Heat Collector Patents (Class 165/10)
  • Patent number: 8931276
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hybrid renewable energy system having an underground heat storage apparatus. A solar collector is provided on or around a building structure and collects solar heat to heat a heat medium. A transfer pipe transfers the heat medium, heated by the solar collector, into the underground. The heat storage apparatus stores heat received from the heat medium and heats, using the stored heat, both cold water supplied from the building structure through a supply pipe and air supplied from an inlet duct. A return pipe returns the heat medium from the heat storage apparatus to the solar collector. An inlet pipe supplies hot water produced by the heat storage apparatus to the building structure. A connection duct supplies air heated by the heat storage apparatus into the building structure to heat the room of the building structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Dongho Kim
  • Patent number: 8919424
    Abstract: A semiconductor element cooling structure includes a semiconductor element, a heat sink on which the semiconductor element is mounted, and a heat storage member attached to the semiconductor element in a manner to be located opposite to the heat sink with respect to the semiconductor element and having a case and a latent heat storage material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadafumi Yoshida, Hiroshi Osada, Yutaka Yokoi
  • Publication number: 20140374054
    Abstract: A first-stage regenerator material and a second-stage regenerator material are regenerator materials each having a laminated structure for use in a GM refrigerator. Each layer of the regenerator material is provided with a plurality of holes to allow gas to pass therethrough along a laminating direction. At least one layer includes a base material and a coating covering the base material. Volumetric specific heat of the coating is larger than volumetric specific heat of the base material in a temperature range from 20 K to 40 K.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Mingyao Xu, Tian Lei, Akihiro Tsuchiya
  • Publication number: 20140366536
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include grid-tied thermal energy storage (TES) systems, concentrated solar power (CSP) systems featuring grid-tied TES and methods of operating same. Grid-tied TES systems include a heat storage material, a heat transfer material in thermal communication with a source of concentrated solar flux and an electric heating element. Both the heat transfer material and the electric heating element are in thermal communication with the heat storage material. Both the heat transfer material and the electric heating element can be selectively used to provide alternate and complimentary means to store thermal energy in the heat storage material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Russell Muren
  • Patent number: 8910487
    Abstract: A storage tank assembly for storage of cryogenic liquids including a first outer tank and a second, inner tank, the first and second tanks being spaced apart from one another to form an insulation space therebetween. Each of the first and second tanks has a first end, and an opposite second end spaced apart from the first end, and a wall extending from the first end to the second end. The assembly further includes a pipe work system comprising a plurality of pipes and a first connector extending through the wall of the first tank, the pipe work being connectable to the first connector such that the pipe work is spaced apart from the wall of the first tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: T. Baden Hardstaff Ltd.
    Inventors: Darryl William Hylands, Aik Beng Lua
  • Patent number: 8906136
    Abstract: A water vapor transport membrane comprises a nanofibrous layer disposed on a macroporous support layer, the nanofibrous layer coated with a water permeable polymer. A method for making a water vapor transport membrane comprises forming a nanofibrous layer on a macroporous support layer and applying a water permeable polymer to the nanofibrous layer. The water permeable polymer can be applied for so that the nanofibrous layer is substantially or partially filled with the water permeable polymer, or so that the coating forms a substantially continuous layer on one surface of the nanofibrous layer. In some embodiments of the method, the nanofibrous layer is formed by electro-spinning at least one polymer on at least one side of the porous support layer. In some embodiments, the support layer is formable and the method further comprises forming a three-dimensional structure from the water vapor transport membrane, for example, by compression molding, pleating or corrugating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Dpoint Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Nicholas Huizing, Frank K. Ko
  • Publication number: 20140352912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a regenerator comprising a bed (11) of energy storage media (12) placed in a chamber (14), the chamber comprising a shell (34) and a protective layer (22) placed between said shell and said energy storage media, in contact with said energy storage media, having a minimum thickness higher than 50 mm and consisting, at least partially, of a protective material having a composition, in weight percent based on the oxides, such that: Fe2O3+Al2O3+CaO+TiO2+SiO2+Na2O+K2O>80%, and other oxides: complement to 100%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Olivier Francy
  • Publication number: 20140338856
    Abstract: The invention is a heat storage device having a high volume capacity (defined as the ratio between the volume of the heat storage medium divided by the overall volume of the device) combined with a high heat transfer surface and a low envelope material volume (‘dead volume’). The heat storage device is composed of individual storage elements which encapsulate a heat storage medium. The storage elements are stacked in a way that creates channels for the passage of a heat transfer fluid. The (air) heat transfer fluid channels are surrounded by a large heat transfer surface and embossed in a way to improve the heat transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Luc Prieels, Jacques Jean Gilbert De Cauwer
  • Publication number: 20140338330
    Abstract: An energy storage device for storing thermal energy, with a charging circuit for a working gas, is provided, having a compressor, heat accumulator and expansion turbine, the compressor and expansion turbine arranged on a common shaft, and the compressor connected on the outlet side to the inlet of the expansion turbine via a first line for the working gas, the heat accumulator wired into the first line, wherein the compressor is connected on the inlet side to a line, which is open to the atmosphere, and the expansion turbine is connected on the outlet side to a line, which is open to the atmosphere such that a circuit open to the ambient air is formed, wherein the expansion turbine is connected to the heat accumulator via a line for a hot gas such that the working gas in the expansion turbine can be heated by heat from the heat accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Christian Brunhuber, Carsten Graeber, Gerhard Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20140318530
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a mining system which comprises ore, waste, and a reservoir which comprises a portion of said waste through which air can flow with low resistance for storing thermal energy from a tempered air source and supplying it to a tempered air consumer, and connections for tempered air flow between said tempered air source and said reservoir and between said tempered air consumer and said reservoir. Note: As used herein, “tempered air” means air of a temperature sufficiently high to heat, or low to cool, an object to a desired temperature. For example, in a house, the furnace is a source of tempered air for heating in winter, the air conditioner a source of tempered air for cooling in summer, and the house is a consumer of tempered air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: George GERPHEIDE
  • Publication number: 20140318731
    Abstract: An energy storage method and apparatus for extraction from large thermal storage systems using phase change materials and latent heat exchangers. This includes thermal heat extraction from, and charging of a large thermal storage tank containing thousands of megawatt hours of thermal energy, using the phase change of heat collection fluid and the phase change of molten phase change material for thermal storage use in generating electricity, steam, or for other industrial processes as implemented in the field of solar energy collection, thermal storage and extraction. The method and apparatus continuously removes thermal resistance that comes from the phase change material allowing operation at a high rate of efficiency. A heat exchanger is provided inside the storage tank thereby reducing heat losses, capital costs and space requirements compared to existing thermal storage systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Frank Antonio Mucciardi, Alan Leighton Wesley Powell, Andrew Leighton Wesley Powell
  • Patent number: 8863702
    Abstract: A heat storage device keeps engine coolant hot during operating pauses of the engine allowing quick heating during a cold start of the engine. The capacity of the heat storage device for coolant is twice as large as the capacity for coolant of the coolant circulation system and the engine. An inflow line, an outflow line and a ventilation line pass through the bottom of the heat storage device and are heat insulated on the inside of the heat storage device. Hot coolant from the heat storage device is transferred in two portions into the cold engine. The second portion is transferred when the rising temperature of the metal motor mass has come close to the falling temperature of the first portion of coolant that was circulating in the engine. The heat storage device includes outer and inner containers with a high vacuum in the insulating space between the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Innovationsschatz GmbH
    Inventor: Oskar Schatz
  • Publication number: 20140305609
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, designed in particular for vehicles with an internal combustion engine, consisting of an insulated container connected to a cooling circuit of the vehicle, where inside of the container a heat storage unit (HSU) filled with phase-change material (PCM) is arranged. The heat storage unit (HSU) consists of a system of adjacently arranged aluminium extruded profiles, whose ends, provided with end caps to allow their filling with a phase transition material, are anchored in the face walls of the container, wherein the aluminium extruded profile, provided with at least one inner fin, has the shape of a square, rectangle, circular arc, or other known shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Hebert Guillaume, Stranak Zbynek, Bazala Jiri
  • Publication number: 20140290902
    Abstract: A device for thermally insulating at least one element of a subsea installation from ambient cold sea water, the device comprising an external casing which encloses an internal fluid chamber. The fluid chamber accommodates a fluid having heat-storing capacity, the element being received in the fluid chamber with the fluid surrounding the element so as to allow the fluid to delay cooling of the element by means of heat stored in the fluid. A heat storing member is mounted in the fluid chamber so as to be surrounded by the fluid. The heat storing member contains a medium having heat-storing capacity so as to allow transfer of heat from the fluid to the medium in the heat storing and vice versa to thereby allow the heat storing member to delay cooling of the fluid by means of heat stored in the medium in the heat storing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY SCANDINAVIA.AS
    Inventor: Olav Hånde
  • Patent number: 8844608
    Abstract: In an induction emission air conditioning apparatus installed in a ceiling, it is provided within a casing with a heat exchanger through which a feed air introduced from an outdoor side passes, a fan passing the feed air through the air conditioning heat exchanger, and a heating and cooling unit 1 for blowing a mixed air obtained by inducing and suctioning the air in the room inside by using the feed air passing through the heat exchanger so as to mix with the feed air, into the room inside in a laminar manner, and emitting the heat of the mixed air to the room inside, integrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kimura Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Kimura, Mitsuo Morita, Kazuyuki Kasahara, Katsuhiro Urano
  • Publication number: 20140284021
    Abstract: A thermal energy storage and recovery device is provided including a container having a first fluid terminal for inserting heat transfer medium into the interior of the container and a second fluid terminal for extracting heat transfer medium from the interior of the container, a heat storage material for receiving thermal energy from the heat transfer medium when in a first operational mode and releasing thermal energy to the heat transfer medium when in a second operational mode, and a plurality of enclosures each filled at least partially with a part of the heat storage material. The enclosures are spatially arranged within the container so a flow of the heat transfer medium is guidable between the first and second fluid terminals and a direct thermal contact between the heat transfer medium and the enclosures is achievable as the heat transfer medium flows between the first and second fluid terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hans Laurberg, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Publication number: 20140284020
    Abstract: In one aspect an apparatus to store energy comprises a housing defining an enclosed chamber, foils or foam formed from a thermally conductive material disposed in the chamber, a phase change material disposed within the chamber, and at least one heat pipe extending through the housing in thermal communication with the foam, or foil, and the phase change material. Other aspects may be described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Faghri Amir, Theodore L. Bergman, Nourouddin Sharifi, Michael J. Allen, Hamidreza Shabhard, Joseph S. Breit
  • Patent number: 8839613
    Abstract: An exhaust system for an engine is disclosed herein. The exhaust system includes a catalytic converter, a heat collector downstream from the catalytic converter, and a heat transfer system receiving waste exhaust heat via a thermosyphon evaporator for storage and/or use in a cabin heating system. In this way, waste heat is utilized to provide better cabin heating, particularly at engine cold start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Levin, Furqan Zafar Shaikh, Danrich Henry Demitroff, Donald Masch, Lawrence Marshall
  • Publication number: 20140262126
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a heat exchanger is provided at portion of a circulation circuit to provide heat from a heating element to a medium. A cooling unit is provided at portion of the circulation circuit to cool the medium. A heat storage tank is arranged between the heat exchanger and the cooling unit, and includes a phase change material. A bypass circuit bypasses the heat storage tank. A control valve is capable of switching a flow of the medium to one of the heat storage tank or the bypass circuit. A measurement unit measures a temperature of the phase change material. A determination unit uses the measured temperature and determines whether or not the phase change material is in a heat storable state. A control unit controls the control valve to switch the flow of the medium from the bypass circuit to the heat storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ena ISHII, Mitsunobu YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20140262125
    Abstract: An energy exchange assembly may include one or more membrane panels. The one or more membrane panels may include a microporous membrane that has a pore size between 0.02 and 0.3 micrometers (?m) and a porosity between 45% and 80%. Optionally, the energy exchange assembly may further include a plurality of spacers that define air channels. The air channels may be configured to receive air streams therethrough. Each of the one or more membrane panels may be disposed between two spacers. The one or more membrane panels may be configured to allow a transfer of sensible energy and latent energy across the one or more membrane panels between the air channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: VENMAR CES, INC.
    Inventors: Blake Norman ERB, Stephen HANSON, Mohammad AFSHIN
  • Publication number: 20140260376
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward systems and method for cooling a refrigerant flow of a refrigerant circuit with a cool water flow from a cool water storage to generate a warm water flow and to cool the refrigerant flow by a subcooling temperature difference, flowing the warm water flow to the cool water storage, and thermally isolating the warm water flow from the cool water flow in the cool water storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Andrew M. Welch, Satheesh Kulankara
  • Publication number: 20140251309
    Abstract: A building is heated using an infrared heater with a radiant tube. A heated gas is fed to the radiant tube at a first end and the tube is further fluidically connected at its second end to a heat exchanger. A portion of the thermal energy contained in the heated gas is conveyed to a buffer storage tank, from which the energy can be removed in particular to heat up industrial water or to heat a second part of a building thermally isolated from the first building, or a second building. There is also provided a solar collector. The feed and/or return of the heat exchanger and/or the feed and/or return of the buffer storage tank can be fluidically connected to the feed and/or return of a thermal solar collector via pipes and switchable valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: KUEBLER GMBH
    Inventors: THOMAS KUEBLER, JENS FINDEISEN, MATTHIAS RAEDLE
  • Publication number: 20140238634
    Abstract: High-temperature thermal energy storage and retrieval systems, devices, and processes are described that reversibly store high-temperature heat in metal hydride beds composed of titanium-containing metals or transition metal alloy that reversibly form metal hydrides at high temperatures above about 600° C. and at low temperatures at or below 100° C. The present invention provides exergetic efficiency up to 96% or better.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ewa Carin Ellinor Ronnebro, Greg A. Whyatt, Michael R. Powell
  • Publication number: 20140224447
    Abstract: An installation for storing thermal energy is provided. The storage is carried out by the compression and relaxation of a working gas, wherein pump and compressor can be driven by, for example, electric motors which temporarily absorb excess power generated in the power grid. The generated thermal energy is temporarily stored in a cold accumulator and a heat accumulator. According to the invention, a vapor circuit is provided to connect to the heat accumulator and the cold accumulator for discharging the installation, by which a turbine for generating electrical energy can be driven by a generator. Said circuit is implemented by means of another conduit system distinct from the circuit for charging the installation. Advantageously, thermal energy generated from overcapacities in the power grid can thus be reconverted with high yield into electrical energy via a vapor circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Daniel Reznik, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Publication number: 20140204450
    Abstract: A microfluidic panel including at least one substrate, one or more channels formed in the substrate, and fluid disposed within the one or more channels. The fluid is selected to store thermal energy and the microfluidic panel is adapted to convert the thermal energy into useable energy or condition the energy to adjust optical wavelength passband of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: PHOTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Progler
  • Patent number: 8782890
    Abstract: A regenerator (100), for a thermal cycle engine with external combustion, according to the invention comprises a network of metal fibers wherein a majority of the fibers at least partially encircles the axis of the regenerator. The fibers were part of a fiber bundle which is coiled and sintered thereby obtaining the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: NV Bekaert SA
    Inventors: Frank Verschaeve, Inge Schildermans
  • Publication number: 20140196865
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing and releasing heat for boilers. The apparatus is preferably provided in a cylindrical form having at least one open end. The apparatus comprises a frame which can support the installation of heat storing materials, manufactured from heat resistant materials. Heat storing materials are installed on the surface of the frame. The heat exchange is conducted by heat conduction and radiation. The surface where heat radiation takes place may be varied by height to ensure the heat distribution and circulation. The invention improves the performance through the continuous heat radiation from heat sustaining materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Dhiti Towiwat
  • Patent number: 8776865
    Abstract: A latent heat storage device for an exhaust system of a combustion engine of a motor vehicle, with a storage body having a plurality of channels running parallel to one another, of which at least some contain a phase-changing material. The storage body is formed through a layer structure with at least two plates of which at least one is corrugated and which contact each other and are fastened to each other in such a manner that the corrugations of the at least one plate form the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: J. Eberspaecher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerd Gaiser
  • Publication number: 20140190037
    Abstract: An energy exchange system is configured to provide dry supply air to an enclosed structure. The system may include an energy transfer device having a first portion configured to be disposed within a supply air flow path and a second portion configured to be disposed within a regeneration air flow path. The energy transfer device is configured to decrease a humidity level of supply air. The energy transfer device is configured to be regenerated with regeneration air. The system may also include a first heat exchanger configured to be disposed within the supply air flow path downstream from the energy transfer device and within the regeneration air flow path upstream from the second portion of the energy transfer device. The first heat exchanger is configured to transfer sensible energy between the supply air and the regeneration air. The supply air is configured to be supplied to the enclosed structure after passing through the energy transfer device and the first heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Venmar CES, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Mohammad Afshin
  • Publication number: 20140190659
    Abstract: A thermal energy storage and recovery arrangement is provided. The arrangement has a first thermal energy storage, a compression and expansion unit coupled thereto, and a second thermal energy storage coupled to the compression and expansion unit. The first and second thermal energy storage are adapted to work at a temperature equal to or higher than ambient temperature. In a charging mode, the first thermal energy storage is adapted for receiving and releasing thermal energy to a received working medium. The compression and expansion unit is adapted for receiving and compressing the working medium from the first thermal energy storage. The second thermal energy storage is adapted for receiving the compressed working medium and thermal energy therefrom and storing at least part of this energy. The compression and expansion unit is adapted for receiving the compressed working medium from the second thermal energy storage and expanding the compressed working medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Hans Laurberg
  • Publication number: 20140182319
    Abstract: A system to produce heated and refrigerated working fluids in an electric vehicle comprises a storage material to store and release thermal energy, an off-board energy source to provide thermal energy to said storage material, and a refrigerator. The refrigerator is powered by thermal energy from the storage material to produce refrigeration. Thermal energy is transferred by at least one working fluid. At least one heat exchanger element enables thermal communication between the storage material, the off-board energy source, the refrigerator, and the at least one working fluid. At least one control element to control the flow of said at least one working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Arlon J. Hunt, K. Russell Carrington
  • Patent number: 8756825
    Abstract: A method for removing a moistening liquid from a moistened medium includes providing a liquid-blocking barrier having a first surface and a second surface that is impermeable to a heating liquid. A surface of the moistened medium is brought into contact with the first surface of the liquid-blocking barrier. The heating liquid is brought into contact with the second surface of the liquid-blocking barrier, the heating liquid being at a temperature greater than a moistening-liquid boiling point. Heat is thus transferred through the liquid-blocking barrier from the heating liquid to the moistening liquid, vaporizing the moistening liquid and removing it from the moistened medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan Richard Priebe, Donald Saul Rimai, Christopher J. White, Kevin Edward Spaulding
  • Publication number: 20140158318
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a regenerator including a packed bed of energy storage elements made of a material having the following chemical analysis: 25%<Fe2O3<90%, 5%<Al2O3<30%, CaO<20%, TiO2<25%, 3%<SiO2<50%, Na2O<10%, Fe2O3+Al2O3+CaO+TiO2+SiO2+Na2O>80%, and other compounds: complement to 100%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CENTRE DE RECHERCHES ET D'ETUDES EUROPEEN
    Inventors: Benoît Watremetz, Claude Jacquot, Daniel C. Sherman, Hassan S. Niknafs, Thomas Szymanski, John Stewart Reid
  • Patent number: 8739536
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of regulating the temperature of a heat regenerator (ST1, ST2) used in an installation (10) for storing energy by adiabatic compression of air. The regenerator is subjected to successive operating cycles, each cycle comprising a compression stage followed by an expansion stage. Between two successive cycles, the method consists in cooling a bottom compartment (26a) of the layer of refractory material (26) of the regenerator that is situated in the proximity of the bottom distribution box (24) in order to bring the air leaving the heat regenerator to a temperature that is compatible with the range of temperatures required during the compression stages. The invention also provides such a heat regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GDF Suez
    Inventors: Patrick Canal, Lionel Nadau
  • Publication number: 20140144604
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a readily produced and easily handled heat storage member. The heat storage member 1 has a rectangular plane surface of, for example, 15 (cm)×20 (cm), and has a thickness of, for example, 10 to 15 mm. The heat storage member 1 includes a gelatinous latent heat storage material 12, and a large number of highly heat conductive fillers 14 dispersed in the latent heat storage material 12. The highly heat conductive fillers 14 are mixed in the latent heat storage material 12 with a bias in dispersion density. In the rectangular plane surface of the heat storage member 1, a periodic pattern is formed in combination of cellular (cell-like) regions 10, which are demarcated by, for example, hexagonal contour lines 16 and which are periodically arrayed in the vertical and horizontal directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ide, Tomoko Kase, Yuka Utsumi, Yasuyuki Umenaka, Takashi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140144603
    Abstract: A thermal power plant includes a unit producing heat energy, a regenerator including energy-storage elements, a consumer of heat energy, and a circulation device. During charging, the circulation device circulates a charging heat-transfer fluid from the unit producing heat energy through the regenerator, entering the regenerator at a charging temperature of less than 1000° C. During discharging, the circulation device circulates a discharging heat-transfer fluid through the regenerator, entering the regenerator at a discharging temperature. The energy-storage elements have material with a melting point higher than the charging temperature plus 50° C. and lower than 2000° C. The concentration of all elements leached from the material is less than or equal to 0.5 g/l. The material of the energy-storage elements has a characteristic ratio higher than 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CENTRE DE RECHERCHES ET D'ETUDES EUROPEEN
    Inventor: Benoît Watremetz
  • Publication number: 20140138042
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a battery pack includes a battery module that houses unit cells, a heat storage portion including a heat storage container that houses a heat storage member, cooling passages through which heat of the heat storage portion is spread and discharged, and a cooling source that cools the heat storage portion. The heat storage member absorbs heat when changing from solid to liquid and dissipates heat when changing from liquid to solid. The heat storage container is thermally connected to the battery module. The cooling source is driven to circulate cooling medium to the cooling passages, and heat of the heat storage portion discharged through the passages are discharged to the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ryosuke YAGI, Mitsunobu Yoshida, Ena Ishii, Nobukatsu Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8720538
    Abstract: A cold energy storage system for a vehicle includes an air-conditioning unit that includes an evaporator and a heater core. The system stores cold energy during a cooling operation and supplements the cooling operation by using the stored cold energy after stoppage of the cooling operation. A cold energy storage tank (50) connects in parallel to an engine cooling circulation circuit to the heater core. The storage tank (50) has a liquid storage layer (50A) for engine coolant and a refrigerant layer (50B) in which refrigerant from the evaporator flows. A mode switcher switches between a storing cold energy mode and a cooling supplement mode. In the storing cold energy mode, engine coolant stored in the liquid storage layer (50A) is refrigerated during the cooling operation. In the cooling supplement mode, refrigerated engine coolant from the liquid storage layer (50A) is introduced to the heater core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Jinichi Hiyama
  • Publication number: 20140124158
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide cooling equipment which can reduce power consumption. Cooling equipment 1 includes a storage chamber 30 that stores storage goods; latent heat storage materials 101 to 106 disposed inside the storage chamber 30; a compressor 40 that configures a refrigerating cycle for cooling the inside of the storage chamber 30; a temperature sensor 60 that detects a temperature of the latent heat storage materials 101 to 106; and a control unit 100 that controls the compressor 40, based on a state of the latent heat storage materials 101 to 106.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Yamashita, Tetsuya Ide, Yasuyuki UMENAKA, Yuka Utsumi, Kazuhiro Deguchi
  • Publication number: 20140116640
    Abstract: A composite adsorbent and heat burst desorption system using the same. The composite adsorbent material includes a backbone and a filler. The backbone comprises a first material having a high thermal conductivity and a plurality of pore. The filler, within the pores of the backbone, comprises a second material having a large specific surface area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Government of the United States as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Patrick J. Shamberger, Ajit Roy
  • Publication number: 20140110080
    Abstract: The invention provides a thermal energy storage and heat exchange unit, comprising a solid state thermal storage material, a heat transfer fluid and means for energy input and output, distinctive in that: the storage comprises at least one heat transfer container, solid state thermal storage material is arranged around the heat transfer container, and the heat transfer container contains the heat transfer fluid and the means for energy input and output, so that all heat transferring convection and conduction by the heat transfer fluid takes place within the respective heat transfer container. Method of building the thermal energy storage, plant comprising the storage, method using the plant and use of the storage or plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: NEST AS
    Inventor: Pål Bergan
  • Patent number: 8702851
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided and includes a frame defining a volumetric body with substantially flat upper and lower sides, heat exchange elements disposed within an interior of the body, sorbent material disposed among the heat exchange elements within the interior of the body, retainer screens disposed at upper and lower sides of the heat exchange elements and sorbent material and structural foam layers supportively disposed between the retainer screens and the substantially flat upper and lower sides to absorb loading applied to the retainer screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. O'Coin
  • Publication number: 20140102663
    Abstract: A heat regenerator comprising at least one matrix made of a refractory material, to ensure the storage and recovery of heat. The matrix includes at least one through-channel capable of enabling the circulation of a fluid, said channel comprising at least two projections projecting into the space defined by said channel, said projections being positioned on two opposite surfaces of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicants: SAIPEM S.A., Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Jacques RUER, Philippe MUGUERRA, Jean-Francois FOURMIGUE, Tristan DESRUES
  • Publication number: 20140102662
    Abstract: This invention provides a thermal energy battery having an insulated tank contains a multitude of densely packed plastic tubes filled with a phase-change material (PCM, such as ice) that changes from solid to liquid and vice-versa. Energy is stored when the PCM transitions from liquid to solid form, and released when the PCM transitions back from solid to liquid form. The tubes are arranged vertically, span the height of a well-insulated tank, and are immersed in heat transfer fluid (HTF) contained within the tank. The HTF is an aqueous solution with a freezing point temperature below the freezing point temperature of the chosen PCM. The HTF remains in liquid form at all times during the operation of the battery. Diffusers located allow the HTF to be extracted uniformly from the tank, pumped and cooled by a liquid chiller situated outside the tank and then and inserted back into the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Promethean Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sorin Grama, Matthew H. Dorson, Rebecca Christianson
  • Patent number: 8696802
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided and includes a frame defining a volumetric body with substantially flat upper and lower sides that each has inwardly extending ribs defining airflow pathways, heat exchange elements disposed within an interior of the body and partition walls disposed to run perpendicularly with respect to the ribs and to transmit loading between the upper and the lower sides from the ribs and through the interior of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sunstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. O'Coin
  • Patent number: 8667804
    Abstract: Thermal storage air conditioner including an outdoor unit having an outdoor heat exchanger for making heat exchange, and at least one compressor for compressing refrigerant, an indoor unit having at least one indoor heat exchanger for making heat exchange, a thermal storage unit having a thermal storage tank for holding thermal storage substance therein, a thermal storage heat exchanger for receiving refrigerant from an outside of the thermal storage unit to heat exchange with the thermal storage substance in the thermal storage tank, and a securing member for securing the thermal storage heat exchanger so as to maintain the thermal storage heat exchanger submerged under the thermal storage substance in the thermal storage tank, and a functional unit for selective control of refrigerant flows among the outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the thermal storage unit according to an operation condition, thereby maintaining the thermal storage heat exchanger in the thermal storage tank securely, to prevent drop of he
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Yoon Koh, In Kyu Kim, Jin Ha Hwang
  • Publication number: 20140060771
    Abstract: A containment vessel for a thermal energy storage system comprising a bottom wall joined to a surrounding containment side wall, and a liner comprising a liner bottom disposed upon the bottom wall of the vessel, the liner bottom having an outer perimeter and comprising an array of plates, each of the plates joined at a portion of its perimeter to a portion of the perimeter of an adjacent plate by a flexible joint; and a liner side wall joined to the outer perimeter of the liner bottom and disposed within the containment side wall. A thermal energy storage system comprising the containment vessel and an array of heat exchangers is also disclosed. The heat exchangers are disposed in the vessel, and are each supported by a support frame joined to one of the plates of the array of plates of the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BELL INDEPENDENT POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: John P. BELL, Joseph M. BELL, Michael S. BOWER, Gerard C. WALTER
  • Publication number: 20140041600
    Abstract: A thermal-energy storage tank (1) comprising a containing structure (2) designed to house a store of thermovector fluid in the liquid state, a regenerating circuit (6) designed to draw the thermovector fluid from a bottom of the containing structure (2) and, once heated outside the tank, to deposit it in a surface portion of the store of thermovector fluid, at least one steam generator (13) comprising a heat exchanger (14, 16b) with vertical extension housed within the containing structure (2) and having at least one top opening (18) designed for inlet of the thermovector fluid and a bottom opening designed for outlet of the thermovector fluid (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Luca Rinaldi, Fabrizio Fabrizi, Alessandro Alemberti, Walter Gaggioli, Salvatore Aliotta, Andrea Barbensi, Pietro Tarquini
  • Publication number: 20140041826
    Abstract: A vehicle temperature control apparatus for controlling temperature of a temperature control object, which is at least one of inside air of a vehicle compartment and a vehicle component, includes a heat capacitive element capable of storing heat, a refrigeration cycle in which heat is absorbed from a low temperature side and is dissipated to a high temperature side, a heat exchanger that causes the heat capacitive element to exchange heat with refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle, and a heat dissipation portion which dissipates heat in the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle to the temperature control object. Thus, a temperature control by using the heat capacitive element can be effectively performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Takeuchi, Hiroshi Kishita, Yasumitsu Omi, Nobuharu Kakehashi, Hideaki Okawa, Kouji Miura, Michio Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8631855
    Abstract: A sustainable system for cooling at least one electronic device, for example a Light Emitting Diode (LED), and preferably a plurality of electronic devices, using at least one heat absorbing material contained within a housing that it is in thermal communication with the electronic devices. The heat absorbing materials may be present individually or in combinations thereof in order to achieve the desired heat absorption effect; the housing may include multiple chambers containing heat absorbing materials or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation
    Inventors: Fredric S. Maxik, David Henderson, Valerie Bastien