Active thermal energy storage system and tank for use therein

Abstract

An active thermal energy storage system is disclosed which uses an energy storage material that is stable at atmospheric pressure and temperature and has a melting point higher than 32 degrees F. This energy storage material is held within a storage tank and used as an energy storage source, from which a heat transfer system (e.g., a heat pump) can draw to provide heating of residential or commercial buildings and associated hot water. The energy storage material may also accept waste heat from a conventional air conditioning loop, and may store such heat until needed. The system may be supplemented by a solar panel system that can be used to collect energy during daylight hours, storing the collected energy in the energy storage material. The stored energy may then be used during the evening hours to heat recirculation air for a building in which the system is installed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 12 / 212,822, filed Sep. 18, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 11 / 818,401, filed Jun. 13, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,441,558, which is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 852,844, filed Oct. 19, 2006, the entirety of which applications are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a system for heating and cooling of residential and commercial building spaces and hot water systems, and more particularly to an active heat transfer system used for use in efficiently controlling air and water temperature in commercial buildings and residences.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The electrical energy generation and distribution networks in the United States are currently stressed to the limit by peak demands during daytime...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The ATESS facilitates the use of off peak excess electrical energy, thus reducing the need for oil and natural gas systems that are typically used for air and hot water heating in residential dwellings or commercial buildings. Thus, the invention relates to the active transfer of thermal heat energy obtained from any of a variety of natural energy sources (e.g., solar, electrical, wind, gas, oil, etc.) to a thermal energy storage material, such as one of the materials described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,584 to Leifer, the entire contents of which patent is incorporated herein. The thermal energy storage material may be contained in an appropriate tank or storage vessel (which will be described in greater detail below). The energy stored in the thermal energy storage material may be transferred by an active heat transfer system (e.g., a heat pump) to any of a variety of locations within a residential home or commercial building as needed for air and / or water heating at any time during a 24 hour day.

[0010]In one example, systems exist for collecting solar energy from the sun's radiation only during the limited day time hours for use in home air or water heating needs. However, such systems can only provide this energy when the sun is available. During the evening hours or on cloudy days the residential dwelling and / or commercial building air and / or water heating energy needs must be obtained from or supplemented by other available sources of energy, such as oil, natural gas, wind or electrical energy. Thus, alternative sources of energy are required in order to satisfy the full 24 hours of energy needs. The ATESS functions to receive solar energy during daylight hours, and to store that energy in a thermal energy storage material for use at any time during a 24 hour period. Stored energy is then transferred to the area of need by an active heat transfer (e.g., heat pump) system. In this way, the ATESS can make solar energy available 24 hours a day, thus reducing the need for oil or natural gas for residential dwelling and / or commercial building heating and / or water heating energy needs.

[0012]The ATESS will reduce markedly the daytime peak power electric demands on the electrical power grid and the electric generating equipment of the local power companies. The ATESS enables more efficient local use of energy from the local power grid, thus reducing or eliminating the need for oil and natural gas. Concurrent reductions in the emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants, normally associated with energy production from oil or natural gas, would also be achieved from residences.

Problems solved by technology

However, such systems can only provide this energy when the sun is available.

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