US4286574A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trickle-type thermal storage unit
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1980-03-03
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Granted: 1981-09-01
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Expires: 2000-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for thermal storage having a movable manifold which discharges thermal transfer fluid to trickle through a particulate solid thermal storage medium to be collected for distribution or recirculation in a manner such as to establish a vertical thermocline within said thermal storage medium, said thermocline being movable horizontally with said manifold.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Vrolyk
- 👤 Ronald P. Pauckert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:44
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/0056; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A thermal storage unit comprising: containment means; a quantity of particulate solid thermal storage medium disposed within said containment means; a source of thermal transfer fluid; thermal input means serving to heat said thermal transfer fluid; distribution means movable to deliver said thermal transfer fluid to the upper surface of said thermal storage medium in a predetermined manner; drainage means below said thermal storage medium for collecting said thermal transfer fluid; thermal output means; and transfer means selectably operable to transfer said thermal transfer fluid from said source through said thermal input means to said distribution means and from said drainage means to said thermal input means or to circulate said fluid through said thermal output means to said distribution means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A thermal storage unit comprising: containment means; a quantity of particulate solid thermal storage medium disposed within said containment means; a source of thermal transfer fluid; thermal input means serving to heat said thermal transfer fluid; distribution means movable to deliver said thermal transfer fluid to the upper surface of said thermal storage medium in a predetermined manner; drainage means below said thermal storage medium for collecting said thermal transfer fluid; thermal output means; and transfer means selectably operable to transfer said thermal transfer fluid from said source through said thermal input means to said distribution means and from said drainage means to said thermal input means or to circulate said fluid through said thermal output means to said distribution means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermal storage unit of claim 1 wherein said distribution means is a spray manifold serving to allow said fluid to trickle through said thermal storage medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thermal storage unit of claim 1 wherein said containment means is a tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thermal storage unit of claim 1 wherein said containment means is a trough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thermal storage unit of claim 1 wherein said thermal storage medium is rock.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermal storage unit of claim 1 wherein said thermal transfer fluid is silicone oil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The thermal storage unit of claim 1 wherein said distribution means is movable to deliver fluid to said thermal storage medium in accordance with the equation v m =d/hv t where v m =manifold velocity v t =thermocline vertical velocity d=manifold depth h=bed height of the thermal storage medium.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
93 words
The method of storing thermal energy in a thermal storage unit having a bed of particulate solid thermal storage medium and a movable manifold for delivering thermal transfer fluid to trickle over said thermal storage medium, said method comprising the step of: moving said manifold to deliver said fluid to said thermal storage medium in accordance with the equation v m =d/hv t , where v m =manifold velocity v t =thermocline vertical velocity d=manifold depth h=bed height of the thermal storage medium to establish a vertical thermocline in said thermal storage medium.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
93 words
The method of storing thermal energy in a thermal storage unit having a bed of particulate solid thermal storage medium and a movable manifold for delivering thermal transfer fluid to trickle over said thermal storage medium, said method comprising the step of: moving said manifold to deliver said fluid to said thermal storage medium in accordance with the equation v m =d/hv t , where v m =manifold velocity v t =thermocline vertical velocity d=manifold depth h=bed height of the thermal storage medium to establish a vertical thermocline in said thermal storage medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 8 comprising the further steps of: allowing said fluid to trickle through said thermal storage medium; and collecting said fluid for distribution or recirculation.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
52 words
The method of thermal storage comprising: providing a movable manifold which discharges thermal transfer fluid to trickle through a particulate solid thermal storage medium to be collected for distribution or recirculation in a manner to establish a vertical thermocline within said thermal storage medium, said thermocline being movable horizontally with said manifold.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
52 words
The method of thermal storage comprising: providing a movable manifold which discharges thermal transfer fluid to trickle through a particulate solid thermal storage medium to be collected for distribution or recirculation in a manner to establish a vertical thermocline within said thermal storage medium, said thermocline being movable horizontally with said manifold.
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) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |