CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HYBRID VEHICLES USING THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES
First Claim
1. A thermoelectric system for distributed localized heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling, the thermoelectric system comprising:
- at least one fluid conduit configured to allow a first fluid to flow therein;
at least one thermoelectric module comprising at least one thermoelectric element, the at least one thermoelectric module in thermal communication with the first fluid and in thermal communication with a region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module, wherein the at least one thermoelectric module is selectively operable either to heat the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the first fluid to the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module or to cool the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module to the first fluid; and
a controller in electrical communication with the at least one thermoelectric module, the controller being configured in a heating mode to supply electrical energy in a first polarity to heat the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module and being configured in a cooling mode to supply electrical energy in a second polarity to cool the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a system for controlling the climate of a hybrid vehicle. The system includes a thermoelectric module, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a valve. The thermoelectric module includes thermoelectric elements powered by electric energy. The thermoelectric elements emit or absorb heat energy based on the polarity of the electrical energy provided. A tube containing coolant runs proximate the thermoelectric elements. To aid in the transfer of heat energy, a blower is provided to generate an air flow across the thermoelectric elements and the tube. The coolant is provided from the thermoelectric module to a heat exchanger that heats or cools the air flow provided to the cabin of the vehicle. The pump and valve are in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and thermoelectric module. The pump pressurizes the coolant flow through the tube and coolant lines. In a cooling mode, the valve is configured to selectively bypass the engine coolant system of the vehicle.
101 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A thermoelectric system for distributed localized heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling, the thermoelectric system comprising:
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at least one fluid conduit configured to allow a first fluid to flow therein; at least one thermoelectric module comprising at least one thermoelectric element, the at least one thermoelectric module in thermal communication with the first fluid and in thermal communication with a region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module, wherein the at least one thermoelectric module is selectively operable either to heat the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the first fluid to the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module or to cool the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module to the first fluid; and a controller in electrical communication with the at least one thermoelectric module, the controller being configured in a heating mode to supply electrical energy in a first polarity to heat the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module and being configured in a cooling mode to supply electrical energy in a second polarity to cool the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling localized portions of a vehicle, the method comprising:
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directing a first fluid through at least one fluid conduit configured to allow the first fluid to flow therein; providing at least one thermoelectric module comprising at least one thermoelectric element, the at least one thermoelectric module in thermal communication with the first fluid and in thermal communication with a region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module; when a heating mode is desired, heating the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the first fluid to the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module; when a cooling mode is desired, cooling the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module to the first fluid; and providing a controller in electrical communication with the at least one thermoelectric module, the controller being configured in a heating mode to supply electrical energy in a first polarity to heat the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module and being configured in a cooling mode to supply electrical energy in a second polarity to cool the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module.
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16. A method for heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling localized portions of a vehicle, the method comprising:
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providing a thermoelectric system comprising at least one fluid conduit configured to allow a first fluid to flow therein and at least one thermoelectric module comprising at least one thermoelectric element in thermal communication with the first fluid and in thermal communication with a region of the vehicle corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module, wherein the at least one thermoelectric module is selectively operable either to heat the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the first fluid to the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module or to cool the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module to the first fluid; providing a controller in electrical communication with the at least one thermoelectric module, the controller being configured in a heating mode to supply electrical energy in a first polarity to heat the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module and being configured in a cooling mode to supply electrical energy in a second polarity to cool the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module; and preconditioning at least one region of the vehicle by operating the at least one thermoelectric module.
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Specification