US 11,898,802 B2
Hybrid systems and methods for managing thermal energy
Reyad Sawafta, Asheboro, NC (US); Jason Baker, Asheboro, NC (US); Taylor Lawing, Asheboro, NC (US); Byron Owens, Asheboro, NC (US); Scott Queen, Asheboro, NC (US); Rami Saeed, Asheboro, NC (US); and Manoj Raathor, Asheboro, NC (US)
Assigned to PHASESTOR LLC, Asheboro, NC (US)
Filed by PHASESTOR LLC, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Nov. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/517,086.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/108,523, filed on Nov. 2, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0136782 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. F28D 20/02 (2006.01); F28D 20/00 (2006.01)
CPC F28D 20/021 (2013.01) [F28D 20/028 (2013.01); F28D 2020/0008 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermal energy management system, comprising:
(a) at least one active thermal storage battery comprising:
(i) an insulated container defining an interior volume,
(ii) a first phase change material disposed within the interior volume of the insulated container,
(iii) a heat exchanger comprising a plurality heat exchange plates disposed within the interior volume of the container in thermal contact with the first phase change material, wherein a fluid flowing through the heat exchanger flows through the heat exchange plates,
(iv) a fan coil connected in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, and
(v) a fluid pump operable to flow fluid through and between the heat exchanger and the fan coil; and
(b) at least one passive thermal storage battery comprising a plurality of thermal storage cells, each said thermal storage cell comprising:
(i) a container having an interior volume and
(ii) a second phase change material disposed within the interior volume of the container without a heat exchanger disposed therein,
(iii) wherein an exterior surface of the container defines one or more openings for air flow through the container between opposite sides of the container for heat exchange directly between the air flow and the exterior surface of the container.