US20140060794A1 - Heat storage apparatus, air conditioning apparatus, and heat storage method - Google Patents
Heat storage apparatus, air conditioning apparatus, and heat storage method Download PDFInfo
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- US20140060794A1 US20140060794A1 US13/970,783 US201313970783A US2014060794A1 US 20140060794 A1 US20140060794 A1 US 20140060794A1 US 201313970783 A US201313970783 A US 201313970783A US 2014060794 A1 US2014060794 A1 US 2014060794A1
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- Prior art keywords
- heat
- medium
- phase change
- heat storage
- change material
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F27/00—Control arrangements or safety devices specially adapted for heat-exchange or heat-transfer apparatus
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
- B60H1/00492—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices comprising regenerative heating or cooling means, e.g. heat accumulators
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
- B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
- B60H1/00814—Control systems or circuits characterised by their output, for controlling particular components of the heating, cooling or ventilating installation
- B60H1/00878—Control systems or circuits characterised by their output, for controlling particular components of the heating, cooling or ventilating installation the components being temperature regulating devices
- B60H1/00885—Controlling the flow of heating or cooling liquid, e.g. valves or pumps
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
- B60H1/02—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices the heat being derived from the propulsion plant
- B60H1/14—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices the heat being derived from the propulsion plant otherwise than from cooling liquid of the plant, e.g. heat from the grease oil, the brakes, the transmission unit
- B60H1/143—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices the heat being derived from the propulsion plant otherwise than from cooling liquid of the plant, e.g. heat from the grease oil, the brakes, the transmission unit the heat being derived from cooling an electric component, e.g. electric motors, electric circuits, fuel cells or batteries
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
- F28D20/02—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00 using latent heat
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
- F28D20/02—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00 using latent heat
- F28D20/028—Control arrangements therefor
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/14—Thermal energy storage
Definitions
- This embodiment relates to a heat storage apparatus including a phase change material, and to an air conditioning apparatus and a heat storage method.
- the following technique is known: exhaust heat from a heat generator is stored in a phase change material via a medium.
- the phase change material stores heat by a phase change from a solid phase to a liquid phase.
- the phase change material in the liquid phase is put into a supercooled state in which the state of the liquid phase is kept even when a temperature thereof is lowered.
- the phase change material put into the supercooled state is nucleated by application of a mechanical stimulation, a voltage, or the like and changes in phase from the liquid phase to the solid phase. At this time, the phase change material radiates the heat stored in the process of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase.
- phase change material When the phase of the phase change material is changed from the solid phase to the liquid phase, if even a part of the phase change material remains in the solid phase, the whole phase change material is restored to the solid phase in the case where the temperature of the phase change material is lowered. Thus, the phase change material is not allowed to be put into the supercooled state. For that reason, in the case where the phase change material is used for warm-up, it is necessary for the phase change material to be in the supercooled state. Therefore, at a stage of heat storage, it is necessary to determine whether the phase of the whole phase change material is completely changed from the solid phase to the liquid phase, that is, whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not in the case where the temperature of the phase change material is lowered.
- Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-236433 relates to a technique in which whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not is determined based on the temperature of a medium.
- the temperature of the medium successively changes. Therefore, in such a case of being based on the temperature of a medium, it is difficult to easily determine whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not.
- the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-236433 is incorporated herein by reference.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a heat storage apparatus according to a first embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control device according to the first, embodiment
- FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the heat storage apparatus according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control device according to a first modified example
- FIGS. 5A , 5 B, and 5 C are exemplary graphs of simulation results according to the first modified example
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a heat storage apparatus according to a second modified example
- FIG. 7 is at block diagram showing a control device according to the second modified example.
- FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a heat storage apparatus according to a second embodiment
- FIGS. 9A , 9 B, and 9 C are exemplary graphs of simulation results according to the second embodiment
- FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning apparatus according to a third embodiment.
- FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control device according to the third embodiment.
- FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the control device of FIG. 8
- an air conditioning apparatus including the heat storage apparatus described above includes: a nucleating device configured to nucleate the phase change material; a second bypass circuit that is connected to the first circuit at a second branch point and is configured to bypass the heat storage tank; a second control valve configured to switch a flew path of the medium to one of the first circuit and the second bypass circuit at the second branch point; and a second control unit configured to control, when the determination unit determines that the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled, switching of the second control valve to switch the flow path of the medium to the second bypass circuit.
- a heat storage method for one of a heat storage apparatus and an air conditioning apparatus that include a medium, a first circuit closed to circulate the medium therethrough in a direction, a heat exchanger that is provided at a part, of the first circuit and is configured to exchange heat generated by a heat generator with the medium, and a heat storage tank that is provided downstream of the direction in which the medium circulates, with respect to the heat exchanger of the first circuit, and includes a phase change material to exchange heat with the medium storing the heat generated by the heat generator, includes: circulating the medium; measuring a temperature of the medium that passes from the heat exchanger to the heat storage tank; cooling the medium when the measured temperature of the medium is higher than a predetermined target temperature, and setting the temperature of the medium that passes from the heat exchanger to the heat storage tank to be approximately equal to the target temperature; counting an elapsed time from when the phase change material exchanges heat with the medium and starting a phase change from a solid phase to a liquid phase; and determining, by a determination unit,
- a heat storage apparatus an air conditioning apparatus, and a heat storage method that are capable of easily determining whether a phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not are provided.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a heat storage apparatus according to a first embodiment.
- the heat storage apparatus can be used for an in-vehicle air conditioning apparatus of an electric vehicle (EV) (hereinafter, referred to as vehicle) including, for example, a storage battery, a motor, an inverter, and an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls those components.
- EV electric vehicle
- vehicle including, for example, a storage battery, a motor, an inverter, and an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls those components.
- a heat storage apparatus is provided near a motor or an inverter of an electric vehicle including an air conditioning apparatus. Heat (waste heat) radiated from the motor, the inverter, and the like is stored in the heat storage apparatus in advance.
- the heat stored in the heat storage apparatus can be used.
- a heat storage apparatus 1000 of FIG. 1 includes a first circuit 101 .
- a medium used for heat exchange circulates through the first circuit 101 .
- the medium is liquid or gas capable of transporting heat obtained by heat exchange.
- water is used as the medium, for example.
- the heat storage apparatus 1000 includes a heat exchanger 15 and a heat storage tank 20 .
- the heat exchanger 15 exchanges, with the medium, the heat generated by a heat generator 10 capable of operating (generating heat) and not operating (generating no heat) and gives the heat to the medium.
- the heat storage tank 20 includes a phase change material 25 that exchanges heat with the medium, which has exchanged heat with the heat generator 10 , and receives the heat from the medium.
- the heat generator 10 is a device that generates heat in the vehicle.
- the heat generator 10 is a storage battery, a motor, or an inverter.
- the heat storage apparatus 1000 includes a cooling unit 30 and a first measurement unit 130 .
- the cooling unit 30 regulates the temperature of the medium to be approximately a target temperature.
- the first measurement unit 130 measures the temperature of the medium before the medium passes through the heat storage tank 20 .
- the first circuit 101 is a pipe that connects the heat exchanger 15 , the heat storage tank 20 , and the cooling unit 30 to one another in a loop.
- the medium circulates through the pipe.
- the first circuit 101 connects the heat exchanger 15 and the heat storage tank 20 to each other, the heat storage tank 20 and the cooling unit 30 to each other, and the cooling unit 30 and the heat exchanger 15 to each other.
- the first circuit 101 is desirably made of a metal material (for example, copper) having excellent thermal conductivity in a portion where heat is exchanged.
- a resin member or the like having excellent heat resistance and heat insulating properties can be used in portions other than the above-mentioned portion.
- the medium sequentially passes through the heat exchanger 15 , the heat storage tank 20 , and the cooling unit 30 to circulate through the first circuit 101 while repeating heat exchange with the heat generator 10 and the heat storage rank 20 .
- the medium passes through the cooling unit 30 and thereafter passes through the heat exchanger 15 by circulating through the first circuit 101 .
- the medium is driven by a pump or the like not shown in the figure.
- the phase change material 25 is a material that is capable of changing its phase between a solid phase and a liquid phase by heat exchange and can be put into a supercooled state in the liquid phase. Further, the phase change material 25 is a material that nucleates and changes its phase to the solid phase by receiving an impact or an input of voltage application or the like when being in the supercooled state. In this embodiment, a sodium acetate hydrate is used, for the phase change material 25 , for example.
