Passive temperature modulation systems and devices employing solid phase-change materials

Abstract

A heating or cooling system based on solid materials capable of absorbing or releasing heat during a phase change is provided. The system comprises solid members that absorb or release heat during a phase change, locking members to mechanically lock in a desired phase, and a heat exchange medium.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for absorbing and releasing heat, comprising:
 at least one solid member made of a material that undergoes a phase change from a first phase to a second phase when heat is absorbed or released;   a locking member that selectively holds the at least one solid member in a desired phase; and   a heat exchange medium in contact with the at least one solid member;   whereby the at least one solid member is held in a desired phase by the locking member and is selectively released to permit transition of the at least one solid member from one phase to the other phase to allow the solid member to absorb or release heat in the heat exchange medium.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange medium is selected from air, water, or alcohol. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a plurality of solid members. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein each solid member is in mechanical communication with one locking member. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solid member has a heat absorption capacity of about 100,000 kJ to 200,000 kJ. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solid member is in the form of a rod, a sheet, a tube, or a block. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solid member is comprised of a nickel titanium alloy. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solid member transforms from one phase to the other phase at a temperature of about 60° F. to about 75° F. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a chassis, wherein the at least one solid member is held to be in mechanical communication with the locking member by the chassis. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for absorbing and releasing heat, comprising:
 at least one solid member made of a material that undergoes a phase change from a first phase to a second phase when heat is absorbed or released; and   a locking member that selectively holds the at least one solid member in a desired phase;   whereby the solid member is held by the locking member in the second phase and is selectively released to permit transition of the solid member from the first phase to the second phase resulting in the solid member absorbing or releasing heat.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein heat is absorbed or released from a heat exchange medium. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the heat exchange medium is selected from the group consisting of: air, water, or alcohol. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a chassis, wherein the at least one solid member is held to be in mechanical communication with the locking member by the chassis. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the chassis includes a plurality of wheels that are physically coupled to the chassis to support the chassis. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one solid member is in the form of a rod, a sheet, a tube, or a block. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one solid member has a heat absorption capacity of about 100,000 kJ to about 200,000 kJ. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one solid member is comprised of a nickel titanium alloy. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one solid member transforms from the first phase to the second phase at a temperature of about 60° F. to about 75° F. 
     
     
         19 . A system for absorbing and releasing heat, comprising:
 a plurality of solid members made of a material that undergoes a phase change from a first phase to a second phase, thereby absorbing heat from ambient air in contact with the solid members;   one or more locking members that holds at least one of the solid members in the first phase, wherein the locking members can be selectively released at a predetermined time allowing the solid members to absorb heat from the ambient air;   a chassis to hold the solid members in mechanical communication with the locking members; and   a plurality of wheels physically coupled with the chassis to support the chassis, thereby allowing the system to be reversibly moved from a first preselected location wherein the ambient air is below about 60° F. to a second preselected location wherein the ambient air is above about 75° F.;   whereby, in the first preselected location the solid members transition to the first phase, thereby releasing heat into the ambient air, and the solid members are held in the first phase by the locking members; and in the second preselected location one or more locking members can be selectively released to allow transition of at least one of the solid members to the second phase, thereby allowing the solid members to absorb heat from the ambient air.