Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A DEVICE FOR THE ECONOMICAL UTILIZATION OF SOI,AR AND OTIIER
HEAT ENERGY FOR HEATING AND COOLING PURPOSES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the pursuit and utilization of energy, the col-
lection and accumulation of small quantities from various
and/or otherwise wasted sources and the advantages of sto-
rage of that energy for later use or release, is generally
ignored.
In changing from one state to another, such as a
solid to a li~uidl or a liquid to a gas, or a solid to a
gas, or one crystal form to another, or vice versa, or in
a reversible chemical reaction, there is extra energy re-
quired or given up (which is many times greater than that
involved in temperature changes in a particular state),
called the latent heat of fusion, vaporization, sublimation
and transition, respectively, i.e. changing ice into water
or vice versa requires 80 times more energy than a one de-
gree centigrade temperature change.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention or device and/or devices and/or com-
binations, based on this scientific principle and combining
a number of other scientific principles and inventions, pro-
poses to simplify the capture and/or retention and/or deli-
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very of solar heat, chemical (including elements, oil com-
pounds), electrical, mechanical, fric-tion and/or other
energy sources and/or combinations for later release as
heat or cold or other forms or energy. This invention is
particularly useful where there is an interruptlon or
change of the energy source i.e. clouds covering the sun,
lights turned off, etc. This invention is also useful in
continuing the harnessing of the sun's solar energy as it
moves its position in the sky.
The unique aspect of this invention is that it is
a device consisting of a container or containers within
which is situated a material which requires a relatively
high energy input or output to change its state whether
from solid to liquid or liquid to gas or solid to gas or
crystal form or a combination of these or vice versa, or
a reversible chemical reaction, yet at a temperature which
is appropriate to the purpose and economics to which it is
to be employed. Furthermore, there are attachments and ad-
ditional features which can make the device more effective
or appropriate, depending upon its ultimate use. The above
mentioned changes of state may be referred to as a transi-
tion from one state to another.
The device may be adapted for use to obtain energy
from a source other than the sun, such as lamps, lights,
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fluorescent lights, hot water heater, fireplace, chimney,
stove, oven, radiatorl mo-tors, Eriction, e-tc., or other
sources within or without a structure or a manuEacturing
or other plant or building where there are wasted energy
sources, i.e. the device placed above Eluorescent or other
lights in offices or buildings could store heat energy dur-
ing the day to be released at night when the lights are
turned off. Furthermore, at night when electrical energy
useage is at its minimum and therefore low cost or wasted,
this energy could be converted to heat energy and stored
for later release.
The device may be adapted for use in larger pro-
portions or sizes, i.e. large scale storage of electrical
energy power from hydro dams, cooling of turbines, stored
heat of friction, etc., as heat or other energy, for later
release. There are also applications for nuclear power
plants where water or other coolants become heated and this
heat energy can be extracted and stored for later release.
The device may be of such a size, or if the unit
is sufficiently small in relation to its surroundings, it
may minimize or eliminate fans, blowers, temperature controls,
electronics, etc., and other expensive items, particularly
if used inside a structure. It may rely on conduction, ra-
diation or convection both for energy absorption and deli-
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very. The device or devices or combinations can be readily
portable since it does not need complicating a-ttachments.
The unit or device thus would not necessarily have -to be
tied into the heat delivery system of the structure. Should
the size of these units be such that they could fit into
windows, or upper halves of windows, or such like, one or
more of them could delivery auxiliary heat during night or
day or under conditions of cloud cover possibly more than
sufficient to cancel window and possibly other heat losses.
Be it understood that should this energy and/or stored ener-
gy be required to be moved, means of moving or flowing this
energy could be used.
Furthermore, these relatively small units may also
tap other heat sources such as electric lights, ovens, etc.,
which might otherwise be wasted, i.e. radiators, motors,
proximity to furnaces, lights, friction sources, etc. Their
conformation could be manufactured to maximize the effective
use of these sources, i.e. special lampshades or smaller
units to fit atop a lamp, etc. They may also be adapted
for swimming pools (float on the surface).
The structural aspect and nature of the device may
be minimal so that it is easily manufactured (i.e. injection,
extrusion, blow moulded, etc., and/or other, particularly
if metal) from inexpensive materials such as plastics and,/or
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metals, and/or glass, and/or use existing and/or standard-
ized units, etc.
The contents (salts, etc. as indicated in United
States patent 3,986,969 for instance and others) or other
materials having the aforementioned desired properties,
are relatively inexpensive. A patent applied for by the
Sodium Sulphate Division of Saskatchewan Minerals using
Glauber's Salts, borax and peat moss, etc., is also appro-
priate. The contents could also be inorganic, organic,
salt, metal, gas, liquid, gas, solid or a combination or
such lik~, depending upon whether the latent heat of fu-
sion, vaporization, sublimation, transition, or reversible
chemical reaction were to be used.
The device or devices may be used alone or in com-
bination with other solar or other energy devices or sour-
ces. It may be used in parallel or series or combinations
of such or the like. The device or devices may be used alone
or in combination with other solar or other energy devices
or sources. It or they may be used in parallel or series
or combinations of such or the like. The device or devices
may utilize and/or be arranged in a position or positions
in order to take maximum or continuing advantage of the ef-
fects of (a) a parabolic surface or arrangement; (b) the
Fresnel lens; (c) the Campbell-Stokes Sphericallens; (d)
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other such like devices or methods; (e) or a coMbination
and/or combinations of these, i.e. Fresnel lenses arranged
in a parabola, which could continue the focusing of the
sun's rays to advantage, though the sun may be moving its
position.
As the heat energy is accumulated, the nature of
the device allows for its retention so that it is dissipa-
ted only gradually or later as required. This may be fur-
ther controlled by modifications which may have insulation
values. There may be magnification attachments or modi-
fications that would reinforce or magnify the energy ab-
sorbing properties, particularly that of sun energy.
These units of appropriate size (depending upon
their use) may ~e placed within a building of any descrip-
tion, close to or near to glass, or transparent, or semi-
transparent, or such like, or opening or such like, where
the sun rays can be absorbed.
In accordance with the invention there is provid-
ed an energy storage device for selective storage and dis-
pensation of heat energy comprising in combination a stor-
age container, and an energy storage chemical sealed with-
in said container, said chemical having a relatively higher
heat energy input and output when a transition from one
change of state to another takes place, relative to the
temperature at which said change of state takes place, and
an outer container enclosing said storage container in
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spaced relationship therefrom and a heat transfer control-
ling fluid between said containers selected from the group
consisting of liquids and gases.
With the foregoing, in view and other advantages
as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to
which this invention relates as this specification proceeds,
the invention is herein described by reference to the ac-
companying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes
a description of the preferred typical embodiment of the
principles of the present invention, in which:
DESGRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
.
Figure 1 is a schematic end view of one embodi-
ment of a storage unit.
Figure 2 is a schematic view of a stackable unit
such as a block.
Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a schematic side view of an alterna-
tive embodiment.
Figure 5 is a plan view of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a schematic, cross sectional end view
of a floating embodiment of the device.
Figure 7 is a schematic end view of a plurality
of units formed in a parabolic configuration.
In the drawings like characters of reference indi-
cate corresponding parts in the different figures.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The device consists of a thin hollow container or
containers or combinations 10 which is formed with a highly
heat absorptive surface of plastic, metal, glass or the
like, and which may be homogeneous or not. This sealed
container may be tubular, rectangular, circular or other
configuration, preferably with contours or combinations in
such a manner as to maximize a surface area as compared with
volume. The hollow interior is filled with a material which
requires a relatively high energy input or output to change
its state whether from a solid to a liquid, or a liquid to
a gas, or a solid to a gas, or a changed crystal form, or
vice versa, or a reversible chemical reaction, yet at a tem-
perature which is appropriate to the purpose or economics
to whieh it is to be employed, i.e. certain salts sueh as
Glauber's Salt (sodium sulfate deka hydrate) which with the
addition of isomorphous Borax and a thixotropie gel type
material (making innumerable eyeles of melting and freezing
possible) all of which melts at approximately 89F and has
a specific gravity of 1.5 and a heat of fusion of 108 per
pound) as deseribed in United States patent 3,986,969.
Other materials having similar properties may be used.
