Passive thermal energy phase change storage apparatus
US4258696A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 1978 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E70/30
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A passive thermal energy storage cell includes a container formed of suitable material. The container is filled substantially with a supercoolable material such as ethylene carbonate or a phase change material for storage of solar energy or the like. The container includes mechanical passive nucleating elements such as sharp pointed asperities on the wall, cold fingers or pointed members secured within the tank in continuous activating engagement with the supercoolable material to prevent supercooling thereof. Exchange elements are coupled to the supercoolable material for introduction of heat from a solar collector and removal of heat to a load. The material may be heated by the solar energy to or above melting temperature to store heat. The passive nucleating elements tend to continually activate the supercoolable liquid such that substantially at or close to the melting temperature the material is triggered from a number of points or location, thus undergoing a transformation from a liquid to solid state, attaining its melting temperature and releasing the heat of fusion to the heat withdrawal element. The heat withdrawal continues until equilibrium temperature conditions are es…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.