US4003426A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat or thermal energy storage structure
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
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Filing: 1975-05-08
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Granted: 1977-01-18
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Expires: 1995-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A heat or thermal energy storage structure comprising a crosslinked polymeric resinous matrix having a plurality of substantially unconnected small closed cavities and a heat sink material encapsulated within the cavities. The structure is characterized in that the heat sink material forms an essentially stable dispersion in the uncured polymeric resinous matrix when mixed therewith before the matrix is crosslinked. The structure can beneficially be used in conjunction with low level heat or thermal energy collector means and heat transfer means to provide a space heating or cooling apparatus. The storage structure may also be effectively used to provide an additional function of a building component in a building construction such as a wall structure.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Best
- 👤 William J. McMillan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:36
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/02; F28D20/023; C; C09; C09K; C09K5/00; C09K5/02; C09K5/06; C09K5/063; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A heat or thermal energy storage structure comprising a crosslinked polymeric resinous matrix having a plurality of substantially unconnected small closed cavities disposed therein and a heat sink material encapsulated within said cavities, said heat sink material having a relatively large latent heat capacity at its melting and freezing phase change which supplies heat to or removes heat from said storage structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A heat or thermal energy storage structure comprising a crosslinked polymeric resinous matrix having a plurality of substantially unconnected small closed cavities disposed therein and a heat sink material encapsulated within said cavities, said heat sink material having a relatively large latent heat capacity at its melting and freezing phase change which supplies heat to or removes heat from said storage structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said crosslinked polymeric resinous matrix is selected from the group consisting essentially of polyesters, polyvinyl esters and epoxies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said heat sink material forms an essentially stable dispersion in the uncured polymeric resinous matrix when mixed therewith before said matrix is crosslinked.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said heat sink material has a melting and freezing phase change temperature of from about 5° C to about 100° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said heat sink material in the liquid phase supercools to less than about 5° C below its melting and freezing phase change temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said structure is enveloped in a gas or vapor barrier material.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for space heating or cooling comprising a low level heat or thermal energy collector means, a heat or thermal energy storage structure and heat or thermal energy transfer means, said storage structure comprising a crosslinked polymeric resinous matrix having a plurality of substantially unconnected small cavities disposed in said matrix with a heat sink material encapsulated within said cavities, said heat sink material having a relatively large latent heat capacity at its melting and freezing phase change which supplies heat to or removes heat from said storage structure, said transfer means interconnecting said collector means, storage structure and a space the temperature of which is to be controlled whereby heat is transferred from said collector means to said storage structure and to said space when said space is being heated and from said space to said storage structure and to an alfresco environment when said space is being cooled.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for space heating or cooling comprising a low level heat or thermal energy collector means, a heat or thermal energy storage structure and heat or thermal energy transfer means, said storage structure comprising a crosslinked polymeric resinous matrix having a plurality of substantially unconnected small cavities disposed in said matrix with a heat sink material encapsulated within said cavities, said heat sink material having a relatively large latent heat capacity at its melting and freezing phase change which supplies heat to or removes heat from said storage structure, said transfer means interconnecting said collector means, storage structure and a space the temperature of which is to be controlled whereby heat is transferred from said collector means to said storage structure and to said space when said space is being heated and from said space to said storage structure and to an alfresco environment when said space is being cooled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said crosslinked polymeric resinous matrix is selected from the group consisting essentially of polyesters, polyvinyl esters and epoxies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said heat sink material forms an essentially stable dispersion in the uncured polymeric resinous matrix when mixed therewith before said matrix is crosslinked.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said heat sink material has a melting and freezing phase change temperature of from about 5° C to about 100° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said heat sink material in the liquid phase supercools to less than about 5° C below its melting and freezing phase change temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said structure is enveloped in a gas or vapor barrier material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said storage structure is a structural building component in a building construction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said building component is at least one wall of a building.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-18 | 1980-07-19 | 1981-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-18 | 1984-07-19 | 1985-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-18 | 1988-07-19 | 1989-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |