Methods and systems for heating thermal storage units

(19)

(11)

EP 1 544 554 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	20.09.2006 Bulletin 2006/38

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	22.06.2005 Bulletin 2005/25

(21)	Application number: 04029843.2

(22)	Date of filing: 16.12.2004

(51)

International Patent Classification (IPC):

F24H 7/04^(2006.01)
F24H 1/18^(2006.01)

F24H 9/20^(2006.01)

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL BA HR LV MK YU

(30)

Priority:

16.12.2003 US 738825
17.09.2004 US 943639

(71)	Applicant: Active Power, Inc.
	Austin; TX 78758 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Hudson, Robert S. Austin, TX 78727 (US) Logan, Scott D. Ceder Park, TX 78613 (US) Weaver, Matthew D. Austin, TX 78758 (US) Bunton, Richard L. Sammamish, WA 98074 (US)

(74)	Representative: Vossius & Partner
	Siebertstrasse 4 81675 München 81675 München (DE)

(54)	Methods and systems for heating thermal storage units

(57) Methods and systems for heating a thermal storage unit (TSU) are provided. A thermal storage system is provided that includes a system of heaters removably disposed at least partially within the TSU, a control system for adjusting power provided to the heaters, and a removal tool for removing one or more of the heaters from the TSU when the TSU is still hot. The thermal storage system may be used in a thermal and compressed air storage system for backup power applications.

Search report