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US 6,955,050 B2Granted
Thermal storage unit and methods for using the same to heat a fluid
AssigneeActive Power, Inc.
InventorsDavid E. Perkins, Robert S. 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.
Claims88
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;
- and
- a tubular outlet coupled to the other end of said channel;
- and
- at 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.
3 more elements
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;
- and
- a 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;
- and
- an electrical generator for providing power when said turbine is driven by said heated fluid.
5 more elements
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;
- and
- at 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;
- and
- an electrical generator for providing power when said turbine is driven by said heated fluid.
8 more elements
A thermal storage unit having a longitudinal axis, said unit comprising:
- a port disposed at a first end of said unit;
- and
- a 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 thermal storage unit having a longitudinal axis, said unit comprising:
- a thermal storage material;
- a port disposed at a first end of said unit;
- and
- a 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.
2 more elements
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;
- and
- a 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;
- and
- an electrical generator for providing power when said turbine is driven by said heated fluid.
4 more elements
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,
- 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.
1 more element
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;
- and
- at 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.
4 more elements
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;
- and
- at 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.
4 more elements
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;
- and
- using said heated fluid to drive a turbine, which drives an electrical generator to provide electrical power.
2 more elements
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;
- 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;
- a turbine coupled to said thermal storage unit for receiving said heated fluid, said received heated fluid driving said turbine;
- and
- an electrical generator for providing power when said turbine is driven by said heated fluid.
4 more elements
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;
- and
- at 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;
- and
- an electrical generator for providing power when said turbine is driven by said heated fluid.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.