| abstract |
A heat or thermal energy storage structure comprising a crosslinked polymeric resinous matrix having a plurality of substantially unconnected small closed cavities and a heat sink material encapsulated within the cavities. The structure is characterized in that the heat sink material forms an essentially stable dispersion in the uncured polymeric resinous matrix when mixed therewith before the matrix is crosslinked. The structure can beneficially be used in conjunction with low level heat or thermal energy collector means and heat transfer means to provide a space heating or cooling apparatus. The storage structure may also be effectively used to provide an additional function of a building component in a building construction such as a wall structure. |