Thermal energy storage apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a thermal energy storage (TES) apparatus having a fast response to heat, which is also simple, lightweight, compact, and inexpensive to fabricate. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, phase change material (PCM) is enclosed in a tubular container. A brush-like heat spreading element having radial bristles is installed in the tube within the PCM. The bristles are made of wires or fibers having good thermal conductivity and their ends are in a good thermal contact with the interior wall of the tube. Heat from external source is deposited into the tube exterior and conducted through the wall, transferred to the bristles, and conducted through the bristles in a generally radial direction substantially through out the PCM volume. The TES may be used in buildings to stabilize temperature and thus reduce the cost of building climate control such as heating and air conditioning.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.