U.S. patent application number 14/678320 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-12 for thermal mass for heat pre-load and time-controlled dispersion in building heating systsems.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York. Invention is credited to Marshall Cox, Ioannis Kymissis, John Sarik, David Wechsler.
Application Number | 20180195809 14/678320 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50435441 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180195809 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Cox; Marshall ; et
al. |
July 12, 2018 |
THERMAL MASS FOR HEAT PRE-LOAD AND TIME-CONTROLLED DISPERSION IN
BUILDING HEATING SYSTSEMS
Abstract
A heating and/or cooling temperature adjusting apparatus
disposed proximate a point of use comprising a heat exchange
structure, at least one thermal mass unit comprised of a material
which changes phase at a predetermined temperature, and a housing
which at least partially encloses the heat exchange structure and
thermal mass unit. Additionally, a plurality of thermal mass units
can be employed, each with equivalent, or differing, temperature
threshold points for conversion between solid, liquid or gaseous
phases. The presence of the thermal mass unit at the point of use
allows for the heating/cooling system to rapidly adjust the
temperature of the room while simultaneously decreasing the duty
cycle of the heating/cooling generator (e.g. boiler).
Inventors: |
Cox; Marshall; (New York,
NY) ; Kymissis; Ioannis; (New York, NY) ;
Sarik; John; (New York, NY) ; Wechsler; David;
(New York, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New
York |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160290737 A1 |
October 6, 2016 |
|
|
Family ID: |
50435441 |
Appl. No.: |
14/678320 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/US2013/063305 |
Oct 3, 2013 |
|
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14678320 |
|
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61872634 |
Aug 30, 2013 |
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61744853 |
Oct 3, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24H 2250/00 20130101;
F28D 2021/0035 20130101; Y02E 60/14 20130101; Y02E 60/145 20130101;
F28F 9/005 20130101; F28F 1/10 20130101; F24H 7/0216 20130101; F28D
20/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28F 1/10 20060101
F28F001/10 |
Claims
1. A temperature adjusting apparatus disposed proximate a point of
use comprising: at least one heat exchange structure; at least one
thermal mass unit, the thermal mass unit comprised of a material
which changes phase at a predetermined temperature; a housing, the
housing configured to at least partially enclose the at least one
heat exchange structure and the at least one thermal mass unit.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat exchange
structure includes a plurality of fins or tubes.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat exchange
structure is configured as a heating radiator for elevating the
temperature external of the housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat exchange
structure is configured as a cooling radiator for lowering the
temperature external of the housing.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal mass
unit is composed of a material having thermal conductivity
characteristics to maintain a temperature inside the enclosure
within a predetermined range for a predetermined time, after
operation of the heat exchange structure.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal mass
unit is composed of a wax.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal mass
unit is composed of a gel.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal mass
unit is configured to change phase between a liquid and solid
state.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal mass
unit is configured to change phase between a liquid and gaseous
state.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal mass
unit is sized to extend along the length of the at least one heat
exchange structure.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal mass
unit is disposed within the housing in a configuration which
inhibits convection.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a
radiation shield layer disposed proximate the at least one thermal
mass unit to inhibit radiation.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal mass
unit is disposed within at least one tube, the tube configured with
sufficient rigidity to withstand thermal contraction or expansion
of the thermal mass unit disposed therein.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a condensation
collection reservoir disposed proximate the at least one heat
exchange structure.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fan disposed
proximate the at least one heat exchange structure and the at least
one thermal mass unit.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of thermal mass
units are disposed within the housing.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a first thermal mass unit
has a first phase change temperature, and a second thermal mass
unit has a second phase change temperature.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first thermal mass unit
is disposed on a first side of the heat exchange structure, and the
second thermal mass unit is disposed on an opposite side of the
heat exchange structure.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a series of thermal mass
units of differing phase change temperatures are disposed adjacent
each other on one side of the heat exchange structure, with
adjacent thermal mass units alternating between a low phase change
temperature and a high phase change temperature.
20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal mass
unit is configured to conform to at least a portion of the heat
exchange structure dimensions.
21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the phase change transition
temperature is selected to maximize heat transfer to air inside the
enclosure, and passively transfer heat through the enclosure to
heat the ambient air external to the enclosure based on average
heating demand.
22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal mass composition
is selected from a material(s) sufficient to store the requisite
amount of heat to maintain a desired temperature in a room of a
predetermined size, for a predetermined amount of time.
23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal mass
unit is coupled to the at least one heat exchange structure with
thermal conductivity characteristics which extract energy from the
heat exchange structure into the thermal mass more rapidly than
energy is dissipated from the heat exchange structure to the
ambient air within the enclosure.
24. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an energy source
disposed external to the enclosure, the energy source configured to
transfer energy into the enclosure and the at least one heat
exchange structure and thermal mass disposed therein.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/US13/63305, filed Oct. 3, 2013, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/872,634, filed
Aug. 30, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/744,853,
filed Oct. 3, 2012, the entirety of these applications are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosed Subject Matter
[0003] The disclosed subject matter relates to a system, devices,
and methods for improved heating, ventilation and air
conditioning.
[0004] Particularly, the present disclosed subject matter is
directed a heating or cooling system and apparatus which
incorporates a thermal mass positioned at or near the point of use
of the heating/cooling system.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] A variety of methods and systems heating and cooling the
interiors of residential and commercial buildings.
[0007] In a conventional steam heating system, a boiler can provide
the energy for steam production. The produced steam can then
propagate through a steam pipe system, such as for heating a
building or other body or substance. This steam can transfer heat
through or throughout the system, such as by condensing on one or
more cold surfaces and imparting the heat of fusion of the phase
change between steam and water. This water can then make its way
back to the boiler, such as for heating, and the process can
repeat.
[0008] In most systems, the boiler can be sized at least large
enough to heat the building on the coldest day. As a result, a
boiler running full time on normal days would usually overheat a
building. Keeping a building at a single temperature can involve
the boiler being turned on and off recurrently over time, thereby
adjusting its heat production to match the needs of a building.
This, however, can be an inefficient mode of operation for a boiler
and can result in damage to the boiler itself.
[0009] The compromise that can be struck in most steam-heated
buildings can be to operate the boiler for a certain portion of a
specified time period, such as for a certain portion of every hour,
called a duty cycle. Each hour, the boiler can turn on and can heat
water to steam. This steam can heat the internal space of the
building beyond the target temperature. When the boiler system
turns off, the building cools gradually to below the target
temperature. The boiler can then turn on during the next hour to
repeat this process.
[0010] This duty-cycling can result in a constantly changing
temperature inside a building, such that overheating can be
necessary to, on average, keep a building within a hospitable
temperature window. Often, this temperature window can be large and
uncomfortable, and the cycling of a boiler can unnecessarily waste
energy. In some extreme cases, the boiler of a building can be
vastly oversized and, while on, can produce extreme amounts of heat
in a short time frame. To compensate, the duty cycle of the boiler
can be set very low. This can result in what can be called
"shortcycling," a mode of operation that can be particularly
inefficient and damaging to the boiler.
[0011] Such conventional methods and systems generally have been
considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, due to
an ever increasing demand on utilities and focus on environmental
impact and cost savings, an improved heating and cooling system is
required which can more rapidly and accurately deliver tempered air
at one or more points of use.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER
[0012] The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter
will be set forth in and apparent from the description that
follows, as well as will be learned by practice of the disclosed
subject matter. Additional advantages of the disclosed subject
matter will be realized and attained by the methods and systems
particularly pointed out in the written description and claims
hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.
[0013] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, a temperature adjusting apparatus (e.g. radiator or air
conditioner) is disposed proximate a point of use (e.g. locally
within the room to be heated/cooled) and comprises at least one
heat exchange structure; at least one thermal mass unit, the
thermal mass unit comprised of a material which changes phase at a
predetermined temperature; a housing, the housing configured to at
least partially enclose the at least one heat exchange structure
and the at least one thermal mass unit.
[0014] The heat exchange structure can include a plurality of fins
or tubes, and can be configured as a heating radiator for elevating
the temperature external of the housing, or as a cooling radiator
for lowering the temperature external of the housing.
[0015] The at least one thermal mass unit is composed of a material
having thermal conductivity characteristics to maintain a
temperature inside the enclosure within a predetermined range for a
predetermined time, after operation of the heat exchange structure.
