Heat Collector Patents (Class 165/10)
  • Publication number: 20120152487
    Abstract: A heat recovery system captures, stores, and releases waste heat from an exhaust. The system includes a first exchanger that removes waste heat from the exhaust and transfers it to a heat transfer fluid. A second heat exchanger transfers at least a portion of the waste heat from the heat transfer fluid to a storage device. The storage device continuously stores the waste heat until a predetermined temperature is obtained. A pump draws flow of the heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger. A valve directs flow of the heat transfer fluid into the storage device during a charge mode and out of the storage device during a discharge mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan Styles, Kwangtaek Hong, Bradley Brodie
  • Publication number: 20120152514
    Abstract: A heating system includes: a heat generation unit which generates heat using electricity supplied through a second power system of a lower electricity rate; a heat storage unit which stores heat generated by the heat generation unit; a heat radiation unit which radiates heat stored in the heat storage unit; and a control unit which causes, when receiving a signal from a power supplier indicating that a supply of electricity through the second power system is to be stopped after an elapse of a predetermined period of time, the heat generation unit generates additional heat that is required while the supply of electricity through the second power system being suspended, during a period of time from when the signal is received to when the supply of electricity through the second power system is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Takasaki, Atsushi Kakimoto, Akira Hochi
  • Publication number: 20120152232
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for collection of thermal energy, e.g. solar energy. The system comprises at least two different loops for delivering the collected energy to a reservoir. One of the loops involves the use of a heat pump for increasing a temperature difference between inlet and outlet temperature of the energy collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: COLIPU A/S
    Inventor: Troels Gottfried Pedersen
  • Publication number: 20120152511
    Abstract: A latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) device for an electric vehicle (EV) comprises a chamber, a plurality of thermal conductivity enhancement units disposed in the chamber, and phase change material (PCM) filled in the chamber, allowing storage of coolness or thermal energy produced when the EV is being charged and retrieval of the coolness or thermal energy when the EV is driven to regulate the temperature of a passenger compartment of the EV. In addition, systems comprising LHTES devices and methods for controlling the same are also introduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicants: SUNNY GENERAL INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIEN-LUNG CHANG, PO-CHANG LIN
  • Patent number: 8201615
    Abstract: A device for storing and discharging heat that employs thermal energy storage materials (TESM) and related methods of manufacturing the device. The device includes a housing, an array of capsules within the housing, and TESM contained in the capsules. The device exhibits a high initial power density. The TESM is encapsulated between metal plies. The metal plies may have a thickness on the order of 10?1 to 102 ?m. The capsules may have a thickness from 0.5 mm to 20 mm. The volume fraction of TESM in the housing may be 0.5 or more. The housing includes an inlet, an outlet, and one or more flow paths for flowing a heat transfer fluid through the housing. The flow paths and the capsules are arranged so that the device has the required average initial power density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Andrey N. Soukhojak, David H. Bank, Kalyan Sehanobish
  • Publication number: 20120137684
    Abstract: The present invention describes a novel integration between wind and solar thermal renewable energy technologies. An existing wind turbine consisting of a hub and blades is operated by the power generated from a waterless solar thermal system (using high pressure, high temperature air) during periods of low wind availability. The solar thermal system consist of a heliostat field, solar air receiver panels, a thermal energy storage tank and a Pelton wheel assembly system for converting thermal energy of air into kinetic energy of the power shaft of the wind turbine. The thermal energy converting system consists of a plurality of supersonic air nozzles acting as stator, producing supersonic air jets to interact with a rotating Pelton wheel. A thermal storage system provides means for energy dispatchability. The proposed integrated system is capable of generating a stable renewable energy with minimum intermittency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Or Yogev, Yitzhak Yogev
  • Patent number: 8191618
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a heat exchanger having a thermal energy storage material provided therein, a first coolant loop thermally coupled to an electrochemical storage device located within the first coolant loop and to the heat exchanger, and a second coolant loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger. The first and second coolant loops are configured to carry distinct thermal energy transfer media. The thermal management system also includes an interface configured to facilitate transfer of heat generated by an internal combustion engine to the heat exchanger via the second coolant loop in order to selectively deliver the heat to the electrochemical storage device. Thermal management methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Gering, Daryl R. Haefner
