Patent ID: 7316262

Claim:
A method for absorbing thermal energy from a heat source, comprising: absorbing thermal energy from a heat source via a heat exchanger so as to transfer thermal energy from the heat source to a primary coolant; transporting the primary coolant from the heat exchanger to a heat absorber so as to transfer thermal energy from the primary coolant to the heat absorber, wherein transporting the primary coolant from the heat exchanger to a heat absorber comprises transporting the primary coolant from the heat exchanger to a heat absorber comprising a phase change material, wherein transfer of thermal energy from the primary coolant to the heat absorber melts at least a portion of the phase change material, wherein the heat absorber comprises a host material having voids that are filled with the phase change material such that the phase change material is in thermal contact with the host material, wherein the heat absorber comprises primary coolant tubing embedded in the heat absorber, wherein the primary coolant tubing is in thermal contact with at least a portion of the host material, wherein the primary coolant travels through the primary coolant tubing, wherein thermal energy is transferred from the primary coolant to the phase change material through the primary coolant tubing; and removing thermal energy from the heat absorber, wherein removing thermal energy from the heat absorber comprises: transferring thermal energy from the heat absorber to a secondary coolant, wherein the heat absorber comprises secondary coolant tubing embedded in the heat absorber, wherein the secondary coolant tubing is in thermal contact with at least a second portion of the host material, wherein the secondary coolant travels through the secondary coolant tubing, wherein thermal energy is transferred from the phase change material to the secondary coolant through the secondary coolant tubing.