- the heat generator 10 is provided near the heat exchanger 15 , for example, in contact with the heat exchanger 15 .
- the heat generator 10 gives heat to the medium circulating through, the first circuit 101 , via the heat exchanger 15 .
- the heat is generated to the outside by the heat generator 10 operating when the vehicle is driven.
- the heat storage tank 20 is a container that is provided downstream of the heat exchanger 15 of the first circuit 101 and contains the phase change material 25 .
- downstream is defined with reference to a direction in which the medium within the first circuit 101 flows.
- the heat storage tank 20 connects a pipe (not shown) to the first circuit 101 .
- the pipe penetrates through the container.
- the phase change material 25 receives the heat of the medium by heat exchange.
- the pipe penetrating through the container is assumed to be a part of the first circuit 101 . In other words, the first circuit 101 passes through the heat storage tank 20 .
- the cooling unit 30 includes a radiator 31 and a fan 32 opposed to the radiator 31 .
- the radiator 31 is connected to the first circuit 101 .
- the radiator 31 receives heat from the medium that, passes through the radiator 31 , and radiates the heat to the outside, thus cooling the medium.
- the fan 32 rotates to generate airflow toward the radiator 31 , thus cooling the radiator 31 .
- a first control unit 41 to be described later controls the rotating speed of the fan 32 to regulate an air volume of the airflow that is generated by the fan 32 and applied to the radiator 31 . Therefore, through the regulation of the air volume of the airflow applied to the radiator 31 , a surface temperature of the radiator 31 is lowered and the temperature of the medium passing through the radiator 31 is lowered.
- the cooling unit 30 includes a first bypass circuit 102 and a first control valve 103 .
- the first bypass circuit 102 is connected to the first circuit 101 via the first control valve 103 at a branch point A and connected to the first circuit 101 at a branch point B to bypass the radiator 31 .
- the first control valve 103 switches a flow path of the medium, which has passed through the first circuit 101 and reached the first control valve 103 , to one of the first circuit 101 and the first bypass circuit 102 .
- a state in which the flow path of the medium is switched to (or maintained to be) the first circuit 101 is defined as a “first control valve OFF”
- a state in which the flow path of the medium is switched to (or maintained to be) the first bypass circuit 102 is defined as a “first control valve ON”.
- the first measurement unit 130 is a temperature sensor provided between the heat exchanger 15 and the heat storage tank 20 .
- the first measurement unit 130 measures a temperature (hereinafter, referred to as first temperature) of the medium passing from the heat exchanger 15 to the heat storage tank 20 .
- first temperature a temperature of the medium passing from the heat exchanger 15 to the heat storage tank 20 .
- the first measurement unit 130 measures a first temperature of the medium after the medium receives heat by heat exchange with the heat generator 10 and before the medium gives the heat to the phase change material 25 by heat exchange with the phase change material 25 .
- the heat storage apparatus 1000 of FIG. 1 includes a control device 200 and a storage device 300 .
- an arithmetic processing unit such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a micro processing unit (MPU) is used as the control device 200 .
- a recording medium such as a memory and a hard disk drive (HDD) is used as the storage device 300 .
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control device 200 of FIG. 1 .
- the control device 200 of FIG. 2 includes an instruction unit 40 , a first control unit 41 , a count unit 42 , and a determination unit 43 as logic modules.
- the instruction unit 40 controls the operation of the heat generator 10 .
- the first control unit 41 controls the cooling unit 30 to cool the medium in the case where the first temperature is higher than a target temperature.
- the count unit 42 counts an elapsed time from when the phase change material 25 starts to change its phase from the solid phase to the liquid phase.
- the determination unit 43 determines whether the phase change material 25 finishes the phase change to the liquid phase based on the elapsed time counted by the count unit 42 .
- the instruction unit 40 controls the operation of the heat generator 10 based on an instruction from a driver who drives the vehicle. In other words, the instruction unit controls the heat generator 10 to be activated or deactivated.
- the heat storage apparatus 1000 stores heat generated by the heat generator 10 during a period of time from when the instruction unit 40 controls the heat generator 10 to be activated to when the instruction unit 40 controls the heat generator 10 to be deactivated.
- the first control unit 41 compares the first temperature of the medium, which is measured by the first measurement unit 130 , and the target temperature with each other, and controls the rpm of the fan 32 to indirectly control the air volume of the airflow applied to the radiator 31 . Further, the first control unit 41 controls switching between ON and OFF of the first control valve 103 .
- the target temperature can be determined in advance and stored in the storage device 300 . It should be noted that the target temperature is a fixed value that can be defined within the range equal to or higher than a melting point of the phase change material 25 and equal to or lower than a heatproof temperature of a device constituting the vehicle (for example, semiconductor device of inverter).
- the first control unit 41 switches the first control valve 103 to be Ob in the case where the first temperature of the medium is lower than the target temperature.
- the medium bypasses the radiator 31 by passing through the first bypass circuit 102 .
- the medium passing through the first, bypass circuit 102 obtains heat from the heat generator 10 without being cooled and thus the temperature thereof is rising.
- the first control unit 41 controls the rpm of the fan 32 in accordance with a difference between the first temperature of the medium and the target temperature by using algorithms such as proportional (P) control, proportional integral (PI) control, and proportional integral derivative (PID) control.
- the first control unit 41 can control the rpm of the fan 32 by referring to the table.
- the count unit 42 counts an elapsed time from when the phase change material 25 exchanges heat with the medium having the first temperature and starts the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase until the instruction unit 40 controls the heat generator 10 to be deactivated.
- a heat quantity (hereinafter, referred to as first heat quantity), which is required by a phase change material 25 by the time the phase change material 25 starts the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase, is investigated in advance by experiments or simulations, for example.
- the phase change material 25 in this case has the same type and volume as the phase change material 25 included in the heat storage tank 20 . Then, the heat quantity thus obtained is stored in the storage device 300 .
- a heat quantity (hereinafter, referred to as second heat quantity) given to the phase change material 25 is estimated based on a time history of the first temperature of the medium, which is measured by the first measurement unit 130 .
- a time point at which the estimated second heat quantity reaches the first heat quantity stored in the storage device 300 is set as a starting point of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase.
- the count unit 42 counts the elapsed time from the starting point.
- the determination unit 43 compares the elapsed time counted by the count unit 42 and a time (first time) with each other.
- the time (first time) is in the range from the start to the end of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase in the case where the phase change material 25 constantly exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature during the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase.
- the determination unit 43 determines that the phase change material 25 finishes the phase change to the liquid phase. In other words, the determination unit 43 determines that the phase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled.
- the determination unit 43 determines that the phase change material 25 does not finish the phase change to the liquid phase. In other words, the determination unit 43 determines that the phase change material 25 is not allowed to be supercooled. It should be noted that the determination unit 43 performs determination at a timing at which the instruction unit 40 controls the heat generator 10 to be deactivated, for example. The determination unit 43 stores a determination result in the storage device 300 .
- the phase change material 25 in this case having the same type and volume as the phase change material 25 included in the heat storage tank 20 , a first time from the start to the end of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase can be investigated, in advance by experiments or simulations, for example, and then, the first time thus obtained can be stored in the storage device 300 .
- phase change material 25 exchanges heat with the medium having the first temperature over the first time or longer with reference to the first time, it is possible to estimate that the phase change material 25 stores heat of an enough heat quantity to completely change the phase to the liquid phase.
- the display device 400 refers to the determination result stored in the storage device 300 to display the determination result. In other words, with display, the driver can recognize the determination result, that is, a heat storage state of the phase change material 25 .
- FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the heat storage apparatus 1000 . It should be noted that the operation of the phase change material 25 from the solid phase state is shown in FIG. 3 .
- Step 1001 the instruction unit 40 controls the heat generator 10 to be activated according to an instruction of the driver.
- Step 1002 the first measurement unit 130 measures the first temperature of the medium.
- the first control unit 41 controls the cooling unit 30 to lower the temperature of the medium in the case where the first temperature is higher than the target temperature. Further, in the case where the first temperature is lower than the target temperature, the temperature of the medium is raised by the heat of the heat generator 10 without being cooled. Thus, the temperature of the medium is regulated to or approximately a target temperature. It should be noted that even if the temperature of the medium at this time does not definitely coincide with the target temperature, the temperature of the medium only needs to be regulated to fall within an allowable range that is determined in advance, for example. It is desirable to set the allowable range to ⁇ 2° C. of the target temperature, for example. Alternatively, it is desirable to set the allowable range to ⁇ 1° C. of the target temperature when represented in the ratio with respect to the target temperature with reference to an absolute temperature.
