CA1164744A - Device for the economical utilization of solar and other heat energy for heating and cooling purposes - Google Patents

Abstract

"A DEVICE FOR THE ECONOMICAL UTILIZATION OF SOLAR AND OTHER
HEAT ENERGY FOR HEATING AND COOLING PURPOSES"

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The invention consists of an energy storage device which includes a energy absorption container having a chemical therein which has a high heat of fusion relative to the eutiectic melting point or the temperature at which a change of state takes place. It may be enclosed within an outer container spaced therefrom which acts as an efficient heat collector and which may be shaped to maximize the reflective or heat absorption surface to volume relationship. It may be formed with a lens effect such as a Fresnel or the like. The space between the inner and outer containers may be filled with a static or circulating fluid either gas or liquid, the character-istics of which control the energy flow into and out of the inner container depending upon design parameters.

Description

i ~47~/t A DEVICE FOR THE ECONOMICAL UTILIZATION OF SOI,AR AND OTIIER
HEAT ENERGY FOR HEATING AND COOLING PURPOSES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the pursuit and utilization of energy, the col-lection and accumulation of small quantities from various and/or otherwise wasted sources and the advantages of sto-rage of that energy for later use or release, is generally ignored.
In changing from one state to another, such as a solid to a li~uidl or a liquid to a gas, or a solid to a gas, or one crystal form to another, or vice versa, or in a reversible chemical reaction, there is extra energy re-quired or given up (which is many times greater than that involved in temperature changes in a particular state), called the latent heat of fusion, vaporization, sublimation and transition, respectively, i.e. changing ice into water or vice versa requires 80 times more energy than a one de-gree centigrade temperature change.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention or device and/or devices and/or com-binations, based on this scientific principle and combining a number of other scientific principles and inventions, pro-poses to simplify the capture and/or retention and/or deli-, ~

I J6~7'1~4 very of solar heat, chemical (including elements, oil com-pounds), electrical, mechanical, fric-tion and/or other energy sources and/or combinations for later release as heat or cold or other forms or energy. This invention is particularly useful where there is an interruptlon or change of the energy source i.e. clouds covering the sun, lights turned off, etc. This invention is also useful in continuing the harnessing of the sun's solar energy as it moves its position in the sky.
The unique aspect of this invention is that it is a device consisting of a container or containers within which is situated a material which requires a relatively high energy input or output to change its state whether from solid to liquid or liquid to gas or solid to gas or crystal form or a combination of these or vice versa, or a reversible chemical reaction, yet at a temperature which is appropriate to the purpose and economics to which it is to be employed. Furthermore, there are attachments and ad-ditional features which can make the device more effective or appropriate, depending upon its ultimate use. The above mentioned changes of state may be referred to as a transi-tion from one state to another.
The device may be adapted for use to obtain energy from a source other than the sun, such as lamps, lights, 7 ~ 4 fluorescent lights, hot water heater, fireplace, chimney, stove, oven, radiatorl mo-tors, Eriction, e-tc., or other sources within or without a structure or a manuEacturing or other plant or building where there are wasted energy sources, i.e. the device placed above Eluorescent or other lights in offices or buildings could store heat energy dur-ing the day to be released at night when the lights are turned off. Furthermore, at night when electrical energy useage is at its minimum and therefore low cost or wasted, this energy could be converted to heat energy and stored for later release.
The device may be adapted for use in larger pro-portions or sizes, i.e. large scale storage of electrical energy power from hydro dams, cooling of turbines, stored heat of friction, etc., as heat or other energy, for later release. There are also applications for nuclear power plants where water or other coolants become heated and this heat energy can be extracted and stored for later release.
The device may be of such a size, or if the unit is sufficiently small in relation to its surroundings, it may minimize or eliminate fans, blowers, temperature controls, electronics, etc., and other expensive items, particularly if used inside a structure. It may rely on conduction, ra-diation or convection both for energy absorption and deli-1 3~;47~4 very. The device or devices or combinations can be readily portable since it does not need complicating a-ttachments.
The unit or device thus would not necessarily have -to be tied into the heat delivery system of the structure. Should the size of these units be such that they could fit into windows, or upper halves of windows, or such like, one or more of them could delivery auxiliary heat during night or day or under conditions of cloud cover possibly more than sufficient to cancel window and possibly other heat losses.
Be it understood that should this energy and/or stored ener-gy be required to be moved, means of moving or flowing this energy could be used.
Furthermore, these relatively small units may also tap other heat sources such as electric lights, ovens, etc., which might otherwise be wasted, i.e. radiators, motors, proximity to furnaces, lights, friction sources, etc. Their conformation could be manufactured to maximize the effective use of these sources, i.e. special lampshades or smaller units to fit atop a lamp, etc. They may also be adapted for swimming pools (float on the surface).
The structural aspect and nature of the device may be minimal so that it is easily manufactured (i.e. injection, extrusion, blow moulded, etc., and/or other, particularly if metal) from inexpensive materials such as plastics and,/or .~

