US 8,522,859 B2 · Phase change material heat exchanger

Abstract

A phase change material (PCM) heat exchanger device comprising heat exchanger cells (1a, 1b) operating on the regenerative countercurrent principle, one or more phase change material (PCM) accumulators (2, 3) provided in the heat exchanger cells and one or more vortex tubes (6, 7, 8). When the directions of the air, gas and liquid flows are cyclically reversed in the apparatus, energy is recovered into the heat exchanger cell and the PCM accumulator, and during the subsequent cycle, the energy is released from the heat exchanger cell and PCM accumulator. While one heat exchanger cell and PCM accumulator is being charged, the other heat exchanger cell and PCM accumulator is simultaneously discharged. Warm air exits a first outlet port while cold air exits a second outlet port of the one or more vortex tubes. The fluid flows heat or cool the heat exchanger cells and associated PCM accumulators.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A phase change material heat exchanger device, comprising:

at least first and second heat exchanger cells, each dimensioned for fluid flow therethrough, with fluid flow directions that alternately reverse within each cell while remaining mutually opposite, at least one of said first and second heat exchanger cells comprising a phase change material (PCM) accumulator,
means for alternately reversing said fluid flow directions through said first and second heat exchanger cells, so that said fluid flow directions remain mutually opposite,
a vortex tube having an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port, and
a fluid-tight chamber in which the vortex tube is located, wherein the outlet ports of the vortex tube lead to one of the following:
said first heat exchanger cell, said second heat exchanger cell or outside said heat exchanger device.

2 more elements

A phase change material heat exchanger device, comprising:

first and second heat exchanger cells, each cell dimensioned for fluid flow therethrough, with fluid flow directions that alternately reverse within each cell while remaining mutually opposite, at least one of said first and second heat exchanger cells comprising a phase change material (PCM) accumulator,
means for alternately reversing said fluid flow directions through said first and second heat exchanger cells, so that said fluid flow directions remain mutually opposite,
a chamber adjacent said first and second heat exchanger cells, and
a vortex tube having an inlet port for receipt of compressed air, a first outlet port configured to dispense warm air, and a second outlet port configured to dispense cold air, the vortex tube located within the chamber so as to deliver cooling or heating to said first heat exchanger cell.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Phase change material heat exchanger

Life of this patent

Phase change material heat exchanger

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14