Patent ID: 8701653
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: F24S,F28D,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A thermal energy storage device comprising: a container formed from a first material having a melting point at a first temperature; a quantity of metal disposed within said container and operative to store thermal energy, said metal having a melting point at a second temperature lower than said first temperature; a thermal energy receiver having an absorbing portion configured to absorb a portion of incident light and reflect another portion of said incident light to impinge on another area of said absorbing portion, said absorbing portion defining a cavity formed in said thermal energy receiver and including a cylindrical wall defining said cavity and defining an opening for receiving said incident light, said absorbing portion additionally including an inclined surface disposed within said cavity such that light reflecting off of said inclined surface impinges on said cylindrical wall, and light reflecting off of said cylindrical wall impinges on said inclined surface; means for conducting said thermal energy to said quantity of metal without the use of a conducting fluid; and a thermal energy discharge mechanism formed from a second material having a melting point at a third temperature, said thermal energy discharge mechanism extending through a wall of said container and into said quantity of metal and being operative to transfer thermal energy from said quantity of metal.