Patent · US Expired

Air-conditioning system with thermal storage

US6994156B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
21References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 18, 2002
Grant dateFeb 7, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 18, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E70/30
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An air-conditioning system with thermal storage system for storing cooling capacity. The storage system comprises a quantity of fill material that preferably comprises water or similar liquid that is located in a cavity in the ground. The fill material may also include a bed of gravel with the pool of liquid filling the void spaces in the gravel. Sidewalls of the cavity are preferably supported primarily by the mechanical properties of the earth and the fill material. The lower boundary of the cavity is impermeable liner. A cover that blocks solar radiation and preferably with thermal insulation covers the top of the fill material. A chiller and a pump supply cooled liquid during night or other times of reduced electrical costs and liquid from the storage flows through a liquid-to-air heat exchanger during peak demand periods.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.