Heat storage apparatus

Claim 2

A heat storage apparatus comprising a thermal energy storage body, means for heating said thermal energy storage body, an insulating means comprising a container and insulating layers enclosing said thermal energy storage body for reducing heat loss from said thermal energy storage body, and means for extracting thermal energy from said thermal energy storage body, wherein said thermal energy storage body consists essentially of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon and mixtures of carbon and magnesium oxide.

Claim 3

A heat storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said material is in solid block form.

Claim 4

A heat storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said material is in particulate form.

Claim 5

A heat storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said material is a mixture of carbon and magnesium oxide in sintered form.

Claim 6

In a heAt storage apparatus comprising a thermal energy storage body, means for heating said thermal energy storage body, an insulating means for reducing heat loss from said thermal energy storage body and means for extracting thermal energy from said thermal energy storage body in a readily utilizable form, the improvement which consists in utilizing as said thermal energy storage body, a mass consisting essentially of a mixture of magnesium oxide and carbon in such proportions as to satisfy electrical resistance requirements for heating said body electrically, to satisfy thermal conduction requirements for heat extraction, and to satisfy safety requirements to avoid an explosive condition in the event of accidental breakage of the apparatus.

Claim 7

In a heAt storage apparatus comprising a thermal energy storage body, means for heating said thermal energy storage body, an insulating means for reducing heat loss from said thermal energy storage body and means for extracting thermal energy from said thermal energy storage body in a readily utilizable form, the improvement which consists in utilizing as said thermal energy storage body, a mass consisting essentially of a mixture of magnesium oxide and carbon in such proportions as to satisfy electrical resistance requirements for heating said body electrically, to satisfy thermal conduction requirements for heat extraction, and to satisfy safety requirements to avoid an explosive condition in the event of accidental breakage of the apparatus.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said insulating means comprises a layered thermally insulating container consisting of an inner layer of diatomaceous earth insulation, covered by an outer layer of lower temperature insulation, both contained within a thermally reflecting layer.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for extracting the heat comprises high temperature metal tubing.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a further layer of insulation consisting of foamed magnesium oxide is provided internally of said layer of diatomaceous earth insulation.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a further layer of insulation consisting of a pyrolitic graphite exhibiting minimum heat conduction transversely thereof is provided internally of said layer of diatomaceous earth.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for extracting heat comprises a graphite slab with an internal channel for the flow of heat transfer fluid.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for extracting heat comprises a channel in said thermal energy storage means, the ends of said channel extending through said insulating means and comprising pyrolitic graphite tubes designed for minimum heat conduction along the axis thereof.