In some embodiments the at least one thermal mass unit is composed
of a wax or gel. The at least one thermal mass unit can be
configured to change phase between a liquid and solid state.
Additionally or alternatively, the at least one thermal mass unit
can be configured to change phase between a liquid and gaseous
state.
[0016] In some embodiments the at least one thermal mass unit is
sized to extend along the length of the at least one heat exchange
structure, and can be disposed within the housing in a
configuration which inhibits convection. In some embodiments the
housing includes a radiation shield layer disposed proximate the at
least one thermal mass unit to inhibit radiation.
[0017] Additionally, the at least one thermal mass unit can be
disposed within at least one tube, the tube configured with
sufficient rigidity to withstand thermal contraction or expansion
of the thermal mass unit disposed therein. In some embodiments, a
condensation collection reservoir is provided and disposed
proximate the at least one heat exchange structure. Furthermore, a
fan can be disposed proximate the at least one heat exchange
structure and the at least one thermal mass unit.
[0018] In some instances a plurality of thermal mass units are
disposed within the housing. A first thermal mass unit can have a
first phase change temperature, and a second thermal mass unit can
have a second phase change temperature. The first thermal mass unit
can be disposed on a first side of the heat exchange structure, and
the second thermal mass unit can be disposed on an opposite side of
the heat exchange structure. Additionally or alternatively, a
series of thermal mass units of differing phase change temperatures
can be disposed adjacent each other on one side of the heat
exchange structure, with adjacent thermal mass units alternating
between a low phase change temperature and a high phase change
temperature.
[0019] Moreover, the system can include a controller circuit
configured to control delivery of a heat transfer medium to the
heat exchange structure at a duty cycle, the duty cycle specified
based at least in part using the at least one thermal mass
unit.
[0020] In some embodiments, the thermal mass is configured to
conform to or match at least a portion of the heat exchange
structure dimensions. Additionally, the phase change transition
temperature can be selected to maximize heat transfer to air inside
the enclosure (facilitate heating of the room), and passively
transfer heat through the enclosure to heat the room passively
based on average heating demand. The thermal mass composition is
selected from a material(s) sufficient to store the requisite
amount of heat to maintain a desired temperature in a room of a
predetermined size, for a predetermined amount of time.
[0021] Also, the thermal mass can be coupled to the heat exchange
structure with thermal conductivity characteristics which extract
energy from the heat exchange structure into the thermal mass more
rapidly than energy is dissipated from the heat exchange structure
to the ambient air within the enclosure. Further, an energy source
can be disposed external to the enclosure, with the energy source
configured to transfer energy into the enclosure and the heat
exchange structure and thermal mass disposed therein.
[0022] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosed
subject matter claimed.
[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate
and provide a further understanding of the method and system of the
disclosed subject matter. Together with the description, the
drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosed subject
matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] A detailed description of various aspects, features, and
embodiments of the subject matter described herein is provided with
reference to the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described
below. The drawings are illustrative and are not necessarily drawn
to scale, with some components and features being exaggerated for
clarity. The drawings illustrate various aspects and features of
the present subject matter and may illustrate one or more
embodiment(s) or example(s) of the present subject matter in whole
or in part.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a thermal storage or
load management system in accordance with the disclosed subject
matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, an example of which is
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The method and
corresponding steps of the disclosed subject matter will be
described in conjunction with the detailed description of the
system.
[0027] While the disclosed subject matter is described herein in
terms of certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art
will recognize that various modifications and improvements may be
made to the disclosed subject matter without departing from the
scope thereof. Moreover, although individual features of one
embodiment of the disclosed subject matter may be discussed herein
or shown in the drawings of the one embodiment and not in other
embodiments, it should be apparent that individual features of one
embodiment may be combined with one or more features of another
embodiment or features from a plurality of embodiments.
[0028] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and
broadly described, the disclosed subject matter includes the
integration of a thermal mass into a radiator enclosure or housing
(which can be advantageously located at a point of use (POU) such
as within a room of a building), such as the radiator
enclosure/housing described in International Patent Application No.
PCT/US2012/026608, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. This thermal mass, which can be or can include a solid
material, a phase change material, or other thermal mass, can allow
the storage of heat above the ability of a radiator or other heat
exchanger and the enclosure itself. In some embodiments the thermal
mass can include combinations of materials (e.g. solid and liquid)
such that the thermal mass is not a homogenous composition.
[0029] Increasing the thermal mass of a heat exchanging system can
allow, for example, one to address some or all of the issues
described herein in regard to space heating. In a building in which
a boiler is properly sized, but in which a duty cycle causes rooms
to overheat hourly, a thermal mass can be used store enough heat,
which can be transferred slowly to the room by the radiator
enclosure, such as to help keep a room at a constant temperature,
despite the duty cycling of the boiler. In a building with an
oversized boiler, a thermal mass can allow the boiler to run longer
than otherwise (e.g., avoiding short-cycling), and heat can again
be transferred to a space over time by the enclosure. Additionally,
sufficient thermal mass can be added to allow the storage of
significant amounts of heat--such as for allowing a boiler to burn
less often, which can increase its efficiency (such as by reducing
the heat wasted by flue-gas flushing, which occurs during every
boiler firing event). This provides a load management technique for
steam-heated buildings--a process in which heat production (and
subsequent storage) can be done during a designated time of day,
such as when heat is not needed as greatly.
[0030] Load management can be particularly important for a central
steam system, such as in which a municipality or other entity
produces steam at a central location, which steam can then be
transferred to individual buildings. Buildings tend to call for
heat at the same time of day (6 am, for example), which can cause
significant and sudden draw on a centralized system. Accordingly,
the load management strategy provided by the localized (i.e. point
of use) thermal system disclosed herein for these buildings can
help alleviate these issues.
[0031] Although particular exemplary embodiments may focus on the
heating operation of the disclosed subject matter, it is to be
understood that the system and apparatus disclosed herein is
equally applicable to cooling or air conditioning operations as
well.
[0032] Indeed, this type of heat storage can also be used to
"store" cold temperatures at the point of use, such as in an air
conditioning system. A system similar to the heat radiator
enclosure can be used in conjunction with a cooling system, such as
to pre-cool a POU thermal mass (e.g., within a radiator enclosure),
which can then be used to sink room heat over time, thereby
allowing load management with centralized and/or decentralized
cooling systems alike. This system can be implemented in a
centralized or decentralized manner, and can provide the ability
for thermal storage at the point of use.
[0033] An exemplary application of the present subject matter
includes the use of a thermostatic radiator enclosure (as described
below and/or incorporated by reference herein) in conjunction with
electric heating (e.g. space heating). The delivered price of
electricity to a home, makes it an expensive form of energy to use
for heating. However his can change if one can be managed at the
consumer end, such as using a thermal mass at or near the point of
use--as described herein. For example, this can be accomplished
using a Thermostatic Radiator Enclosure (TRE), which allows energy,
e.g., in the form of heat, to be stored within a TRE or other
enclosure (e.g., at or near a point of use). The stored heat can
then be delivered to the space on demand, allowing the offset of
this electrical consumption. This energy storage capacity can be
helped greatly by the addition of thermal mass to such an
enclosure, thereby providing a Ballasted Thermostatic Radiator
Enclosure, or BTRE.
[0034] Not only does this exemplary embodiment allow the generation
of heat in off-peak times for electricity-heated spaces, but it can
additionally or alternatively allow load management capabilities to
match heat generation to transient power generation times. For
example, peak wind energy production correlates with peak heating
demand. By using electric heat in conjunction with a BTRE to store
the energy, peak energy production can effectively be dumped into
electrical heating, which can then be distributed as necessary.
This can allow extremely high-efficiency storage of excess
electrical energy as heat that can be usefully controllably
discharged through the storage enclosure.
[0035] The systems and apparatus disclosed herein can also be used
for plug-in space heaters. By combining an electric heat pump to be
used as a space heater, or a general portable electric space
heater, with a BTRE as disclosed herein, a less-expensive heating
component can be used to store heat for longer term consumption.
This heat generation can also be managed to coincide with off-peak
demand.
[0036] For instance, the radiator enclosure can include a
microprocessor or other controller device that can be
internet-enabled or otherwise configured to receive a demand
modulation signal, such as from a utility (that uses fossil fuels
or electricity). The demand modulation signal can be similar to
what a utility can provide to control air-conditioning at different
homes so as to reduce peaking in user-demand. In an illustrative
example, a utility can provide a 24 Volt demand modulation signal,
which can be used as an input by the present radiator enclosure.
The provided demand modulation signal may serve to accommodate a
variable output of a renewable energy source (e.g., wind energy
output can vary depending on wind conditions) and/or it may serve
to modulate the demand load on the utility power grid.
[0037] Additionally, the radiator enclosure can include a thermal
ballast and a computer controlled fan to controllably discharge the
thermal ballast. The thermal ballast can be included in the
interior of the radiator enclosure. The thermal ballast can be
included in a large capacity (e.g., 100 gallon) water tank that can
be in fluid communication with the radiator enclosure.
[0038] In a boiler system, the radiator loop will have a thermal
inertia. While a utility may desire to engage in a program that
gives reduced price heat during a certain time of day (e.g., free
heat in the mornings), not many buildings can take advantage of
this while maintaining comfort of the room occupants. Thus, the
present systems, devices, and methods, can provide a way to take
advantage of such a utility program, such as by device-controlled
convective flow over the radiator, or other device-controlled heat
transfer from within an interior of the enclosure to the exterior
of the enclosure.
[0039] The radiator enclosure systems, devices, and methods
described herein can convert a room radiator into a Packaged
Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC), which can be conceptualized as a
hot water loop with a fan, where the water can be pre-heated (or
pre-cooled), and cycled, but the fan need not be turned on until
heating (or cooling) demand is called for. By contrast, with a
conventional steam system, if one tries to preheat the loop, energy
s transferred to the room immediately, rendering temperature
control of the room impractical.
[0040] In some embodiments, the microprocessor or other device
controlling heat transfer from the interior of the radiator
enclosure to the exterior of the radiator enclosure can
additionally use room occupancy information (or a pattern of room
occupancy information) as an additional input to control storage
and/or release of energy. A home and/or apartment internal control
system, in combination with local renewable energy supply (e.g.,
solar, wind, or ground source heat pump), can be used to store
locally generated energy at thermal pass at the POU. A thermal mass
can be included within the radiator enclosure, wherein the thermal
mass can add more thermal mass beyond the thermal mass of the
radiator unit itself. Such POU storage is useful in that energy
(heat) leakage into the room is still usable.
[0041] Furthermore, the microprocessor or other device controlling
heat transfer from the interior of the radiator enclosure to the
exterior of the radiator enclosure can additionally coordinate such
energy storage and/or release with domestic hot water supply and
loop. For example, this can include providing a microprocessor or
other device-controlled heat exchanger between the domestic hot
water supply loop and steam radiator system. In operation, the
microprocessor can control energy transfer such as to transfer heat
from radiator loop to domestic hot water supply loop to store heat
in the domestic hot water supply loop (or vice-versa).
[0042] As described or incorporated herein, the heat transfer from
a radiator via insulative enclosure can be controlled, such as by
providing a controllable fan or louver between the interior and
exterior of the enclosure. For example, powering of a fan or
opening of a louver can facilitate transfer of heat from the inside
of the enclosure to the outside of the enclosure, allowing the
control of heat transfer from a radiator (or accompanying thermal
mass within the enclosure) to a room.
[0043] The heat can be transferred from the interior of the
enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure via a medium other than
air. For example, such heat transfer can be accomplished
thermoelectrically, using a heat pump, or by circulating a heat
transfer liquid or other fluid. Thus, instead of including a fan at
the enclosure boundary, a thermoelectric heat transfer device, a
heat pump, or a liquid pump can be provided, such as at the
enclosure boundary.
[0044] For example, a heat transfer fluid can be pumped or
otherwise circulated from the interior of the enclosure to the
exterior of the enclosure, such as to a passive heat sink at the
exterior of the enclosure that can transfer heat to the room to
heat the room. In some embodiments, heat transfer from interior to
exterior of the enclosure can be active, as in the active pumping
of a heat exchange fluid (or thermoelectric or heat pump), or
passive, such as in which a valve opens and hot liquid (e.g., via
convection) is allowed to flow up and out of the enclosure.
[0045] In some embodiments, device-controlled or user-controlled
heat transfer from within the interior of the radiator enclosure to
the exterior of the radiator enclosure can include controllably
transferring heat via convection, a fan, a change in an insulating
property of the enclosure, liquid heat transfer (e.g., using a
liquid loop to transfer heat out from the thermal mass to the
radiator enclosure surface), via one or more heat pipes (e.g.,
duct(s) filled with a phase-change fluid, e.g., picking up heat via
evaporation, giving off heat via condensation). The controlled heat
transfer can be active (e.g., pumping of fluid or using a
thermoelectric heat pump) or passive (e.g., valve opening). For
example, a passive convection loop does not need to be powered, a
valve can stop flow when you don't want to heat the room.
[0046] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the
systems, devices, or methods can provide a full radiator
replacement such as for steam (e.g., single and/or two-pipe) and
water heating systems. Additionally or alternatively, the present
systems, devices, or methods can provide a retrofit to an existing
cast iron radiator. In either case, the present systems, devices,
or methods can include providing an enclosure, a thermal mass
within the enclosure, a controllable heat transfer device to
transfer heat across the enclosure boundary or an opening therein,
and an optional thermal mass outside the enclosure, such as for
further heat storage or release at the point of use.
[0047] In an example, such as using the techniques described
herein, a radiator can be configured to incorporate heat transfer
control, such as via air transfer control (convection, IR, forced
air, liquid, etc.) and, e.g., using a high thermal mass material,
can be significantly smaller than a standard cast iron radiator
while still providing the same or superior energy transfer
capability. A standard cast iron radiator in a home is sized for a
correct surface area for providing heat to the particularly sized
room in which the radiator is located. By using the present
techniques, such as providing the radiator enclosure with a
processor- or device-controlled fan (or other processor- or
device-controlled device) and/or a thermal mass interior to the
enclosure and/or exterior to the enclosure a smaller footprint can
be obtained.
[0048] For instance, a radiator replacement can be configured to
include a heat storage chamber that can include a phase change
material, which can store a significant amount of heat in a much
smaller area and mass than that of a standard cast iron radiator.
Phase change materials can include a high specific heat material
that can store a lot of energy accompanying a temperature rise,
e.g., ethanol, methanol, wax, glycol, water, ammonium chloride,
etc. An illustrative example of a phase change material can include
paraffin wax. Melting wax stores thermal energy via solid-to-liquid
phase change, steam stores thermal energy via a liquid-to-gas phase
change. For example, the thermal mass of 10 pounds of paraffin wax
can store approximately 1 hour worth of heat, which can be a
game-changer for the utility.
[0049] Other illustrative examples of phase change materials can
include salts, eutectic materials, paraffin waxes, oleic acids. A
phase change system can also include a liquid wick system that can
use capillary action to move liquid that has undergone a phase
change from a solid, or that will undergo a phase change to gas. In
an example, the present systems, devices, and methods can store
energy using a phase change material that can be selected or
configured to change phase at a temperature that is (1) higher than
room temperature, and (2) lower than the temperature in the steam
loop, e.g., of the boiler system supplying the radiator.
[0050] Moreover, the microprocessor-controlled or other
device-controlled heat transfer (e.g., via fan, thermoelectric, or
other controllable heat transfer technique as described herein) can
be coordinated with the radiator heat transfer of the radiator
itself. This can improve the performance and/or reduce the mass or
bulk required, relative to a standard cast iron radiator.
[0051] In an example, the controllable heat transfer between the
interior and exterior of the enclosure need not be
microprocessor-controlled or other device-controlled heat transfer,
but can instead be human user-controlled. Such manual user control
can include a zippered enclosure (e.g., a zippered bag over the
radiator, where the user can manually control the aperture size.
Another example can include manually manipulated louvers that can
be adjusted by hand. A combination of manual and device-controlled
heat transfer can additionally or alternatively be included.
[0052] In another example, the controllable heat transfer between
the interior and exterior of the enclosure need not be
microprocessor-controlled, but can instead be mechanically
actuated, such as using a temperature-actuated valve or other
orifice. For example, a triple-duty valve can be used. In a
triple-duty valve, one function is as a valve, one function is for
closing and/or opening passage, and one function is for
establishing different valve positions.
