302, and sending a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 out of said fluid management assembly 304 as said one or more fluid outputs 308.

Managing said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308 with said controller application 610 in said controller 500.

Selectively sending said HVAC input fluid 206 at an optimal temperature from said one or more fluid inputs 306.

Assessing said fluid temperature 508 and said fluid flow rate 510 for a portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308.

Fluids received by said fluid input 104 can be referred to as an HVAC fluid. A portion of said one or more fluid inputs 306 comprises said liquid refrigerant 202 from said HVAC fluid output 108 of said HVAC system 102, and said stored water 312 from said one or more fluid containers 302. A portion of said one or more fluid outputs 308 comprises said HVAC input fluid 206 sent to said fluid input 104 and said storage input fluid 316 sent to said one or more fluid containers 302.

Said fluid input 104 can receive said outside air 116 and said HVAC fluid output 108 can output said exhaust air 118 to said blower 110.

Said HVAC system 102 can be powered by said electrical power input 114. Said electrical power input 114 can be selected among: solar energy, grid energy, battery energy, or similar.

Said one or more fluid outputs 308 comprises said HVAC input fluid 206, said geothermal input fluid 314, said storage input fluid 316, and said discarded fluid 318.

Where said liquid refrigerant 202 can be cooler than said climate-controlled air output 106, and said climate-controlled air output 106 can be hot air, said cold water can be stored in said one or more fluid containers 302. By holding thermal energy in fluids in said one or more fluid containers 302, said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can transfer unused heat or cooling energy to a different part of a heating or cooling cycle.

Each among said one or more fluid containers 302 comprises said one or more temperature sensors 402 and said fluid level sensor 404. Said one or more temperature sensors 402 and said fluid level sensor 404 can monitor a status of said fluid 406 within each among said one or more fluid containers 302. Said fluid level sensor 404 can measure said fluid level 408 within said one or more fluid containers 302. Each among said one or more fluid containers 302 comprises at least said first fluid input 410 and said first fluid output 412.

Said one or more temperature sensors 402 and said fluid level sensor 404 comprises a plurality of sensors arranged within said one or more fluid containers 302 for measuring temperatures and fluid status at various heights within said internal cavity 414 of said one or more fluid containers 302.

Said one or more fluid containers 302 can be insulated to prevent heat loss or gain from an outside environment into said internal cavity 414.

Said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can be configured to store said fluid 406 at multiple temperatures by utilizing a plurality of said one or more fluid containers 302. Said fluid 406 at a temperature above room temperature in said first fluid container 302a and said fluid 406 below room temperature in said second fluid container 302b.

By monitoring a temperature of said fluid 406 using said one or more temperature sensors 402: said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can adjust and calculate a temperature of said fluid input 104 coming from said one or more fluid containers 302.

Each among said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308 can be measured using said fluid temperature sensor 502 to measure said fluid temperature 508 and said fluid flow rate sensor 504 to measure said fluid flow rate 510. Each among said one or more fluid inputs 306 can be connected to each among said one or more fluid outputs 308 and selectively closed and opened using said control valve 506. Said geothermally treated fluid 204 can be connected to each among said HVAC input fluid 206, said discarded fluid 318, said storage input fluid 316 and said geothermal input fluid 314 and managed using said first control valve 506a, said second control valve 506b, said third control valve 506c, and said fourth control valve 506d. Said controller 500 can receive signals from said fluid temperature sensor 502, said fluid flow rate sensor 504 and said control valve 506 and can manage a flow of said one or more fluid inputs 306, and said one or more fluid outputs 308 according to software instructions, as discussed below.

