Metal hydride based air cooling method and apparatus
US6722154B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B17/12
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention utilizes the hydrogen storage capabilities of hydrogen storage material to dehumidify and cool air flowing into an enclosed area, such as a residential home. The invention provides an apparatus and method that incorporates a hydrogen storage module having a low pressure, the heat retriever module, and a hydrogen storage module having a high pressure, the cooling module, wherein the modules are connected by a pipe or tube that guides the flow of hydrogen gas back and forth between the modules. The heat retriever module is heated to increase the temperature of the heat retriever module and hydrogen gas is desorbed from the hydrogen storage material contained therein, then a valve in the tube or pipe is opened and the hydrogen gas flows to the cooling module. The valve is closed, after the hydrogen gas is absorbed by the hydrogen storage material of the cooling module. The absorption of hydrogen gas causes an increase in temperature of the cooling module. At this point, both modules are cooled, preferably by module fans. The valve is opened and the hydrogen gas escapes back to the heat retriever module. The endothermic hydrogen desorption of the hydrogen gas from…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.