Thermal energy exchanger for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system

Abstract

A thermal energy exchanger for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system is disclosed, the thermal energy exchanger includes a phase change material disposed therein, whereby the phase change material is at least one of encapsulated by a thermally conductive material and impregnated with a thermally conductive material.

1 . A thermal energy exchanger for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system comprising:
 a main housing having a hollow interior;   a plurality of tubes disposed in the hollow interior of the housing; and   a phase change material disposed in the tubes, wherein the phase change material is at least one of encapsulated with a thermally conductive material and impregnated with a thermally conductive material.   
     
     
         2 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubes include a plurality of internal fins. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubes include at least one screen adapted to militate against a flow of the phase change material therefrom. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubes are in fluid communication with a source of cooled fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 4 , wherein the phase change material is cooled and solidified by at least one of a fluid from the source of cooled fluid and a flow of air therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . A thermal energy exchanger for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system comprising:
 a hollow main housing including a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first inlet and the first outlet are in fluid communication with a source of cooled fluid, the housing further including a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet and the second outlet are in fluid communication with a heat exchanger disposed in a control module of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system, and wherein each of the inlets and the outlets perform as a diffuser;   a plurality of tubes disposed in the housing forming open areas therebetween, wherein at least one of the tubes is adapted to receive one of a fluid from the source of cooled fluid and a fluid from the heat exchanger therethrough; and   a phase change material disposed in the open areas of the housing.   
     
     
         7 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the phase change material is at least one of encapsulated with a thermally conductive material and impregnated with a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the phase change material is cooled and solidified by a fluid from the source of cooled fluid. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the phase change material is disposed in one of the fluid from the source of cooled fluid and the fluid from the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the inlets and the outlets includes a screen to militate against a flow of the phase change material therefrom. 
     
     
         11 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the tubes include radially outwardly extending fins formed thereon. 
     
     
         12 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the tubes include radially inwardly extending fins formed thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein one of the tubes fluidly connects the first inlet and the first outlet. 
     
     
         14 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein one of the tubes fluidly connects the first inlet and the first outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein one of the tubes fluidly connects the second inlet and the second outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the tubes are interleaved. 
     
     
         17 . A thermal energy exchanger for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system comprising:
 a main housing having a hollow interior;   a fluid disposed in the housing, the fluid adapted to circulate through a conduit to a heat exchanger disposed in an HVAC module of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system; and   a phase change material disposed in the fluid, wherein the phase change material is at least one of encapsulated with a thermally conductive material and impregnated with a thermally conductive material.   
     
     
         18 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 17 , wherein the conduit includes an inlet end and an outlet end disposed in the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the inlet end and the outlet end of the conduit includes a screen disposed therein to militate against a flow of the phase change material from the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The thermal energy exchanger according to  claim 17 , wherein the phase change material is cooled and solidified by at least one of the fluid and a flow of air through the heat exchanger.