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A thermal storage unit having at least one annular flow channel formed between an inner and outer member is provided. The thermal storage unit uses conventional mill products to create annular flow channels that economically maximize the surface area of flow in contact with the thermal mass included

A thermal storage unit having at least one annular flow channel formed between an inner and outer member is provided. The thermal storage unit uses conventional mill products to create annular flow channels that economically maximize the surface area of flow in contact with the thermal mass included in the inner and outer members. This enables the thermal storage unit to economically provide heat storage as well as effective heat delivery and pressure containment for a fluid flowing through the annular channel.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A thermal storage unit having a longitudinal axis, said unit comprising:an annular flow channel disposed about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis, said channel being formed between an inner cylindrical surface of a first member and an outer cylindrical surface of a second member, said oute

1. A thermal storage unit having a longitudinal axis, said unit comprising:an annular flow channel disposed about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis, said channel being formed between an inner cylindrical surface of a first member and an outer cylindrical surface of a second member, said outer cylindrical surface having a diameter smaller than said inner cylindrical surface;a tubular inlet coupled to one end of said channel, said inlet for providing fluid to said channel; anda tubular outlet coupled to the other end of said channel; andat least one heat source for heating said members, wherein said at least one heat source comprises induction heating circuitry for causing current to circulate through said first and second members, whereby the circulating current heats said members.2. A backup energy system comprising:a thermal storage unit having a longitudinal axis, said unit comprising:an annular flow channel disposed about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis, said channel being formed between an inner cylindrical surface of a first member and an outer cylindrical surface of a second member, said outer cylindrical surface having a diameter smaller than said inner cylindrical surface;a tubular inlet coupled to one end of said channel, said inlet for providing fluid to said channel; anda tubular outlet coupled to the other end of said channel;a turbine coupled to said thermal storage unit for receiving said heated fluid, said received heated fluid driving said turbine; andan electrical generator for providing power when said turbine is driven by said heated fluid.3. The backup energy system of claim 2 further comprising a bypass valve coupled to said thermal storage unit, said bypass valve for controlling a portion of said fluid provided to said thermal storage unit.4. The thermal storage unit of claim 2, wherein said axis parallel to said longitudinal axis comprises said longitudinal axis.5. The backup energy system of claim 2 further comprising a heating system for heating said thermal storage unit.6. The backup energy system of claim 5 further comprising control circuitry coupled to said heating system and said thermal storage unit, said control circuitry for controlling said heating system to maintain said thermal storage unit at a predetermined temperature.7. The backup energy system of claim 2, wherein said fluid is compressed air, said backup energy system further comprising a compressed air system to provide said compressed air to said thermal storage unit.8. The backup energy system of claim 7, wherein said compressed air system is a storage tank that contains said compressed air.9. The thermal storage unit of claim 2, wherein said annular flow channel is a first annular flow channel, said axis parallel to said longitudinal axis is a first axis, said inner cylindrical surface of said first member is a first inner cylindrical surface, said thermal storage unit further comprising a second annular flow channel disposed about a second axis parallel to said longitudinal axis, said second channel being formed between a second inner cylindrical surface of said first member and an outer cylindrical surface of a third member, said outer cylindrical surface of said third member having a diameter smaller than said second inner cylindrical surface.10. The thermal storage unit of claim 9, wherein said diameters of said outer cylindrical surfaces of said second and third members are substantially equal.11. The thermal storage unit of claim 9, wherein said first and second inner cylindrical surfaces have diameters that are substantially equal.12. The thermal storage unit of claim 2 further comprising at least one heat source for heating said members.13. The thermal storage unit of claim 12, wherein said at least one heat source comprises an external radiant heater.14. The thermal storage unit of claim 12, wherein said at least one heat source comprises an internal radiant heater.15. The thermal storage unit of claim 12, wherein said at least one heat source comprises a resistive heater.16. The thermal storage unit of claim 12, wherein said at least one heat source is coupled to control circuitry, said control circuitry for controlling said at least one heat source to maintain said unit at a predetermined temperature.17. The thermal storage unit of claim 2, wherein each of said first and second members comprises thermal storage material.18. The