# US 2022/0034572 A1 · Thermal energy storage and retrieval systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0034572 A1 - Document ID: US20220034572A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/945,281 - Filed: 2020-07-31 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-31 - Assignees: Photon Vault, LLC - Applicants: Photon Vault, LLC - Inventors: Kentwell Lee McCormick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220034572A1 ## CPC - F25C 1/08: by immersing freezing chambers {, cylindrical bodies} or plates into water - F25D 3/02: using ice, e.g. ice-boxes - F25D 3/005: {combined with heat exchangers} - F28D 20/0056: {using solid heat storage material (F28D20/0052 takes precedence)} - F28D 20/021: {the latent heat storage material and the heat-exchanging means being enclosed in one container (F28D20/023 - F28D20/028 take precedence)} - F28D 20/028: {Control arrangements therefor} - Y02E 60/14: Thermal energy storage - F25C: PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) - F28D: HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT (fluid heaters having heat generating means and heat transferring means F24H; furnaces F27; details of heat-exchange apparatus of general) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The invention provides, in some aspects, a thermal energy storage and retrieval system with a cavity containing a working fluid and a heat transfer surface disposed in the cavity transverse to a gravity field and in thermal coupling with an ice that is formed from and floating in the working fluid. The heat transfer surface transfers to that ice heat from a heat transfer medium that is thermally coupled to the heat transfer surface. According to aspects of the invention in which the ice is less dense than the working fluid, the heat transfer surface is disposed above (with respect to the gravity field) a region of the cavity where that ice is formed or inlet. According to aspects of the invention in which the ice is more dense than the working fluid, the heat transfer surface is disposed below that region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A thermal energy storage and retrieval system, comprising a cavity containing a working fluid, a heat transfer surface disposed in the cavity transverse to a gravity field and in thermal coupling with an ice that is formed from and floating in the working fluid, the heat transfer surface transferring to the ice heat from a heat transfer medium that is thermally coupled to the heat transfer surface. the heat transfer surface being disposed above, with respect to the gravity field, a region of the cavity where said ice is formed or inlet, if the ice is less dense than the working fluid, and otherwise being disposed below that region. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer medium is a fluid. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 2, wherein the heat transfer medium is isobutane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 2, wherein the heat transfer medium flows through the heat transfer surface to exchange heat with the ice. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 4, wherein the heat transfer surface comprises one or more channels through which the heat transfer medium fluid flows in thermal coupling with the ice. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 1, comprising a pumpable ice machine that is disposed outside but in fluid coupling with the cavity, the pumpable ice machine producing ice from working fluid received from an outlet of the cavity and inletting that ice to the cavity via an inlet in said region. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 6, wherein the pumpable ice machine produces the ice as part of a slurry of ice and working fluid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 1, comprising a cold plate disposed in the cavity in said region transverse to the gravity field and in thermal coupling with the working fluid to form ice therefrom. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 8, wherein the cold plate heats to release ice buildup thereon. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 1, wherein the working fluid is water. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer surface is disposed below a surface of the working fluid in the cavity, if the ice is less dense than the working fluid, and otherwise is disposed above a bottom of the cavity. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 11, wherein the heat transfer surface includes at least one recess to capture ice of the working fluid floating in the working fluid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 11, wherein the recess prevents the ice from reaching a surface of the working fluid, if the ice is less dense than the working fluid, and otherwise prevents the ice from reaching the bottom of the cavity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The thermal energy storage and retrieval system of claim 1 operable in (i) a charging mode in which ice is aggregated within the cavity, and (ii) in a discharging mode in which heat from the heat transfer medium is transferred to the aggregated ice to cool the heat transfer medium and to convert the ice to working fluid.