4 7 ~

metals, and/or glass, and/or use existing and/or standard-ized units, etc.
The contents (salts, etc. as indicated in United States patent 3,986,969 for instance and others) or other materials having the aforementioned desired properties, are relatively inexpensive. A patent applied for by the Sodium Sulphate Division of Saskatchewan Minerals using Glauber's Salts, borax and peat moss, etc., is also appro-priate. The contents could also be inorganic, organic, salt, metal, gas, liquid, gas, solid or a combination or such lik~, depending upon whether the latent heat of fu-sion, vaporization, sublimation, transition, or reversible chemical reaction were to be used.
The device or devices may be used alone or in com-bination with other solar or other energy devices or sour-ces. It may be used in parallel or series or combinations of such or the like. The device or devices may be used alone or in combination with other solar or other energy devices or sources. It or they may be used in parallel or series or combinations of such or the like. The device or devices may utilize and/or be arranged in a position or positions in order to take maximum or continuing advantage of the ef-fects of (a) a parabolic surface or arrangement; (b) the Fresnel lens; (c) the Campbell-Stokes Sphericallens; (d) 1 1 6~7~'1 other such like devices or methods; (e) or a coMbination and/or combinations of these, i.e. Fresnel lenses arranged in a parabola, which could continue the focusing of the sun's rays to advantage, though the sun may be moving its position.
As the heat energy is accumulated, the nature of the device allows for its retention so that it is dissipa-ted only gradually or later as required. This may be fur-ther controlled by modifications which may have insulation values. There may be magnification attachments or modi-fications that would reinforce or magnify the energy ab-sorbing properties, particularly that of sun energy.
These units of appropriate size (depending upon their use) may ~e placed within a building of any descrip-tion, close to or near to glass, or transparent, or semi-transparent, or such like, or opening or such like, where the sun rays can be absorbed.
In accordance with the invention there is provid-ed an energy storage device for selective storage and dis-pensation of heat energy comprising in combination a stor-age container, and an energy storage chemical sealed with-in said container, said chemical having a relatively higher heat energy input and output when a transition from one change of state to another takes place, relative to the temperature at which said change of state takes place, and an outer container enclosing said storage container in ~'!

`I 16A7ll4 spaced relationship therefrom and a heat transfer control-ling fluid between said containers selected from the group consisting of liquids and gases.
With the foregoing, in view and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the ac-companying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention, in which:
DESGRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
.
Figure 1 is a schematic end view of one embodi-ment of a storage unit.
Figure 2 is a schematic view of a stackable unit such as a block.
Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a schematic side view of an alterna-tive embodiment.
Figure 5 is a plan view of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a schematic, cross sectional end view of a floating embodiment of the device.
Figure 7 is a schematic end view of a plurality of units formed in a parabolic configuration.
In the drawings like characters of reference indi-cate corresponding parts in the different figures.

