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:
Jun. 16, 2026
Filed:
May. 21, 2025
Terrafore Technologies Llc, Shoreview, MN (US);
Anoop Mathur, Shoreview, MN (US);
Terrafore Technologies LLC, Shoreview, MN (US);
Abstract
A thermal energy storage system configured to maintain thermal stratification and enhance energy storage efficiency over repeated charge and discharge cycles. The system includes a containment structure, such as a repurposed hydrocarbon wellbore, configured to retain a thermal energy storage fluid. A plurality of phase change material (PCM) elements are encapsulated within microcapsules or macro-encapsulated tubes and positioned within top and/or bottom regions of the containment structure. The PCM elements absorb and release latent heat at predetermined phase transition temperatures to stabilize and narrow the thermocline formed within the thermal fluid column. A reversible high-temperature heat pump (RHTHP) may be integrated to facilitate thermal energy input during charging and energy conversion during discharging. Internal fluid distribution mechanisms, including vertically distributed flow distributors and selectively actuated valves, are configured to control the location and velocity of fluid flow to further preserve thermocline integrity. The system is suitable for long-duration energy storage (LDES) applications, enabling dispatchable, zero-emission energy delivery using repurposed infrastructure.