Composite structures for storing thermal energy
First Claim
1. A method of forming an apparatus for storing thermal energy, the method comprising:
- securing a volume of a photo-monomer;
securing a mask between at least one collimated light source and the volume of the photo-monomer, the mask having a plurality of apertures;
directing a collimated light beam from the at least one collimated light source to the mask for a period of exposure time so that a portion of the collimated light beam passes through the mask and is guided by the plurality of apertures into the photo-monomer to form a plurality of waveguides through a portion of the volume of the photo-monomer;
removing any uncured photo-monomer to leave behind a three-dimensional ordered polymer microstructure; and
placing a thermal storage material at an open space of the three-dimensional ordered polymer microstructure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
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.
25 Citations
5 Claims
-
1. A method of forming an apparatus for storing thermal energy, the method comprising:
-
securing a volume of a photo-monomer; securing a mask between at least one collimated light source and the volume of the photo-monomer, the mask having a plurality of apertures; directing a collimated light beam from the at least one collimated light source to the mask for a period of exposure time so that a portion of the collimated light beam passes through the mask and is guided by the plurality of apertures into the photo-monomer to form a plurality of waveguides through a portion of the volume of the photo-monomer; removing any uncured photo-monomer to leave behind a three-dimensional ordered polymer microstructure; and placing a thermal storage material at an open space of the three-dimensional ordered polymer microstructure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
Specification