Energy storage and thermal management using phase change materials in conjunction with heat pipes and foils, foams or other porous media

Abstract

In one aspect an apparatus to store energy comprises a housing defining an enclosed chamber, foils or foam formed from a thermally conductive material disposed in the chamber, a phase change material disposed within the chamber, and at least one heat pipe extending through the housing in thermal communication with the foam, or foil, and the phase change material. Other aspects may be described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus to store energy, comprising:
 a housing defining an enclosed chamber;   a foil formed from a thermally conductive material disposed in the chamber;   a phase change material disposed within the chamber; and   at least one heat pipe extending through the housing in thermal communication with the phase change material.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the housing comprises at least one of a thermally insulative or thermally conductive material.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the phase change material is interspersed among the foil.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the foil comprises an aluminum foil having a thickness that measures between 0.017 millimeters to 0.024 millimeters. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the metallic foil is disposed in a first orientation in the chamber; and   the heat pipe extends through the chamber in a second orientation, different from the first orientation.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the metallic foil is disposed horizontally in the chamber; and   the heat pipe extends vertically through the chamber.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the thermally conductive foils are disposed vertically in the chamber; and   the heat pipe extends vertically through the chamber.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the thermally conductive foils are disposed horizontally in the chamber; and   the heat pipe extends horizontally through the chamber.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the thermally conductive foils are disposed vertically in the chamber; and   the heat pipe extends horizontally through the chamber.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat pipe is formed from a thermally conductive metal and comprises a working fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat pipe is enhanced with at least one of a high thermal conductivity foam or fins outside of the PCM enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus to store energy, comprising:
 a housing defining an enclosed chamber;   a phase change material-foam composite disposed within the chamber; and   at least one heat pipe extending through the housing in thermal communication with the phase change material.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the housing comprises at least one of a thermally insulative or thermally conductive material.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the phase change material-foam composite comprises an aluminum foam.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the heat pipe is formed from a thermally conductive metal and comprises a working fluid. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the heat pipe is enhanced with at least one of a high thermal conductivity foam or fins outside of the PCM enclosure. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the heat pipe extends vertically through the chamber.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the heat pipe extends horizontally through the chamber.