Heat accumulator

• US 4,885,915 A
• Filed: 07/27/1987
• Issued: 12/12/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leif Jakobsson
• Original Assignee: Leif Jakobsson
• Inventors: Jakobsson, Leif
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennet, Henry A.
• Application Number:
  US07/079,701
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 237/2 B, 62/324.1, 62/238.6, 62/430, 165/10, 126/400
• US Class Current: 62/238.6
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 11/002 water heating system
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 3/08 in combination with systems for domestic hot-water supply
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 7/0433 the transfer medium being water
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/02 in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes heat pipes used in solar heat collectors F24S10/95; in radiators F28D1/0226; in nuclear reactors G21C15/257
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/0056 using solid heat storage material F28D20/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage

Abstract

A heat accumulator (18) arranged in heat exchange relation with a heating system. The accumulator comprises a body of a material having a high heat capacitivity and a high melting point, for instance cast iron, ceramics material. The accumulator is arranged for being heated by electric energy (19) to a temperature considerably higher than the maximum temperature of the heating system. A conduit (22) containing heat transporting fluid in a liquid phase is arranged for communication with the water system for settling the heat accumulator in heat exchange relation with the water system of the heating system. In a preferred embodiment the conduit (22) is an open conduit in direct communication with the water system.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger system, comprising:

a heat accumulator having a body of a ceramic material of high heat capacity and high melting point;

a cooling/heating machine for serving an accomodation;

means for heating said body to a temperature close to said melting point and considerably higher than the temperature within the accomodation; and

means for placing said body in heat exchange relation with said cooling/heating machine for supplying heat thereto.

2. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said means for placing said body in heat exchange relation with the cooling/heating machine comprises a conduit containing a fluid in heat exchange communication with a collector element of the cooling/heating machine.

3. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said means for heating said body comprises a low cost electric energy source.

4. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said conduit comprises a closed loop; and

further comprising

a circulation pump operatively connected to said conduit for circulating said fluid in heat exchange relation by controlling the speed of the pump.

5. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 4 and further comprising:

a control device for said pump comprising a thermostat for sensing the temperature in the return conduit connected to the emitter side of the machine.

6. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said body has a portion thereof arranged for transferring heat to the collector element of the machine by contact heat transfer.

7. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said accumulator body comprises:

at least two sub-blocks; and

at least one copper plate having good heat conducting capacity inserted between said at least two sub-blocks in heat conducting relationship therewith.

8. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said accumulator body comprises:

at least two sub-blocks; and

at least one copper plate having good heat conducting capacity inserted between said at least two sub-blocks in heat conducting relationship therewith.

9. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 8 and further comprising at least one heat conducting pipe arranged in heat conducting relationship with said at least one copper plate and forming part of said conduit.

10. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said body of a ceramic material is a composition comprising approximately in percentages by weight, 37% Al₂ O₃, 5% SiO₂, 17% FeO₂, 1.7% TiO₂, 38%, CaO, 0.5% MgO and 0.8% alkaline agents.

11. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said body of a ceramic material is a composition comprising approximately in percentages by weight, 37% Al₂ O₃, 5% SiO₂, 17% FeO₂, 1.7% TiO₂, 38% CaO, 0.5% MgO and 0.8% alkaline agents.

12. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for heating said body comprises:

holes in said body of ceramic material; and

electrically operated heating wires disposed in said holes and connected in series to an electric supply source.

13. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means for heating said body comprises:

holes in said body of ceramic material; and

electrically operated heating wires disposed in said holes and connected in series to an electric supply source.

14. A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein said heating means comprises:

heat pipes arranged in said ceramic body.

15. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said accumulator has a lowest part positioned at a level higher than the lowest level of said fluid in said conduit.

16. A heat exchanger system as claimed in claim 15 and further comprising:

a circulation pump operatively connected to said conduit and positioned at said lowest level of said fluid.