Method and apparatus for storing energy

• US 4,367,788 A
• Filed: 09/08/1980
• Issued: 01/11/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William A. Cordon
• Original Assignee: William A. Cordon
• Inventors: Cordon, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Jr., Albert W.
• Application Number:
  US06/185,353
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 165/53, 165/DIG. 4, 126/430, 252/70
• US Class Current: 165/53
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/023 the latent heat storage material being enclosed in granular particles or dispersed in a porous, fibrous or cellular structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 165/902 Heat storage

Abstract

A method and apparatus for using phase-change compounds for insulating purposes. Selected phase-change compounds are stored in the voids of particles of suitable insulating materials that are maintained surface dry whereby temperatures walls and ceilings containing such insulation are maintained at a much more constant temperature than can be achieved using insulating materials alone.

Claims

1. A method of insulating structures comprising the steps of

forming an insulating material by substantially filling the voids of a porous carrier material particles with a phase-change compound while maintaining said particles in a surface dry condition;

and

positioning the insulating material adjacent to at least one surrounding wall of the structure.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising

arranging the insulating material to be subjected to phase-change conditions at desired times.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the insulating material is arranged to be subjected to direct heat energy of the sun at desired times.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein the insulating material is arranged to be subjected to a heat exchanger at desired times to change the condition of the phase-change compound.