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Thermal energy storage and delivery system

  • US 6,059,016 A
  • Filed: 06/11/1996
  • Issued: 05/09/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A thermal energy storage and delivery system operable to discharge thermal potential to both a passenger compartment of a vehicle and a vehicle component located externally of the passenger compartment, said system comprising:

  • (i) a main environmental control system for imparting thermal potential to the passenger compartment to maintain a non-ambient temperature within the passenger compartment while an engine of the vehicle is in operation, said main environmental control system including;

    a primary thermal supply loop for circulating a primary thermal energy transfer medium;

    a primary heat exchange means within said primary thermal supply loop;

    an air duct opening into the passenger compartment and within which said primary heat exchange means is located; and

    means for creating a forced air flow through said duct across said primary heat exchange means and then into the passenger compartment; and

    (ii) a supplemental environmental control system including;

    thermal energy storage means containing a thermal storage medium operable to store thermal potential;

    coupling means for coupling said thermal energy storage means to said primary thermal supply loop so that thermal potential is delivered to said thermal energy storage means in a charging cycle during operation of the engine;

    first transfer means for transferring thermal potential from said thermal energy storage means to the passenger compartment of the vehicle while the engine is not in operation;

    external heat exchange means located externally of the passenger compartment for transferring thermal potential to an adjacent vehicle component also located externally of the passenger compartment; and

    second transfer means for transferring thermal potential from said thermal storage means to said external heat exchange means while the engine is not in operation.

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