I ~ 647~4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The device consists of a thin hollow container or containers or combinations 10 which is formed with a highly heat absorptive surface of plastic, metal, glass or the like, and which may be homogeneous or not. This sealed container may be tubular, rectangular, circular or other configuration, preferably with contours or combinations in such a manner as to maximize a surface area as compared with volume. The hollow interior is filled with a material which requires a relatively high energy input or output to change its state whether from a solid to a liquid, or a liquid to a gas, or a solid to a gas, or a changed crystal form, or vice versa, or a reversible chemical reaction, yet at a tem-perature which is appropriate to the purpose or economics to whieh it is to be employed, i.e. certain salts sueh as Glauber's Salt (sodium sulfate deka hydrate) which with the addition of isomorphous Borax and a thixotropie gel type material (making innumerable eyeles of melting and freezing possible) all of which melts at approximately 89F and has a specific gravity of 1.5 and a heat of fusion of 108 per pound) as deseribed in United States patent 3,986,969.
Other materials having similar properties may be used.
Additional Features or Attaehments:
The eontainer should be blaek or of a dark colour, ~ 16A7'1/.1 and if manufactured from plastic, preferably having various substances such as copper or the like incorporated therein so as to increase its effectivenesss for energy absorption and radiation. However, it can be manufactured from thin metal, glass, etc., if desired~
By enclosing the container 10 within a tube or cover 11 (transparent or otherwise depending upon ultimate useage) further features can be acquired such as a magni-fication reinforcing energy absorption and an insulation factor which could delay the distribution of energy. It is preferably spaced from the inner container 10 by means of radial fins 12 or the like or directly to the top or the bottom, and may be formed from a clear plastic such as HDPE, vinyl, acrylic or other materials such as glass or the like.
If this outer tube or container is transparent its confor-mation can be changed to increase the effectivenesss of energy absorption as for example:
a) a circular surface which gives 50~ more re-flective surface and can act as a lens or give a magnifying effect. The same applies to the absorptive surface.
b) A parabolic surface or arrangement can be even more effective as a lens and thus a magnifying agent or to be so positioned as I I ~ 4 7 ~ Ll to more continuously focus the sun's rays though the position of the slln may change, a combination of tubes and/or other aforementioned descrip-tions could be used to give a para-bolic effect (Figure 7).
c) Even more effective is the application of the principle involved in the Fres-nel lens. (The Fresnel lens is a nest of circular grooves with the sides of each successive ring set in such a way that the light passing through each groove is refracted at a slightly dif-ferent angle and converges to a point).
This principle could also apply to an elongated or lengthwise designed tube or the like.
d) The Campbell-Stokes spherical lens which is capable of burning paper regardless of the position of the sun.
The side of the tube or outer container, farthest from the sun's rays may be silvered or provided with a re-flective surface or mirrored, either internally or exter-nally, to maximize the effectivenesss of the energy absorp-i ~ fi47~ ~1 tion by the inner tube container. The outer container or layer and/or inner container or layer may be oE a Elexible nature or may be rigid.
A fluid such as air, water, liquid or other appro-priate medium is situated between the inner and outer con-tainers and may be an integral part of the device (i.e.
static) or such medium may be circulated by conventional means. Thus fast heat ahsorption or slow heat emission can be governed by the medium between the inner absorber salt or other chemical material and the outer reflective or transparent container by using media such as air, gas, inert gas or gases, water, liquid, solutions or such like.
A lens effect can also be created, the effectiveness of which is governed by the medium used and the configuration of the containers. An insulation effect can also be created, the effectivenesss again being governed by the medium.
Depending upon the utilization of the device, va-rious means of joining units together in parallel and/or in series and/or in combination or with other combinations, and on their general overall placement, holes, hooks, suc-tion cups, hinges, strips of adhesives, springs, wedges, etc., might be used.
The use of flexible materials to form the wall or walls of the device means that gas or liquid pressure can ~ 1~47~4 be used or become part of the structural strength. This means that costs, packaging and the like can be lowered and mobility increased.
Reflective or parabolic mirrors, or lens, or Fres-nel lens, Campbell-Stokes lens, or conventional mechanized or electrically or otherwise controlled devices for focusing or otherwise utilizing the sun's rays, may be used to in-crease the effectiveness of the device. If exposed exter-nally of a building or structure, these devices can be tapped for energy by appropriate conventional means. They can also be used within, or part of, or in conjunction with solar or other energy collecting devices.
The device can be adapted for use in a swimming pool or the like where it can be made to float by having the outer tube or covering llA sufficiently large as to displace sufficient water, particularly if all the mate-rials used are sufficiently light (i.e. plastics, etc.).
The salts or their equivalent in their tube or inner con-tainer lOA, being heavier, should be off center in such a way that the clear lens or surface is uppermost to the sun's rays. Since there is an insulating factor by the outer part of the device, heat dissipation would be delayed, prefer-ably until night.
The invention or device proposes that sealed , `i I 647'1'1 "bricks" or such like, such as shown in Figures 2 and 3, of this salt mixture or equivalent chemical be exposed -to solar or any other heat or other energy for the absorption of that energy. An example of a unit might be blow molded of a highly absorptive black high density polyethylene (H~PE) or polypropylene (PP) or other, corrugated parabo-lically (or Fresnel lens adaption) on both sides to in-crease absorptive surface and provide more surface exposure (in proportion to volume) for stored head emission, and being stackable. These "bricks" may be collected then and stored within a relatively small chamber (not illustrated) whose temperature may be maintained by various means at 100F
or thereabouts, depending upon the mixture of materials used, or upon the desired purpose. In winter or when heat is re-quired, these "bricks" may be then removed from the chamber and introduced into the heating system where they could de-liver their heat. A system may be devised whereby these "bricks" may be delivered into a chamber as heat energy is acquired and then when the heat energy is required, can be delivered at periodic intervals to where the heat energy is required to provide a consistent heat.
This same invention or device is also applicable in the general principles and in the examples aforementioned for heat, to a cooling process, wherein the aforementioned 1 1647~'1 salts and their required additives or other chemicals have instead, eutetic melting points between 50F and ~0F (or lower or higher) and have the required nucleating agents and thixotropic thickeners to prevent segregation and thus allow innumerable cycles of cooling and heating. Here an air conditioner or cooler or refrigerator or the like, cir-culates air or water or fluid or the like to "freeze" these units. Then these units can then be introduced into the space to be cooled, wherein the heat required to melt these units or to change the state thereof, is taken from that space, thus cooling that space. Winter "cold" could be also stored for summer cooling. Thus "cold" can be stored in a like manner to "heat" and all aforementioned inventive aspects hold for both.
Elements and Features of the Invention 1) The device stores energy.

2) Collects energy from:
a) a multiplicity of sources including sunlight, solar heat, chemical, electrical, mechanical, frictional, etc.
b) wasted energy from hydro dams and coolant from nuclear plants, turbines, etc.
c) wasted energy.

3) Collects interruptable energy.

`i 1~47'1~

4) Simplicity a) can be used alone without an outer eontainer.
b) self sufficient to itself, does not necessa-rily need auxiliary devices.
e) manufacture of plastic units can be by injec-tion or blow moulding or by extrusion or other means.

5) Inexpensive components.

6~ Transportable or movable.

7) Insulation features - the media between an inner and outer container where a gas, water, liquid, fluid, solution, ete., governs the eollection and emission of energy.

8) Magnification features:
a) rounded eonformation b) parabolic c) Fresnel lens d) both inner and outer containment e) Campbell-Stokes lens f) media between inner and outer container 8A) Traeking features, i.e. the magnifieation features in 8) also serve in retaining the foeus (partial or full) of and/or magnifieation of the sun's rays though the position of the sun may change.

1 1647'1`l1

9) Improved energy absorption:
a) block b) copper c) formulation of plastic d) both inner and outer containment

10) Conformation of surfaces:
a) maximize surface area with respect to inner volume of material.
b) inner and outer surface to govern ab-sorption and emission.

11) Stackable

12) Silvering, mirroring, or otherwise improving reflect-ive surface.

13) Flexibility of device if desirable.

14) Media between an inner and an outer container can govern the magnification or absorption of the inner material and also govern the insulation or emission of the en-ergy, i.e. media - gas, water, fluid, liquid, solution, inert gas, etc.