thermal storage unit of claim 17, wherein said thermal storage material comprises a solid mass.19. The thermal storage unit of claim 18, wherein said solid mass is iron.20. The thermal storage unit of claim 18, wherein said solid mass is aluminum.21. The thermal storage unit of claim 18, wherein said solid mass is steel.22. The thermal storage unit of claim 18, wherein said solid mass includes a material that is selected from the group consisting of iron, steel, aluminum and any alloys thereof.23. A backup energy system comprising:a thermal storage unit, having a longitudinal axis, that heats fluid flowing through said unit, comprising:a first member having an outer diameter;a second member having an inner diameter that is larger than said outer diameter;an annular flow channel disposed about said axis and formed between said first and second members, wherein said first member is positioned within said second member;an inlet coupled to one end of said channel that provides fluid to said channel;an outlet coupled to the other end of said channel; andat least one heat source that heats said first and second members;a turbine coupled to said thermal storage unit for receiving said heated fluid, said received heated fluid driving said turbine; andan electrical generator for providing power when said turbine is driven by said heated fluid.24. The backup energy system of claim 23, wherein said at least one heat source comprises an external radiant heater.25. The backup energy system of claim 23, wherein said at least one heat source comprises an internal radiant heater.26. The backup energy system of claim 23, wherein said at least one heat source comprises a resistive heater.27. The backup energy system of claim 23, wherein said at least one heat source is coupled to control circuitry, said control circuitry for controlling said at least one heat source to maintain said unit at a predetermined temperature.28. The backup energy system of claim 23, wherein each of said first and second members comprises thermal storage material.29. The backup energy system of claim 28, wherein said thermal storage material comprises a solid mass.30. The backup energy system of claim 29, wherein said solid mass is iron.31. The backup energy system of claim 29, wherein said solid mass is aluminum.32. The backup energy system of claim 29, wherein said solid mass is steel.33. The backup energy system of claim 29, wherein said solid mass includes a material that is selected from the group consisting of iron, steel, aluminum and any alloys thereof.34. A thermal storage unit having a longitudinal axis, said unit comprising:a port disposed at a first end of said unit; anda flow channel disposed annularly about said longitudinal axis, said annular channel being coupled to said port at a first point on said unit proximal to said first end, said annular channel having a diameter that tapers generally from a second point on said unit to said first point along said longitudinal axis.35. The thermal storage unit of claim 34, wherein said port is a first port, said unit further comprising:a second port disposed at a second end of said unit, said annular channel being coupled to said second port at a third point on said unit proximal to said second end, said diameter of said annular channel tapering generally from a fourth point on said unit to said third point along said longitudinal axis.36. The thermal storage unit of claim 34 further comprising at least one heat source for heating a fluid flowing through said annular channel.37. The thermal storage unit of claim 36, wherein said at least one heat source comprises an external radiant heater.38. The thermal storage unit of claim 36, wherein said at least one heat source comprises an internal radiant heater.39. The thermal storage unit of claim 36, wherein said at least one heat source comprises a resistive heater.40. The thermal storage unit of claim 36, wherein said at least one heat source is coupled to control circuitry, said control circuitry for controlling said at least one heat source to maintain said unit at a predetermined temperature.41. The thermal storage unit of claim 34 further comprising a thermal storage material.42. The thermal storage unit of claim 41, wherein said thermal storage material comprises a solid mass.43. The thermal storage unit of claim 42, wherein said solid mass is iron.44. The thermal storage unit of claim 42, wherein said solid mass is aluminum.45. The thermal storage unit of claim 42, wherein said solid mass is steel.46. A thermal storage unit having a longitudinal axis, said unit comprising:a thermal storage material;a port disposed at a first end of said unit; anda flow channel disposed annularly about said longitudinal axis, said annular channel being coupled to said port at a first point on said unit proximal to said first end, said annular channel having a diameter that tapers generally from a second point on said unit to said first point along said longitudinal axis,at least one heat source for heating a fluid flowing through said annular channel, wherein said at least one heat source comprises induction heating circuitry for causing current to circulate through said first and second members, whereby the circulating current heats said thermal storage material.47. A backup energy system comprising:a thermal storage unit having a longitudinal axis, said unit comprising:a port disposed at a first end of said unit; anda flow channel disposed annularly about said longitudinal axis, said annular channel being coupled to said port at a first point on said unit proximal to said first end, said annular channel having a diameter that tapers generally from a second point on said unit to said first point along said longitudinal axis;a turbine coupled to said thermal storage unit for receiving said heated fluid, said received heated fluid driving said turbine; andan electrical generator for providing power when said turbine is driven by said heated fluid.48. The backup energy system of claim 47 further comprising a bypass valve coupled to said thermal storage unit, said bypass valve for controlling a portion of said fluid provided to said thermal storage unit.49. The backup energy system of claim 47 further comprising a heating system for heating said thermal storage unit.50. The backup energy system of claim 49 further comprising control circuitry coupled to said heating system and said thermal storage unit, said control circuitry for controlling said heating system to maintain said thermal storage unit at a predetermined temperature.51. The backup energy system of claim 47, wherein said fluid is compressed air, said backup energy system further comprising a compressed air system to provide said compressed air to said thermal storage unit.52. The backup energy system of claim 51, wherein said compressed air system is a storage tank that contains said compressed air.53. A thermal storage unit having a longitudinal axis, said unit comprising:a first annular flow channel disposed about a first axis parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first channel being formed between a first inner cylindrical surface of a first member and an outer cylindrical surface of a second member, said outer cylindrical surface of said second member having a diameter smaller than said first inner cylindrical surface; anda second annular flow channel disposed about a second axis parallel to said longitudinal axis, said second channel being formed between a second inner cylindrical surface of said first member and an outer cylindrical surface of a third member, said outer cylindrical surface of said third member having a diameter smaller than said second inner cylindrical surface,at least one heat source for heating fluid provided to said first and second channels, wherein said at least one heat source comprises induction heating circuitry for causing current to circulate through said first, second and third members, whereby the circulating currents heat said members.54. A thermal storage unit, having a longitudinal axis, that heats fluid flowing through said unit, comprising:a first member having an outer diameter;a second member having an inner diameter that is larger than said outer diameter;an annular flow channel disposed about said axis and formed between said first and second members, wherein said first member is positioned within said second member;an inlet coupled to one end of said channel that provides fluid to said channel;an outlet coupled to the other end of said channel; andat least one heat source that heats said first and second members, wherein said at least one heat source comprises induction heating circuitry for causing current to circulate through said first and second members, whereby the circulating current heats said members.55. A thermal storage unit, having a longitudinal axis, that heats fluid flowing through said unit, comprising:a plurality of inner members each having an outer diameter;an outer member having a plurality of through-holes bored therethrough, each said through-hole having an axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, and wherein each said through-hole has a through-hole diameter that is larger than said outer diameter;a plurality of annular flow channels disposed about each said through-hole axis, each said channel being formed between one of said plurality of inner members and one of said plurality of through-holes, wherein said each said inner member is positioned within said outer member;an inlet coupled to one end of said channels that provides fluid to said channels;an outlet coupled to the other end of said channels; andat least one heat source that heats said plurality of inner members and said outer member, wherein said at least one heat source comprises induction heating circuitry for causing current to circulate through said plurality of inner members and said outer member, whereby the circulating current heats said members.56. A method for using a thermal storage unit in a backup power delivery system that uses fluid to provide electrical power, the method comprising:preheating first and second members of said unit to a predetermined temperature;providing fluid to said unit in the event of failure of a primary power source;heating said fluid as said fluid passes through an annular channel that is formed between said first and second members; andusing said heated fluid to drive a turbine, which drives an electrical generator to provide electrical power.57. The method of claim 56 further comprising controlling application of heat to said first and second members to maintain said thermal storage unit at a predetermined temperature.58. A backup energy system comprising:thermal storage unit having a longitudinal axis, said unit comprising:a first annular flow channel disposed about a first axis parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first channel being formed between a first inner cylindrical surface of a first member and an outer cylindrical surface of a second member, said outer cylindrical surface of said second member having a diameter smaller than said first inner cylindrical surface; anda second annular flow channel disposed about a second axis parallel to said longitudinal axis, said second channel being formed between a second inner cylindrical surface