Heat Collector Patents (Class 165/10)
  • Publication number: 20090250189
    Abstract: Improved thermal energy storage materials, devices and systems employing the same and related methods. The thermal energy storage materials may include a phase change material that includes a metal-containing compound. This invention is directed at methods of encapsulating thermal energy storage materials, devices containing encapsulated thermal energy storage materials, and capsular structures for encapsulating thermal energy storage materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Andrey N. Soukhojak, David H. Bank, Kalyan Sehanobish
  • Publication number: 20090236071
    Abstract: A two fluid thermal storage device that may allow for independent heating and cooling includes a plurality of plate members with a set of dividers brazed between two of them. The set of dividers, which may define a series of passageways therein, may include a first sub-series of alternate passageways filled with a phase change material, and a second sub-series of remaining passageways that transports a fluid, the remaining passageways alternating between transporting a cooling fluid through a first fluid circuit and transporting a heating fluid through a second and independent fluid circuit. The remaining passageways that transport the cooling fluid through the first fluid circuit are defined by a first subset of dividers and the remaining passageways that transport the heating fluid through the second fluid circuit are defined by a second subset of dividers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: JOSEPH M. JENSEN
  • Publication number: 20090211726
    Abstract: A thermal energy storage material (TESM) system (and associated methods) that reproducibly stores and recovers latent heat comprising i) at least one first metal containing material including at least one first metal compound that includes a nitrate ion, a nitrite ion, or both; ii) at least one second metal containing material including at least one second metal compound; and iii) optionally including water, wherein the water concentration if any is present is less than about 10 wt. %; wherein the TESM has a liquidus temperature, TL, from about 100° C. to about 250° C.; and wherein the TESM exhibits a heat storage density from 300° C. to 80° C. of at least about 1 MJ/l; so that upon being used in a system that generates heat, at least a portion of the heat is captured and stored by the TESM and subsequently released for use, and the system is generally resistant to corrosion at temperatures of about 300° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Bank, Andrey N. Soukhojak, Kalyan Sehanobish, David G. McLeod
  • Publication number: 20090199994
    Abstract: A heat-storage object which can be formed in a desired shape, has a high heat-storage material content and hence excellent heat-storage property, undergoes no leakage with time despite the high heat-storage material content, and even when subjected to processing such as cutting or punching, does not undergoes leakage through the cut surface or hole, and has excellent processability, as well as a composition for heat-storage object formation, and a process for producing the same. The heat-storage object comprises fine particles of an organic latent heat-storage material (a), the particles having been fixed with a binder (c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: SK KAKEN CO., LTD
    Inventor: Ryotaro Amano
  • Patent number: 7571758
    Abstract: A method and corresponding structure using phase change materials to control the heat flux into and out of a building through the roof To control the heat flux through the roof, phase change materials are arranged in two locations inside the roof structure. A first phase change material is used in the upper part of the roof above the insulation. A second phase change material is used in the lower part of the roof below the insulation. The melting point of the first phase change material is higher than the crystallization point of the second phase change material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Barbara Hildegard Pause
  • Publication number: 20090194250
    Abstract: A heat accumulator includes a thermally insulated heat storage vessel having an opening formed in a bottom wall thereof, a quantity of heat accumulating medium arranged within the vessel, and a fluid circulation tube of double tube structure inserted from the opening into the vessel and extending vertically upward toward a top wall of the vessel for introducing a fluid into the vessel or discharging the fluid out of the vessel. The heat accumulator further includes a heat-insulating layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the fluid circulation tube and extending over at least a longitudinal portion of the fluid circulation tube extending from the bottom wall of the vessel in an upward direction to a predetermined height of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LRD.
    Inventor: Tomohide Kudo
  • Patent number: 7566484
    Abstract: The increase of temperature of heat sensitive devices during heat generating conditions is prevented through the absorption of heat, by providing a hydroxide, such as Lithium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, Calcium Hydroxide, Beryllium Hydroxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ammonium Hydroxide and mixtures thereof, in an amount sufficient to effect the required heat absorption. Where the heat generating conditions are generated by a heat generator, separate and distinct from the heat sensitive device, the hydroxide may be supported in a position between the heat sensitive device and the heat generator. Where the heat sensitive device is itself the heat generator, the hydroxide is in contact with the heat sensitive device, either directly or indirectly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Hayes and Associates
    Inventor: Claude Q. C. Hayes
  • Patent number: 7556085
    Abstract: A heat exchanger heat transfer element basket assembly (500) for receiving heat transfer element plates (850) therein. The heat exchanger heat transfer element basket assembly (500) includes first and second one-piece side straps (520a, 520b), a pair of inboard corner flanges (528a, 528b), an I-shaped splitter plate (530), a pair of outboard corner flanges (522a, 522b), first and second end straps (526a, 526b), and a cap. Each of the first and second one-piece side straps (520a, 520b) includes a center portion (625), a first extension (630), and a second extension (635). Each of the first and second extensions (630, 635) includes a flange portion that is folded over across the heat transfer element plates (850) so as to be operative to retain the heat transfer element plates (850) in the heat exchanger heat transfer element basket assembly (500).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Cary J. Childs, Lawrence G. Cowburn, Jeffrey W. Gaylor, Mark M. Gibble, Timothy R. Gustin, David A. Pye, Dean L. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20090145575
    Abstract: A fluid reservoir includes a housing shell defining a cavity, and a flexible, resilient water impervious bag-shaped liner mounted in the cavity so as to substantially fill the cavity when the liner is filled with fluid. The liner is formed from a flexible water-imperious sheet by forming the sheet into a cylinder, then forming a water-tight first seam along a bottom edge of the cylinder, then folding outer corners of the first seam over, so as to overlap a center portion of the first seam, and so that bottom edges of the outer corners, once so folded over, register substantially co-linearly within a bottom edge of the center portion of the first seam. An upper portion of the liner is thereby urged to bag open. The upper portion thus forms a substantially frustoconical shape. The upper portion is contiguous with a lower portion of the liner. The lower is portion substantially wedge shaped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Gordon Hogan
  • Publication number: 20090126898
    Abstract: A paper material having water sorption capacity and method for forming the same is provided. The paper material may be formed from a mixture including thermoplastic organic fibers, micro porous particles, and hydroscopic salt or a mixture including organic fibers, titania or a transition alumina micro porous particles, and a hydroscopic salt. The paper may be produced by forming an aqueous slurry, including organic fibers and micro porous particles, mixing the slurry, feeding the mixed slurry into a paper making apparatus thereby forming a sheet, contacting the sheet with a solution containing an amount of hydroscopic salt, and drying the hydroscopic salt containing solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Dustin Matthew Eplee, Kenneth R. Butcher
  • Patent number: 7533538
    Abstract: A dehumidifier by which the rate of heat recovery by the heat exchanger for recovering heat can be increased, the power consumption of the heater can be decreased, and by which the amount of dehumidification per a power consumption can be promoted, is disclosed. The dehumidifier 1 comprises a rotor case 31 harboring a dehumidification rotor 2 rotatably and drivably mounted therein, having an opening for dehumidification 38 through which air to be dehumidified passes, and having an opening for regeneration 39 through which air for regeneration passes; a heater 5 for heating the air for regeneration before passing through the opening for regeneration; a heat exchanger for recovering heat 7 which transfers heat of the air for regeneration passing through the second passage section to the air for regeneration passing through the first passage section; a dehumidification passage X harboring a dehumidification fan 3; and a regeneration passage Y harboring a regeneration fan 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Kankyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Ike
  • Patent number: 7527777