Additional Features or Attaehments:
The eontainer should be blaek or of a dark colour,
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and if manufactured from plastic, preferably having various
substances such as copper or the like incorporated therein
so as to increase its effectivenesss for energy absorption
and radiation. However, it can be manufactured from thin
metal, glass, etc., if desired~
By enclosing the container 10 within a tube or
cover 11 (transparent or otherwise depending upon ultimate
useage) further features can be acquired such as a magni-
fication reinforcing energy absorption and an insulation
factor which could delay the distribution of energy. It
is preferably spaced from the inner container 10 by means
of radial fins 12 or the like or directly to the top or the
bottom, and may be formed from a clear plastic such as HDPE,
vinyl, acrylic or other materials such as glass or the like.
If this outer tube or container is transparent its confor-
mation can be changed to increase the effectivenesss of
energy absorption as for example:
a) a circular surface which gives 50~ more re-
flective surface and can act as a lens or
give a magnifying effect. The same applies
to the absorptive surface.
b) A parabolic surface or arrangement can be
even more effective as a lens and thus a
magnifying agent or to be so positioned as
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to more continuously focus the sun's
rays though the position of the slln
may change, a combination of tubes
and/or other aforementioned descrip-
tions could be used to give a para-
bolic effect (Figure 7).
c) Even more effective is the application
of the principle involved in the Fres-
nel lens. (The Fresnel lens is a nest
of circular grooves with the sides of
each successive ring set in such a way
that the light passing through each
groove is refracted at a slightly dif-
ferent angle and converges to a point).
This principle could also apply to an
elongated or lengthwise designed tube
or the like.
d) The Campbell-Stokes spherical lens which
is capable of burning paper regardless
of the position of the sun.
The side of the tube or outer container, farthest
from the sun's rays may be silvered or provided with a re-
flective surface or mirrored, either internally or exter-
nally, to maximize the effectivenesss of the energy absorp-
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tion by the inner tube container. The outer container or
layer and/or inner container or layer may be oE a Elexible
nature or may be rigid.
A fluid such as air, water, liquid or other appro-
priate medium is situated between the inner and outer con-
tainers and may be an integral part of the device (i.e.
static) or such medium may be circulated by conventional
means. Thus fast heat ahsorption or slow heat emission
can be governed by the medium between the inner absorber
salt or other chemical material and the outer reflective
or transparent container by using media such as air, gas,
inert gas or gases, water, liquid, solutions or such like.
A lens effect can also be created, the effectiveness of
which is governed by the medium used and the configuration
of the containers. An insulation effect can also be created,
the effectivenesss again being governed by the medium.
Depending upon the utilization of the device, va-
rious means of joining units together in parallel and/or
in series and/or in combination or with other combinations,
and on their general overall placement, holes, hooks, suc-
tion cups, hinges, strips of adhesives, springs, wedges,
etc., might be used.
The use of flexible materials to form the wall or
walls of the device means that gas or liquid pressure can
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be used or become part of the structural strength. This
means that costs, packaging and the like can be lowered
and mobility increased.
Reflective or parabolic mirrors, or lens, or Fres-
nel lens, Campbell-Stokes lens, or conventional mechanized
or electrically or otherwise controlled devices for focusing
or otherwise utilizing the sun's rays, may be used to in-
crease the effectiveness of the device. If exposed exter-
nally of a building or structure, these devices can be
tapped for energy by appropriate conventional means. They
can also be used within, or part of, or in conjunction with
solar or other energy collecting devices.
The device can be adapted for use in a swimming
pool or the like where it can be made to float by having
the outer tube or covering llA sufficiently large as to
displace sufficient water, particularly if all the mate-
rials used are sufficiently light (i.e. plastics, etc.).
The salts or their equivalent in their tube or inner con-
tainer lOA, being heavier, should be off center in such a
way that the clear lens or surface is uppermost to the sun's
rays. Since there is an insulating factor by the outer part
of the device, heat dissipation would be delayed, prefer-
ably until night.