[0053] For purpose of illustration and not limitation, an exemplary
embodiment of the thermal system incorporating a thermal mass at
the point of use in accordance with the disclosed subject matter is
depicted in FIG. 1. The thermostatic radiator enclosure or housing
10 is configured to extend around the radiator 20 and heating
exchange structure 30. In the exemplary embodiment depicted the
housing includes an opening to receive the radiator and heat
exchange structure, however alternative geometries and
configurations are considered to be within the scope of the present
disclosure. External to the enclosure/housing is the radio
controlled thermostat 40 and fan 30. Additionally, in some
embodiments for operation as a cooling or air conditioning system,
the housing 10 can include a condensation collection reservoir (not
shown) disposed under the heat exchange structure and/or thermal
mass.
[0054] The heat exchange structure 30 can be a plurality of fins
(e.g. for electric generated heat) or tubes (e.g. for steam
generated heat) with the sufficient surface area to achieve the
desired amount of heat transfer to the ambient air. The thermal
mass 60 is disposed adjacent the heat exchange structure 30 and
within the enclosure/housing 10. The proximity of the thermal mass
60 to the heat exchange structure 30 allows for rapid heating of
the thermal mass 60. In some embodiments the thermal mass 60 can be
sized/shaped so as to conform or match the shape and contour of the
heat exchange structure. This maximizes the amount of surface area
in contact and enhances thermal transfer between the thermal mass
and heat exchange structure. Furthermore, in some embodiments the
enclosure/housing 10 can include a thermal shield layer (not shown)
on the portion proximate the thermal mass 60. This thermal shield
inhibits heat loss via radiation from the thermal mass, thereby
prolonging the ability of the thermal mass can retain heat.
Similarly, the housing 10 substantially covers the heat mass 60 so
as to inhibit any heat loss via convection.
[0055] The thermal mass 60 can be composed of phase change
materials, as discussed above. These phase change materials can be
maintained within metal tubing of sufficient rigidity to withstand
the stresses imposed by the expansion and contraction generated
from the thermal cycling of the phase change material therein.
Although only a single thermal mass tube 60 is shown in FIG. 1,
some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can employ a
plurality of thermal mass tubes. For purpose of illustration and
not limitation, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed system
incorporates approximately 10 lbs. of phase change material within
four thermal mass tubes. In addition to selecting the number of
thermal mass tubes, the thermal mass composition itself can be
selected from a material(s) sufficient to store the requisite
amount of heat to maintain a desired temperature in a room of a
predetermined size, for a predetermined amount of time. In this
regard the thermal mass can be optimized and tailored to meet the
demands of a specific application.
[0056] In some embodiments multiple thermal mass tubes or units can
be employed, with differing types of phase change materials, and/or
different transition temperatures such that a first subset of
thermal mass tubes is configured to maintain an elevated
temperature (relative to the ambient temp) for use in a heating
operation, and a second subset of thermal mass tubes is configured
to maintain a lower temperature (relative to the ambient temp) for
use in a cooling operation. In this regard, the first set of
thermal mass units can be provided with a higher phase change
temperature than the second set of thermal mass units. Furthermore,
the first (hot) subset of thermal mass tubes can be disposed on one
side of the heat exchange structure 30, while the second (cold)
subset of thermal mass tubes can be disposed on one side of the
heat exchange structure 30. Additionally or alternatively, the
subsets of differing thermal mass tubes can be interwoven such that
adjacent thermal mass units alternate between hot and cold.
Additionally, the thermal mass(es) can be coupled to the heat
exchange structure with thermal conductivity characteristics which
extract energy from the heat exchange structure into the thermal
mass more rapidly than energy is dissipated from the heat exchange
structure to the ambient air within the enclosure. Also, the phase
change transition temperature can be selected to maximize heat
transfer to air inside the enclosure (facilitate heating of the
room), and passively transfer heat through the enclosure to heat
the room passively based on average heating demand.
[0057] In addition to the specific embodiments claimed below, the
disclosed subject matter is also directed to other embodiments
having any other possible combination of the dependent features
claimed below and those disclosed above. As such, the particular
features presented in the dependent claims and disclosed above can
be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of
the disclosed subject matter such that the disclosed subject matter
should be recognized as also specifically directed to other
embodiments having any other possible combinations. Thus, the
foregoing description of specific embodiments of the disclosed
subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
disclosed subject matter to those embodiments disclosed.
[0058] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the method and system
of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit
or scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that
the disclosed subject matter include modifications and variations
that are within the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *