Thermal mass for heat pre-load and time-controlled dispersion in building heating systems

Abstract

A heating and/or cooling temperature adjusting apparatus disposed proximate a point of use comprising a heat exchange structure, at least one thermal mass unit comprised of a material which changes phase at a predetermined temperature, and a housing which at least partially encloses the heat exchange structure and thermal mass unit. Additionally, a plurality of thermal mass units can be employed, each with equivalent, or differing, temperature threshold points for conversion between solid, liquid or gaseous phases. The presence of the thermal mass unit at the point of use allows for the heating/cooling system to rapidly adjust the temperature of the room while simultaneously decreasing the duty cycle of the heating/cooling generator (e.g. boiler).

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a housing configured to at least partially enclose a radiator configured for heating a room; and   a thermal mass disposed within the housing and configured to store heat emitted by a radiator.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing and the thermal mass are collectively configured to be retrofitted to the radiator. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to trap heat emitted by the radiator and the thermal mass is configured to passively extract such trapped heat without an additional energy input. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the housing and the thermal mass are collectively sized and shaped to be retrofitted to the radiator; and   the housing configured to trap heat emitted by the radiator and the thermal mass configured to passively extract such trapped heat without an additional energy input.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a processor configured to operate a fan to move air from outside the housing to inside the housing and heated, at least in part, by the thermal mass,   the processor, the fan, and the thermal mass collectively configured to re-emit heat generated by the radiator and stored within the housing by the thermal mass to an exterior of the housing and into the room on-demand.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fan disposed outside and external to the housing and configured to move air from outside the housing into the housing and heated, at least in part, by the thermal mass; and   a processor configured to operate the fan, the processor, the fan, and the thermal mass collectively configured to re-emit heat generated by the radiator and stored within the housing by the thermal mass to an exterior of the housing and into the room on-demand.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal mass is a first phase change material, the apparatus further comprising:
 a second phase change material having a different phase change temperature than the first phase change material.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a thermal mass configured to extract and store heat emitted by a radiator; and   a housing having an interior cavity, the thermal mass disposed in the interior cavity, the housing and the thermal mass collectively configured to be retrofitted to the radiator.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the radiator is configured for heating a room. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the housing is configured to trap heat emitted by the radiator and the thermal mass is configured to passively extract such trapped heat without an additional energy input. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the radiator is configured to heat a room; and   the housing is configured to trap heat emitted by the radiator and the thermal mass is configured to passively extract such trapped heat without an additional energy input.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a fan disposed outside and external to the housing and configured to push the air from outside the housing into the housing to be heated, at least in part, by the thermal mass; and   a processor configured to operate the fan,   the processor, the fan, and the thermal mass collectively configured to re-emit heat generated by the radiator and stored within the housing by the thermal mass to an exterior of the housing and into the room on-demand.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the radiator is configured for heating a room,   the housing is configured to trap heat emitted by the radiator,   the thermal mass is configured to passively extract such trapped heat without an additional energy input, and   the thermal mass is a phase change material.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the thermal mass is configured to inhibit convective heat transfer from the radiator when the housing and the thermal mass are retrofitted to the radiator. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a housing configured to at least partially enclose a radiator; and   a thermal mass disposed within the housing and configured to store heat emitted by a radiator, the housing configured to trap heat emitted by the radiator and the thermal mass configured to passively extract such trapped heat without an additional energy input.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the radiator is configured to heat a room. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the housing and the thermal mass are collectively sized and shaped to be retrofitted to the radiator. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the radiator is configured for heating a room; and   the housing and the thermal mass are collectively configured to be retrofitted to the radiator.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a processor configured to operate a fan to move air into the housing to be heated, at least in part, by the thermal mass,   the processor, the fan, and the thermal mass collectively configured to re-emit heat generated by the radiator and stored within the housing by the thermal mass to an exterior of the housing and into the room on-demand.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the radiator is a cast iron radiator configured for room heating, and   the thermal mass and the housing are collectively configured to be retrofitted to the cast iron radiator.