Heat storage and transfer system

Abstract

A heat storage and transfer apparatus includes a storage tank, a condenser coil, a solar heat collector, and an evaporator coil. A pump circulates a heat transfer liquid between the condenser coil and the solar heat collector. The solar heat collector raises the temperature of the heat transfer liquid. The condenser coil within the storage tank conducts heat from the transfer liquid and the heat is then absorbed by the thermal media inside the storage tank. Water passes through the evaporator coil and conducts heat from the thermal media, thereby heating the water.

1 . A heat storage and transfer apparatus comprising:
 a substantially hollow, substantially enclosed tank, the tank including first and second fluid inlets and first and second fluid outlets;   a first conduit centrally disposed within the tank and being in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet of the tank;   a solar energy collection unit disposed outside the tank and being in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet of the tank;   a pump in fluid communication with at least one of the first conduit and the solar energy collection unit, the pump being configured to circulate a heat transfer liquid between the first conduit and the solar energy collection unit;   a second conduit disposed within the tank and radially outwardly from the first conduit, the second conduit being in fluid communication with the second inlet and the second outlet of the tank; and   a thermally conductive heat transfer medium substantially filling the tank and configured to receive heat from the first conduit, store the heat, and transmit the heat to the second conduit.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the heat transfer medium comprises paraffin wax. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the heat transfer liquid comprises propylene glycol. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of the first conduit and the second conduit is formed of copper. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second inlet comprises a cold water inlet and the second outlet comprises a hot water outlet. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pump is disposed between the first outlet and the solar energy collection unit. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the heat transfer medium comprises a granular solid. 
   
   
       8 . A heat storage and transfer apparatus comprising:
 a substantially hollow, substantially enclosed tank, the tank including first and second fluid inlets and first and second fluid outlets;   a first coil centrally disposed within the tank and being in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet of the tank;   a solar energy collection unit disposed outside the tank and being in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet of the tank;   a pump in fluid communication with at least one of the first coil and the solar energy collection unit, the pump being configured to circulate a heat transfer liquid between the first coil and the solar energy collection unit;   a second coil disposed within the tank and substantially surrounding the first coil, the second coil being in fluid communication with the second inlet and the second outlet of the tank; and   a thermally conductive heat transfer medium substantially filling the tank and configured to receive heat from the first coil, store the heat, and transmit the heat to the second coil.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the heat transfer medium comprises paraffin wax. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the heat transfer liquid comprises propylene glycol. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein each of the first coil and the second coil is formed of copper. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the second inlet comprises a cold water inlet and the second outlet comprises a hot water outlet. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the pump is disposed between the first outlet and the solar energy collection unit. 
   
   
       14 . A heat storage and transfer apparatus comprising:
 a substantially hollow, substantially enclosed tank, the tank including:
 at least one outer wall; 
 first and second fluid inlets; and 
 first and second fluid outlets; 
   a first coil centrally disposed within the tank and being in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet of the tank;   a solar energy collection unit disposed outside the tank and being in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet of the tank;   a pump in fluid communication with at least one of the first coil and the solar energy collection unit, the pump being configured to circulate a heat transfer liquid between the first coil and the solar energy collection unit;   a second coil disposed between the first coil and an outer wall of the tank, the second coil being in fluid communication with the second inlet and the second outlet of the tank; and   a thermally conductive heat transfer medium substantially filling the tank and configured to receive heat from the first coil, store the heat, and transmit the heat to the second coil.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the heat transfer medium comprises paraffin wax. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the heat transfer liquid comprises propylene glycol. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein each of the first coil and the second coil is formed of copper. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the second inlet comprises a cold water inlet and the second outlet comprises a hot water outlet. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the pump is disposed between the first outlet and the solar energy collection unit. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the heat transfer medium comprises a sand-like material.