Off-peak thermal storage system providing a plurality of selected temperature outlets
US5193138A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1991 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B10/20
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A thermal storage system (10) provides a means for storing thermal energy acquired from electricity purchased at off-peak demand times and from other fuel sources such as fossil fuels, waste heat, and solar energy. The thermal storage system (10) is also designed to supply a plurality of system outputs (124) at individually selected temperatures. The thermal storage system (10) includes a storage tank (12) for storing and heating fluids. Insulation (44) is provided to prevent energy from being transferred to the environment surrounding the storage tank (12). An external housing (46) is provided to protect the insulation (44) and to further insulate the storage tank (12). Heating elements (76) are included for the heating of the stored fluid. A fluid circulator (22) is provided for circulating the fluid to obtain a substantially constant temperature throughout the storage tank (12). An exchange assembly (24) is provided for drawing high temperature fluid from the storage tank (12), mixing the high temperature fluid with lower temperature fluid to obtain at least one selected temperature system water, and dispensing the desired temperature water to the appropriate systems. A control …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.