Solid-state thermal switch panel for thermal storage

Abstract

Systems and method for operating an STS panel comprising: a filler with a thermally resistive/insulating material and a first open area (FOA); first and second layers of thermally conductive material (TCM) that are spaced apart, extend parallel, and sandwich the filler such that FOA extends from the first layer of TCM to the second layer of TCM; and a first thermal connector (FTC) disposed in FOA (a) so as to reside between and be spaced apart from the filler, and (b) so as to reside between and be in contact with the first and second layers of TCM. FTC is switchable between a first position in which a thermal bridge is created to allow heat transfer between the first and second layers of TCM and a second position in which the thermal bridge is broken and a thermal gap is created to prevent the heat transfer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A solid-state thermal switch panel, comprising:
 a filler formed of a first thermally resistive or insulating material and having a first open area;   first and second layers of thermally conductive material that are spaced apart from each other, extend parallel to each other, and sandwich the filler such that the first open area extends from the first layer of thermally conductive material to the second layer of thermally conductive material; and   a first thermal connector disposed in the first open area (a) so as to reside between and be spaced apart from the filler, and (b) so as to reside between and be in contact with the first and second layers of thermally conductive material;   wherein the first thermal connector is switchable between a first position in which a thermal bridge is created thereby to allow heat transfer between the first and second layers of thermally conductive material, and a second position in which the thermal bridge is broken and a thermal gap is created by the first thermal connector to prevent said heat transfer between the first and second layers of thermally conductive material.   
     
     
         2 . The solid-state thermal switch panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the first thermal connector is switchable between the first and second positions by tilting, rotating or translational movement. 
     
     
         3 . The solid-state thermal switch panel according to  claim 2 , wherein the first thermal connector comprises: a first portion having a first end suspended in the open area of the filler and a second end connected to the first layer of thermally conductive material; and a second portion having a third end suspended in the open area of the filler and a fourth end connected to the second layer of thermally conductive material. 
     
     
         4 . The solid-state thermal switch panel according to  claim 3 , wherein the first thermal connector is switchable between the first and second positions by tilting or rotating of the first end of the first portion thereof that is suspended in the open area. 
     
     
         5 . The solid-state thermal switch panel according to  claim 2 , wherein the first thermal connector is switchable between the first and second positions by translational movement of the first portion thereof towards and away from a second portion thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The solid-state thermal switch panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the first thermal connector comprises a ferromagnetic material, a diamagnetic material or a paramagnetic material configured to facilitate switching of the first thermal connector using at least one electromagnet. 
     
     
         7 . The solid-state thermal switch panel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second thermal connector disposed in the first open area that is switchable between two positions independent from any switching of the first thermal connector between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         8 . The solid-state thermal switch panel according to  claim 1 , wherein a second open area is provided with the filler. 
     
     
         9 . The solid-state thermal switch panel according to  claim 8 , wherein another thermal connector is disposed in the second open area so as to reside between and be spaced apart from the filler, and so as to reside between and be in contact with the first and second layers of thermally conductive material. 
     
     
         10 . The solid-state thermal switch panel according to  claim 9 , wherein switching of the another thermal connector is controllable independent from any switching of the first thermal connector. 
     
     
         11 . The solid-state thermal switch panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the filler comprise a second thermally resistive or insulating material and the first open area comprises a gap between the first and second thermally resistive or insulating materials. 
     
     
         12 . An active insulation system, comprising:
 a thermal mass;   a solid-state thermal switch panel positioned internal to the thermal mass or adjacent and in contact with the thermal mass, wherein the solid-state thermal switch panel comprises:
 a filler formed of a first thermally resistive or insulating material and having a first open area; 
 first and second layers of thermally conductive material that are spaced apart from each other, extend parallel to each other, and sandwich the filler such that the first open area extends from the first layer of thermally conductive material to the second layer of thermally conductive material; and 
 a first thermal connector disposed in the first open area (a) so as to reside between and be spaced apart from the filler, and (b) so as to reside between and be in contact with the first and second layers of thermally conductive material, wherein the first thermal connector is switchable between a first position in which a thermal bridge is created thereby to allow heat transfer between the first and second layers of thermally conductive material, and a second position in which the thermal bridge is broken and a thermal gap is created by the first thermal connector to prevent said heat transfer between the first and second layers of thermally conductive material; and 
   a control circuit configured to control switching of the first thermal connector between the first and second positions.   
     
     
         13 . The active insulation system according to  claim 12 , wherein the thermal mass comprises concrete, a phase change material or a container filled with a fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The active insulation system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a second solid-state thermal switch panel that is positioned such that the thermal mass is sandwiched between the first and second solid-state thermal switch panels. 
     
     
         15 . The active insulation system according to  claim 14 , wherein the first thermal connector of the first solid-state thermal switch panel is switchable independent from any switching of a second thermal connector of the second solid-state thermal switch panel. 
     
     
         16 . The active insulation system according to  claim 12 , wherein the control circuit is at least partially disposed internal to the first solid-state thermal switch panel. 
     
     
         17 . A method for operating a solid-state thermal switch panel, comprising:
 placing the solid-state thermal switch panel in an ON state in which a first thermal bridge is provided, by a first thermal connector, between a first thermally conductive material and a second thermally conductive material spaced apart from the first thermally conductive material via a filler formed of a first thermally resistive or insulating material;   allowing heat to flow from the first thermally conductive material across the first thermal bridge to the second thermally conductive material;   causing movement by at least a portion of the first thermal connector to transition the solid-state thermal switch panel from the ON state to an OFF state in which the first thermal bridge is no longer being provided by the first thermal connector; and   using a first thermal gap created by the first thermal connector to prevent the heat from continuing to flow from the first thermally conductive material to the second thermally conductive material when the solid-state thermal switch panel is in the OFF state.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the movement of the at least a portion of the thermal connector comprises by tilting, rotating or translational movement in an open area of the filler. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising increasing an amount of heat flow from the first thermally conductive material to the second thermally conductive material by causing a second thermal connector to provide a second thermal bridge therebetween. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising decreasing the amount of heat flow from the first thermally conductive material to the second thermally conductive material by causing the second thermal connector to break the second thermal bridge and create a second thermal gap, while the first thermal bridge is still being provided by the first thermal connector.