US 12,352,504 B2
Energy bank with heat pump input circuit and hot water output circuit
Peter Konowalczyk, London (GB)
Assigned to Octopus Energy Heating Limited, London (GB)
Filed by OCTOPUS ENERGY HEATING LIMITED, London (GB)
Filed on Aug. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/229,969.
Application 18/229,969 is a continuation of application No. PCT/IB2022/051051, filed on Feb. 7, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2101678 (GB), filed on Feb. 7, 2021; application No. 2109593 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; application No. 2109594 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; application No. 2109596 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; application No. 2109597 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; application No. 2109598 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; application No. 2109599 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; and application No. 2109600 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0375281 A1, Nov. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. F28D 20/00 (2006.01); F24D 11/00 (2022.01); F24D 11/02 (2006.01); F24D 17/02 (2006.01); F24D 19/10 (2006.01); F24H 15/212 (2022.01); F24H 15/238 (2022.01); F24H 15/31 (2022.01); F28D 20/02 (2006.01); G05D 7/06 (2006.01)
CPC F28D 20/0034 (2013.01) [F24D 11/003 (2013.01); F24D 11/02 (2013.01); F24D 17/02 (2013.01); F24D 19/1054 (2013.01); F24H 15/212 (2022.01); F24H 15/238 (2022.01); F24H 15/31 (2022.01); F28D 20/021 (2013.01); G05D 7/0682 (2013.01); F24D 2200/08 (2013.01); F24D 2200/12 (2013.01); F24D 2200/14 (2013.01); F24D 2220/042 (2013.01); F24D 2220/044 (2013.01); F24D 2220/10 (2013.01); F28D 2020/0078 (2013.01); F28D 2020/0082 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An energy bank including a heat exchanger, the energy bank comprising an enclosure, and within the enclosure:
an input-side circuit of the heat exchanger for connection to, and to receive a first heat transfer liquid from, an energy source;
an output-side circuit of the heat exchanger for connection to, and to supply a second heat transfer liquid to, an energy sink; and
a phase-change material for storage of energy, the phase-change material being sealed within the enclosure and separated from the heat transfer liquids; and
an electrical heating element configured to be used selectively to put heat into the phase-change material;
wherein the phase-change material within the enclosure includes a plurality of resilient bodies that are configured to:
reduce in volume in response to an increase in pressure caused by a phase change of the phase-change material; and
expand again in response to a reduction in pressure caused by a reverse phase change of the phase-change material.