An electric stove comprising a first body made of thermally conductive material and defining a hermetically sealed first chamber; a second body made of thermally conductive material and defining a hermetically sealed second chamber, inside which is contained the first body to make, between the first and the second body, at least one interspace containing at least one working fluid to be heated; a heating device/element/component/unit or the like (or heater), arranged dipped in the working fluid and electrically operable to heat the latter.

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).

A device to store energy includes a phase change material (PCM), with a phase change temperature Tc, contained in a sealed container and constituting a storage core. A source to exchange heat with the PCM, at a temperature TA, to cause a phase change of the PCM. A recuperator to exchange heat with the PCM, at a temperature TB, to cause a phase change of the PCM in the opposite direction to the phase change produced by the source. A controller to control the heat flows between the PCM, the source and the recuperator. An apertured support in contact with the PCM in the sealed container and in thermal contact with the source and the recuperator.

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).

Provided with a heat storage device having a simple and small shape without occupying large space when mounted on an electric car and capable of storing and releasing heat efficiently without using water so that the heat storage device is used as a heater. A heat storage device 10 includes: a heat storage material 14 configured to be oxidized and deoxidized by a temperature control operation; a heat transfer material 15 for heating the heat storage material 14; at least a pair of electrodes 11, 12 configured to be connected to a power source for heating the heat transfer material 15; a container 16 containing the heat storage material 14, the heat transfer material 15 and the at least a pair of electrodes; an upstream valve 17 provided on an upstream inlet of the container 16 for shielding an inside of the container 16 from an outside; and a downstream valve provided on a downstream outlet of the container 16 for shielding the inside of the container 16 from the outside.

There is described an apparatus for storing heat. The apparatus comprises a thermal mass for storing heat, the thermal mass having a first surface and a second surface. Fins are provided on the first surface and the second surface for accelerating heat transfer to and from the thermal mass. A displacement mechanism is secured to the thermal mass for translating the first surface to a first environment, e.g., a duct, while removing the second surface and its fins from a second environment, e.g., outside, and for translating the second surface to the second environment while removing the first surface and its fins from the first environment.

A thermal energy storage (TES) component includes a shell having first and second ports, and at least a first set of thermally conductive sealed containers that contain a TES media for storing thermal energy. A first set of sealed tubes containing a first TES media are in a first section of the shell, and a second set of sealed tubes containing a different TES media are in a second section of the shell. Electric heating elements are immersed in at least some of the tubes, and may extend only from one end of the tube. In some embodiments more than one heating element is immersed in the TES media and positioned to enhance convective flow. In some embodiments electric heating elements are disposed externally on the sealed tubes. Some tubes are tapered or frustoconical, with heating elements provided in a larger-diameter portion of the tubes.

There is described an apparatus for storing heat. The apparatus comprises a thermal mass for storing heat, the thermal mass having a first surface and a second surface. Fins are provided on the first surface and the second surface for accelerating heat transfer to and from the thermal mass. A displacement mechanism is secured to the thermal mass for translating the first surface to a first environment, e.g., a duct, while removing the second surface and its fins from a second environment, e.g., outside, and for translating the second surface to the second environment while removing the first surface and its fins from the first environment.

A thermal energy storage (TES) component includes a shell having first and second ports, and at least a first set of thermally conductive sealed containers that contain a TES media for storing thermal energy. A first set of sealed tubes containing a first TES media are in a first section of the shell, and a second set of sealed tubes containing a different TES media are in a second section of the shell. Electric heating elements are immersed in at least some of the tubes, and may extend only from one end of the tube. In some embodiments more than one heating element is immersed in the TES media and positioned to enhance convective flow. In some embodiments electric heating elements are disposed externally on the sealed tubes. Some tubes are tapered or frustoconical, with heating elements provided in a larger-diameter portion of the tubes.

A device to store energy includes a phase change material (PCM), with a phase change temperature Tc, contained in a sealed container and constituting a storage core. A source to exchange heat with the PCM, at a temperature TA, to cause a phase change of the PCM. A recuperator to exchange heat with the PCM, at a temperature TB, to cause a phase change of the PCM in the opposite direction to the phase change produced by the source. A controller to control the heat flows between the PCM, the source and the recuperator. An apertured support in contact with the PCM in the sealed container and in thermal contact with the source and the recuperator.