An enclosed storage tank for the simultaneous addition and removal, and storage, of two liquid layers of different density has a bottom wall, a cylindrical side wall, a roof, and a central column extending from the bottom wall to the roof. An upper perforated flexible tensile fabric diaphragm is disposed in the upper portion of the tank, and a low-density liquid conduit extends from outside the tank into communication with the upper portion of the tank above the upper diaphragm. A lower perforated flexible tensile fabric diaphragm is disposed in the lower part of the tank, and a high-density liquid conduit extends from outside the tank shell into communication with the lower portion of the tank below the lower liquid diaphragm. The diaphragms minimize internal mixing through thermoclines as liquid is introduced into and/or discharged from the tank, and reduce overall costs of tank installations and operations.

A thermal storage and exchange heating apparatus includes: a thermal storage tank that stores a heated heat medium; a circulation channel connected to high and low temperature sides of the thermal storage tank, and through which the heat medium circulates; a heat exchanger provided to the circulation channel and configured to exchange heat between the heat medium and a heating object, to heat the heating object; a circulation direction switch configured to switch circulation of the heat medium in the circulation channel between a forward direction from the high-temperature side to the low-temperature side and a reversed backward direction; and a controller configured to cause the heat medium to circulate in the forward direction by switching the circulation direction switch in a heating operation and causing the heat medium to circulate in the backward direction by switching the circulation direction switch after a stop of the heating operation.

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.

An apparatus for the accumulation and transfer of thermal energy is disclosed including a thermal energy charging device having a bed of fluidizable solid particles received within a casing and acting as heat accumulation means by being exposed to a thermal energy source, heat exchange means operating in counter-current, configured for an exchange of thermal energy between a heated vector mass of the bed particles and an operative fluid, transport means configured for feeding the vector mass of the bed particles from the device to the heat exchange means and for returning part of the vector mass, downstream the heat exchange means, to the device, and a control unit associated with parameter detecting means arranged selected locations of the apparatus to control the flow of the vector mass within the apparatus.

A heat storage and transfer system that incorporates a primary heat storage chamber or body that is thermally insulated and which in use contains a heat storing liquid or solid; and a secondary chamber external to and adjacent the primary heat storage chamber or body through which a liquid, heat transfer fluid or steam to be heated is passed in use, the system having a heat transfer mechanism to selectively transfer thermal energy from the heat storing liquid or solid of the primary heating chamber or body to the liquid or steam to be heated in the secondary chamber. The heat transfer mechanism has a drive that moves the secondary chamber from a first position that is thermally separated from the primary chamber into a second position that is substantially inserted in a void or recess within the primary chamber or body.

A pivot window includes a laminated body. The laminated body includes two sheets of a plate material; a peripheral end member provided at a peripheral end parts of the two sheets of the plate material; and a cell array plate material which is interposed between the two sheets of the plate material and which has a plurality of cells respectively having a gas phase and encapsulating a latent heat storage material having a melting point and a freezing point in a specific temperature range. The pivot window further includes a rotation mechanism for causing the laminated body to perform at least half rotation in a vertical direction.

Provided is a heat storage and dissipation apparatus capable of direct heat exchange with a heat storage body. A heat storage and dissipation apparatus (100) comprises: a heat storage body (10) that reacts with a component contained in a primary gas (G1); and a heat storage body housing portion (20) that houses the heat storage body (10), wherein the heat storage body housing portion (20) has: a housing space (S1) that houses the heat storage body (10); a first flow opening (20a) that communicates with the housing space (S1) and is capable of flowing the primary gas (S1); and a second flow opening (20b) that communicates with the housing space (S1) and is capable of flowing the primary gas (S1).

A pivot window includes a laminated body. The laminated body includes two sheets of a plate material; a peripheral end member provided at a peripheral end parts of the two sheets of the plate material; and a cell array plate material which is interposed between the two sheets of the plate material and which has a plurality of cells respectively having a gas phase and encapsulating a latent heat storage material having a melting point and a freezing point in a specific temperature range. The pivot window further includes a rotation mechanism for causing the laminated body to perform at least half rotation in a vertical direction.

A thermal battery including a storage vessel as well as an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe for a fluid that are connected to a circulation circuit is disclosed. The thermal battery also has at least two shut-off valves placed on the inlet pipe and the fluid outlet pipe, respectively, to isolate the fluid contained in the storage vessel when the circulation circuit of the fluid is shut off. The shut-off valves are automatic and include an enclosure containing the fluid and including an inlet and an outlet for the fluid, and a float that is moveable between: an upper position in which the float floats and obstructs at least the outlet when the circulation circuit is shut off, and a lower position in which the float is submerged and allows the fluid to flow between the inlet and the outlet when the circulation circuit is operational.

The heat storage apparatus of the present disclosure includes a casing, a heat storage material that is located in the casing, a stirrer that is located in the casing, that is in contact with the heat storage material, and that rotates to stir the heat storage material, and a projection that is in contact with the heat storage material, that projects from the stirrer, and that rotates with rotation of the stirrer. The projection is continuously in contact with an inner face of the casing while the stirrer rotates.