Thermal energy storage assembly with phase change materials

Abstract

A thermal energy storage assembly includes a first pipe configured to have a heat transfer fluid flow through a bore of the first pipe and a second pipe surrounding the first pipe. A phase change material fills the space between the first pipe and the second pipe, the phase change material storing cold thermal energy from the heat transfer fluid.

1 . A thermal energy storage assembly, comprising:
 a first pipe configured to have a heat transfer fluid flow through a bore of the first pipe;   a second pipe surrounding the first pipe; and   a phase change material filling the space between the first pipe and the second pipe, the phase change material storing thermal energy from the heat transfer fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The thermal energy storage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are co-axial. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal energy storage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first pipe is made of metal. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal energy storage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material is one of paraffinic waxes or fatty acids from natural oils or inorganic salt solutions. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal energy storage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein one of fins and heat transfer material is located in the space between the first pipe and the second pipe. 
     
     
         6 . A refrigeration system, comprising:
 a cooling unit configured to cool a heat transfer fluid; and   a thermal energy storage assembly configured to circulate the heat transfer fluid from the cooling unit and back to the cooling unit, the thermal energy storage assembly configured to refrigerate a compartment, the thermal energy storage assembly comprising:
 a first pipe configured to have the heat transfer fluid flow through a bore of the first pipe; 
 a second pipe surrounding the first pipe; and 
 a phase change material filling the space between the first pipe and the second pipe, the phase change material storing thermal energy from the heat transfer fluid. 
   
     
     
         7 . The refrigeration system of  claim 6 , wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are co-axial. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigeration system of  claim 6 , wherein the thermal energy storage assembly is located in a wall of the compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigeration system of  claim 8 , wherein the thermal energy storage assembly is exposed to an atmosphere in the compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigeration system of  claim 8 , wherein the thermal energy storage assembly is sandwiched between two wall panels of a wall of the compartment, a space between the two wall panels filled with an insulation material. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigeration system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a heat transfer fluid transmission system between the cooling unit and the thermal energy storage assembly to transmit the heat transfer fluid between the cooling unit and the thermal energy storage assembly; and   a pump located along the heat transfer fluid system to increase a flow rate of the heat transfer fluid based on the pump being turned on.   
     
     
         12 . The refrigeration system of  claim 11 , wherein the cooling unit includes an evaporator,
 the heat transfer fluid passes through the evaporator to exchange thermal energy with a refrigerant, and   the heat transfer fluid flows through the evaporator and exchanges thermal energy with the refrigerant based on the pump being turned on.   
     
     
         13 . A mobile refrigeration vehicle, comprising:
 a refrigerated compartment having a thermal energy storage assembly attached to at least one wall of the refrigerated compartment, the thermal energy storage assembly comprising:
 a first pipe configured to have the heat transfer fluid flow through a bore of the first pipe; 
 a second pipe surrounding the first pipe; and 
 a phase change material filling the space between the first pipe and the second pipe, the phase change material storing thermal energy from the heat transfer fluid. 
   
     
     
         14 . The mobile refrigeration vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are co-axial. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile refrigeration vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the thermal energy storage assembly is located in a wall of the compartment. 
     
     
         16 . The mobile refrigeration vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the thermal energy storage assembly is exposed to an atmosphere in the compartment. 
     
     
         17 . The mobile refrigeration vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the thermal energy storage assembly is sandwiched between two wall panels of a wall of the compartment, a space between the two wall panels and between adjacent lengths of the thermal energy storage assembly being filled with an insulation material.