  • Publication number: 20120125285
    Abstract: A latent heat storage for an internal combustion engine is described having a crystallizable storage medium for storing heat while utilizing the enthalpy of a melting procedure. The storage medium has a state of supercooled molten mass at ambient temperature. Furthermore, the latent heat storage includes a crystallization nucleus provider for providing a crystallization nucleus in the storage medium, in order to trigger a crystallization of the storage medium to release stored heat in the state of supercooled molten mass. Additionally, an internal combustion engine is provided having such a latent heat storage and a method for temperature control of an internal combustion engine. In a first step of the method, a crystallized storage medium is melted in order to store heat while utilizing the enthalpy of the melting procedure. The storage medium then cools down at most to the ambient temperature and forms a supercooled molten mass in the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Henrick Brandes, Marcus Schulz, Lutz Rauchfuss, Nicole Bayerle, Kay Hindorf, Martin Johannaber
  • Patent number: 8171984
    Abstract: A latent heat storage device including a vessel, a phase change material disposed within the vessel, at least one heat exchange interface in contact with the phase change material, at least one sheet of graphite foil which extends within the bulk of the phase change material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: SGL Carbon AG
    Inventors: Martin U. Christ, Oswin H. Ottinger, Wolf-Dieter Steinmann
  • Publication number: 20120080161
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for efficiently storing thermal energy, in particular thermal energy transferred from a concentrated solar energy receiver. The apparatus consists of a collection of modular thin walled tube pressure vessels enclosing solid sensible heat thermal storage elements. The high temperature solid is separated from the thin wall by thermal insulation and two thin gaps that carry the cold in and cold out high-pressure working fluids. Hot in and hot out working fluids circulate in counter flow channels within the solid sensible heat thermal storage elements. The solar receiver can also be modular to match the thermal storage elements, facilitating manufacturing and on site assembly. The design enables scalable thermal storage and concurrent thermal charging and discharging with no circuit switching between charge and discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: Edmund Joseph KELLY
  • Publication number: 20120067047
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system for storing and providing electrical energy are disclosed. Also disclosed are embodiments of a system for purifying fluid, as well as embodiments of a system in which energy storage and fluid purification are combined. One disclosed embodiment of the system comprises a latent heat storage device, a sensible heat storage device, a vapor expander/compressor device mechanically coupled to a motor/generator device, a heat-exchanger, and a liquid pressurization and depressurization device. The devices are fluidly coupled in a closed-loop system, and a two-phase working fluid circulates therein. Embodiments of a method for operating the system to store and generate energy also are disclosed. Embodiments of a method for operating the system to purify fluid, as well as embodiments of a method for operating a combined energy storage and fluid purification system are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Richard B. Peterson, Robbie Ingram-Goble, Kevin J. Harada
  • Publication number: 20120061045
    Abstract: Coated membranes comprise a porous desiccant-loaded polymer substrate that is coated on one surface with a thin layer of water permeable polymer. Such membranes are particularly suitable for use in enthalpy exchangers and other applications involving exchange of moisture and optionally heat between gas streams with little or no mixing of the gas streams through the membrane. Such membranes have favorable heat and humidity transfer properties, have suitable mechanical properties, are resistant to the crossover of gases when the membranes are either wet or dry, and are generally low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: DPOINT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Ryan Nicholas Huizing
  • Patent number: 8122943
    Abstract: Heat exchanger, for example for a motor vehicle air-conditioning circuit, comprising a plurality of tubes (12) for circulating a heat-transfer fluid, the ends of said tubes (12) opening into manifolds and reservoirs (11) of thermal storage material in contact with the tubes (12) so that the storage material and the heat-transfer fluid exchange heat with one another. The exchanger comprises a plurality of heat-exchange elements (4) each housing at least one reservoir (11) and at least one tube (12) which are nested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
    Inventors: Régine Haller, Sylvain Moreau, Jean-Luc Thuez
  • Publication number: 20120036853
    Abstract: A compressed air energy storage system including a compressor adapted to receive a process gas and output a compressed process gas. A heat transfer unit may be coupled to the compressor and adapted to receive the compressed process gas and a heat transfer medium and to output a cooled process gas and a heated heat transfer medium. A compressed gas storage unit may be coupled to the heat transfer unit and adapted to receive and store the cooled process gas. A waste heat recovery unit may be coupled to the heat transfer unit and adapted to receive the heated heat transfer medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: H. Allan Kidd, Harry F. Miller
  • Patent number: 8112902
    Abstract: A spin or tumble dryer having an air outlet with a moisture sensor is connected to a controller. The moisture sensor determines and stored the measured absolute atmospheric humidity values in the air outlet during operation. Specific characteristic values of the detected moisture can be determined, such as at a point in time and the duration to reach a maximum value or an absolute atmospheric humidity at a specific instant, which can be compared with the values stored in the controller. From this, it is possible to determine the laundry load quantity that is located in the spin dryer, and as a result a program sequence for drying the load can be optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Muenzner, Kay Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20120018116
    Abstract: Systems for storing and retrieving thermal energy in encapsulated phase change material are disclosed. Thermal energy is substantially stored and/or retrieved in the form of latent heat. The capsules comprise an outer shell which is impervious to both the heat transfer fluid within which they are submerged and the phase change material encapsulated therewithin. Methods for encapsulating the phase change material are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: TERRAFORE, INC
    Inventors: Anoop Kumar Mathur, Rajan Babu Kasetty
  • Publication number: 20120006504
    Abstract: A shaped heat storage material has a shaped body composed of a binder and heat storage capsules containing a heat storage material therein. And, the shaped body has at least one of a projection, a depressed portion and a hollow structure defining a hollow space therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiro SUGIURA
  • Publication number: 20120006503
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a ventilation system for tunnel engineering. The ventilation system is for use in a tunnel having at least one first shaft and at least one second shaft. The ventilation system includes a heat collecting device, a cooling device, and at least one piping system. The piping system is connected to the heat collecting device and the cooling device. A portion of the piping system coils inside the first and second shafts. Increasing the temperature in the first shaft and/or decreasing the temperature in the second shaft introduces ambient air into the tunnel via the first and second shafts by natural convection, thereby decreasing and maintaining the temperature in the tunnel and renewing air therein. The ventilation system advantageously features low power consumption and low manufacturing costs and is fit for use in long-distance tunnel engineering that requires multi-point installation of the ventilation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Yu-Ming SUN, Chi-Bin WU
  • Patent number: 8091613
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal energy storage material (TESM) system (and associated methods) that reproducibly stores and recovers latent heat. The Thermal energy storage material system comprises 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; and ii) at least one second metal containing material including at least one second metal compound. The thermal energy storage material system may water. If any water is present in the thermal energy storage material system, the water concentration should be less than about 10 wt. %. The thermal energy storage material has a liquidus temperature, TL, from about 100° C. to about 250° C. and 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 thermal energy storage material and subsequently released for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David H. Bank, Andrey N. Soukhojak, Kalyan Sehanobish, David G. McLeod
  • Publication number: 20120000530
    Abstract: An integrated heat transfer core device for harnessing solar energy is disclosed. The device has a heat transfer core, a regenerator; and a condenser. All of the aforesaid components are integrated. The heat transfer core has a thermal conduction mitigation component to mitigate heat losses from a working fluid due to conduction. Further, the heat transfer core may be packaged in a heat transfer core package that includes a light focusing component to concentrate solar radiation onto each heat transfer core. Solar power systems utilizing the integrated heat transfer core device are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Mark W. Miles
  • Publication number: 20110308761
    Abstract: Disclosed is a regenerator, a regeneration process, and a liquid polymer mixture for periodic cooling, storing, and heating of atmospheric gas. The regenerator, the regeneration process, and the liquid polymer mixture involve a liquid polymer that remains in contact with a thermally conductive solid material during a first operational period and a second operational period of a regeneration process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Jianguo Xu, Suresh Rajaraman, Robert Vero, Bo Jin
  • Publication number: 20110308762
    Abstract: A novel thermal storage device includes a container of metallic phase change material (MPCM). The MPCM has a high latent heat of fusion and a high thermal conductivity in its solid state. A thermal energy receiver is adapted to receive thermal energy from a thermal energy source and transfer the thermal energy directly to the MPCM, without the need for an intermediate thermal transfer fluid. A thermal energy discharge mechanism transfers thermal energy directly from the MPCM to a device that uses the thermal energy. In a solar energy embodiment, the thermal energy receiver is formed from a material (e.g., polished copper) that has a relatively low absorptivity value and a relatively low emissivity coefficient, which unexpectedly results in the attainment of a highly efficient solar receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Alan J. Spero, Frank Stephen Wyle
