THERMAL CONTROL OF AN OPERATING MACHINE THROUGH A SYSTEM FOR STORING THERMAL ENERGY BASED ON PHASE-CHANGE MATERIALS

A process is described, to be adopted in the field of operating machines as regards their thermal control. Such process is based on the use of a system for storing thermal energy with phase-change materials. Preferred embodiments of such storage system consist, for example, in a panel (8) and a cylinder liner (13), composed of two metal skins (16) that enclose a core with cellular structure containing at least one type of phase-change material. The presence of phase-change materials ensures a high thermal capacity to the system for storing thermal energy. The process consists in applying at least one of the above systems for storing thermal energy as structural thermo- settling element of an operating machine, as thermal interface barrier or as system for increasing the thermal inertia of a component of the operating machine. In such a way, temperature variations (due to heat generated by some components inside the machine, or coming from the outside environment), and the consequent thermal distortions that are the cause of working or measuring errors, are limited. This guarantees the passive thermal control of the operating machine.