6374results about "Heat storage plants" patented technology

A coating composition for fabrics includes wetted microspheres containing a phase change material dispersed throughout a polymer binder, a surfactant, a dispersant, an antifoam agent and a thickener. Preferred phase change materials include paraffinic hydrocarbons. The microspheres may be microencapsulated. To prepare the coating composition, microspheres containing phase change material are wetted and dispersed in a dispersion in a water solution containing a surfactant, a dispersant, an antifoam agent and a polymer mixture. The coating is then applied to a fabric. In an alternative embodiment, an extensible fabric is coated with an extensible binder containing microencapsulated phase change material to form an extensible, coated fabric. The coated fabric is optionally flocked. The coated fabrics are manufactured using transfer techniques.

A building component system includes a building component that is controllable between a first state and a second state in response to a sensed condition. The system may include a sensor on a first side of the building component and a sensor on the second side of the building component. The building component may be a window that is controllable between an opaque state and a clear state by a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) network that senses the conditions on both sides of the window.

A thermal interface material includes a matrix, a plurality of carbon nanotubes, and at least one phase change layer. The matrix includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The carbon nanotubes are embedded in the matrix uniformly. The carbon nanotubes extend from the first surface to the second surface and have two opposite ends. At least one of the two opposite ends of the carbon nanotubes is exposed out of one of the first and second surfaces of the matrix. The at least one phase change layer is formed on the exposed end of the carbon nanotubes.

Ergonomic systems which provide medical therapy, comfort and enhanced function are provided. Surfaces are provided with adjustable contour, transient force damping and temperature. The technologies are applied to footwear, seating surfaces an cryotherapy devices. The cooling and cryotherapy system employ an evaporator in close proximity to skin, and therefore employ methods to reduce risk of frostbite. Advanced control and power supply options are disclosed.

Multi-component fibers having enhanced reversible thermal properties and methods of manufacturing thereof are described. In one embodiment, a multi-component fiber includes a fiber body formed from a set of elongated members, and at least one of the set of elongated members includes a temperature regulating material having a latent heat of at least 40 J / g and a transition temperature in the range of 22° C. to 40° C. The temperature regulating material provides thermal regulation based on at least one of absorption and release of the latent heat at the transition temperature. The multi-component fiber can be formed via a melt spinning process or a solution spinning process and can be used or incorporated in various products where a thermal regulating property is desired. For example, the multi-component fiber can be used in textiles, apparel, footwear, medical products, containers and packagings, buildings, appliances, and other products.

A packaging system having a container, a first radiant barrier covering the exterior of the container, an insulator covering the interior of the container, a second radiant barrier positioned in the container within the insulator for surrounding a payload, a payload surrounded by the second radiant barrier, a first phase change material having a preselected phase change temperature surrounding the payload in close proximity therewith, and a second phase change material having a phase change temperature higher than the first phase change temperature surrounding the first phase change material in close proximity therewith and being in close proximity with the second radiant barrier.

A cooling approach is provided for cooling an electronics subsystem, such as an electronics rack. The cooling approach includes a coolant conditioning unit and a thermal capacitor unit. The coolant conditioning unit has a heat exchanger, a first cooling loop and a second cooling loop. The first cooling loop receives facility coolant from a facility coolant source and passes at least a portion thereof to the heat exchanger. The second cooling loop provides system coolant to the electronics subsystem, and expels heat in the heat exchanger from the electronics subsystem to the facility coolant in the first cooling loop. The thermal capacitor unit is in fluid communication with the second cooling loop to maintain temperature of the system coolant within a defined range for a period of time upon shutdown or failure of the facility coolant in the first cooling loop, thereby allowing continued operation of the electronics subsystem.

The present application relates to encapsulated benefit agents, compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents and processes for making and using compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents. Such encapsulated benefit agents eliminate or minimize one or more of the drawbacks of current encapsulated benefit agents and thus provide formulators with additional perfume delivery opportunities.

A thermal reservoir for a two-pipe hydronic air-conditioning system is disclosed. Said thermal reservoir includes a well-insulated tank for alternatively storing hot and cold water. Said thermal reservoir contains plurality of valves for directing hot water stored therein into the two-pipe hydronic air-conditioning system, thereby causing cold water within the two-pipe hydronic air-conditioning system to be displaced therefrom and into well insulated storage tank. Said process is fully reversible in that cold water displaced from the two-pipe hydronic air-condition system into said thermal reservoir may be subsequently directed from the thermal reservoir and restored to the two-pipe hydronic air-conditioning system and hot water therefrom directed back into storage. Accordingly a two-pipe hydronic air-conditioning system may be switched between heating and cooling modes with rapidity and without waste of the energy content of said hot water and said cold water.

The invention relates to an energy storing method and apparatus for use by end-users of energy, such as commercial property owners and operators. The system differs from past systems, insofar as it is not intended to be used by and in connection with energy suppliers, such as large utility and power supply plants and grids. The system preferably relates to the manner in which an end-user of energy can implement energy and costs savings, by using energy storage and time-shifting methods, to control and regulate the consumption of energy in a manner that achieves a cost savings over a period of time. One aspect of the method relates to accurately forecasting and predicting the energy demands and peaks that might occur on a daily basis, by recording and analyzing the prior day's history, as well as the overall energy demand histories, using short and long term forecasts, and then setting up a variable energy storage / use plan or schedule that helps to reduce the peak demands by time-shifting the energy that is used, i.e., reducing consumption during high demand / high cost periods, and using the energy stored during low demand / low cost periods during the high demand / high cost periods.

A generating facility is provided for generating electricity from both solar and non-solar energy sources. The solar generating portion of the facility includes capability to directly generate electricity from solar insolation, or to store the solar energy in a tangible medium, including stored heat, or solar generating fuel. The generating facility is configured to generate electricity simultaneously from both solar and non-solar sources, as well a solely from immediate solar insolation and from solar energy stored in a tangible medium. Additionally, the solar generating capacity may be segregated; such that separate spectra of solar insolation are used to capture heat for steam turbine based electrical generation, capture light energy for photovoltaic based electrical generation, and to grow biomass to generate a solar fuel.