Temperature control system with thermoelectric device

• US 10,106,011 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2015
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
• Inventors: Goenka, Lakhi Nandlal
• Primary Examiner(s): Aviles Bosques, Orlando E
• Application Number:
  US14/693,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20150298524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/00 Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation connecting metal parts or objects by metal-working procedures B21J, B23K; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes hand tools in general B25
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/0005 the air being firstly cooled and subsequently heated or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00057 the air being heated and cooled simultaneously, e.g. using parallel heat exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00478 Air-conditioning devices using the Peltier effect for air-conditioning in general F24F5/0042; for refrigeration F25B21/02; electric devices exhibiting the Peltier effect H10N10/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00885 Controlling the flow of heating or cooling liquid, e.g. valves or pumps B60H1/00899 takes precedence; constructions of valves B60H1/00485
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/034 from the cooling liquid of the propulsion plant and from an electric heating device
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/2218 controlling the operation of electric heaters
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/32 Cooling devices B60H1/00478, B60H1/005 take precedence; vehicles adapted to transport refrigerated goods B60P3/20
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/00171 Valves on heaters for modulated liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0042 characterised by the application of thermo-electric units or the Peltier effect
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/02 using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/04 reversible
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. For example, a temperature control system (TCS) can include an air channel configured to deliver airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The TCS can include a one thermal energy source and a heat transfer device connected to the air channel. A first fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and a thermoelectric device (TED). A second fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the TED and the heat transfer device. A bypass circuit can connect the thermal energy source to the heat transfer device. An actuator can cause coolant to circulate selectively in either the bypass circuit or the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A control device can operate the actuator when it is determined that the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the airflow.

Claims

1. A conditioning system for controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a passenger air channel configured to deliver a passenger airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

a thermal energy source;

a common heat transfer device disposed in the passenger air channel;

a thermoelectric device;

a first fluid circuit configured to circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and the thermoelectric device;

a second fluid circuit separate from the first fluid circuit, the second fluid circuit configured to circulate coolant to the thermoelectric device and the common heat transfer device;

a bypass circuit configured to circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and the common heat transfer device while bypassing the thermoelectric device,

wherein the common heat transfer device is the single heat exchanger within the passenger air channel configured to be in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit and the bypass circuit to circulate coolant in the second fluid circuit and the bypass circuit;

a first fluid conducting tube connected to the first fluid circuit and the bypass circuit, the first fluid conducting tube configured to convey coolant through the first fluid conducting tube;

a second fluid conducting tube connected to the first fluid circuit and the bypass circuit, the second fluid conducting tube configured to convey coolant through the second fluid conducting tube, wherein the second fluid conducting tube is downstream from the first fluid conducting tube with respect to a direction of coolant flow in the bypass circuit; and

a control system configured to, while the thermal energy source is warming up, operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant through the common heat transfer device, in the first fluid circuit through the first and second fluid conducting tubes, and in the second fluid circuit, and configured to, when the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the passenger airflow, operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant through the common heat transfer device and in the bypass circuit through the first and second fluid conducting tubes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first fluid circuit is configured to circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and the thermoelectric device while bypassing the common heat transfer device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second fluid circuit comprises a pump configured to circulate coolant in the second fluid circuit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first fluid circuit, the second fluid circuit, or the bypass circuit comprises an actuator configured to control flow of coolant through the bypass circuit.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the actuator comprises a fluid control device, a valve, a regulator, or a combination of structures.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a blend door operatively connected in the passenger air channel, and wherein the air channel comprises a first air channel and a second air channel in at least partial parallel arrangement with respect to the first air channel, wherein the common heat transfer device is disposed in the second air channel, and wherein the blend door is configured to selectively divert the passenger airflow to flow through the first air channel, through the second air channel, or through both the first air channel and the second air channel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermal energy source comprises a vehicle engine.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third fluid circuit configured to connect the thermoelectric device to a low temperature core, the third fluid circuit configured to bypass the thermal energy source, the low temperature core configured to dissipate thermal energy to ambient air.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the low temperature core comprises a radiator configured to dissipate heat.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the third fluid circuit comprises a pump configured to circulate fluid in the third fluid circuit.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the third fluid circuit comprises an actuator configured to control flow of coolant through the third fluid circuit.

12. The system of claim 8,

wherein the first fluid conducting tube is connected to the first fluid circuit, the bypass circuit, and the third fluid circuit,

wherein the second fluid conducting tube is connected to the first fluid circuit, the bypass circuit, and the third fluid circuit, and

wherein when operating in a cooling mode, the control system is configured to operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the second fluid circuit and in the third fluid circuit through the first and second fluid conducting tubes.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an evaporator disposed in the passenger air channel; and

a blend door operatively connected in the passenger air channel and configured to route the passenger airflow across the common heat transfer device, the blend door downstream of the evaporator with respect to a flow direction of the passenger airflow when the passenger airflow is being delivered to the passenger compartment of the vehicle,

wherein the passenger air channel comprises a first air channel and a second air channel in at least partial parallel arrangement with respect to the first air channel, wherein the blend door is configured to selectively divert the passenger airflow such that the passenger airflow flows through the first air channel, through the second air channel, or through both the first air channel and the second air channel,

wherein the common heat transfer device is disposed in the second air channel, and

wherein when the blend door diverts the passenger airflow through the second air channel or through both the first air channel and the second air channel, the common heat transfer device is downstream of the evaporator with respect to the flow direction of the passenger airflow.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an evaporator disposed in the passenger air channel upstream of the common heat transfer device with respect to a flow direction of the passenger airflow when the passenger airflow is being delivered to the passenger compartment of the vehicle,

wherein when operating in a demisting mode, the control system is configured to operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the second fluid circuit or in the bypass circuit and through the common heat transfer device.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third fluid conducting tube connected to the second fluid circuit and the bypass circuit, the third fluid conducting tube configured to convey coolant through the third fluid conducting tube; and

a fourth fluid conducting tube connected to the second fluid circuit and the bypass circuit, the fourth fluid conducting tube configured to convey coolant through the fourth fluid conducting tube, wherein the fourth fluid conducting tube is downstream from the third fluid conducting tube with respect to the direction of coolant flow in the bypass circuit,

wherein while the thermal energy source is warming up, the control system is configured to operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the second fluid circuit through the third and fourth fluid conducting tubes, and

wherein when the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the passenger airflow, the control system is configured to operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the bypass circuit through the third and fourth fluid conducting tubes.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third fluid circuit configured to connect the thermoelectric device to a low temperature core, the third fluid circuit configured to bypass the thermal energy source, the low temperature core configured to dissipate thermal energy to ambient air;

a third fluid conducting tube connected to the second fluid circuit and the bypass circuit, the third fluid conducting tube configured to convey coolant through the third fluid conducting tube; and

a fourth fluid conducting tube connected to the second fluid circuit and the bypass circuit, the fourth fluid conducting tube configured to convey coolant through the fourth fluid conducting tube, wherein the fourth fluid conducting tube is downstream from the third fluid conducting tube with respect to the direction of coolant flow in the bypass circuit,

wherein while the thermal energy source is warming up, the control system is configured to operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the second fluid circuit through the third and fourth fluid conducting tubes,

wherein when the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the passenger airflow, the control system is configured to operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the bypass circuit through the third and fourth fluid conducting tubes, and

wherein when operating in a cooling mode, the control system is configured to operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the second fluid circuit through the third and fourth fluid conducting tubes and in the third fluid circuit through the first and second fluid conducting tubes.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the passenger airflow when the thermal energy source reaches a threshold temperature.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the passenger airflow when coolant circulating through the thermal energy source reaches a threshold temperature.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein control system is configured to, with the thermal energy source warming up, operate one or more valves to circulate coolant through the common heat transfer device, in the first fluid circuit through the first and second fluid conducting tubes, and in the second fluid circuit, and to operate the one or more valves to block coolant flow in the bypass circuit, and

wherein the control system is configured to, with the thermal energy source ready to provide heat to the passenger airflow, operate the one or more valves to circulate coolant through the common heat transfer device and in the bypass circuit through the first and second fluid conducting tubes, and to operate the one or more valves to block coolant flow in the first fluid circuit and in the second fluid circuit.

20. A conditioning system for controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a passenger air channel configured to deliver a passenger airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

a thermal energy source;

a heat transfer device disposed in the passenger air channel;

a thermoelectric device;

a first fluid circuit configured to circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and the thermoelectric device;

a second fluid circuit separate from the first fluid circuit, the second fluid circuit configured to circulate coolant to the thermoelectric device and the heat transfer device;

a bypass circuit configured to circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and the heat transfer device while bypassing the thermoelectric device,

wherein the heat transfer device is the single heat exchanger within the passenger air channel configured to be in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit and the bypass circuit to direct coolant through the second fluid circuit and the bypass circuit;

a first fluid conducting tube connected to the first fluid circuit and the bypass circuit, the first fluid conducting tube configured to convey coolant through the first fluid conducting tube;

a second fluid conducting tube connected to the first fluid circuit and the bypass circuit, the second fluid conducting tube configured to convey coolant through the second fluid conducting tube, wherein the second fluid conducting tube is downstream from the first fluid conducting tube with respect to coolant flow in the bypass circuit, and wherein the heat transfer device is between the first fluid conducting tube and the second fluid conducting tube with respect to coolant flow in the bypass circuit; and

a control system configured to, while the thermal energy source is warming up, operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the first fluid circuit through the first and second fluid conducting tubes and in the second fluid circuit, and configured to, when the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the passenger airflow, operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the bypass circuit through the first and second fluid conducting tubes.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein when operating in a cooling mode, the control system is configured to operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the second fluid circuit.

22. The system of claim 20, further comprising a third fluid circuit configured to connect the thermoelectric device to a low temperature core, the third fluid circuit configured to bypass the thermal energy source, the low temperature core configured to dissipate thermal energy to ambient air.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein when operating in a cooling mode, the control system is configured to operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the second fluid circuit and in the third fluid circuit through the first and second fluid conducting tubes.

24. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a third fluid conducting tube connected to the second fluid circuit and the bypass circuit, the third fluid conducting tube configured to convey coolant through the third fluid conducting tube; and

a fourth fluid conducting tube connected to the second fluid circuit and the bypass circuit, the fourth fluid conducting tube configured to convey coolant through the fourth fluid conducting tube, wherein the fourth fluid conducting tube is downstream from the third fluid conducting tube with respect to coolant flow in the bypass circuit,

wherein while the thermal energy source is warming up, the control system is configured to operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the second fluid circuit through the third and fourth fluid conducting tubes, and

wherein when the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the passenger airflow, the control system is configured to operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the bypass circuit through the third and fourth fluid conducting tubes.

25. A conditioning system for controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a passenger air channel configured to deliver a passenger airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

a thermal energy source;

a heat transfer device disposed in the passenger air channel;

a thermoelectric device;

a first fluid circuit configured to circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and the thermoelectric device;

a second fluid circuit separate from the first fluid circuit, the second fluid circuit configured to circulate coolant to the thermoelectric device and the heat transfer device;

a bypass circuit configured to circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and the heat transfer device while bypassing the thermoelectric device,

wherein the heat transfer device is the single heat exchanger within the passenger air channel configured to be in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit and the bypass circuit to direct coolant through the second fluid circuit and the bypass circuit; and

a control system configured to operate the conditioning system to circulate coolant in the bypass circuit to the thermal energy source and the heat transfer device while bypassing the thermoelectric device when the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the passenger airflow.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the control system is configured to, with the thermal energy source warming up, operate one or more valves to circulate coolant in the first fluid circuit and in the second fluid circuit through the heat transfer device, and to operate the one or more valves to block coolant flow in the bypass circuit, and

wherein the control system is configured to, with the thermal energy source ready to provide heat to the passenger airflow, operate the one or more valves to circulate coolant in the bypass circuit through the heat transfer device, and to operate the one or more valves to block coolant flow in the first fluid circuit and in the second fluid circuit.