  • Publication number: 20110303388
    Abstract: A thermal storage system (100) and related method, comprising: a thermal collector (101); a thermal storage sink (102); at least one thermal storage transport conduit (8) for transporting thermal energy from the thermal collector to the thermal storage sink for storage therein; at least one thermal delivery conduit (11) for transporting the thermal energy from the thermal storage sink to an indoor-air space for use therein; a thermal storage liquid (21) within the thermal storage sink; and baled waste tires (14) for enhancing thermal storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Martin Mittelmark, Paul St. John, Henry T. Nordberg
  • Publication number: 20110303946
    Abstract: A phase change material (PCM) is used as thermal storage for lighting systems. The PCM is placed in a thermally conductive container in close contact with the lighting system. As the PCM absorbs heat, it changes from a solid to a liquid state, but the temperature of the PCM is clamped at its melting point temperature. For LED-based systems, the PCM is selected to have a melting point such that the junction temperatures of the LEDs in the system are maintained at approximately their optimum operating temperature inside the lighting system housing. Because the thermal conductivity of the molten PCM is poor, a low thermal resistance heat flow path is provided from the PCM to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew Weaver, James Kingman, Sanjoy Ghose
  • Publication number: 20110297346
    Abstract: The present disclosure teaches apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving energy efficiency using high heat capacity materials. Some embodiments include a phase change material (PCMs). Particularly, the systems may include a re-gasification system, a liquefaction system, or an integrated system utilizing a heat exchanger with a regenerator matrix, a shell and tube arrangement, or cross-flow channels (e.g. a plate-fin arrangement) to store cold energy from a liquefied gas in a re-gasification system at a first location for use in a liquefaction process at a second location. The regenerator matrix may include a plurality of PCMs stacked sequentially or may include a continuous phase material comprised of multiple PCMs. Various encapsulation approaches may be utilized. Reliquefaction may be accomplished with such a system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Moses Minta, Bruce T. Kelley, William S. Mathews, Eric D. Nelson, Mark E. Ehrhardt
  • Patent number: 8071194
    Abstract: A heat collector includes a heat absorption surface, an opposite heat focus surface and one or more surrounding sides. A matrix of the heat collector is a thermally conductive material. There is a plurality of adiabatic pores mixed within the matrix. A relative concentration distribution of the adiabatic pores increases from the heat absorption surface to the heat focus surface, and decreases from the surrounding sides to a center of the heat collector. The shape of the heat collector can be rectangular, cylindrical, prismatic, plate-shaped, square, or polyhedral. The heat collector can draw heat generated from electrical components, and collect the generated heat for reuse in order to enhance energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jhy-Chain Lin, Ga-Lane Chen
  • Publication number: 20110289924
    Abstract: High temperature energy can be provided using a containment vessel, a heat retention matrix contained within the containment vessel, a volume of a working fluid contained within the containment vessel and in contact with the heat retention matrix, and, optionally, a reactive compound removal system that removes reactive compounds from the working fluid. The heat retention matrix can optionally include an allotropic form of carbon. The working fluid can optionally include nitrogen gas and one or more noble gases. Related systems, methods, articles of manufacture, and the like are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Anton Pietsch
  • Publication number: 20110286724
    Abstract: Described is a modular thermal energy transfer system. The modular thermal energy transfer system includes a plurality of modular thermal units, each modular thermal unit having a thermal retainer with a conditioning pipe and a usable fluid pipe disposed therein. The conditioning pipes are in fluidic communication with one another, and the usable fluid pipes are in fluidic communication with one another. The conditioning pipes are adapted to carry a conditioning fluid therethrough and to allow transfer of thermal energy between the thermal retainers and the conditioning fluid. The usable fluid pipes are adapted to carry a usable fluid therethrough and to allow the transfer of thermal energy between the thermal retainers and the usable fluid. The various thermal retainers of the modular thermal units are configured to be positionable proximate one another such that thermal energy is transferable between substantially adjacent thermal retainers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Travis Goodman
  • Patent number: 8059402
