GB1477191A - Transport of heat between two elements of different temperature - Google Patents

Abstract

1477191 Heat transfer devices; heat exchangers I LAING 5 July 1974 [6 July 1973] 30024/74 Headings F4U and F4S [Also in Division F1] In a process for the transport of heat from a hotter to a colder element, e.g. the roof 1 and ceiling 2 of a building, a fluid heat carrier is conveyed in a closed circuit formed by a sinuous duct 3 from heat exchange contact with the elements by a pump 6 which alternately delivers in opposite flow directions, the displacement volume of which pump being such that each displacement stroke conveys the fluid in heat exchange contact with one element into contact with the other element. A latent heat storage device 7 absorbing heat from the space below the surface 2 at a predetermined temperature, e.g. 17‹ C., is in heat exchange contact with the duct 3 and the space between the device 7 and surface 1 is filled with thermal insulation 8. Operation of the pump 6 is controlled by a thermostat 13 in contact with the surface to transport heat in the desired direction. Specified examples of heat carrier fluids are given, e.g. water, alcohols, brine, oil or eutectic mixtures and the pump may be of diaphragm or bellows type. In a further embodiment a heat storage substance 20, Figs. 2 and 3, is charged from a source 21 and discharged through a heat sink 26, e.g. the boiler of a steam engine. The heat source 21 comprises an inverted frusto-conical hollow body supplied with steam through a line 25, which body is in thermal contact with a surface 23 by a screw 22, and the surface 23 is in turn in thermal contact with a section 24a of sinuous ducts 24 which extend radially outwardly from the centrally disposed sink 26. A further section 24b of each duct is in contact with the sink and the remaining section 24c of each duct is in thermal contact with the substance 20. A secondary system of annular pipe-lines 24d arranged about a vertical axis are connected as by welding to the sections 24c to enhance heat exchange with the substance 20. Flow in the primary system is achieved by a displacement pump 28 in opposite directions at each stroke, and a drain valve 29<SP>1</SP> and purging valve 29 are provided. In various modifications, vertically situated portions of the duct between a roof and ceiling are of thermally non-conducting material, the pump is responsive to thermostats both within and without the building, the ceiling has substantial heat storage capacity and a plurality of thermal storage elements having different crystallization temperatures may be employed.