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US 2015/0055941 A1Published application
Thermal storage device
AssigneeBasic Holdings
InventorAlan McDonald
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved thermal store is provided. The thermal decouples the heat output from the thermal store from the energy provided to the heater.
Claims33
A thermal storage device comprising:
- a core comprising a heatable material rated to a first operating temperature to provide a defined heat output within a 24 hour period, the first operating temperature being a normal operating temperature of the core;
- at least one electrical heating element;
- a controller configured to be in communication with a remote operator and in response to signals from the remote operator to selectively activate the at least one electrical heating element to effect a heating of the heatable material to the first operating temperature, and to selectively activate the at least one electrical heating element to effect a heating of the heatable material to a second operating temperature, the second operating temperature being greater than the first operating temperature;
- and wherein the at least one electrical element is rated to provide sufficient energy to the heatable material within a charging window to achieve a heating of the heatable material to the second operating temperature and the controller is configured to activate the at least one electrical element in at least one time window defined within the charging window, the duration of the at least one time window being less than the charging window.
1 more element
3-4. (canceled)
A thermal storage device comprising:
- a core comprising a heatable material rated to a first operating temperature to provide a defined heat output within a 24 hour period, the first operating temperature being a normal operating temperature of the core;
- at least one electrical heating element;
- and
- a controller configured to be in communication with a remote operator and in response to signals from the remote operator to selectively activate the at least one electrical heating element to effect a heating of the heatable material to the first operating temperature, and to selectively activate the at least one electrical heating element to effect a heating of the heatable material to a second operating temperature, the second operating temperature being greater than the first operating temperature,
- wherein the device is configured to communicate bi-directionally with the remote operator to provide forecast expected energy requirements of the device within a defined time window and to receive commands from the remote operator to effect a selective activation of the device.
2 more elements
A grid controller configured to interface with at least one electricity provider and at least one electricity user, the controller configured to match load requirements of the at least one electricity user with available power from the at least one electricity provider and configured to identify capacity of the devices to absorb additional energy.
(canceled)
A storage heater comprising:
- a core comprising a heatable material;
- at least one electrical heating element;
- a controller configured to selectively activate the at least one electrical heating element to effect a heating of the heatable material and further configured to provide a dynamic control of the distributed heat in a closed loop arrangement;
- a fan in electrical communication with the controller to provide an assisted distribution of heated air from the heatable material out of an outlet of the heater and away from the storage heater;
- a moveable mixing flap whose movement determines the ratio of hot and cold air distributed by the fan;
- and
- wherein the controller is configured to adjust the mixing flap and/or fan to maintain a desired temperature of the heated air at the outlet.
4 more elements
(canceled)
34-39. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.