Said controller 500 comprises a computer configured for controlling parts of said fluid management assembly 304. Said controller 500 comprises said memory 602, said one or more processors 604, said communication system 606, and said power system 608. Said thermal battery HVAC system 300 can further comprise said controller application 610 stored in said memory 602 and executed in said one or more processors 604. Said memory 602 can store and access said historical data 612 and said system settings 614 for said thermal battery HVAC system 300. Said communication system 606 comprises a network hardware, bus or other COMM protocol for communicating with various sensors, peripherals and auxiliary systems as discussed herein and known in the art. Said communication system 606 can be in data communication with said fluid management assembly 304 to measure and/or control said fluid temperature sensor 502, said control valve 506, and said fluid flow rate sensor 504 for each among said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308. Control of said one or more fluid inputs 306 and said one or more fluid outputs 308 of said fluid management assembly 304 can be done according to instructions held withing said controller application 610 in said memory 602 and said controller 500. Said communication system 606 can communicate with and gather data from remote resources such as said weather database 616, said energy costs data 618 and/or said server application 620 with instructions related the operation of said thermal battery HVAC system 300. Said communication system 606 can communicate with such systems over said network 628 such as the internet.

Said HVAC system 102 comprises said HVAC fluid loop 702 and said compressor-heat-exchanger assembly 704. Said HVAC input fluid 206 can come into said HVAC system 102 at an optimal or nearly optimal temperature for the efficient exchange of energy with said HVAC fluid loop 702. A compressor can be used to further optimize a temperature of said HVAC input fluid 206, and a heat exchanger can optimally transfer heat from said HVAC input fluid 206 into said HVAC fluid loop 702. Said HVAC fluid loop 702 can then interact with other portions of said HVAC system 102 such as an evaporator coil to generate said climate-controlled air output 106.

Said HVAC fluid output 108 can be channeled using said fluid management assembly 304 to said one or more fluid containers 302, said electrical power input 114, said HVAC input fluid 206 or said discarded fluid 318. \ said HVAC system 102 comprises said one or more circulating pumps 706 and said one or more fans 708 to move said fluid 406 and/or said climate-controlled air output 106.

PARTS LIST

    • said prior art HVAC system 100,
    • said blower only system 100a,
    • said geothermal system 100b,
    • said HVAC system 102,
    • said fluid input 104,
    • said climate-controlled air output 106,
    • said HVAC fluid output 108,
    • said blower 110,
    • said electrical power input 114,
    • said outside air 116,
    • said exhaust air 118,
    • said geothermal loop 200,
    • said liquid refrigerant 202,
    • said geothermally treated fluid 204,
    • said HVAC input fluid 206,
    • said ambient ground temperature 208,
    • said thermal battery HVAC system 300,
    • said one or more fluid containers 302,
    • said first fluid container 302a,
    • said second fluid container 302b,
    • said third fluid container 302c,
    • said fluid management assembly 304,
    • said one or more fluid inputs 306,
    • said one or more fluid outputs 308,
    • said fresh input fluids 310,
    • said stored water 312,
    • said geothermal input fluid 314,
    • said storage input fluid 316,
    • said discarded fluid 318,
    • said waste drain 320,
    • said irrigation system 322,
    • said grey water system 324,
    • said one or more temperature sensors 402,
    • said fluid level sensor 404,
    • said fluid 406,
    • said fluid level 408,
    • said first fluid input 410,
    • said first fluid output 412,
    • said internal cavity 414,
    • said one or more fluid pumps 416,
    • said controller 500,
    • said fluid temperature sensor 502,
    • said fluid flow rate sensor 504,
    • said control valve 506,
    • said first control valve 506a,
    • said second control valve 506b,
    • said third control valve 506c,
    • said fourth control valve 506d,
    • said fluid temperature 508,
    • said fluid flow rate 510,
    • said controller block diagram 600,
    • said memory 602,
    • said one or more processors 604,
    • said communication system 606,
    • said power system 608,
    • said controller application 610,
    • said historical data 612,
    • said system settings 614,
    • said weather database 616,
    • said energy costs data 618,
    • said server application 620,
    • said one or more HVAC settings 624,
    • said one or more climate control sensors 626,
    • said network 628,
    • said HVAC fluid overview 700,
    • said HVAC fluid loop 702,
    • said compressor-heat-exchanger assembly 704,
    • said one or more circulating pumps 706,
    • said one or more fans 708,
    • said temperature summary table 800,
    • said delta-temperature 802,
    • said HVAC temperature setting 804,
    • said outdoor temperature 806,
    • said solar state 808,
    • said time of day 810,
    • said temperature and delta-temperature chart 900,
    • said projected energy consumption chart 902,
    • said predicted high temperature 904,
    • said predicted low temperature 906,
    • said two temperature crossovers 908,
    • said first temperature crossover 908a,
    • said second temperature crossover 908b,
    • said blower kW data 910,
    • said geothermal kW data 912,
    • said projected improved kW 914,
    • said second projected energy consumption chart 1000,
    • said summary table 1100,
    • said daylight projections 1102,
    • said nighttime power consumption 1104,
    • said method of use 1200,
    • said one or more steps 1202,
    • said first step 1202a,
    • said second step 1202b,
    • said third step 1202c,
    • said fourth step 1202d,
    • said fifth step 1202e,
    • said sixth step 1202f,
    • said seventh step 1202g, and
    • said eighth step 1202h.

