Composite structures for storing thermal energy
First Claim
1. An apparatus for storing thermal energy, the apparatus comprising:
- a thermal storage material; and
a three-dimensional structure comprising;
a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction;
a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction; and
a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction;
wherein the first, second, and third truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material;
wherein the first, second, and third truss elements define an open space;
wherein the thermal storage material occupies at least a portion of the open space; and
wherein the three-dimensional structure is self-supporting.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A composite structure for storing thermal energy. In one embodiment, an apparatus for storing thermal energy includes: a thermal storage material and a three-dimensional structure. The three-dimensional structure includes: a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction; a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction; and a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. The first, second, and third truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material. The first, second, and third truss elements define an open space. The thermal storage material occupies at least a portion of the open space, and the three-dimensional structure is self-supporting.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for storing thermal energy, the apparatus comprising:
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a thermal storage material; and a three-dimensional structure comprising; a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction; a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction; and a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction; wherein the first, second, and third truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material; wherein the first, second, and third truss elements define an open space; wherein the thermal storage material occupies at least a portion of the open space; and wherein the three-dimensional structure is self-supporting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification