The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 23, 2022
Filed:
Mar. 13, 2020
Ut-battelle, Llc, Oak Ridge, TN (US);
University of Tennessee Research Foundation (Utrf), Knoxville, TN (US);
Xiaobing Liu, Oak Ridge, TN (US);
Ming Qu, West Lafayette, IN (US);
Joseph K. Warner, San Jose, CA (US);
Liang Shi, West Lafayette, IN (US);
Other;
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for high-efficiency thermal storage with a fluid-filled 'battery' tank positioned within a fluid-filled 'reservoir' tank. Fluid loops couple the tanks to a heat pump and a building. The heat pump can charge the battery tank or deliver thermal energy (cold or heat) to a building, using the reservoir tank or ambient air as a thermal energy source. The battery tank can discharge energy to the building jointly with the heat pump or, at periods of peak electricity usage, with the heat pump switched off. Operating modes allow significant savings in electricity usage and mitigate the “duck curve.” Low duty cycle usage of the reservoir enables efficient underground thermal storage with less digging than conventional geothermal technologies. Additional efficiency is achieved with phase change materials installed inside a tank or in a tank wall, providing temperature regulation. Control methods are disclosed.