    Abstract: Subjects for the invention are to provide a zeolite reduced in performance deterioration in repetitions of use or during long-term use and a process for producing the same and to provide an adsorbent comprising the zeolite and a heat utilization system or the like employing the adsorbent. The invention relates to a zeolite which has a framework density of from 10 T/nm3 to 16 T/nm3 and a carbon content of from 1% by weight to 6% by weight and satisfies the following (1) or (2): (1) the zeolite is an aluminophosphate which has a nitrogen content of from 0.5% by weight to 12% by weight and in which the aluminum may be partly replaced by Me; (2) the zeolite is a silicoaluminophosphate in which the aluminum may be partly replaced by Me and which, when burned to a carbon content lower than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromu Watanabe, Takahiko Takewaki, Masanori Yamazaki, Hiroyuki Kakiuchi, Kouji Inagaki, Atsushi Kosaka, Norikazu Hosokawa
  • Publication number: 20090101303
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device of a water heat accumulator or storage medium that is composed of water and at least one solid construction material which has a structure with hollow spaces and is specifically designed to absorb the entire amount of water and autonomously retain as much thereof as possible, has a statically load-bearing structure and can thus accommodate a superstructure, and can have water-permeable and/or hygroscopic properties. All additional equipment required for operating and utilizing the heat accumulator is assigned to said water heat accumulator or storage medium. The inventive device is characterized in that the construction material is a foam product or a construction material which is composed of several identical and/or different solid construction materials that are fixedly interconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Henze
  • Publication number: 20090031978
    Abstract: A heat accumulator (1) is formed by connecting a first container (4) and a second container (5) using a spring (6). The first container (4) has a wall-shaped inner side wall that corresponds to the shape of a cylinder bore wall (7). Provided on this inner side wall is a flexible structural part (8). The flexible structural part (8) is formed of highly elastic resin. The second container (5) has a similar structure. A heat storage medium within the first container (4) and the second container (5) absorbs heat, which generates a change of phase from a solid to a liquid. When this happens, the volume of the heat storage medium increases. The increase in the heat storage medium projects the flexible structural part (8), and separates the first container (4) and the second container (5) from the cylinder bore wall (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDODHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo Kobayashi, Katuhiko Arisawa, Kenichi Yamada, Yoshio Yamashita, Kunihiko Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20080289793
    Abstract: A thermal energy storage apparatus is disclosed. The thermal energy storage apparatus has a phase change medium, an inner header having at least one inner feed port, and an outer header having at least one outer feed port and fluidically coupled to the inner header. The inner header and the outer header are configured to be substantially immersed in the phase change medium. Related methods of constructing and controlling a thermal energy storage system are also disclosed. A thermal energy power system utilizing a thermal energy storage apparatus is further disclosed, as is a heat exchanger for the thermal energy storage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Geiken, Brian J. Flynn
  • Publication number: 20080230203
    Abstract: The invention relates to a latent heat storage material comprising a first phase change material, at least one second phase change material different from the first phase change material, and an expanded graphite material wherein the first phase change material and the at least one second phase change material are intermixed and the latent heat storage material exhibits a phase transition over a range of temperatures. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of a latent heat storage material comprising combining a mixture of an expanded graphite material and a first phase change material with at least one different second phase change material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Martin U. Christ, Oswin H. Ottinger, Jurgen J. Bacher
  • Patent number: 7416017
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus (10) includes a housing defined by two aluminum parts (12, 13) which are brazed to each other. A plurality of sector-shaped recesses (21-28) are provided within the housing, and collectively define a chamber having a plurality of ribs (41-48) extending therethrough. Each recess contains a sector-shaped piece of porous material (17, 18), which is brazed to surfaces of the housing parts. The remaining space within the chamber is filled with a phase change material. Each of the ribs has therein a respective radially extending opening (101-108) which contains a heat pipe (141). Expansion accumulators (151) are mounted on the housing, and communicate with the chamber therein, in order to accommodate expansion of the phase change material within the chamber as the phase change material is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: James L. Haws, Byron Elliott Short, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7406998
    Abstract: A heat storing device for exchanging heat energy between a heat storing material and a fluid. The heat storing device has a heat storing module having heat storing material spaces filled with a heat storing material and fluid passages for a fluid to flow through adjacent to the heat storing material spaces. The heat storing module includes multiple plates in a stack. Each of the multiple plates has fluid passages in one side thereof. In mutually adjacent pairs of plates, the sides having the fluid passages face each other. When each pair of plates is seen face-on, with respect to the fluid passages of one of the plates, the fluid passages of the other plate intersect substantially at right angles, and the fluid passages of the two plates connect at these positions where they intersect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohide Kudo
  • Publication number: 20080149299
    Abstract: A method of using a minimal surface or a minimal skeleton to make a heat exchanger component is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a stereolithography file from design data, slicing the stereolithography file into two-dimensional patterns, repeating the two-dimensional patterns sequentially to produce a three-dimensional minimal surface component or minimal skeleton component, and depositing at least one layer of a material having a high thermal conductivity onto a top surface of a base, wherein the deposited material forms either a three-dimensional minimal surface component or a three-dimensional minimal skeleton component. Also provided are the heat exchanger components made by the embodiments of the method using either minimal surfaces or minimal skeletons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Victor Blakemore Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20080128526
    Abstract: An object is to provide a heating tank capable of highly efficiently heating a target to be heated and having high safety and reliability, and a hot water storage tank. The heating tank in which the target to be heated is stored and which heats the target to be heated by a circulated refrigerant of a heat pump, for example, the hot water storage tank which is heated by the circulated refrigerant of the heat pump to produce hot water in the tank includes a heat exchanger in which a wall surface of a tank main body is partially secured to peripheral edge portions and inner portions of two metal plates and in which non-secured portions swell to constitute a refrigerant passage closed except an inlet and an outlet. A thickness dimension of one metal plate is set to be larger than that of the other metal plate, and the one metal plate is arranged on the inner side of the other metal plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Masahisa Otake, Hiroshi Mukaiyama
  • Patent number: 7381346
    Abstract: A thermal interface material is for being applied to the contact surfaces to eliminate the air interstices between the heat dissipating apparatus and the electronic component in order to improve heat dissipation of the electronic component. The thermal interface material includes pentaerythritol oleate as base oil and fillers filled in the pentaerythritol oleate for improving the heat conductivity of the thermal interface material. The pentaerythritol oleate is used for holding the fillers therein and filling the air interstices to achieve an intimate contact between the heat dissipating apparatus and the electronic component. The fillers include aluminum powders, zinc oxide powders and zinc oxide nano-particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Tai Cheng, Nien-Tien Cheng
  • Patent number: 7370689
    Abstract: A thermal chromic heat storing/releasing device includes a bag having an enclosed space for containing a heat storing/releasing material, and the heat storing/releasing material is a material that can store and release heat and the heat storing/releasing material is contained in the bag. A thermal chromic printed layer having at least a part disposed on the bag, and the printed material is mixed with a thermal chromic dye, such that the thermo chromic material will change the color of the printed layer for a visual indication as the temperature rises or drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Ching-Chuan Wang
  • Patent number: 7363965
    Abstract: An onboard hydrogen storage unit with heat transfer system for a hydrogen powered vehicle. The system includes a hydrogen storage vessel containing a hydrogen storage alloy configured to receive a stream of hydrogen and provide hydrogen for use in powering a vehicle. During refueling a cooling/heating loop is used to remove the heat of hydride formation from the hydrogen storage alloy and during operation of the vehicle the heating/cooling loop is used to supply heat to the hydrogen storage alloy to aid in hydrogen desorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ovonic Hydrogen Systems LLC
    Inventors: Vitaliy Myasnikov, Rosa Young, Yang Li, Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Patent number: 7319814
    Abstract: In a heat conducting assembly for a water heater and a method for making the heat conducting assembly, there is provided a heat-conductive housing which has inner wall surfaces that cooperate to confine a sealed chamber. A heat-conductive unit is disposed in the sealed chamber. Heat-conductive particles are disposed in the sealed chamber, and are caused to accumulate on the inner wall surfaces of the heat-conductive housing and outer wall surfaces of the heat-conductive unit for heating water in the heat-conductive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Chin-Kuang Luo
  • Patent number: 7316262
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for storing thermal energy. The subject thermal energy storage apparatus can function as a heat absorber in a cooling system. A cooling system can incorporate a cooling cycle that utilizes thermal energy storage and has two coolant loops. The primary cooling loop acquires the waste heat from a heat source, such as an electronic device, by heat transfer to the primary coolant via, for example, a sensible heat process (where sensible heat is heat absorbed or transmitted by a substance during a change in temperature which is not accompanied by a change of state) or by evaporating the primary coolant through a latent heat phase change process. The waste heat absorbed by the primary coolant is transferred to the host material of the heat absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Rini Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Rini, Louis Chow
  • Publication number: 20080000613
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided for providing a coolant to a laser system at a substantially set temperature. The cooling system employs a stratified thermal energy storage (TES) device that is configured to distribute hot coolant provided at an inlet port over a cross-sectional area of the TES device to provide a substantially uniform, stratified flow of a hot coolant that flushes a cold coolant from the TES device at an outlet port. The distributed inflow of the hot coolant provides a uniform downward velocity flow of the hot coolant and the cold coolant and takes advantage of an unmixed condition of the hot coolant and the cold coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventor: George Manchester Harpole
  • Patent number: 7282463
    Abstract: A thermocautery block is formed by mixing alumina, zirconium silicate, feldspar, pottery stone, siliceous limestone, kaolin, Gairome clay (Japan), and black soil with water; evenly stirring the mixture; compressing, dehydrating, and extruding the mixture into polygonal blocks; and drying, kilning, and cooling the blocks. The thermocautery block has a high density and a hardness higher than 6.0, and could store thermal energy after being heated for a short time. The stored thermal energy is progressively released via superficial areas of the block other than corners thereof to produce the effect of progressive temperature rise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Chieh Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 7278378
    Abstract: A regenerative air preheater leakage recovery system comprising a coal-fired steam generator in fluid communication with a regenerative air preheater. The regenerative air preheater adapted to provide a heat exchange between a flow of cool air and of hot flue gas to convert the cool air into the heated combustion air exiting to the steam generator. A combination of seals for effecting at least one plenum that is in fluid communication with the heated combustion air flow and the flow of hot flue gas relative to the regenerative air preheater. A captured flow of leakage, diverted from the flow of heated combustion air and directed by means of a fan to re-enter the regenerative air preheater at a location substantially separate from where the flow of cool air is received in the regenerative air preheater to be further heated therein and exit as the flow of heated combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventor: Wayne S. Counterman
  • Patent number: 7240725
    Abstract: A device for climate control of a vehicle is provided which includes a coolant circuit in which coolant flows through a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator; a heat transfer medium circuit in which heat transfer medium flows through a heat source and a heat exchanger; and a heat/cold reservoir in which the evaporator and the heat exchanger are located. The device of the present invention provides an improved and comparatively economical approach to climate control in the area of a driver's bed in a motor vehicle interior by, at least in part, using a heating/cooling surface for a driver's bed and/or vehicle interior wall, which is integrated into the heat transfer medium circuit such that the heat transfer medium can flow selectively through the heating/cooling surface, or the heat transfer medium which is conveyed by the heat source can flow through the heating/cooling surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Webasto Thermosysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Horn, Noureddine Khelifa, Wolfgang Kraemer
  • Patent number: 7240720
    Abstract: Apparatus for abstracting heat comprises a container charged with a first liquid and with small auxiliary containers free to circulate in the first liquid. Each of the small auxiliary containers is charged with a second liquid. The first and second liquids each have a selected temperature of transformation that facilitates use of the apparatus to heat or cool a substance contacted by the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas P. Noel
  • Patent number: 7225860
    Abstract: A compact heat battery (CHB) may comprise a casing, a tube containment sheath, a bundle of hermetically sealed phase change material (PCM) encapsulation tubes, and encapsulation tube inserts. An insulation envelope and insulation shield may be positioned radially outward from the casing. As an alternative the casing, insulation, and insulation shield can be integrated into a double-walled vacuum cylinder. The cylindrical containment sheath can open and close along a split-seam in response to radial expansion of the tubes. The natural packing of the encapsulation tubes within the containment sheath can distribute a heat transfer fluid through the interstitial spaces between the encapsulation tubes. Floating baffle plates provide for axial containment and expansion of the encapsulation tube bundle. The CHB of the present invention can allow for increased tube density, providing increased heat absorption and decreased CHB dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Baginski, Hal Strumpf, Carlos E. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 7225859
    Abstract: A heat exchanger element for a Stirling cycle refrigerator is produced by integrally forming an annular corrugate fin that is produced by forming a sheet material, corrugated so as to have a large number of grooves, into a cylindrical shape with the grooves parallel to an axis of the cylindrical shape and an inner ring-shaped member that is placed in contact with the inner periphery of the annular corrugate fin. A heat rejector or heat absorber for a Stirling cycle refrigerator is produced by inserting this heat exchanger element into the hollow portion of a tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Mochizuki, Yoshiaki Ogura
  • Patent number: 7222659
    Abstract: A heat management system include including application of phase change materials (PCM). A heat or cold storage multistage tower has a housing with a multistage system of flat rigid container. A significant fraction of internal space of each container is filled with PCM; these containers are fabricated from ceramics, glass, glass ceramics or sulfur concrete. Another version of the heat or cold storage tower is based on application of multi-channel blocks from ceramics, glass, glass ceramics or sulfur concrete; the parallel internal vertical channels of the blocks are open and sealed at their bottoms alternatively, and the channels with the sealed bottoms are filled partially with PCM. The tower achieves effective heat transfer between a heat transfer fluid (HTF) and PCM in the processes of charging and discharging of the containers with heat or cold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Alexander Levin
  • Patent number: 7219712
    Abstract: A reduced shedding regenerator and method are disclosed with regenerator surfaces to minimize shedding of particles from the regenerator thereby alleviating a source of potential damage and malfunction of a thermal regenerative machine using the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Infinia Corporation
    Inventors: Songgang Qiu, John E. Augenblick, Raymond M. Erbeznik
  • Patent number: 7195723
    Abstract: A colloidal solution and/or nanocomposite having enhanced energy transfer between thermal, electron, phonons, and photons energy states. The composition comprises a synergistic blend of electrides and alkalides within a medium that effectively alters the mean free path. The composition is optionally further enhanced through externally generated fields and made into energy conversion devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Michael H. Gurin
  • Patent number: 7191820
    Abstract: A heat transfer system is presented for managing thermal transients, thus providing engineers greater flexibility in designing thermal solutions for applications subject to transient heat-generation. A heat reservoir device for managing a heat input subject to transient conditions includes a heat transfer subsystem having a first end and a second end, where the first end is thermally coupled to the heat input; a heat storage subsystem coupled to the second end of the heat transfer subsystem, where the heat storage subsystem comprises a phase change material responsive to the transient conditions. The excess heat load during transient operation is temporarily absorbed by the latent heat of fusion when the phase change material changes its phase from solid to liquid. Subsequently, the absorbed heat can be released back to the ambient via a heat rejection subsystem. This allows engineers to design smaller heat sinks capable of accommodating given transient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Enertron, Inc.
    Inventors: Der Jeou Chou, Daniel Todd Nelson
  • Patent number: 7189065
    Abstract: A regenerative source of heat is provided for the oil used to lubricate a compressor within a heating, cooling or refrigeration system. The regenerative source absorbs heat from the oil when it is circulating through the compressor at a relatively high temperature. The regenerative source gives up heat to the oil following deactivation of the compressor. The source of heat includes a thermal phase change material that is preferably a hydrated salt capable of storing sufficient thermal energy to maintain the oil above any temperatures that would cause damage to the moving parts of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin F. Dudley
  • Patent number: 7159643
    Abstract: Appropriate amount of brazing material is put on each of inner and outer recessed portions of a first heat storing element. Then, the first heat storing element is placed close to and substantially parallel to a second heat storing element, and an inner projected portion of the second heat storing element is fitted into the inner recessed portion of the first heat storing element, and simultaneously an outer projected portion of the second heat storing element is fitted into the outer recessed portion of the first heat storing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohide Kudo
  • Patent number: 7156156
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a heat transfer fluid circuit comprising ducts for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid, which are inserted between an inlet and an outlet, is described. Cavities designed to contain a heat storage fluid adjacent to the cooling fluid circulation ducts and associated with heat-exchanger surfaces, so that heat storage fluid is capable of exchanging heat with the air flow, if the circulation of the heat transfer fluid is stopped, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
    Inventors: Regine Haller, Loic Lepetit, Christian Petit, Didier Loup
  • Patent number: 7156155
    Abstract: As a heat storage unit wherein, the volume variation of a heat storage material can be absorbed without an accompanying decrease in heat capacity, decrease in heat transfer coefficient, and oxidation and deterioration of the heat storage material due to oxygen in the air, so that the heat storage capacity can be adequately maintained and high performance can be attained, and moreover, the number of parts and the cost can be reduced, there is provided on the outside of a main member having; a fluid passage formation section which forms a fluid passage for circulating a fluid introduced from an inlet, on the inside of an outer wall section, and a heat storage material filling space formation section which forms a heat storage material filling space for filling with a heat storage material for which the volume varies corresponding to the heat storage condition, adjacent to the fluid passage, a passage switching section which selectively switches a flow-in destination of a fluid introduced from the inlet by the p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohide Kudo
  • Patent number: 7147036
    Abstract: Two passages adjacent to each other via walls are formed spirally, and heat is exchanged between fluids passing through the passages via the walls. Upper and lower end faces of the spiral passages are covered with end plates, and the spiral passages and the end plates are sealed air-tightly. The end plates have a first passage inlet opening only to the first passage, a first passage outlet opening only to the first passage, a second passage inlet opening only to the second passage and a second passage outlet opening only to the second passage. Each of the inlets and outlets is open to every turn of the spiral passage. A first fluid entering the passage from the first passage inlet passes through the first passage for less than one turn only and is discharged from the first passage outlet. A second fluid entering the passage through the second passage inlet passes through the second passage for less than one turn only and is discharged from the second passage outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Kankyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Ike
  • Patent number: 7134483
    Abstract: A heat exchanger having an air/air heat exchanger, an air/refrigerant heat exchanger coupled to the air/air heat exchanger by a connecting tube, and a phase change material. The air/refrigerant heat exchanger having a series of stacked plates, such that the phase change material is contained within a first gap between one of the stacked plates and another of the stacked plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Flair Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Barnwell
  • Patent number: 7096929
    Abstract: A PCM system and method of shifting peak electrical load is provided with a PCM system including a heat exchanger, a storage tank coupled to the heat exchanger for storing PCM slurry, a pump coupled to the heat exchanger, an air conditioning unit coupled to the heat exchanger, and a heat rejection unit coupled to the storage tank. The PCM slurry is pumped from the storage tank to the heat exchanger. The energy at the heat exchanger is absorbed by the PCM slurry, and the PCM slurry is then returned to the storage tank. The energy absorbed by the PCM is rejected from the storage tank to a ground loop or by an air conditioning unit during a non-peak or less load demand period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Leading Technology Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Lee Clarksean
  • Patent number: 7082987
    Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat exchanger includes a rotor having primary vanes 14 extending between the hub and the periphery of the rotor, and additional secondary vanes 15 between said primary vanes and extending over an outer annulus of the rotor. Such an arrangement facilitates having several of the primary and secondary vanes sealed with respect to a sector plate over the outer annulus as compared with the number of primary vanes sealing with the same sector plate over the inner annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Howden Power Limited
    Inventor: John A. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7085483
    Abstract: It is not possible to store heat of a domestic hot water supply level at a high density. If thermal storage temperature is T, variation in enthalpy in a chemical reaction is ?H, variation in entropy is ?S, and variation in free energy is ?G, a thermal storage material satisfying a relationship of T?S??G is used under a condition of ?H>0 so as to promote a reaction for putting the thermal storage material in a thermal storage reaction portion in an energy storing state by having supplemental energy added by an electrode portion when putting the thermal storage material in the energy storing state by decomposing or separating it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Terashima, Motohiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7080505
    Abstract: A vehicular atmosphere cleansing system utilizes a regenerative wheel having flow channels extending through the wheel coated with an adsorbant. An atmosphere stream passes through a first position dependent portion of the wheel where VOC's including HC's are adsorbed while a heated atmosphere stream passes through a second position dependent regenerative portion of the wheel whereat VOC's are desorbed. The adsorbant is activated carbon having particles of micropore size adhered to the substrate by a silicone binder producing high adsorption efficiencies while withstanding relatively high regenerative heat temperatures resulting from exhaust gas sensible heat. A hydrocarbon senses HC in the desorbed heated atmosphere stream to rotatively and sequentially index pie shaped, segmented portions of the wheel into the wheel's regenerative region while also functioning as the main component of an OBD device for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald S. Koermer, Jeffrey B. Hoke, Ronald M. Heck, Terence C. Poles, Edward T. Wolynic
  • Patent number: 7077187
    Abstract: A regenerative energy and/or mass exchange assembly has: an exchange media; a first flow path to pass a fluid stream through the exchange media; at least a second flow path to pass a further fluid stream through the exchange media; and at least one fluid stream diverter to divert the different flow paths to pass the respective fluid streams through different regions of the exchange media. A method for operating the regenerative assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Joe Cargnelli, Jianming Ye, Xuesong Chen, Ravi B. Gopal
  • Patent number: 7077888
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating dust from flue gases from combustion plants, especially solid fuel combustion plants, comprising at least one dust filter via which the flue gases are guided, and by means of which the dust from the flue gases can be filtered out as it passes through the dust filter. In order to produce a device which separates dust in a highly efficient manner and which can be operated in a highly reliable manner and be used to heat combustion air for the combustion plant, the at least one dust filter is embodied as a bulk material filter in whose bulk material heat from the flue gases can be collected when the bulk material is cross-flown by the flue gases and by means of whose bulk material heat collected from the flue gases when the combustion air of the combustion plant flows through the bulk material filter can be given off to said combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Harald Dichtl, Thomas Hagen, Roland Klaus, Jörg Lengert
  • Patent number: 7069979
    Abstract: A method, and a system for reducing the internal temperature of an electrical solenoid or motor device involves placing a heat absorbing phase change material (PCM) in intimate contact with the device to reduce the internal temperature of the device. The PCM material reduces the internal operational temperature of the device by undergoing an endothermic phase transition in an operating temperature range of the device. The PCM material transitions between a solid phase and a liquid phase in the internal operational temperature range of the device, or between a liquid phase and a gaseous phase in the internal operational temperature range of the device. The PCM material can be affixed externally to the device. For example, the PCM material is affixed in the form of externally placed pads to the device. The PCM material can also be affixed inside of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Lee A. Tobias
  • Patent number: 7069975
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus (10) includes a housing defined by two aluminum parts (12, 13) which are brazed to each other. A plurality of sector-shaped recesses (21–28) are provided within the housing, and collectively define a chamber having a plurality of ribs (41–48) extending therethrough. Each recess contains a sector-shaped piece of porous material (17, 18), which is brazed to surfaces of the housing parts. The remaining space within the chamber is filled with a phase change material. Each of the ribs has therein a respective radially extending opening (101–108) which contains a heat pipe (141). Expansion accumulators (151) are mounted on the housing, and communicate with the chamber therein, in order to accommodate expansion of the phase change material within the chamber as the phase change material is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: James L. Haws, Byron Elliott Short, Jr.