15) There are various conventional means of joining the devices.

16) The device or invention is applicable to heat or cold.

17) The device or invention can be used with other solar or other energy devices.

~ J647~4

18) The use of flexible materials as a wall or walls of the device and/or devices means that air and/or li-quid pressure can be used or become part of the structural strength. This can then lower costs, packaging, movability, etc.

19) "Bricks" can be manufactured for storing:
a) heat b) cold

20) Swim pools and reservoirs, etc.
a) air for flotation b) off center to maintain absorbing side upright c) insulation factor d) black The term "chemical"includes both elements and com-pounds in the specification and claims.
Since various modifications can be made in my in-vention as hereinabove described, and many apparently wide-ly different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and sccpe, it is intended that all matter contained in the ac-companying specification shall be interpreted as illustra-tive only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

CLAIMS:
(1) An energy storage device for selective stor-age and dispensation of heat energy comprising in combina-tion a storage container, and an energy storage chemical sealed within said container, said chemical having a rela-tively higher heat energy input and output when a transi-tion from one change of state to another takes place, rela-tive to the temperature at which said change of state takes place, and an outer container enclosing said storage con-tainer in spaced relationship therefrom and a heat trans-fer controlling fluid between said containers selected from the group consisting of liquids and gases.
(2) The device according to Claim 1 in which said container is formed from materials incorporating heat conduction and enhancing properties.
(3) The device according to Claim 2 in which the material is a synthetic plastic impregnated with metal-lic properties.
(4) The device according to Claim 1 in which said fluid is static.
(5) The device according to Claim 1 in which said fluid may be circulated.
(6) The device according to Claim 1 in which said outer container is shaped to provide a relatively high energy absorber feature relative to the volume thereof.
(7) The device according to Claim 4 in which said outer container is shaped to provide a relatively high energy absorber feature relative to the volume thereof.
(8) The device according to Claim 5 in which said outer container is shaped to provide a relatively high energy absorber feature relative to the volume thereof.
(9) The device according to Claim 1 in which at least part of the outer container is transparent and in-cludes a magnifying surface formed thereon.
(10) The device according to Claim 4 in which at least part of the outer container is transparent and in-cludes a magnifying surface formed thereon.
(11) The device according to Claim 5 in which at least part of the outer container is transparent and in-cludes a magnifying surface formed thereon.
(12) The device according to Claim 1 in which said chemical has a relatively high latent heat character-istic relative to the temperature change through which the material passes during a change of state thereof.
(13) The device according to Claim 1 in which said chemical has a relatively high latent heat character-istic relative to the temperature change through which the material passes during a change of state thereof.
(14) The device according to Claims 1, 4 or 5 in which said outer container includes a reflective surface thereon in an area remote from the source of energy.
(15) The device according to Claims 6, 7 or 8 in which said outer container includes a reflective surface thereon in an area remote from the source of energy.
(16) The device according to Claims 9, 10 or 11 in which said outer container includes a reflective surface thereon in an area remote from the source of energy.
(17) The device according to Claims 12 or 13 in which said outer container includes a reflective surface thereon in an area remote from the source of energy.
(18) The device according to Claim 1 in which said device is buoyant in water, with the center of gra-vity of said inner container and chemical therein being in the lower portion of said device whereby at least part of said inner container and chemical therein is below the water surface.
(19) The device according to Claim 6 which in-cludes a parabolic configuration having a reflective sur-face formed thereon remote from the source of energy.
(20) The device according to Claim 1 which in-cludes an outer container enclosing said inner container in spaced relationship therefrom and an insulating material therebetween controlling the transfer of heat between said containers.
(21) The device according in Claim 1 in which said outer container is formed of flexible material where-in the heat controlling fluid cooperates therewith to pro-vide structural strength thereto.

(22) The device according to Claim 1 which in-cludes an outer container enclosing said inner container in spaced relationship therefrom and a heat transfer con-trolling medium situated between said containers, said medium governing the magnification and/or absorption of energy between said containers.
(23) The device according to Claim 6 which in-cludes means to track said device relative to a useable source of energy.