of said first member and an outer cylindrical surface of a third member, said outer cylindrical surface of said third member having a diameter smaller than said second inner cylindrical surface;a turbine coupled to said thermal storage unit for receiving said heated fluid, said received heated fluid driving said turbine; andan electrical generator for providing power when said turbine is driven by said heated fluid.59. The backup energy system of claim 58 further comprising a bypass valve coupled to said thermal storage unit, said bypass valve for controlling a portion of said fluid provided to said thermal storage unit.60. The thermal storage unit of claim 58 further comprising:a tubular inlet coupled to one end of said first and second channel, said inlet for providing fluid to said channel; anda tubular outlet coupled to the other end of said first and second channel.61. The thermal storage unit of claim 58, wherein the diameters of said outer cylindrical surfaces of said second and third members are substantially equal in length.62. The thermal storage unit of claim 58, wherein said first and second inner cylindrical surfaces have diameters that are substantially equal in length.63. The backup energy system of claim 58 further comprising a heating system for heating said thermal storage unit.64. The backup energy system of claim 63 further comprising control circuitry coupled to said heating system and said thermal storage unit, said control circuitry for controlling said heating system in order to maintain said thermal storage unit at a predetermined temperature.65. The backup energy system of claim 58, wherein said fluid is compressed air, said backup energy system further comprising a compressed air system to provide said compressed air to said thermal storage unit.66. The backup energy system of claim 65, wherein said compressed air system is a storage tank that contains said compressed air.67. The thermal storage unit of claim 58 further comprising at least one heat source for heating fluid provided to said first and second channels.68. The thermal storage unit of claim 67, wherein said at least one heat source comprises an external radiant heater.69. The thermal storage unit of claim 67, wherein said at least one heat source comprises an internal radiant heater.70. The thermal storage unit of claim 67, wherein said at least one heat source comprises a resistive heater.71. The thermal storage unit of claim 67, wherein said at least one heat source is coupled to control circuitry, said control circuitry for controlling said at least one heat source in order to maintain said unit at a predetermined temperature.72. The thermal storage unit of claim 58, wherein each of said first, second and third members comprises thermal storage material.73. The thermal storage unit of claim 72, wherein said thermal storage material comprises a solid mass.74. The thermal storage unit of claim 73, wherein said solid mass is iron.75. The thermal storage unit of claim 73, wherein said solid mass is aluminum.76. The thermal storage unit of claim 73, wherein said solid mass is steel.77. The thermal storage unit of claim 73, wherein said solid mass includes a material that is selected from the group consisting of iron, steel, aluminum and any alloys thereof.78. A backup energy system comprising:a thermal storage unit, having a longitudinal axis, that heats fluid flowing through said unit, comprising:a plurality of inner members each having an outer diameter;an outer member having a plurality of through-holes bored therethrough, each said through-hole having an axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, and wherein each said through-hole has a through-hole diameter that is larger than said outer diameter;a plurality of annular flow channels disposed about each said through-hole axis, each said channel being formed between one of said plurality of inner members and one of said plurality of through-holes, wherein said each said inner member is positioned within said outer member;an inlet coupled to one end of said channels that provides fluid to said channels;an outlet coupled to the other end of said channels; andat least one heat source that heats said plurality of inner members and said outer member;a turbine coupled to said thermal storage unit for receiving said heated fluid, said received heated fluid driving said turbine; andan electrical generator for providing power when said turbine is driven by said heated fluid.79. The backup energy system of claim 78, wherein said at least one heat source comprises an external radiant heater.80. The backup energy system of claim 78, wherein said at least one heat source comprises an internal radiant heater.81. The backup energy system of claim 78, wherein said at least one heat source comprises a resistive heater.82. The backup energy system of claim 78, wherein said at least one heat source is coupled to control circuitry, said control circuitry for controlling said at least one heat source to maintain said unit at a predetermined temperature.83. The backup energy system of claim 78, wherein each of said members comprises thermal storage material.84. The backup energy system of claim 83, wherein said thermal storage material comprises a solid mass.85. The backup energy system of claim 84, wherein said solid mass is iron.86. The backup energy system of claim 84, wherein said solid mass is aluminum.87. The backup energy system of claim 84, wherein said solid mass is steel.88. The backup energy system of claim 84, wherein said solid mass includes a material that is selected from the group consisting of iron, steel, aluminum and any alloys thereof.