    Abstract: A heat source recycling unit includes at least one heat removing device, a heat source conversion device and a heat preservation box. The heat removing device includes a heat inlet end connects with the pre-recycling heat source and, a heat outlet end connects with the heat source conversion device. The heat preservation box includes a heat preservation room and a refrigeration room. The heat source conversion device converts the received heat energy into heat energy and cold energy, and then transmits them to the heat preservation room and the refrigeration room respectively. The invention also provides a heat source recycling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Hsing-Yuan Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20110271953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing heat, comprising a heat storage medium which absorbs heat in order to store heat and releases heat in order to use the stored heat, and a container for holding the heat storage medium, the container being closed by a gastight cover, and the device comprising volume compensation means in order to compensate for a volume increase of the heat storage medium (3) due to a temperature rise and a volume decrease due to a temperature reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Jürgen Wortmann, Claus Schäfer, Michael Lutz, Fabian Seeler, Martin Gärtner, Felix Major, Kerstin Schierle-Arndt, Otto Machhammer, Günther Huber, Stephan Maurer
  • Publication number: 20110259544
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods for storing thermal energy. For example, an apparatus including comprising at least one phase change material, and a capsule containing the at least one phase change material. The capsule may be permanently or temporarily sealed to contain the encapsulation material. The encapsulation material includes at least one material that is chemically and physically distinct from the phase change material. The encapsulation material and phase change material are selected to store and discharge thermal energy at temperatures of greater than 400° C. without capsule failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: LEHIGH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sudhakar Neti, John C. Chen, Wojciech Z. Misiolek, Alparslan Oztekin, Kemal Tuzla
  • Patent number: 8042604
    Abstract: A temperature regulating member capable of avoiding deterioration in heat dissipation efficiency of a heat-accumulating material, and deterioration in a buffer function thereof, due to ununiformity in heat distribution inside the heat-accumulating material. With the use of a churning flow occurring by disposing one piece of stirrer or plural stirrers inside the heat-accumulating material, and by causing a relative position of the stirrer, inside the heat-accumulating material, to be changed during transportation, it is possible to eliminate ununiformity in heat distribution inside the heat-accumulating material. The temperature regulating member has a feature in that a phenomenon of a peripheral part of the heat-accumulating material being first cooled to be subsequently solidified is avoided, thereby enabling the heat dissipation efficiency and the buffer function to be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nozaki, Kazutoshi Kan
  • Patent number: 8037954
    Abstract: When a current flows through a battery, a resistance loss proportional to the square of the current is produced by an internal resistance component of the current. In a case where the temperature of a heat capacity element is raised, a charging current is controlled such that prescribed thermal energy is provided to the heat capacity element by this resistance loss. Air is induced into a power supply unit through a vehicle compartment air exhaust duct. Then, the thermal energy stored in the heat capacity element is transferred to the air induced into the power supply unit. The air to which the thermal energy has been provided from the heat capacity element is blown out toward a vehicle compartment space by a fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomonari Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20110226440
    Abstract: There is herein described energy storage systems. More particularly, there is herein described thermal energy storage systems and use of energy storable material such as phase change material in the provision of heating and/or cooling systems in, for example, domestic dwellings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: SUNAMP LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Bissell, John Field
  • Patent number: 8016022
    Abstract: Systems and methods for passive thermal management using phase change material are provided. In one embodiment, a thermal management method is provided. The method comprises securing an electronics assembly to a mounting surface using a thermally insulative support structure; insulating a phase change material within the support structure; and melting the phase change material to reduce heat transfer from an external environment to the electronics assembly during a high temperature transient thermal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Chad E. Richason, Dean R. Hellickson, Mark W. Watson, Allen F. Tuthill
  • Publication number: 20110209475
    Abstract: High-temperature solar thermal systems and methods are described. In one aspect, a system is described that includes a heat engine power conversion system, or a “heat engine,” with a fluid working medium. The heat engine includes a first input, a second input, and a heat exchanger. The first input receives heated high temperature tolerant particles, or “heated particles,” from a solar energy collection and distribution component that is coupled to the heat engine. The heat engine's second input receives the working fluid medium used to drive the power cycle in the heat engine. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the received heated particles to the working fluid medium, and thereby, energized the heat engine's power cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: King Saud University
    Inventors: Sheldon M. Jeter, Hany Abdulrahman M. Al-Ansary
  • Publication number: 20110198053
    Abstract: Conditioning of ambient air in a room of a building in terms of heat and/or cold and optionally humidity, and air flow is accomplished by arrangement of latent heat accumulator bodies in the room of the building. A separate air duct, which forms an incoming-air flow, is provided to blow out incoming air underneath the latent heat accumulator bodies by utilizing the Koanda effect, while air is sucked in parallel to the surface of the latent heat accumulator bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus FIEBACK, Andreas LAUBE, Lutz KUTZKER, Harald KUHLEI, Antonius Hubertus Henricus SCHMITZ
  • Publication number: 20110198052
    Abstract: The invention concerns a wall or roof of a building, wherein at least one heat controlling element for controlling a temperature in the building is arranged in the wall or the roof to form a segment of the wall or roof, the heat controlling element comprising at least a first section and a second section, the first section comprising a heat collecting and storing material and the second section comprising a heat insulating material, wherein the heat controlling element may adopt a first configuration, in which the first section is directed towards the outside of the building and the second section is directed towards the inside of the building, and a second configuration, in which the second section is directed towards the outside of the building and the first section is directed towards the inside of the building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen Glyn Bourne
  • Publication number: 20110192564
    Abstract: An energy supply system includes an energy storage device including a housing. The energy supply system also includes a sheet material in contact with the housing. The sheet material includes a foam layer. The sheet material has a thermal conductivity of at least 0.1 W/mK and a thickness of at least 0.3 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cedric Mommer, Benjamin Mardaga, Ahmet Comert, Georges Moineau, James Holtzinger, Joseph B. MacDonald, Steven R. Jette
  • Publication number: 20110180232
    Abstract: An apparatus for the heat treatment of a product, in particular a product contained within a hermetically sealed pouch or other plastic container, the apparatus having, a heating unit to contain a product as product is brought towards a treatment temperature and pressure, a sterilization unit to contain product at a predetermined treatment temperature and pressure to sterilize product, and a cooling unit to bring a product from the treatment temperature and pressure towards ambient; each unit being selectively sealable from another unit, the apparatus further having: a plurality of conduits carrying heat-exchange fluids allowing heat to be transferred between units; and having a heater, preferably producing steam, to supply heat to the apparatus; a heat-exchange unit enabling heat energy to be transferred from one conduit to another; and a hot well to retain a reservoir of heat exchange fluid at the highest temperature required by the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: David Lambert
  • Patent number: 7980293
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20110155343
    Abstract: A heat and energy recovery ventilator housing comprising at least one means for releasable sealing engagement of the at least one energy core to the housing and for providing an air tight seal between the at least one energy core and an interior of the housing, said sealing means positioned to prevent a leakage between the supply airflow and the exhaust airflow, is described. A sealing system comprising a gasket having a sealing surface and a rail having contact surface, said gasket attachable to an interior of the ventilator housing and said rail attachable to the core at a location in alignment with the gasket, the gasket and the rail, when positioned in alignment, magnetically cooperating thereby forming an airtight seal for preventing an air leakage between the supply airflow and the return airflow within the housing but outside of the core is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Air Tech Equipment Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Paul Boudreau, George Robert Lestage
  • Patent number: 7967999
    Abstract: It is possible to provide a heat storage substance, a heat storage agent, a heat transport medium, and a cold insulation agent having low corrosiveness and a high latent heat quantity at a low cost, their production method, and a cold reservoir and a cold insulator containing the heat storage substance as content. The heat storage substance is characterized by containing a tri-n-butylalkylammonium salt and water. The heat storage substance is characterized by containing either tri-n-butyl-n-pentylammonium bromide or tri-n-butyl-n-pentylammonium chloride and water. The heat storage agent is characterized by containing a tri-n-butylalkylammonium salt and water. The heat storage agent is characterized by containing either tri-n-butyl-n-pentylammonium bromide or tri-n-butyl-n-pentylammonium chloride and water. The heat transport medium is characterized by containing a tri-n-butylalkylammonium salt and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: JFE Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Tomura
  • Publication number: 20110146939
    Abstract: A thermal storage device comprising a container containing a body of zeolite comprising a zeolite sieve and thermally conducting fins extending substantially into the body of zeolite in which said thermally conducting fins are thermally connected to a heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: CARBON ZERO LIMITED
    Inventors: Damian Joseph Peter Bond, Douglas Nangle
  • Publication number: 20110146940
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat storage system with a plurality of storage tanks, in which a latent heat storage medium is disposed, and with a conduit system with supply conduits for supplying heat into the storage tanks and with discharge conduits for removing heat from the storage tanks, wherein the conduit system includes one or more valves by means of which at least one supply conduit to at least one of the storage tanks and/or at least one discharge conduit from at least one of the storage tanks can be shut off or be varied in its flow rate, and with a control unit which is connected with the one or more valves and is configured such that it actuates the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: RAWEMA COUNTERTRADE HANDELSGESELLSCHAFT MBH
    Inventors: Andreas Golbs, Stefan Weber
  • Publication number: 20110132032
    Abstract: A method and apparatus in which air is liquefied and stored for later energy recovery during which the liquid air is pumped to high pressure, heated and then expanded to recover the energy. During the recovery of energy, the pumped liquid air is heated within a regenerator that stores the refrigeration within the liquid air. During the liquefaction of the air, part of the refrigeration required is obtained from the refrigeration stored in the regenerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Marco Francesco Gatti, John Fredric Billingham, John Henri Royal, Dante Patrick Bonaquist, Mathew Roy Watt
  • Patent number: 7938170
    Abstract: A cold and/or heat accumulator with a plurality of carrier elements which are charged with a cold or heat storage medium, and with at least one heat exchanger which is designed to have a heat transfer medium flow through it in order to cause heat exchange between the cold or heat storage medium and the heat transfer medium. The at least one heat exchanger has a serpentine hollow section, and carrier elements are provided between the legs of the loops of the serpentine hollow section. Two heat exchangers can be provided with the loops of the serpentine hollow section one heat exchanger being interspersed with those of the serpentine hollow section of the other heat exchanger. Preferably, the carrier elements are made of a porous metal foam, and the inlet and outlet for the heat transfer medium are located together at a bottom area at one side of the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Robert Lang, Kemal-Edip Yidirim, Wolfgang Kraemer
  • Publication number: 20110100583
    Abstract: A thermal energy storage system comprises a pressure vessel configured to withstand a first pressure, wherein the pressure vessel has a wall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface surrounding an interior volume of the pressure vessel. The interior volume of the pressure vessel has a first end in fluid communication with one or more compressors and one or more turbines, and a second end in fluid communication with at least one compressed air storage component. A thermal storage medium is positioned in the interior volume, and at least one reinforcement structure is affixed to the outer surface of the wall, wherein the at least one reinforcement structure configured to reinforce the wall to withstand a second pressure greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Sebastian W. Freund, Matthias Finkenrath, Cristina Botero, Clarissa S.K. Belloni, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20110100010
    Abstract: An adiabatic compressed air energy storage (ACAES) system includes a compressor system, an air storage unit, and a turbine system. The ACAES system further includes a thermal energy storage (TES) system that includes a container, a plurality of heat exchangers, a liquid TES medium conduit system fluidly coupling the container to the plurality of heat exchangers, and a liquid TES medium stored within the container. The TES system also includes a plurality of pumps coupled to the liquid TES medium conduit system and configured to transport the liquid TES medium between the plurality of heat exchangers and the container, and a thermal separation system positioned within the container configured to thermally isolate a first portion of the liquid TES medium at a lower temperature from a second portion of the liquid TES medium at a higher temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Sebastian W. Freund, Matthias Finkenrath, Cristina Botero, Clarissa S.K. Belloni, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7934537
    Abstract: A liquid receptacle for rapidly lowering the temperature of a liquid contained therein to a warm range suitable for human contact and maintaining the liquid in the warm range for an extended period of time includes an inner vessel with an open upper end and a closed lower end and a wall connecting the upper and lower end. An insulated outer shell is spaced from the inner vessel to define an interstitial chamber between the inner vessel and the outer shell. A phase change material occupies the chamber and regeneratively absorbs thermal energy from the liquid to cool the liquid and then releases the thermal energy back to the liquid to maintain the temperature of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: J. Bruce Kolowich