A heating device for heating a gas stream is proposed, the heating device comprising two electric connection elements (43, 44) for being connected to a power source and at least one heating plate unit (39A, 39B, 39C, 39D, 39E) having an inlet side and an outlet side, which comprises a plurality of heating plate strips (45, 46) which are in the gas stream and each have a first end area and a second end area, adjacent heating plate strips (45, 46) being connected to each other in the first end areas and the second end areas each via a conductive spacer structure (47).

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 wall mountable electric heater comprises a core 20 arranged in a casing 2 with a convection space 50 defined between opposed surfaces 47, 27′ of the casing and the core, The opposed surfaces are provided with oppositely directed protrusions 26, 44 which are spaced apart in two dimensions and arranged in-between one another to form a serpentine flowpath. The protrusions 44 in the panel 4 of the casing define recesses 43 which extend inwardly towards the core, each recess having a base wall 46 in which a perforation 48 is formed between the first and second sides 40, 41 of the panel 4, The air flowing upwardly through the convection space 50 generates a pressure differential across the first and second sides 40, 41 of the panel 4, drawing air in through the perforations to increase the mass flow rate of the air in the convection space. The base wall 46 of each recess may be spaced apart from the opposed, outwardly facing side 23 of the core by a relatively small distance D1, increasing the velocity of the airflow and hence the pressure differential proximate the perforation 48.

A heat storage device, a heat storage system comprising at least one heat storage device, and a method for operating a heat storage device.

A wall mountable electric heater comprises a core 20 arranged in a casing 2 with a convection space 50 defined between opposed surfaces 47, 27′ of the casing and the core. The opposed surfaces are provided with oppositely directed protrusions 26, 44 which are spaced apart in two dimensions and arranged in-between one another to form a serpentine flowpath. The protrusions 44 in the panel 4 of the casing define recesses 43 which extend inwardly towards the core, each recess having a base wall 46 in which a perforation 48 is formed between the first and second sides 40, 41 of the panel 4, The air flowing upwardly through the convection space 50 generates a pressure differential across the first and second sides 40, 41 of the panel 4, drawing air in through the perforations 48 to increase the mass flow rate of the air in the convection space. The base wall 46 of each recess may be spaced apart from the opposed, outwardly facing side 23 of the core by a relatively small distance D1, increasing the velocity of the airflow and hence the pressure differential proximate the perforation 48.

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 plurality of electric heater elements are positioned within a core of an electric heater for heating the core to charge the core with stored thermal energy. A first air path extends through the core between an air input opening and an air output opening in a housing. An air supply conduit connects to a supply of an external air flow; an outlet end of an air output conduit is connected to a heated air outlet conduit, for outputting heated air from the electric heater. A bypass conduit connects first and second junctions and defines a second air path external of the core. A temperature sensor senses temperature of heated air. An air flow control valve mechanism variably controls a flow rate of air flow along a conduit based on a temperature of the heated air measured by the temperature sensor, thereby controlling a flow rate along the air paths.

One embodiment provides a cascade phase change material (PCM) natural refrigerant heat pump system that includes multiple heat pumps. A heat exchanger is connected to the multiple heat pumps. A thermal battery bank including multiple PCM battery cells is connected to the heat exchanger in a closed loop. A circulator pump is connected to the heat exchanger and the multiple PCM battery cells.

A fireplace system includes a fireplace, a thermal energy storage system (TESS) implemented with the fireplace and including one or more heat storing materials in which thermal energy is stored, and a control system comprising one or more controllers operatively coupled with the fireplace and the TESS. The control system is operable to control operation of the fireplace and the TESS to release the stored thermal energy from the one or more heat storing materials into a surrounding environment based on one or more inputs.

A heat storage device, a heat storage system comprising at least one heat storage device, and a method for operating a heat storage device.