HEAT EXCHANGER TUBE HAVING INTEGRATED THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A heat exchanger comprising:
- at least one fluid channel;
a plurality of hollow tubes, each of the plurality of tubes having a wall, a first end, and a spaced apart second end, wherein a hollow interior portion of each of the plurality of tubes is in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel;
a plurality of thermoelectric devices, each of the plurality of thermoelectric devices comprising a first heat transfer surface and a second heat transfer surface, wherein the first heat transfer surface of each of the plurality of thermoelectric devices is in thermal communication with at least a portion of the wall of at least one of the plurality of tubes; and
a plurality of heat exchanger fins, each of the plurality of heat exchanger fins in thermal communication with the second heat transfer surface of at least one of the plurality of thermoelectric devices, wherein the plurality of heat exchanger fins are configured to substantially increase a surface area of thermal communication between the plurality of thermoelectric devices and a working fluid flowing outside the plurality of hollow tubes beyond the surface area of thermal communication of the heat exchanger without the plurality of heat exchanger fins.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A heat exchanger for a vehicle is shown, wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes having integrated thermoelectric devices disposed thereon to facilitate heat transfer between the tubes and an atmosphere surrounding the tubes.
130 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A heat exchanger comprising:
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at least one fluid channel; a plurality of hollow tubes, each of the plurality of tubes having a wall, a first end, and a spaced apart second end, wherein a hollow interior portion of each of the plurality of tubes is in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel; a plurality of thermoelectric devices, each of the plurality of thermoelectric devices comprising a first heat transfer surface and a second heat transfer surface, wherein the first heat transfer surface of each of the plurality of thermoelectric devices is in thermal communication with at least a portion of the wall of at least one of the plurality of tubes; and a plurality of heat exchanger fins, each of the plurality of heat exchanger fins in thermal communication with the second heat transfer surface of at least one of the plurality of thermoelectric devices, wherein the plurality of heat exchanger fins are configured to substantially increase a surface area of thermal communication between the plurality of thermoelectric devices and a working fluid flowing outside the plurality of hollow tubes beyond the surface area of thermal communication of the heat exchanger without the plurality of heat exchanger fins. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of hollow tubes, each of the plurality of tubes having a wall, a first end, and a spaced apart second end, wherein a hollow interior portion of each of the plurality of tubes is in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel; providing a plurality of thermoelectric devices, each of the plurality of thermoelectric devices comprising a first heat transfer surface and a second heat transfer surface; placing the first heat transfer surface of each of the plurality of thermoelectric devices is in thermal communication with at least a portion of the wall of at least one of the plurality of tubes; and providing a plurality of heat exchanger fins; placing each of the plurality of heat exchanger fins in thermal communication with the second heat transfer surface of at least one of the plurality of thermoelectric devices, wherein the plurality of heat exchanger fins are configured to substantially increase a surface area of thermal communication between the plurality of thermoelectric devices and a working fluid flowing outside the plurality of hollow tubes beyond the surface area of thermal communication of the heat exchanger without the plurality of heat exchanger fins. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification