Devices for modulation of temperature and light based on phase change materials

• US 9,797,187 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2014
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
• Original Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
• Inventors: Clifford, Dale Timothy, Yao, Shi-Chune
• Primary Examiner(s): Ciric, Ljiljana
• Application Number:
  US14/155,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20140196868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,379 Days
• Field of Search: 165 4- 10, 126400
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2417 Light path control; means to control reflection
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 11/007 characterised by the means for transmitting light into the interior of a building
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/02 using latent heat
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/026 with different heat storage materials not coming into direct contact
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/00 Arrangements for modifying heat-transfer, e.g. increasing, decreasing F28F1/00 - F28F11/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/06 by affecting the pattern of flow of the heat-exchange media F28F13/003 takes precedence; static flow control means in header boxes F28F9/026
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2200/00 Prediction; Simulation; Testing measuring quantity of heat conveyed by flowing mediums G01K17/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage

Abstract

Devices that incorporate phase change materials in containment vessels promote conduction of thermal energy between the phase change materials within the containment vessels and the surrounding air. In some embodiments, the containment vessels are transparent to enable visual awareness of the operation and functionality of the PCMs. In some embodiments, the containment vessels are design to passively promote air flow across the surfaces of the containment vessels. In some embodiments, the containment vessels include embedded structures to promote the conduction of thermal energy to and from the interior of the containment vessel. In some of these embodiments, the intent is to target the location of crystal ‘seeds’ and control crystal growth, thus gaining greater control over thermal transfer.

Claims

1. A device for modulation of temperature and illumination of an interior space comprising:

a hollow containment vessel;

phase change material disposed within the hollow containment vessel; and

conductive material disposed within the phase change material,

wherein the hollow containment vessel is transparent to permit light emission from the phase change material to exit the hollow containment vessel.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a material of the hollow containment vessel is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polycarbonates, acrylics, and glass.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow containment vessel is a three-dimensional network.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the three-dimensional network is selected from the group consisting of architectural features, furniture, and fixtures.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow containment vessel is a honeycomb configuration.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein a form of the conductive material is selected from the group consisting of a single wire strand, a mesh of a plurality of wire strands, a plurality of interwoven wire strands, and a plurality of non-interwoven wire strands.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow containment vessel comprises an internal depth sized to permit light to pass through the phase change material upon the absorption of a target amount of thermal energy by the phase change material.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow containment vessel comprises one or more crystal growth seed initiation sites to display controlled visual performance of phase change material shifting from liquid to solid phase.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the one or more crystal growth seed initiation sites is an increased surface area of an exterior wall of the hollow containment vessel.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the exterior wall comprises discontinuities.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the discontinuities is one or more microgrooves on an exterior surface of the hollow containment vessel.

12. The device according to claim 8, wherein the one or more crystal growth seed initiation sites are one or more thermal bridges attached to an interior wall of the hollow containment vessel.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive material is attached to an interior wall of the hollow containment vessel.