US 11,808,526 B2
Pressure-compensated thermal energy storage module
Michael T. Barako, Redondo Beach, CA (US); Juan C. Garcia, Redondo Beach, CA (US); Jack S Rechtin, Los Angeles, CA (US); and Nadine Y. Kawabata, Redondo Beach, CA (US)
Assigned to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed by NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed on May 6, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/313,536.
Prior Publication US 2022/0357112 A1, Nov. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. F28D 20/02 (2006.01); F28D 20/00 (2006.01)
CPC F28D 20/02 (2013.01) [F28D 2020/0004 (2013.01); F28D 2020/0082 (2013.01); F28D 2020/0091 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermal energy storage system comprising:
an enclosure including an internal volume;
an incompressible phase change material (PCM) provided within the internal volume of the enclosure, said PCM contracting into a solid state when its temperature falls below a certain temperature and expanding into a liquid state when its temperature goes above the certain temperature; and
an annular elastic bladder completely positioned around the PCM within the internal volume of the enclosure and being filled with a compressible material, wherein the PCM pushes against the bladder when it is expanded to the liquid state, which causes the compressible material to be compressed within the bladder and push the bladder against the enclosure.