The invention or device proposes that sealed
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"bricks" or such like, such as shown in Figures 2 and 3,
of this salt mixture or equivalent chemical be exposed -to
solar or any other heat or other energy for the absorption
of that energy. An example of a unit might be blow molded
of a highly absorptive black high density polyethylene
(H~PE) or polypropylene (PP) or other, corrugated parabo-
lically (or Fresnel lens adaption) on both sides to in-
crease absorptive surface and provide more surface exposure
(in proportion to volume) for stored head emission, and
being stackable. These "bricks" may be collected then and
stored within a relatively small chamber (not illustrated)
whose temperature may be maintained by various means at 100F
or thereabouts, depending upon the mixture of materials used,
or upon the desired purpose. In winter or when heat is re-
quired, these "bricks" may be then removed from the chamber
and introduced into the heating system where they could de-
liver their heat. A system may be devised whereby these
"bricks" may be delivered into a chamber as heat energy is
acquired and then when the heat energy is required, can be
delivered at periodic intervals to where the heat energy is
required to provide a consistent heat.
This same invention or device is also applicable
in the general principles and in the examples aforementioned
for heat, to a cooling process, wherein the aforementioned
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salts and their required additives or other chemicals have
instead, eutetic melting points between 50F and ~0F (or
lower or higher) and have the required nucleating agents
and thixotropic thickeners to prevent segregation and thus
allow innumerable cycles of cooling and heating. Here an
air conditioner or cooler or refrigerator or the like, cir-
culates air or water or fluid or the like to "freeze" these
units. Then these units can then be introduced into the
space to be cooled, wherein the heat required to melt these
units or to change the state thereof, is taken from that
space, thus cooling that space. Winter "cold" could be
also stored for summer cooling. Thus "cold" can be stored
in a like manner to "heat" and all aforementioned inventive
aspects hold for both.
Elements and Features of the Invention
1) The device stores energy.
2) Collects energy from:
a) a multiplicity of sources including sunlight,
solar heat, chemical, electrical, mechanical,
frictional, etc.
b) wasted energy from hydro dams and coolant
from nuclear plants, turbines, etc.
c) wasted energy.
3) Collects interruptable energy.
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4) Simplicity
a) can be used alone without an outer eontainer.
b) self sufficient to itself, does not necessa-
rily need auxiliary devices.
e) manufacture of plastic units can be by injec-
tion or blow moulding or by extrusion or
other means.
5) Inexpensive components.
6~ Transportable or movable.
7) Insulation features - the media between an inner and
outer container where a gas, water, liquid, fluid,
solution, ete., governs the eollection and emission
of energy.
8) Magnification features:
a) rounded eonformation
b) parabolic
c) Fresnel lens
d) both inner and outer containment
e) Campbell-Stokes lens
f) media between inner and outer container
8A) Traeking features, i.e. the magnifieation features in
8) also serve in retaining the foeus (partial or full)
of and/or magnifieation of the sun's rays though the
position of the sun may change.
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9) Improved energy absorption:
a) block
b) copper
c) formulation of plastic
d) both inner and outer containment
10) Conformation of surfaces:
a) maximize surface area with respect to
inner volume of material.
b) inner and outer surface to govern ab-
sorption and emission.
11) Stackable
12) Silvering, mirroring, or otherwise improving reflect-
ive surface.
13) Flexibility of device if desirable.
14) Media between an inner and an outer container can govern
the magnification or absorption of the inner material
and also govern the insulation or emission of the en-
ergy, i.e. media - gas, water, fluid, liquid, solution,
inert gas, etc.
15) There are various conventional means of joining the
devices.
16) The device or invention is applicable to heat or cold.
17) The device or invention can be used with other solar
or other energy devices.
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18) The use of flexible materials as a wall or walls of
the device and/or devices means that air and/or li-
quid pressure can be used or become part of the
structural strength. This can then lower costs,
packaging, movability, etc.
19) "Bricks" can be manufactured for storing:
a) heat
b) cold
20) Swim pools and reservoirs, etc.
a) air for flotation
b) off center to maintain absorbing side
upright
c) insulation factor
d) black
The term "chemical"includes both elements and com-
pounds in the specification and claims.
Since various modifications can be made in my in-
vention as hereinabove described, and many apparently wide-
ly different embodiments of same made within the spirit and
scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and
sccpe, it is intended that all matter contained in the ac-
companying specification shall be interpreted as illustra-
tive only and not in a limiting sense.