Claims

1. A method of use of a thermal battery HVAC system, comprising:

receiving an HVAC input fluid,
exchanging heat with said HVAC input fluid to generate a climate-controlled air output and a liquid refrigerant,
receiving one or more fluid inputs with a fluid management assembly,
storing a portion of said one or more fluid inputs in one or more fluid containers,
sending a portion of said one or more fluid inputs out of said fluid management assembly as one or more fluid outputs,
managing said one or more fluid inputs and said one or more fluid outputs with a controller application in a controller,
assessing a fluid temperature and a fluid flow rate for a portion of said one or more fluid inputs and said one or more fluid outputs, and
selectively sending said HVAC input fluid at an optimal temperature from said one or more fluid inputs; wherein
a portion of said one or more fluid inputs comprises said liquid refrigerant from an HVAC fluid output of an HVAC system, and a stored water from said one or more fluid containers; and
a portion of said one or more fluid outputs comprises said HVAC input fluid sent to a fluid input and a storage input fluid sent to said one or more fluid containers.

2. A method of use of a thermal battery HVAC system, comprising:

receiving an HVAC input fluid,
exchanging heat with said HVAC input fluid to generate a climate-controlled air output and a liquid refrigerant,
receiving one or more fluid inputs with a fluid management assembly,
storing a portion of said one or more fluid inputs in one or more fluid containers, and
sending a portion of said one or more fluid inputs out of said fluid management assembly as one or more fluid outputs.

3. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

managing said one or more fluid inputs and said one or more fluid outputs with a controller application in a controller.

4. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

selectively sending said HVAC input fluid at an optimal temperature from said one or more fluid inputs.

5. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

assessing a fluid temperature and a fluid flow rate for a portion of said one or more fluid inputs and said one or more fluid outputs.

6. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

fluids received by a fluid input is referred to as an HVAC fluid;
a portion of said one or more fluid inputs comprises said liquid refrigerant from an HVAC fluid output of an HVAC system, and a stored water from said one or more fluid containers; and
a portion of said one or more fluid outputs comprises said HVAC input fluid sent to said fluid input and a storage input fluid sent to said one or more fluid containers.

7. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

said fluid input can receive an outside air and said HVAC fluid output can output an exhaust air to a blower.

8. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

said HVAC system is powered by an electrical power input; and
said electrical power input is selected among: solar energy, grid energy, battery energy, or similar.

9. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

said one or more fluid outputs comprises said HVAC input fluid, a geothermal input fluid, said storage input fluid, and a discarded fluid.

10. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

where said liquid refrigerant is cooler than said climate-controlled air output, and said climate-controlled air output is hot air, said cold water is stored in said one or more fluid containers; and
by holding thermal energy in fluids in said one or more fluid containers, said thermal battery HVAC system can transfer unused heat or cooling energy to a different part of a heating or cooling cycle.

11. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

each among said one or more fluid containers comprises one or more temperature sensors and a fluid level sensor;
said one or more temperature sensors and said fluid level sensor can monitor a status of a fluid within each among said one or more fluid containers;
said fluid level sensor can measure a fluid level within said one or more fluid containers; and
each among said one or more fluid containers comprises at least a first fluid input and a first fluid output.

12. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

said one or more temperature sensors and said fluid level sensor comprises a plurality of sensors arranged within said one or more fluid containers for measuring temperatures and fluid status at various heights within an internal cavity of said one or more fluid containers.

13. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

said one or more fluid containers is insulated to prevent heat loss or gain from an outside environment into said internal cavity.

14. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

said thermal battery HVAC system is configured to store said fluid at multiple temperatures by utilizing a plurality of said one or more fluid containers; and
said fluid at a temperature above room temperature in a first fluid container and said fluid below room temperature in a second fluid container.

15. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

by monitoring a temperature of said fluid using said one or more temperature sensors:
said thermal battery HVAC system can adjust and calculate a temperature of said fluid input coming from said one or more fluid containers.

16. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

each among said one or more fluid inputs and said one or more fluid outputs is measured using a fluid temperature sensor to measure said fluid temperature and a fluid flow rate sensor to measure said fluid flow rate;
each among said one or more fluid inputs is connected to each among said one or more fluid outputs and selectively closed and opened using a control valve;
a geothermally treated fluid is connected to each among said HVAC input fluid, said discarded fluid, said storage input fluid and said geothermal input fluid and managed using a first control valve, a second control valve, a third control valve, and a fourth control valve; and
said controller can receive signals from said fluid temperature sensor, said fluid flow rate sensor and said control valve and can manage a flow of said one or more fluid inputs, and said one or more fluid outputs according to software instructions, as discussed below.

17. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

said controller comprises a computer configured for controlling parts of said fluid management assembly;
said controller comprises a memory, one or more processors, a communication system, and a power system;
said thermal battery HVAC system can further comprise said controller application stored in said memory and executed in said one or more processors;
said memory can store and access a historical data and a system settings for said thermal battery HVAC system;
Said communication system comprises a network hardware, bus or other COMM protocol for communicating with various sensors, peripherals and auxiliary systems as discussed herein and known in the art;
Said communication system is in data communication with said fluid management assembly to measure and/or control said fluid temperature sensor, said control valve, and said fluid flow rate sensor for each among said one or more fluid inputs and said one or more fluid outputs;
control of said one or more fluid inputs and said one or more fluid outputs of said fluid management assembly is done according to instructions held withing said controller application in said memory and said controller;
said communication system can communicate with and gather data from remote resources such as a weather database, an energy costs data and/or a server application with instructions related the operation of said thermal battery HVAC system; and
said communication system can communicate with such systems over a network such as the internet.

18. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

said HVAC system comprises an HVAC fluid loop and a compressor-heat-exchanger assembly;
Said HVAC input fluid can come into said HVAC system at an optimal or nearly optimal temperature for the efficient exchange of energy with said HVAC fluid loop;
a compressor is used to further optimize a temperature of said HVAC input fluid, and a heat exchanger can optimally transfer heat from said HVAC input fluid into said HVAC fluid loop; and
said HVAC fluid loop can then interact with other portions of said HVAC system such as an evaporator coil to generate said climate-controlled air output.

19. The method of use of claim 2, wherein:

said HVAC fluid output is channeled using said fluid management assembly to said one or more fluid containers, said electrical power input, said HVAC input fluid or said discarded fluid; and
Said HVAC system comprises one or more circulating pumps and one or more fans to move said fluid and/or said climate-controlled air output.

20. A method of use of a thermal battery HVAC system, comprising:

a prior art HVAC system is configured for: receiving an HVAC input fluid, exchanging heat with said HVAC input fluid to generate a climate-controlled air output and a liquid refrigerant, receiving one or more fluid inputs with a fluid management assembly, storing a portion of said one or more fluid inputs in one or more fluid containers, and sending a portion of said one or more fluid inputs out of said fluid management assembly as one or more fluid outputs; wherein,
said one or more fluid containers is insulated to prevent heat loss or gain from an outside environment into an internal cavity;
fluids received by a fluid input is referred to as an HVAC fluid;
a portion of said one or more fluid inputs comprises said liquid refrigerant from an HVAC fluid output of an HVAC system, and a stored water from said one or more fluid containers; and
a portion of said one or more fluid outputs comprises said HVAC input fluid sent to said fluid input and a storage input fluid sent to said one or more fluid containers.
Patent History
Publication number: 20240151411
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 6, 2023
Publication Date: May 9, 2024
Inventor: Joab Jay Perdue (Amarillo, TX)
Application Number: 18/503,146
Classifications
International Classification: F24F 5/00 (20060101);