Thermal storage unit and methods for using the same to head a fluid
AssigneeActive Power, Inc.
InventorsDavid Perkins, Robert Hudson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims53
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 in the gas phase to said channel;
- and
- a tubular outlet coupled to the other end of said channel.
23-41. (canceled)
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;
- and
- 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, wherein each of said first, second and third members comprises thermal storage material consisting of a solid mass.
44-45. (canceled)
A thermal storage unit, having a longitudinal axis, that heats fluid flowing through said unit, comprising:
- a first member comprising thermal storage material consisting of a solid mass and having an outer diameter;
- a second member comprising thermal storage material consisting of a solid mass and 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;
- and
- at least one heat source that heats said first and second members.
A thermal storage unit, having a longitudinal axis, that heats fluid flowing through said unit, comprising:
- a plurality of inner members each comprising thermal storage material consisting of a solid mass and having an outer diameter;
- an outer member comprising thermal storage material consisting of a solid mass and 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;
- and
- at least one heat source that heats said plurality of inner members and said outer member.
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 in the gas phase 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;
- and
- using said heated fluid to drive a turbine, which drives an electrical generator to provide electrical power.
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, said first member comprising thermal storage material consisting of a solid mass;
- a tubular inlet coupled to one end of said channel, said inlet for providing fluid to said channel;
- and
- a tubular outlet coupled to the other end of said channel.
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 wherein each member comprises thermal storage material consisting of a solid mass;
- 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;
- and
- using said heated fluid to drive a turbine, which drives an electrical generator to provide electrical power.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.