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US 8,464,535 B2Granted
Systems, apparatus and methods for thermal energy storage, coupling and transfer
AssigneeInfinia Corporation
InventorsMaurice White, Peter Brehm
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus relating to the use of phase change material to store, transfer and convert heat, such as from solar radiation, to mechanical work or electricity. Apparatus, systems, components, and methods relating to thermal energy transfer and energy conversion are described herein. In one aspect, the invention relates to a containment vessel having a heat receiving region and a heat transfer region such that a plurality of phase change materials are disposed therein and a sequence of solid, liquid and vapor phases are used to transfer heat from a source to a heat receiver of a power conversion unit.
Claims30
A thermal energy transfer system comprising:
- a containment vessel defining a cavity, the containment vessel comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface comprising a first surface and a second surface;
- an elongate thermal conductivity element having a first end and a second end, the elongate thermal conductivity element disposed in the cavity;
- a first phase change material having a first liquid density disposed in the cavity;
- a second phase change material having a second liquid density, the second phase change material disposed in the cavity and adjacent to and in contact with the first phase change material, wherein the second liquid density is less than the first liquid density, the second end of the elongate thermal conductivity element is at least partially surrounded by the first phase change material, wherein the second surface is below a liquid of the second phase change material, and
- wherein the first end is above the second surface and the second end extends from the second surface;
- a vapor space adjacent to and defined by the first surface and the second phase change material;
- and
- a heat receiver of a power conversion unit, the heat receiver disposed in the vapor space.
5 more elements
An electric power generating system comprising:
- a power conversion unit comprising a thermal energy conversion system and a heat receiver in thermal communication with the thermal energy conversion system;
- a containment vessel defining a cavity comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface comprising a first surface and a second surface;
- a first phase change material having a first liquid density, the first phase change material disposed in the cavity;
- a second phase change material having a second liquid density, the second phase change material disposed in the cavity and adjacent to and in contact with the first phase change material, wherein the second liquid density is less than the first liquid density, and the second phase change material in thermal communication with the heat receiver;
- a vapor space adjacent to and defined by the first surface and the second phase change material, wherein the heat receiver is disposed in the vapor space;
- an elongate thermal conductivity element having a first end and a second end, the elongate thermal conductivity element disposed in the cavity,
- wherein the first end is above the second surface and the second end extends from the second surface;
- and
- a heat source interface in thermal communication with the first phase change material, wherein the containment vessel is hermetically sealed and maintains a vacuum in the vapor space.
6 more elements
A method of transferring thermal energy between a heat source and a power conversion unit having a heat receiver, the method comprising the steps of:
- transferring thermal energy from the heat source to a first phase change material disposed in a hermetically sealed containment vessel having a first inner surface and a second inner surface;
- transferring thermal energy to a second phase change material in the containment vessel using the first phase change material;
- vaporizing the second phase change material in a portion of the containment vessel at least partially defined by the first inner surface;
- transferring heat along an elongate thermal conductivity element disposed in the containment vessel and extending from the second inner surface, the elongate thermal conductivity element at least partially surrounded by the first phase change material;
- and
- condensing the second phase change material on a heat receiver disposed in the containment vessel above the first phase change material such that thermal energy is transferred to the heat receiver.
3 more elements
A thermal energy storage system comprising:
- a containment vessel defining a cavity comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface comprising a first surface and a second surface;
- a thermal energy storage medium comprising,
- a thermal energy storage material having a first liquid density disposed in the cavity;
- a phase change material having a second liquid density, the phase change material disposed in the cavity and adjacent to and in contact with the thermal energy storage material, wherein the second liquid density is less than the first liquid density;
- a vapor space adjacent to and defined by the first surface and the second phase change material;
- a heat receiver of a power conversion unit, the heat receiver disposed in the vapor space and extending through the first surface;
- an elongate thermal conductivity element disposed in the cavity, the elongate thermal conductivity element having a first end and a second end,
- wherein the first end is above the second surface and the second end extends from the second surface;
- and
- a solar energy receiving surface in thermal communication with the second surface, wherein the containment vessel is hermetically sealed.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.