- Step 1002 and Step 1003 The operation in Step 1002 and Step 1003 is continued until the instruction unit 40 controls the heat generator 10 to be deactivated in Step 1006 to be described later, for example.
- the count unit 42 starts to count an elapsed time from this time point in Step 1005 .
- Step 1006 when the driver finishes driving the vehicle, the instruction unit 40 controls the heat generator 10 to be deactivated according to an instruction from the driver (for example, operation of turning off ignition key).
- Step 1007 the count unit 42 finishes counting the elapsed time.
- a timing at which the count is finished may be the same timing as Step 1006 . Otherwise, the timing may be any timing after the Step 1006 in consideration of residual heat of the heat generator 10 .
- Step 1008 in the case where the phase change material 25 constantly exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature during the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase, a first time (threshold value) from the start to the end of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase is obtained from the storage device 300 so that the threshold value and the elapsed time are compared with each other.
- Step 1009 in the case where the elapsed time is the threshold value or more, the determination unit 43 determines that the phase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled. For example, simultaneously with the determination, a determination result is recorded in the storage device 300 .
- Step 1010 in the case where the elapsed time is smaller than the threshold value, the determination unit 43 determines that the phase change material 25 is not allowed to be supercooled. For example, simultaneously with the determination, a determination result is recorded in the storage device 300 .
- Step 1011 when the driver starts to drive the vehicle, the instruction unit 40 controls the heat generator 10 to be activated according to an instruction from the driver (for example, operation of turning on ignition key).
- Step 1012 the display device 400 displays the determination result stored in the storage device 300 .
- the temperature of the medium that exchanges heat with the phase change material is constant, and thus a temperature difference between the temperature of the medium and a melting point of the phase change material and a heat transfer coefficient between the medium and the phase change material are constant. Therefore, the temperature of the medium can be eliminated from parameters used in the determination, and whether the phase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled or not can be easily determined based on only a simple index of the elapsed time.
- the temperature of the medium before passing through the heat storage tank 20 is set to be a constant temperature, and accordingly the phase change material 25 can store heat at a constant heat transfer quantity (heat storage capability) during the phase change. Therefore, by experiments, simulations, or the like performed in advance under the same conditions, the first temperature (threshold value) can be set easily.
- the heat generator 10 is a motor and includes a water jacket that penetrates through the motor, for example, the water jacket can be connected to the first circuit 101 .
- the heat generator 10 gives heat, which is generated to the outside when the medium passes through the water jacket, to the medium by heat exchange.
- the water jacket is assumed to be the heat exchanger 15 .
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control device 200 according to a first modified example.
- the control device 200 is different from the control device 200 of FIG. 2 in that the control device 200 in this modified example includes an estimation unit 44 as a logic module.
- the estimation unit 44 estimates an estimation value of a heat storage quantity based on the elapsed time counted by the count unit 42 .
- the heat storage quantity is a quantity of heat stored by the phase change material 25 after the phase change material 25 exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature and starts to change its phase from the solid phase to the liquid phase.
- the estimation unit 44 estimates the heat storage quantity by integrating a difference between the first temperature measured by the first measurement unit 130 and the melting point of the phase change material 25 .
- the determination unit 43 compares the estimation value of the heat storage quantity, which is estimated by the estimation unit 44 , and a maximal value of the heat storage quantity with each other.
- the heat storage quantity is a quantity of heat that can be stored by the phase change material 25 from the start to the end of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase in the case where the phase change material 25 constantly exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature during the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase.
- the estimation value of the heat storage quantity is the maximal value of the heat storage quantity or larger
- the determination unit 43 determines that the phase change material 25 finishes the phase change to the liquid phase. In other words, the determination unit 43 determines that the phase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled.
- the determination unit 43 determines that the phase change material 25 does not finish the phase change to the liquid phase. In other words, the determination unit 43 determines that the phase change material 25 is not allowed to be supercooled. The determination unit 43 stores a determination result in the storage device 300 .
- the phase change material 25 in this case having the same type and volume as the phase change material 25 included in the heat storage tank 20 , a maximal value of a quantity of heat that can be stored by the phase change material 25 from the start to the end of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase can be investigated in advance by experiments or simulations, for example, and then, the maximal value thus obtained can be stored in the storage device 300 .
- FIGS. 5A , 5 B, and 5 C are exemplary graphs of simulation results for describing an action or the heat storage apparatus 1000 .
- FIG. 5A a case where the first temperature of the medium from time T 1 to time T 2 is constant will be discussed.
- FIG. 5B it is assumed that the phase change material 25 starts the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase at time T 1 and finishes the phase change at time T 2 .
- FIG. 5C shows a time history of a heat transfer quantity of heat that transfers from the phase change material 25 to the medium from time T 1 to time T 2 .
- the temperature of the medium before passing through the heat storage tank 20 is set to be a constant temperature, and accordingly the phase change material 25 can store heat at a constant heat transfer quantity during the phase change. Therefore, by experiments, simulations, or the like performed in advance under the same conditions, the maximal value of the heat storage quantity can be set easily. Further, in addition to a simple index of the elapsed time, whether the phase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled or not can be easily determined based on the temperature of the medium, which has been regulated by the cooling unit 30 , that is, based on a constant temperature of the medium.
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a heat storage apparatus 1000 according to a second modified example.
- FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control device 200 according to the second modified example.
- the heat storage apparatus 1000 is different from the heat storage apparatus 1000 of FIG. 1 in that the heat storage apparatus 1000 in this modified example includes a heating unit 150 .
- the control device 200 is different from the control device 200 of FIG. 2 in that the control device 200 in this modified example includes an estimation unit 44 .
- the estimation unit 44 estimates an estimation value of a heat storage quantity based on the elapsed time counted by the count unit 42 .
- the heat storage quantity is a quantity of heat stored by the phase change material 25 after the phase change material 25 exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature and starts to change its phase from the solid phase to the liquid phase. Further, in the case where the determination unit 43 determines that the phase change material 25 is not allowed to be supercooled, the estimation unit 44 calculates a difference between a maximal value of the heat storage quantity and the estimation value of the heat storage quantity at a time point of the determination by the determination unit 43 .
- the heat storage quantity is a quantity of heat that can be stored by the phase change material 25 from the state to the end of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase in the case where a phase change material 25 constantly exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature during the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase.
- the heating unit 150 is a heater provided near the heat storage tank 20 .
- the heating unit 150 gives a heat quantity corresponding to the difference calculated by the estimation unit 44 to the phase change material 25 .
- the determination unit 43 determines that the phase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled.
- the determination unit 43 stores a determination result to the storage device 300 .
- the heating unit 150 is provided near the heat storage tank 20 so that the medium is heated and thus a heat quantity is indirectly given to the phase change material 25 .
- FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a heat storage apparatus 1000 according to a second embodiment.
- FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the control device of FIG. 8
- the heat storage apparatus 1500 is different from the heat storage apparatus 1000 of FIG. 1 in that the heat storage apparatus 1500 includes a second measurement unit 140 .
- the second measurement unit 140 is a temperature sensor provided between the heat storage tank 20 and the cooling unit 30 .
- the second measurement unit 140 measures a temperature (hereinafter, referred to as second temperature) of a medium after the medium passes through the heat storage tank 20 but before through the cooling unit 30 , the medium passing through the first circuit 101 .
- the second measurement unit 140 measures a second temperature of the medium after the medium gives heat to the phase change material 25 by heat exchange and before the temperature thereof is lowered by the cooling unit 30 .
- the count unit 42 counts an elapsed time starting from a time point at which the second temperature measured by the second measurement unit 140 is put to be constant.
- the second temperature of the mediums having passed through the heat storage tank 20 can be considered to be approximate to the temperature of the phase change material 25 . Therefore, the time point at which the second temperature is put to be constant can be considered as a time point at which the phase change material 25 starts to change its phase from the solid phase to the liquid phase.
- the term “constant” herein means that an absolute value of a change rate (K/s) of the second temperature is equal to or smaller than a threshold value defined beforehand.
- the count unit 42 can count an elapsed time starting from a time point at which the absolute value of the change rate (K/s) of the second temperature first reaches the threshold value defined beforehand.
- FIGS. 9A , 9 B, and 9 C are exemplary graphs of simulation results for describing an action of the heat storage apparatus 1500 .
- FIG. 9A a case where the first temperature of the medium from time T 1 to time T 2 is constant will be discussed.
- FIG. 9B it is assumed that the phase change material 25 starts the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase at time T 1 and finishes the phase change at time T 2 .
- FIG. 9C shows an absolute value of a change rate of the second temperature. Accordingly, it is found that the absolute value of the change rate of the second temperature is equal to or smaller than the threshold value (for example, 0.001) during a period of time from time T 1 when the phase change material 25 starts the phase change to time T 2 when the phase change material 25 finishes the phase change.
- the threshold value for example, 0.001
- the temperature of the phase change material is not directly measured and the second temperature of the medium that is close to the temperature of the phase change material 25 is measured, which makes it possible to highly accurately estimate, based on the second temperature, a timing at which the phase change material 25 starts to change its phase from the solid phase to the liquid phase. Accordingly, whether the phase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled or not can be determined highly accurately based on a more correct elapsed time.
- FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning apparatus 2000 according to a third embodiment. Further, FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control device 200 of FIG. 10 .
- the air conditioning apparatus 2000 of FIG. 10 includes the heat storage apparatus 1000 of FIG. 1 .
- the same configurations as those of the heat storage apparatus 1000 of FIG. 1 and the control device 200 of FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
- the air conditioning apparatus 2000 of FIG. 10 includes a nucleating device 160 , a second bypass circuit 112 , and a second control valve 113 . Additionally, the air conditioning apparatus 2000 includes an air conditioning unit 170 and a second circuit 111 that connects the air conditioning unit 170 and the heat storage tank 20 to each other in a loop and causes a medium to pass through the second circuit 111 .
- the control device 200 of FIG. 11 includes a second control unit 45 as a logic module.
- the nucleating device 160 is a device for giving a trigger such as an impact or an input of voltage application to the phase change material 25 to cause the phase change material 25 to nucleate.
- the operation of the nucleating device 160 is controlled by the instruction unit 40 based on an instruction from a driver who drives a vehicle.
- the second bypass circuit 112 is connected to the first circuit 101 via the second control valve 113 at a branch point C and connected to the first circuit 101 at a branch point D to bypass the heat storage tank 20 .
- the second control valve 113 switches a flow path of the medium, which has passed through the first circuit 101 and reached the second control valve 113 , to one of the first circuit 101 and the second bypass circuit 112 .
- a state in which the flow path of the medium is switched to (or maintained to be) the first circuit 101 is defined as a “second control valve OFF”
- a state in which the flow path of the medium is switched to (or maintained to be) the second bypass circuit 112 is defined as a “second control valve ON”.
- the air conditioning unit 170 regulates an air temperature or humidity in the vehicle.
- a general heat pump system including a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and the like is used as the air conditioning unit 170 , and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
- the second control unit 45 controls the switching of the second control valve 113 to be turned on at a timing at which the instruction unit 40 controls the nucleating device 160 . Accordingly, heat of the phase change material 25 that radiates the heat by nucleating is not transmitted to the medium in the first circuit 101 . Therefore, heat can be efficiently transmitted to the medium in the second circuit 111 .
- a seat, a wheel, and the like, through which the second circuit 111 passes may be used as the air conditioning unit 170 .
- a high-temperature medium passing through the second circuit can directly warm the seat, the wheel, and the like.
- the heat storage apparatus, the air conditioning apparatus, and the heat storage method according to at least one of the embodiments described above allows a highly accurate determination as to whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not.
Abstract
A disclosure describes a heat storage apparatus to store heat generated by a heat generator via a medium includes: a first circuit closed to circulate the medium therethrough in a direction; a heat exchanger to exchange the heat; a heat storage tank including a phase change material to exchange heat with the medium; a first measurement unit to measure a temperature of the medium; a cooling unit to cool the medium when the temperature of the medium is higher than a predetermined target temperature and to set the temperature of the medium to be approximately equal to the target temperature; a count unit to count an elapsed time from when the phase change material exchanges heat with the medium and starts a phase change; and a determination unit to determine whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not based on the elapsed time.
Description
- This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-187601, filed on Aug. 28, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- This embodiment relates to a heat storage apparatus including a phase change material, and to an air conditioning apparatus and a heat storage method.
- For warm-up of an internal combustion engine or a transmission (heat generator), the following technique is known: exhaust heat from a heat generator is stored in a phase change material via a medium. When heated, the phase change material stores heat by a phase change from a solid phase to a liquid phase. The phase change material in the liquid phase is put into a supercooled state in which the state of the liquid phase is kept even when a temperature thereof is lowered. The phase change material put into the supercooled state is nucleated by application of a mechanical stimulation, a voltage, or the like and changes in phase from the liquid phase to the solid phase. At this time, the phase change material radiates the heat stored in the process of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase. When the phase of the phase change material is changed from the solid phase to the liquid phase, if even a part of the phase change material remains in the solid phase, the whole phase change material is restored to the solid phase in the case where the temperature of the phase change material is lowered. Thus, the phase change material is not allowed to be put into the supercooled state. For that reason, in the case where the phase change material is used for warm-up, it is necessary for the phase change material to be in the supercooled state. Therefore, at a stage of heat storage, it is necessary to determine whether the phase of the whole phase change material is completely changed from the solid phase to the liquid phase, that is, whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not in the case where the temperature of the phase change material is lowered.
- On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-236433 relates to a technique in which whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not is determined based on the temperature of a medium. However, depending on an operational status of the heat generator, the temperature of the medium successively changes. Therefore, in such a case of being based on the temperature of a medium, it is difficult to easily determine whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not. It should be noted that the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-236433 is incorporated herein by reference.
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FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a heat storage apparatus according to a first embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control device according to the first, embodiment; -
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the heat storage apparatus according to the first embodiment; -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control device according to a first modified example; -
FIGS. 5A , 5B, and 5C are exemplary graphs of simulation results according to the first modified example; -
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a heat storage apparatus according to a second modified example; -
FIG. 7 is at block diagram showing a control device according to the second modified example; -
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a heat storage apparatus according to a second embodiment; -
FIGS. 9A , 9B, and 9C are exemplary graphs of simulation results according to the second embodiment; -
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning apparatus according to a third embodiment; and -
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control device according to the third embodiment. -
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the control device ofFIG. 8 - In view of the above circumstances, according to an embodiment, a heat storage apparatus configured to store heat generated by a heat generator via a medium includes: a first circuit closed to circulate the medium therethrough in a direction; a heat exchanger that is provided at a part of the first circuit and is configured to exchange the heat generated by the heat generator with the medium; a heat storage tank that is provided downstream of the direction in which the medium circulates, with respect to the heat exchanger of the first circuit, and includes a phase change material to exchange heat with the medium storing the heat generated by the heat generator; a first measurement unit configured to measure a temperature of the medium that passes from the heat exchanger to the heat storage tank; a cooling unit that is configured to cool the medium when the measured temperature of the medium is higher than a predetermined target temperature, and to set the temperature of the medium that passes from the heat exchanger to the heat storage tank to be approximately equal to the target temperature; a count unit configured to count an elapsed time from when the phase change material exchanges heat with the medium and starts a phase chance from a solid phase to a liquid phase; and a determination unit configured to determine whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not based on the elapsed time.
- According to an embodiment, an air conditioning apparatus including the heat storage apparatus described above includes: a nucleating device configured to nucleate the phase change material; a second bypass circuit that is connected to the first circuit at a second branch point and is configured to bypass the heat storage tank; a second control valve configured to switch a flew path of the medium to one of the first circuit and the second bypass circuit at the second branch point; and a second control unit configured to control, when the determination unit determines that the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled, switching of the second control valve to switch the flow path of the medium to the second bypass circuit.
- According to an embodiment, a heat storage method for one of a heat storage apparatus and an air conditioning apparatus that include a medium, a first circuit closed to circulate the medium therethrough in a direction, a heat exchanger that is provided at a part, of the first circuit and is configured to exchange heat generated by a heat generator with the medium, and a heat storage tank that is provided downstream of the direction in which the medium circulates, with respect to the heat exchanger of the first circuit, and includes a phase change material to exchange heat with the medium storing the heat generated by the heat generator, includes: circulating the medium; measuring a temperature of the medium that passes from the heat exchanger to the heat storage tank; cooling the medium when the measured temperature of the medium is higher than a predetermined target temperature, and setting the temperature of the medium that passes from the heat exchanger to the heat storage tank to be approximately equal to the target temperature; counting an elapsed time from when the phase change material exchanges heat with the medium and starting a phase change from a solid phase to a liquid phase; and determining, by a determination unit, whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not based on the elapsed time.
- According to an aspect of embodiments, a heat storage apparatus, an air conditioning apparatus, and a heat storage method that are capable of easily determining whether a phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not are provided.
- Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described.
-
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a heat storage apparatus according to a first embodiment. In this embodiment, the heat storage apparatus can be used for an in-vehicle air conditioning apparatus of an electric vehicle (EV) (hereinafter, referred to as vehicle) including, for example, a storage battery, a motor, an inverter, and an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls those components. For example, a heat storage apparatus is provided near a motor or an inverter of an electric vehicle including an air conditioning apparatus. Heat (waste heat) radiated from the motor, the inverter, and the like is stored in the heat storage apparatus in advance. Thus, when a warm-up operation of the air conditioning apparatus is required, the heat stored in the heat storage apparatus can be used. - A
heat storage apparatus 1000 ofFIG. 1 includes afirst circuit 101. A medium used for heat exchange circulates through thefirst circuit 101. The medium is liquid or gas capable of transporting heat obtained by heat exchange. In this embodiment, water is used as the medium, for example. Further, theheat storage apparatus 1000 includes aheat exchanger 15 and aheat storage tank 20. The heat exchanger 15 exchanges, with the medium, the heat generated by aheat generator 10 capable of operating (generating heat) and not operating (generating no heat) and gives the heat to the medium. Theheat storage tank 20 includes aphase change material 25 that exchanges heat with the medium, which has exchanged heat with theheat generator 10, and receives the heat from the medium. Here, theheat generator 10 is a device that generates heat in the vehicle. For example, theheat generator 10 is a storage battery, a motor, or an inverter. Additionally, theheat storage apparatus 1000 includes acooling unit 30 and afirst measurement unit 130. Thecooling unit 30 regulates the temperature of the medium to be approximately a target temperature. Thefirst measurement unit 130 measures the temperature of the medium before the medium passes through theheat storage tank 20. - The
first circuit 101 is a pipe that connects theheat exchanger 15, theheat storage tank 20, and thecooling unit 30 to one another in a loop. The medium circulates through the pipe. Specifically, inFIG. 1 , thefirst circuit 101 connects theheat exchanger 15 and theheat storage tank 20 to each other, theheat storage tank 20 and thecooling unit 30 to each other, and thecooling unit 30 and theheat exchanger 15 to each other. It should be noted that in order to allow heat exchange between the medium and theheat generator 10 and between the medium and thephase change material 25, thefirst circuit 101 is desirably made of a metal material (for example, copper) having excellent thermal conductivity in a portion where heat is exchanged. Further, in order to suppress heat radiation from the surface of the pipe, a resin member or the like having excellent heat resistance and heat insulating properties can be used in portions other than the above-mentioned portion. - The medium sequentially passes through the
heat exchanger 15, theheat storage tank 20, and thecooling unit 30 to circulate through thefirst circuit 101 while repeating heat exchange with theheat generator 10 and theheat storage rank 20. In other words, the medium passes through thecooling unit 30 and thereafter passes through theheat exchanger 15 by circulating through thefirst circuit 101. The medium is driven by a pump or the like not shown in the figure. - The
phase change material 25 is a material that is capable of changing its phase between a solid phase and a liquid phase by heat exchange and can be put into a supercooled state in the liquid phase. Further, thephase change material 25 is a material that nucleates and changes its phase to the solid phase by receiving an impact or an input of voltage application or the like when being in the supercooled state. In this embodiment, a sodium acetate hydrate is used, for thephase change material 25, for example. - The
heat generator 10 is provided near theheat exchanger 15, for example, in contact with theheat exchanger 15. Theheat generator 10 gives heat to the medium circulating through, thefirst circuit 101, via theheat exchanger 15. The heat is generated to the outside by theheat generator 10 operating when the vehicle is driven. - The
heat storage tank 20 is a container that is provided downstream of theheat exchanger 15 of thefirst circuit 101 and contains thephase change material 25. Here, the term “downstream” is defined with reference to a direction in which the medium within thefirst circuit 101 flows. Theheat storage tank 20 connects a pipe (not shown) to thefirst circuit 101. The pipe penetrates through the container. In theheat storage tank 20, when the medium, which has exchanged heat with theheat generator 10, passes through the pipe, thephase change material 25 receives the heat of the medium by heat exchange. It should be noted that the pipe penetrating through the container is assumed to be a part of thefirst circuit 101. In other words, thefirst circuit 101 passes through theheat storage tank 20. - The cooling
unit 30 includes aradiator 31 and afan 32 opposed to theradiator 31. Theradiator 31 is connected to thefirst circuit 101. Theradiator 31 receives heat from the medium that, passes through theradiator 31, and radiates the heat to the outside, thus cooling the medium. Thefan 32 rotates to generate airflow toward theradiator 31, thus cooling theradiator 31. Afirst control unit 41 to be described later controls the rotating speed of thefan 32 to regulate an air volume of the airflow that is generated by thefan 32 and applied to theradiator 31. Therefore, through the regulation of the air volume of the airflow applied to theradiator 31, a surface temperature of theradiator 31 is lowered and the temperature of the medium passing through theradiator 31 is lowered. - Further, the cooling
unit 30 includes afirst bypass circuit 102 and afirst control valve 103. Thefirst bypass circuit 102 is connected to thefirst circuit 101 via thefirst control valve 103 at a branch point A and connected to thefirst circuit 101 at a branch point B to bypass theradiator 31. Thefirst control valve 103 switches a flow path of the medium, which has passed through thefirst circuit 101 and reached thefirst control valve 103, to one of thefirst circuit 101 and thefirst bypass circuit 102. Here, a state in which the flow path of the medium is switched to (or maintained to be) thefirst circuit 101 is defined as a “first control valve OFF”, and a state in which the flow path of the medium is switched to (or maintained to be) thefirst bypass circuit 102 is defined as a “first control valve ON”. - The
first measurement unit 130 is a temperature sensor provided between theheat exchanger 15 and theheat storage tank 20. Thefirst measurement unit 130 measures a temperature (hereinafter, referred to as first temperature) of the medium passing from theheat exchanger 15 to theheat storage tank 20. Specifically, thefirst measurement unit 130 measures a first temperature of the medium after the medium receives heat by heat exchange with theheat generator 10 and before the medium gives the heat to thephase change material 25 by heat exchange with thephase change material 25. - Additionally, the
heat storage apparatus 1000 ofFIG. 1 includes acontrol device 200 and astorage device 300. It should be noted that an arithmetic processing unit such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a micro processing unit (MPU) is used as thecontrol device 200. Further, a recording medium such as a memory and a hard disk drive (HDD) is used as thestorage device 300. -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing thecontrol device 200 ofFIG. 1 . - The
control device 200 ofFIG. 2 includes aninstruction unit 40, afirst control unit 41, acount unit 42, and adetermination unit 43 as logic modules. Theinstruction unit 40 controls the operation of theheat generator 10. Thefirst control unit 41 controls the coolingunit 30 to cool the medium in the case where the first temperature is higher than a target temperature. Thecount unit 42 counts an elapsed time from when thephase change material 25 starts to change its phase from the solid phase to the liquid phase. Thedetermination unit 43 determines whether thephase change material 25 finishes the phase change to the liquid phase based on the elapsed time counted by thecount unit 42. - The
instruction unit 40 controls the operation of theheat generator 10 based on an instruction from a driver who drives the vehicle. In other words, the instruction unit controls theheat generator 10 to be activated or deactivated. Theheat storage apparatus 1000 stores heat generated by theheat generator 10 during a period of time from when theinstruction unit 40 controls theheat generator 10 to be activated to when theinstruction unit 40 controls theheat generator 10 to be deactivated. - The
first control unit 41 compares the first temperature of the medium, which is measured by thefirst measurement unit 130, and the target temperature with each other, and controls the rpm of thefan 32 to indirectly control the air volume of the airflow applied to theradiator 31. Further, thefirst control unit 41 controls switching between ON and OFF of thefirst control valve 103. Here, the target temperature can be determined in advance and stored in thestorage device 300. It should be noted that the target temperature is a fixed value that can be defined within the range equal to or higher than a melting point of thephase change material 25 and equal to or lower than a heatproof temperature of a device constituting the vehicle (for example, semiconductor device of inverter). - For example, the
first control unit 41 switches thefirst control valve 103 to be Ob in the case where the first temperature of the medium is lower than the target temperature. At this time, the medium bypasses theradiator 31 by passing through thefirst bypass circuit 102. The medium passing through the first,bypass circuit 102 obtains heat from theheat generator 10 without being cooled and thus the temperature thereof is rising. On the other hand, in the case where the first temperature of the medium falls within a predetermined range with reference to the target temperature, thefirst control unit 41 controls the rpm of thefan 32 in accordance with a difference between the first temperature of the medium and the target temperature by using algorithms such as proportional (P) control, proportional integral (PI) control, and proportional integral derivative (PID) control. Also by storing a table in which the rpm of thefan 32 and the difference between the first temperature of the medium and the target temperature are associated with each other in thestorage device 300 in advance, thefirst control unit 41 can control the rpm of thefan 32 by referring to the table. - The
