Heat exchange – Regenerator – Heat collector
Patent
1990-08-28
1992-09-01
Davis, Jr., Albert W.
Heat exchange
Regenerator
Heat collector
62 59, 62430, 62434, 165 78, 16510417, 165164, 165145, F28D 2000, F25D 300
Patent
active
051431483
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a thermal storage apparatus and in particular to a heat exchanger module in such an apparatus. The thermal storage apparatus is of the kind that can be employed in cooling and heating systems for buildings, fluid refrigeration apparatus and similar types of installations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In air conditioning systems thermal storage devices are employed as thermal energy sinks storing energy in a phase change medium (PCM). One such medium is water and known systems employ the refrigeration of the water to form ice. The circulation of a primary or secondary refrigerant is circulated through heat exchanger elements to form the ice in a storage tank. The apparatus is often powered by electrical energy and the formation of the ice can therefore be performed when electrical charges from the supply utility are minimal. The ice formed in the storage apparatus can subsequently be used for refrigerating in air conditioning or other systems as required.
In prior apparatus such as described in PCT application WO88/09261 a heat exchanger element is immersed in a tank of water. The element is manufactured from extruded polyethylene tubes wound into the form of spiral coils held in place by spacer bars. Individual spirals are connected to inlet and outlet manifolds such that the spirals are in generally planar configuration. The coils are not restrained against vertical motion to allow for expansion and contraction in the freezing and melting of ice formed on the coils. A secondary refrigerant such as a brine solution is circulated through the heat exchanger coils at a suitably low temperature to induce ice formation.
In another prior art apparatus heat exchanger coils of galvanised steel are arranged in a vertical plane to form a heat exchanger unit. Several units filled with water as the PCM are arranged in spaced parallel planes in a tank to form a thermal storage system. The coils in a given unit form a serpentine path from the base to the top of the unit. In this type of system experience has shown that as ice builds about the heat exchanger coils a certain amount of cold spills off the vertical ice walls causing extra ice to build at the base of the tank and progressively up the sides of each ice making unit. Over a period of time this buildup can block the flow of water and prevent the system from operating. This occurs as the incoming water is fed in at the bottom of each unit. This system also employs an air pump to produce turbulence in the tank to promote heat exchange between the heat exchanger coils and the storage medium, water. This agitation is further inhibited by the buildup of ice in the lower portions of the tank about the base of each unit.
Another prior art system is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,403,645 and 4,294,078 to MacCracken. A tank is filled with a roll of a flexible tubing mat with rubberized hair spacing the successive layers of the mat. The mat comprises a grid of twin tubings kept closely spaced and fixed to a rigid plastic strip by a flexible plastic strip. Coolant (the heat transfer liquid) is circulated through the tubing. This system involves a complex manufacturing procedure and results in a large volume of the tank being occupied by the mat reducing the available capacity for the PCM employed.
The present invention seeks to overcome disadvantages in these prior art systems or to substantially ameliorate them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a heat exchange module including
a substantially planar base means having a top surface and a bottom surface;
a wall extending from said base defining a perimeter of said base;
a path extending across said top surface of said base for circulating a phase change medium (PCM) fluid from an inlet to an outlet; and
heat exchange fluid (HEF) means for carrying a HEF from a HEF inlet to a HEF outlet across one of said surfaces of said base, said HEF means substantially conforming to the shape of said path.
According to another aspect of the invention
REFERENCES:
patent: 2160333 (1939-05-01), Johnston
patent: 2538015 (1951-01-01), Kleist
patent: 2571924 (1951-10-01), Morrison
patent: 3215193 (1965-11-01), Kocher
patent: 4294078 (1981-10-01), MacCracken
patent: 4324287 (1982-04-01), Schroder
patent: 4403645 (1983-09-01), MacCracken
patent: 4445566 (1984-05-01), Laing et al.
Patent Abstract of Japan, m67, p. 18, JP, A. 56-18224, (Aichi Jiyuutaku Kogyo KK) 20 Feb. 1981 (20.2.81).
Patent Abstract of Japan, m66, p. 29, JP, A. 56-16039, (Aichi Jiyuutaku Kogyo KK) 16 Feb. 1981 (16.02.81) "Heating System Using Hot-Wind Heating and Radiation Heating in Combination".
Patent Abstract of Japan, m594, p. 57, JP, A. 62-795, (Agency of Ind. Science and Technol) see p. 3 (Masayuki Kamimoto) Jan. 1967 (06.01.87) "Heat Accumulating Device Utilizing Spiral Type Heat Exchanger".
Patent Abstract of Japan, M-726, p. 38, JP, A. 63-58059 (Hitachi Ltd.) 12 Mar. 1988 (12.03.88) "Heat Accumulator".
Berhaz Pty. Limited
Davis Jr. Albert W.
LandOfFree
Thermal storage apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Thermal storage apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thermal storage apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-762414