초록 ▼

A thermal storage apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus uses a group of heat exchange members immersed in a phase change medium to store coolness by freezing the heat exchange medium. The heat exchange members each include tubular passageways to carry a heat transfer fluid through the apparatus to f

A thermal storage apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus uses a group of heat exchange members immersed in a phase change medium to store coolness by freezing the heat exchange medium. The heat exchange members each include tubular passageways to carry a heat transfer fluid through the apparatus to freeze the phase change material during an ice-forming cycle and to be chilled by the solid phase change material during a melt cycle. The heat exchange members each have substantially continuous opposite surfaces to prevent the solid phase change material from forming an annulus encircling the tubular passageways. During the ice-forming cycle, the solid phase change material forms in complementary sheets or volumes so that during the melt cycle the heat transfer fluid does not gain heat near the outlets. The heat exchange members may be made of a lightweight material, such as plastic.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A thermal storage apparatus comprising:a tank;a phase change material in the tank;a heat exchange member having an inlet, an outlet, substantially continuous opposite surfaces in contact with the phase change material, and a plurality of fluid passageways in fluid communication w

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A thermal storage apparatus comprising:a tank;a phase change material in the tank;a heat exchange member having an inlet, an outlet, substantially continuous opposite surfaces in contact with the phase change material, and a plurality of fluid passageways in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, at least parts of the fluid passageways being immersed in the phase change material in the tank and at least substantial parts of the immersed fluid passageways being laterally connected to each other to define at least parts of the substantially continuous opposite surfaces, at least parts of the substantially continuous opposite surfaces being in contact with the phase change material in the tank; anda heat transfer fluid in the fluid passageways, said fluid passageways defining a flow path for the heat transfer fluid from said inlet to said outlet;wherein a substantial part of said phase change material adjacent one of said substantially continuous opposite surfaces is separated from a substantial part of said phase change material adjacent the other of said substantially continuous opposite surfaces by the heat exchange member so that said phase change material does not encircle the fluid passageways for at least a substantial part of the heat transfer fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet of the heat exchange member.