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

• Current Assignee: Mid-America Capital Resources, Inc. (AES Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Store Heat and Produce Energy Incorporated (AES Corporation)
• Inventors: Rafalovich, Alexander P., Keller, Gilbert P., Schmidter, T. Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): ATKINSON, CHRISTOPHER MARK
• Application Number:
  US08/664,224
• Time in Patent Office: 1,428 Days
• Field of Search: 165/10, 165/236, 165/902, 165/42, 165/43, 165/61, 165/DIG. 348, 165/DIG. 351, 165/DIG. 539, 62/434
• US Class Current: 165/41
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00492 comprising regenerative heating or cooling means, e.g. heat accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2011/205 using heat-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0017 using cold storage bodies, e.g. ice
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0021 using phase change material [PCM] for storage
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/02 using latent heat
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/021 the latent heat storage material and the heat-exchanging means being enclosed in one container F28D20/023 - F28D20/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 165/539 having a heat storage mass

Abstract

Described is a thermal energy storage and delivery system for delivering thermal energy to both a passenger compartment of a vehicle and a component, such as a battery, located externally of the passenger compartment. The system capitalizes on excess capacity stored in a thermal energy storage apparatus, to heat the external component in addition to the passenger compartment.

Claims

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.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said main environmental control system comprises a heating system for imparting positive thermal potential to the passenger compartment, wherein said primary thermal supply loop includes a primary coolant loop including the engine and a heater coil located in said air duct and arranged to receive hot coolant from the engine, and a blower operable to create a forced air flow through said duct, across said heater coil and into the passenger compartment;

said thermal energy storage means comprises an enclosed volume of thermal storage medium; and

said coupling means includes a supplemental coolant loop fluidly coupled to said primary coolant loop so that positive thermal potential is delivered to the thermal energy storage means by hot coolant circulating in said supplemental coolant loop, and valve means for interrupting coolant circulation in said supplemental coolant loop.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said main environmental control system comprises an air conditioning system for imparting negative potential to the passenger compartment, wherein said primary thermal supply loop includes a primary refrigerant loop including a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerant receiver, a metering device, an evaporator situated in said air duct, and a blower operable to create a forced air flow through said duct across said evaporator and into the passenger compartment;

said thermal energy storage means comprises an enclosed volume of thermal storage medium, and

said coupling means includes a supplemental refrigerant loop arranged in communication with said compressor, condenser and receiver, a direct expansion coil in said supplemental refrigerant loop for delivering negative thermal potential to the thermal energy storage medium, and means for interrupting flow of refrigerant to said direct expansion coil.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said second transfer means comprises a pump and an externally-directed heat transfer loop for circulating a heat transfer medium to said external heat exchange means, and valve means for interrupting the circulation of said heat transfer medium to said external heat exchange means.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

said externally-directed heat transfer loop includes a bypass circuit for redirecting heat transfer medium flow to prevent transfer of thermal potential to the external heat exchange means.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said thermal energy storage means includes a first housing enclosing a volume of thermal energy storage medium, and a second housing providing an air clearance between itself and the first housing; and

said first transfer means includes a fan arranged to withdraw air from the passenger compartment, to flow the air through the air clearance to condition the withdrawn air, and to return the conditioned air to the passenger compartment.

7. The system of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the thermal storage medium comprises a phase change material.

8. The system of claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising control means for preventing discharge of thermal potential stored in said thermal energy storage means when the engine is running, and for permitting discharge of thermal energy from said thermal energy storage means when the engine is not running.

9. The system of claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising control means positioned for access from within the passenger compartment, for activating or deactivating said first transfer means.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising control means positioned for access from within the passenger compartment, for activating or deactivating said second transfer means.

11. The system of claim 6 further comprising temperature sensing means for energizing or deenergizing said fan in response to a sensed temperature condition in the passenger compartment.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said first transfer means includes

an internally-directed heat transfer loop coupled to said thermal energy storage means, an internal heat exchange means within said internally-directed heat transfer loop, a pump for circulating a heat transfer medium in said internally-directed heat transfer loop, and an internal fan arranged to flow air across the internal heat exchange means and into the passenger compartment; and

wherein said system further comprises an internal temperature sensing means for energizing and deenergizing the pump and the internal fan in response to a sensed temperature condition in the passenger compartment.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising component temperature sensing means for activating or deactivating said second transfer means in response to a sensed temperature condition of the external component.

14. The system of claim 5 further comprising bypass temperature sensing means for redirecting flow of the thermal transfer medium to said bypass circuit in response to a sensed temperature condition of the thermal transfer medium.

15. The system of claim 4 wherein said external component is a battery.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein:

said external heat exchange means comprises;

a load-bearing housing having an upper wall dimensioned to receive the battery in a position resting atop said upper wall;

a passageway within said housing in fluid communication with said externally-directed heat transfer loop, for circulating said heat transfer medium within said housing so as to heat said upper wall of said housing;

a frame attached to said housing for securing the battery in said position resting atop said upper wall of said housing;

means for attaching said housing to the vehicle; and

insulation means for insulating said housing from heat transfer with adjacent surfaces of the vehicle.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said heat transfer medium circulated in said externally-directed heat transfer loop is the thermal storage medium, and wherein the externally-directed heat transfer loop includes the enclosed volume of thermal storage medium.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the heat transfer medium circulated in said externally-directed heat transfer loop is the engine coolant, and wherein the externally-directed heat transfer loop is in fluid communication with the supplemental coolant loop, wherein said supplemental environmental control system includes valve means for preventing flow of coolant through said externally-directed heat transfer loop while the engine is running, and permitting flow of coolant through said externally-directed heat transfer loop while the engine is not running.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said valve means is a three-way solenoid valve.

20. The system of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said second transfer means are provided by:

a master heat exchange means located within said thermal energy storage means for absorbing thermal potential from said thermal storage medium;

a master heat transfer loop passing through said master heat exchange means, the master heat transfer loop including an externally-directed portion;

a pump for circulating a heat exchange medium in said master heat transfer loop; and

said external heat exchange means being located within said externally-directed portion of said master heat transfer loop.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said master heat transfer loop further includes an internally-directed portion, and wherein said system further comprises:

an internal heat exchange means within said internally-directed portion of the master heat transfer loop, and a fan arranged to flow air across said internal heat exchange means and into the passenger compartment.

22. A thermal energy storage system operable in a cooling mode for air conditioning a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the cooling mode including a thermal charging cycle and a thermal discharging cycle, the thermal energy storage system communicating with ar air conditioning system of the vehicle including a compressor, the system comprising:

at least one thermal storage apparatus configured to house thermal energy storage material that stores thermal energy, the at least one thermal storage apparatus being connected to the air conditioning system of the vehicle so that a refrigerant flows through the thermal storage apparatus in heat transfer relationship with the thermal energy storage material; and

at least one fan situated adjacent to the at least one thermal storage apparatus for creating air flow across the thermal storage apparatus to exchange thermal energy with said thermal storage apparatus and create the cooled air stream which is discharged into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

23. The thermal energy storage system of claim 22, wherein the at least one thermal storage apparatus comprises:

a first housing containing the thermal energy storage material;

a second housing forming a space between the first and second housing; and

said fan being arranged to draw air into the space in contact with the first housing and to discharge the air outside the thermal storage apparatus.

24. The thermal energy storage system of claim 22, wherein:

the at least one thermal storage apparatus comprises first and second housings, the first housing containing the thermal energy storage material, and the second housing containing the first housing and forming a space between the first and second housing; and

said fan being arranged to draw air into the space in contact with the first housing and to discharge the air outside the thermal storage apparatus.

25. The thermal energy storage system of claim 22, wherein said fan is arranged to draw air from said passenger compartment into the space in contact with the first housing to create conditioned air, and to discharge the conditioned air into the passenger compartment.

26. The thermal energy storage system of claim 22, wherein the passenger compartment of the vehicle includes a sleeping compartment, and wherein said conditioned air is discharged into the sleeping compartment.

27. The thermal energy storage system of claim 22, wherein the air conditioning system of the vehicle comprises a condenser, an evaporator coil, and a compressor driven by art engine of the vehicle to circulate refrigerant between the condenser and the evaporator coil.

28. The thermal energy storage system of claim 22, also communicating with a coolant system of the vehicle and comprising:

a connection between the thermal storage apparatus and the coolant system for circulating coolant from the coolant system, in heat exchange relationship with the thermal energy storage material.

29. A thermal energy storage system operable in a heating mode for heating a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the heating mode including a thermal charging cycle and a thermal discharging cycle, the thermal energy storage system communicating with a coolant system of the vehicle including a heating source, the thermal energy storage system comprising:

at least one thermal storage apparatus configured to house a thermal energy storage material that stores thermal energy, the at least one thermal storage apparatus being connected to the coolant system so that coolant flows through the thermal storage apparatus in heat transfer relationship with the thermal energy storage material; and

a fan situated adjacent to the at least one thermal storage apparatus to create air flow across the thermal storage apparatus to exchange thermal energy with said thermal storage apparatus to form a heated air stream which is discharged into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

30. The thermal energy storage system of claim 29, wherein the system comprises a refrigerant loop for circulating a refrigerant between the at least one thermal storage apparatus and a compressor in an air conditioning system of the vehicle, the thermal storage apparatus including a direct expansion coil connected to the refrigerant loop and situated in direct contact with the thermal energy storage material, the refrigerant flowing through the direct expansion coil to act as a low temperature charging source for the thermal energy storage material.

31. The thermal energy storage system of claim 30, wherein the air conditioning system of the vehicle comprises a condenser, an evaporator coil, and a compressor driven by an engine of the vehicle to circulate refrigerant between the condenser and the evaporator coil.

32. A system for air conditioning the interior of a vehicle, the vehicle having a operator space for operation of the vehicle, and a sleeping compartment for sleeping in the vehicle, the system comprising:

a main air conditioning system including;

a condenser;

an evaporator coil;

a compressor driven by an engine of the vehicle, to circulate refrigerant between the condenser and the evaporator coil; and

at least one fan for creating a forced air flow across the evaporator coil to create a first cooled airflow; and

an air duct system for delivering the first cooled air flow into the operator space of the vehicle; and

a supplemental air conditioning system, comprising;

at least one thermal storage apparatus configured to house a thermal energy storage material, the at least one thermal storage apparatus being connected to said main air conditioning system and operable to flow refrigerant through the thermal storage apparatus in heat transfer relationship with the thermal energy storage material to cool the thermal energy storage material; and

at least one fan for creating a forced air flow to exchange thermal energy with said thermal storage apparatus and create a second cooled air stream, said second cooled air stream being discharged into the sleeping compartment of the vehicle.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein said at least one thermal storage apparatus is situated in said sleeping compartment of said vehicle.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said thermal storage apparatus includes an expansion coil for flowing the refrigerant through the thermal storage apparatus, said expansion coil being in direct contact with the thermal energy storage material.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein said at least one fan of said supplemental air conditioning system is operable while the engine of the vehicle is running.

36. The system of claim 32, wherein said at least one fan of said supplemental air conditioning system is operable while the engine of the vehicle is not running.