count unit 42 counts an elapsed time from when thephase change material 25 exchanges heat with the medium having the first temperature and starts the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase until theinstruction unit 40 controls theheat generator 10 to be deactivated. At this time, a heat quantity (hereinafter, referred to as first heat quantity), which is required by aphase change material 25 by the time thephase change material 25 starts the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase, is investigated in advance by experiments or simulations, for example. Thephase change material 25 in this case has the same type and volume as thephase change material 25 included in theheat storage tank 20. Then, the heat quantity thus obtained is stored in thestorage device 300. Then, a heat quantity (hereinafter, referred to as second heat quantity) given to thephase change material 25 is estimated based on a time history of the first temperature of the medium, which is measured by thefirst measurement unit 130. A time point at which the estimated second heat quantity reaches the first heat quantity stored in thestorage device 300 is set as a starting point of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase. Thecount unit 42 counts the elapsed time from the starting point. - The
determination unit 43 compares the elapsed time counted by thecount unit 42 and a time (first time) with each other. The time (first time) is in the range from the start to the end of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase in the case where thephase change material 25 constantly exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature during the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase. In the case where the elapsed time is the first time or longer, thedetermination unit 43 determines that thephase change material 25 finishes the phase change to the liquid phase. In other words, thedetermination unit 43 determines that thephase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled. On the other hand, in the case where the elapsed time is shorter than the first time, thedetermination unit 43 determines that thephase change material 25 does not finish the phase change to the liquid phase. In other words, thedetermination unit 43 determines that thephase change material 25 is not allowed to be supercooled. It should be noted that thedetermination unit 43 performs determination at a timing at which theinstruction unit 40 controls theheat generator 10 to be deactivated, for example. Thedetermination unit 43 stores a determination result in thestorage device 300. - It should be noted that as the above-mentioned first time, in the case where a
phase change material 25 constantly exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature during the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase, thephase change material 25 in this case having the same type and volume as thephase change material 25 included in theheat storage tank 20, a first time from the start to the end of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase can be investigated, in advance by experiments or simulations, for example, and then, the first time thus obtained can be stored in thestorage device 300. In other words, in the case where thephase change material 25 exchanges heat with the medium having the first temperature over the first time or longer with reference to the first time, it is possible to estimate that thephase change material 25 stores heat of an enough heat quantity to completely change the phase to the liquid phase. - When the
instruction unit 40 controls theheat generator 10 to be activated based on an instruction from the driver, thedisplay device 400 refers to the determination result stored in thestorage device 300 to display the determination result. In other words, with display, the driver can recognize the determination result, that is, a heat storage state of thephase change material 25. -
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of theheat storage apparatus 1000. It should be noted that the operation of thephase change material 25 from the solid phase state is shown inFIG. 3 . - In
Step 1001, theinstruction unit 40 controls theheat generator 10 to be activated according to an instruction of the driver. - In
Step 1002, thefirst measurement unit 130 measures the first temperature of the medium. - In
Step 1003, thefirst control unit 41 controls the coolingunit 30 to lower the temperature of the medium in the case where the first temperature is higher than the target temperature. Further, in the case where the first temperature is lower than the target temperature, the temperature of the medium is raised by the heat of theheat generator 10 without being cooled. Thus, the temperature of the medium is regulated to or approximately a target temperature. It should be noted that even if the temperature of the medium at this time does not definitely coincide with the target temperature, the temperature of the medium only needs to be regulated to fall within an allowable range that is determined in advance, for example. It is desirable to set the allowable range to ±2° C. of the target temperature, for example. Alternatively, it is desirable to set the allowable range to ±1° C. of the target temperature when represented in the ratio with respect to the target temperature with reference to an absolute temperature. - The operation in
Step 1002 andStep 1003 is continued until theinstruction unit 40 controls theheat generator 10 to be deactivated inStep 1006 to be described later, for example. - In the case where the
phase change material 25 starts the phase change inStep 1004, thecount unit 42 starts to count an elapsed time from this time point inStep 1005. - In
Step 1006, when the driver finishes driving the vehicle, theinstruction unit 40 controls theheat generator 10 to be deactivated according to an instruction from the driver (for example, operation of turning off ignition key). - In
Step 1007, thecount unit 42 finishes counting the elapsed time. A timing at which the count is finished may be the same timing asStep 1006. Otherwise, the timing may be any timing after theStep 1006 in consideration of residual heat of theheat generator 10. - In
Step 1008, in the case where thephase change material 25 constantly exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature during the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase, a first time (threshold value) from the start to the end of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase is obtained from thestorage device 300 so that the threshold value and the elapsed time are compared with each other. - In
Step 1009, in the case where the elapsed time is the threshold value or more, thedetermination unit 43 determines that thephase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled. For example, simultaneously with the determination, a determination result is recorded in thestorage device 300. - In
Step 1010, in the case where the elapsed time is smaller than the threshold value, thedetermination unit 43 determines that thephase change material 25 is not allowed to be supercooled. For example, simultaneously with the determination, a determination result is recorded in thestorage device 300. - In
Step 1011, when the driver starts to drive the vehicle, theinstruction unit 40 controls theheat generator 10 to be activated according to an instruction from the driver (for example, operation of turning on ignition key). - In
Step 1012, thedisplay device 400 displays the determination result stored in thestorage device 300. - According to the
heat storage apparatus 1000 of this embodiment, the temperature of the medium that exchanges heat with the phase change material is constant, and thus a temperature difference between the temperature of the medium and a melting point of the phase change material and a heat transfer coefficient between the medium and the phase change material are constant. Therefore, the temperature of the medium can be eliminated from parameters used in the determination, and whether thephase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled or not can be easily determined based on only a simple index of the elapsed time. - Further, the temperature of the medium before passing through the
heat storage tank 20 is set to be a constant temperature, and accordingly thephase change material 25 can store heat at a constant heat transfer quantity (heat storage capability) during the phase change. Therefore, by experiments, simulations, or the like performed in advance under the same conditions, the first temperature (threshold value) can be set easily. - It should be noted that in the case where the
heat generator 10 is a motor and includes a water jacket that penetrates through the motor, for example, the water jacket can be connected to thefirst circuit 101. At this time, theheat generator 10 gives heat, which is generated to the outside when the medium passes through the water jacket, to the medium by heat exchange. In this case, the water jacket is assumed to be theheat exchanger 15. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing acontrol device 200 according to a first modified example. In this modified example, thecontrol device 200 is different from thecontrol device 200 ofFIG. 2 in that thecontrol device 200 in this modified example includes anestimation unit 44 as a logic module. - The
estimation unit 44 estimates an estimation value of a heat storage quantity based on the elapsed time counted by thecount unit 42. Specifically, the heat storage quantity is a quantity of heat stored by thephase change material 25 after thephase change material 25 exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature and starts to change its phase from the solid phase to the liquid phase. For example, theestimation unit 44 estimates the heat storage quantity by integrating a difference between the first temperature measured by thefirst measurement unit 130 and the melting point of thephase change material 25. - The
determination unit 43 compares the estimation value of the heat storage quantity, which is estimated by theestimation unit 44, and a maximal value of the heat storage quantity with each other. The heat storage quantity is a quantity of heat that can be stored by thephase change material 25 from the start to the end of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase in the case where thephase change material 25 constantly exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature during the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase. In the case where the estimation value of the heat storage quantity is the maximal value of the heat storage quantity or larger, thedetermination unit 43 determines that thephase change material 25 finishes the phase change to the liquid phase. In other words, thedetermination unit 43 determines that thephase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled. On the other hand, in the case where the estimation value of the heat storage quantity is smaller than the maximal value of the heat storage quantity, thedetermination unit 43 determines that thephase change material 25 does not finish the phase change to the liquid phase. In other words, thedetermination unit 43 determines that thephase change material 25 is not allowed to be supercooled. Thedetermination unit 43 stores a determination result in thestorage device 300. - It should be noted that as the above-mentioned maximal value of the heat storage quantity, in the case where a
phase change material 25 constantly exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature during the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase, thephase change material 25 in this case having the same type and volume as thephase change material 25 included in theheat storage tank 20, a maximal value of a quantity of heat that can be stored by thephase change material 25 from the start to the end of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase can be investigated in advance by experiments or simulations, for example, and then, the maximal value thus obtained can be stored in thestorage device 300. -
FIGS. 5A , 5B, and 5C are exemplary graphs of simulation results for describing an action or theheat storage apparatus 1000. As shown inFIG. 5A , a case where the first temperature of the medium from time T1 to time T2 is constant will be discussed. Further, as shown inFIG. 5B , it is assumed that thephase change material 25 starts the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase at time T1 and finishes the phase change at time T2. - At this time,
FIG. 5C shows a time history of a heat transfer quantity of heat that transfers from thephase change material 25 to the medium from time T1 to time T2. - According to this modified example, the temperature of the medium before passing through the
heat storage tank 20 is set to be a constant temperature, and accordingly thephase change material 25 can store heat at a constant heat transfer quantity during the phase change. Therefore, by experiments, simulations, or the like performed in advance under the same conditions, the maximal value of the heat storage quantity can be set easily. Further, in addition to a simple index of the elapsed time, whether thephase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled or not can be easily determined based on the temperature of the medium, which has been regulated by the coolingunit 30, that is, based on a constant temperature of the medium. -
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing aheat storage apparatus 1000 according to a second modified example. Further,FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing acontrol device 200 according to the second modified example. In this modified example, theheat storage apparatus 1000 is different from theheat storage apparatus 1000 ofFIG. 1 in that theheat storage apparatus 1000 in this modified example includes aheating unit 150. Further, thecontrol device 200 is different from thecontrol device 200 ofFIG. 2 in that thecontrol device 200 in this modified example includes anestimation unit 44. - The
estimation unit 44 estimates an estimation value of a heat storage quantity based on the elapsed time counted by thecount unit 42. Specifically, the heat storage quantity is a quantity of heat stored by thephase change material 25 after thephase change material 25 exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature and starts to change its phase from the solid phase to the liquid phase. Further, in the case where thedetermination unit 43 determines that thephase change material 25 is not allowed to be supercooled, theestimation unit 44 calculates a difference between a maximal value of the heat storage quantity and the estimation value of the heat storage quantity at a time point of the determination by thedetermination unit 43. The heat storage quantity is a quantity of heat that can be stored by thephase change material 25 from the state to the end of the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase in the case where aphase change material 25 constantly exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature during the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase. - The
heating unit 150 is a heater provided near theheat storage tank 20. Theheating unit 150 gives a heat quantity corresponding to the difference calculated by theestimation unit 44 to thephase change material 25. - At a time point at which the
heating unit 150 gives a heat quantity corresponding to the difference to thephase change material 25, thedetermination unit 43 determines that thephase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled. Thedetermination unit 43 stores a determination result to thestorage device 300. - According to this modified example, at a time point at which the operation of the
heat generator 10 is stopped, even when thephase change material 25 is not in a state allowed to be supercooled, it is possible to completely change the phase of thephase change material 25 to the liquid phase when a sufficient heat quantity is given to the phase change material 23. In other words, it is possible to put thephase change material 25 into a supercooled state. - Although the example in which the
heating unit 150 is provided near theheat storage tank 20 has been described here, the following configuration may be provided. For example, theheating unit 150 is provided at a part of thefirst circuit 101 so that the medium is heated and thus a heat quantity is indirectly given to thephase change material 25. -
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing aheat storage apparatus 1000 according to a second embodiment.FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the control device ofFIG. 8 In this embodiment, theheat storage apparatus 1500 is different from theheat storage apparatus 1000 ofFIG. 1 in that theheat storage apparatus 1500 includes asecond measurement unit 140. - The
second measurement unit 140 is a temperature sensor provided between theheat storage tank 20 and thecooling unit 30. Thesecond measurement unit 140 measures a temperature (hereinafter, referred to as second temperature) of a medium after the medium passes through theheat storage tank 20 but before through the coolingunit 30, the medium passing through thefirst circuit 101. Specifically, thesecond measurement unit 140 measures a second temperature of the medium after the medium gives heat to thephase change material 25 by heat exchange and before the temperature thereof is lowered by the coolingunit 30. - The
count unit 42 counts an elapsed time starting from a time point at which the second temperature measured by thesecond measurement unit 140 is put to be constant. In other words, the second temperature of the mediums having passed through theheat storage tank 20 can be considered to be approximate to the temperature of thephase change material 25. Therefore, the time point at which the second temperature is put to be constant can be considered as a time point at which thephase change material 25 starts to change its phase from the solid phase to the liquid phase. - It should be noted that the term “constant” herein means that an absolute value of a change rate (K/s) of the second temperature is equal to or smaller than a threshold value defined beforehand. In other words, the
count unit 42 can count an elapsed time starting from a time point at which the absolute value of the change rate (K/s) of the second temperature first reaches the threshold value defined beforehand. -
FIGS. 9A , 9B, and 9C are exemplary graphs of simulation results for describing an action of theheat storage apparatus 1500. As shown inFIG. 9A , a case where the first temperature of the medium from time T1 to time T2 is constant will be discussed. Further, as shown inFIG. 9B , it is assumed that thephase change material 25 starts the phase change from the solid phase to the liquid phase at time T1 and finishes the phase change at time T2. - At this time,
FIG. 9C shows an absolute value of a change rate of the second temperature. Accordingly, it is found that the absolute value of the change rate of the second temperature is equal to or smaller than the threshold value (for example, 0.001) during a period of time from time T1 when thephase change material 25 starts the phase change to time T2 when thephase change material 25 finishes the phase change. - According to the
heat storage apparatus 1500 in this embodiment, the temperature of the phase change material is not directly measured and the second temperature of the medium that is close to the temperature of thephase change material 25 is measured, which makes it possible to highly accurately estimate, based on the second temperature, a timing at which thephase change material 25 starts to change its phase from the solid phase to the liquid phase. Accordingly, whether thephase change material 25 is allowed to be supercooled or not can be determined highly accurately based on a more correct elapsed time. -
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing anair conditioning apparatus 2000 according to a third embodiment. Further,FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing acontrol device 200 ofFIG. 10 . Theair conditioning apparatus 2000 ofFIG. 10 includes theheat storage apparatus 1000 ofFIG. 1 . The same configurations as those of theheat storage apparatus 1000 ofFIG. 1 and thecontrol device 200 ofFIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. - The
air conditioning apparatus 2000 ofFIG. 10 includes anucleating device 160, asecond bypass circuit 112, and asecond control valve 113. Additionally, theair conditioning apparatus 2000 includes anair conditioning unit 170 and asecond circuit 111 that connects theair conditioning unit 170 and theheat storage tank 20 to each other in a loop and causes a medium to pass through thesecond circuit 111. Thecontrol device 200 ofFIG. 11 includes asecond control unit 45 as a logic module. - The
nucleating device 160 is a device for giving a trigger such as an impact or an input of voltage application to thephase change material 25 to cause thephase change material 25 to nucleate. In the case where thestorage device 300 stores information that the supercooling is allowed, the operation of thenucleating device 160 is controlled by theinstruction unit 40 based on an instruction from a driver who drives a vehicle. - The
second bypass circuit 112 is connected to thefirst circuit 101 via thesecond control valve 113 at a branch point C and connected to thefirst circuit 101 at a branch point D to bypass theheat storage tank 20. - The
second control valve 113 switches a flow path of the medium, which has passed through thefirst circuit 101 and reached thesecond control valve 113, to one of thefirst circuit 101 and thesecond bypass circuit 112. Here, a state in which the flow path of the medium is switched to (or maintained to be) thefirst circuit 101 is defined as a “second control valve OFF”, and a state in which the flow path of the medium is switched to (or maintained to be) thesecond bypass circuit 112 is defined as a “second control valve ON”. - The
air conditioning unit 170 regulates an air temperature or humidity in the vehicle. Here, a general heat pump system including a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and the like is used as theair conditioning unit 170, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. - The
second control unit 45 controls the switching of thesecond control valve 113 to be turned on at a timing at which theinstruction unit 40 controls thenucleating device 160. Accordingly, heat of thephase change material 25 that radiates the heat by nucleating is not transmitted to the medium in thefirst circuit 101. Therefore, heat can be efficiently transmitted to the medium in thesecond circuit 111. - It should be noted that a seat, a wheel, and the like, through which the
second circuit 111 passes, may be used as theair conditioning unit 170. In this case, a high-temperature medium passing through the second circuit can directly warm the seat, the wheel, and the like. - The heat storage apparatus, the air conditioning apparatus, and the heat storage method according to at least one of the embodiments described above allows a highly accurate determination as to whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not.
- While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of the other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the sprit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
Claims (16)
1. A heat storage apparatus, configured to store heat generated by a heat generator via a medium, comprising:
a first circuit closed to circulate the medium therethrough in a direction;
a heat exchanger that is provided at a part of the first circuit and is configured to exchange the heat generated by the heat generator with the medium;
a heat storage tank that is provided downstream of the direction in which the medium circulates, with respect to the heat exchanger of the first circuit, and includes a phase change material to exchange heat with the medium storing the heat generated by the heat generator;
a first measurement unit configured to measure a temperature of the medium that passes from the heat exchanger to the heat storage tank;
a cooling unit, that is configured to cool the medium when the measured temperature of the medium is higher than a predetermined target temperature, and to set the temperature of the medium that passes from the heat exchanger to the heat storage tank to be approximately equal to the target temperature;
a count unit configured to count an elapsed time from when the phase change material exchanges heat with the medium and starts a phase change from a solid phase to a liquid phase; and
a determination unit configured to determine whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not based on the elapsed time.
2. The heat storage apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising
a storage unit configured to store a first time from a start of the phase change of the phase change material to an end of the phase change in a case where the phase change material exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature, wherein
the determination unit is configured to compare the first time and the elapsed time with each other and to determine whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not.
3. The heat storage apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a storage unit configured to store a first heat storage quantity of heat that can be stored from a start of the phase change of the phase change material to an end of the phase change in a case where the phase change material exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature; and
an estimation unit configured to estimate an estimation value of a heat storage quantity of the heat stored from the start of the phase change of the phase change material, using the temperature of the medium measured by the first measurement unit and the elapsed time, wherein
the determination unit is configured to compare the first heat storage quantity and the estimation value of the heat storage quantity with each other and to determine whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not.
4. The heat storage apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising
a second measurement unit configured to measure a second temperature of the medium after the medium passes through the heat storage tank, wherein
the count unit is configured to count an elapsed time starting from a time point from which the second temperature stays constant.
5. The heat storage apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising
a heating unit configured to apply heat to the phase change material, wherein
the heating unit is configured to heat, when the determination unit determines that the phase change material is not allowed to be supercooled, one of the phase change material and the medium.
6. The heat storage apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the cooling unit includes
a radiator that is connected to the first circuit, and
a fan that is opposed to the radiator, and
the heat storage apparatus further comprises a first control unit configured to control a rotating speed of the fan.
7. The heat storage apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the cooling unit includes
a first bypass circuit that is connected to the first circuit at a first branch point and is configured to bypass the radiator, and
a first control valve configured to switch a flow path of the medium to one of the first circuit and the first bypass circuit at the first branch point, and
the heat storage apparatus further comprises a first control unit configured to control switching of the first control valve.
8. The heat storage apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the heat generator includes at least one of a motor, an inverter, and a battery.
9. An air conditioning apparatus, comprising:
a heat storage apparatus configured to store heat generated by a heat generator via a medium, the heat storage apparatus including
a first circuit closed to circulate the medium therethrough in a direction,
a heat exchanger that is provided at a part of the first circuit and is configured to exchange the heat generated by the heat generator with the medium,
a heat storage tank that is provided downstream of the direction in which the medium circulates, with respect to the heat exchanger of the first circuit, and includes a phase change material to exchange heat with the medium storing the heat generated by the heat generator,
a first measurement unit configured to measure a temperature of the medium that passes from the heat exchanger to the heat storage tank,
a cooling unit that is configured to cool the medium when the measured temperature of the medium is higher than a predetermined target temperature, and to set the temperature of the medium that passes from the heat exchanger to the heat storage tank to be approximately equal to the target temperature,
a count unit configured to count an elapsed time from when the phase change material exchanges heat with the medium and starts a phase change from a solid phase to a liquid phase, and
a determination unit configured to determine whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled, or not based on the elapsed time;
a nucleating device configured to nucleate the phase change material;
a second bypass circuit that is connected to the first circuit at a second branch point and is configured to bypass the heat storage tank;
a second control valve configured to switch a flow path of the medium to one of the first circuit and the second bypass circuit at the second branch point; and
a second control unit configured to control, when the determination unit determines that the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled, switching of the second control valve to switch the flow path of the medium to the second bypass circuit.
10. A heat storage method for one of a heat storage apparatus and an air conditioning apparatus including
a medium,
a first circuit closed to circulate the medium therethrough in a direction,
a heat exchanger that is provided at a part of the first circuit and is configured to exchange heat generated by a heat generator with the medium,
a heat storage tank that is provided downstream of the direction in which the medium circulates, with respect to the heat exchanger of the first circuit, and includes a phase change material to exchange heat with the medium storing the heat generated by the heat generator, the heat storage method comprising:
circulating the medium;
measuring a temperature of the medium that passes from the heat exchanger to the heat storage tank;
cooling the medium when the measured temperature of the medium is higher than a predetermined target temperature, and setting the temperature of the medium that passes from the heat exchanger to the heat storage tank to be approximately equal to the target temperature;
counting an elapsed time from when the phase change material exchanges heat with the medium and starting a phase change from a solid phase to a liquid phase; and
determining, by a determination unit, whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not based on the elapsed time.
11. The heat storage method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
storing a first time from a start of the phase change of the phase change material to an end of the phase change in a case where the phase change material exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature; and
comparing the first time and the elapsed time with each other and determining whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not.
12. The heat storage method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
storing a first heat storage quantity of heat that can be stored from a start of the phase change of the phase change material to an end of the phase change in a case where the phase change material exchanges heat with the medium having the target temperature;
estimating an estimation value of a heat storage quantity of the heat stored from the start of the phase change of the phase change material, using the measured temperature of the medium and the elapsed time; and
comparing the first heat storage quantity and the estimation value of the heat storage quantity with each other and determining whether the phase change material is allowed to be supercooled or not.
13. The heat storage method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
measuring a second temperature of the medium after the medium passes through the heat storage tank; and
counting an elapsed time from a time point from which the second temperature stays constant.
14. The heat storage method according to claim 10 , further comprising
heating one of the phase change material and the medium by a heating unit configured to apply heat to the phase change material, when it is determined that the phase change material is not allowed to be supercooled.
15. The heat storage method according to claim 10 , further comprising
controlling a rotating speed of a fan that is opposed to a radiator connected to the first circuit.
16. The heat storage method according to claim 10 , further comprising
control switching of a first control valve that is configured to switch a flow path of the medium to one of the first circuit and a first bypass circuit at a first branch point, the first bypass circuit being connected to the first circuit at the first branch point and being configured to bypass a radiator.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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JP2012187601A JP5771168B2 (en) | 2012-08-28 | 2012-08-28 | Heat storage device, air conditioner and heat storage method |
JP2012-187601 | 2012-08-28 |
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US20140060794A1 true US20140060794A1 (en) | 2014-03-06 |
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US13/970,783 Abandoned US20140060794A1 (en) | 2012-08-28 | 2013-08-20 | Heat storage apparatus, air conditioning apparatus, and heat storage method |
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US (1) | US20140060794A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5771168B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN103673706B (en) |
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US10904472B2 (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2021-01-26 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Transmission system |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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JP2014043203A (en) | 2014-03-13 |
CN103673706B (en) | 2015-09-23 |
JP5771168B2 (en) | 2015-08-26 |
CN103673706A (en) | 2014-03-26 |
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