THERMOELECTRIC-BASED THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A thermal management system comprising:
- a thermoelectric device having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the thermoelectric device is configured to selectively provide heating or cooling to a battery when the battery is in thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric device, upon application of electrical power to the thermoelectric device;
a power supply electrically connected to the thermoelectric device;
a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric device;
a second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the second side of the thermoelectric device;
a first conduit configured to permit a first working fluid to flow into thermal communication the first heat exchanger and away from being in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger;
a first flow control device configured to direct the first working fluid through the first conduit in a first direction;
a second conduit configured to allow a second working fluid to flow into thermal communication with the second heat exchanger and away from being in thermal communication with the second heat exchanger;
a second flow control device configured to direct the second working fluid to flow through the second conduit in a second direction opposite the first direction such that a total temperature drop between the thermoelectric device and the first working fluid is reduced; and
a controller configured to selectively operate the thermoelectric device to either heat or cool the battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In certain embodiments, a battery thermal management system includes at least one battery, at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one battery, and a conduit comprising an inlet configured to allow a working fluid to enter and flow into the conduit and into thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The conduit further comprises an outlet configured to allow the working fluid to exit and flow from the conduit and away from being in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The battery thermal management system can further include a first flow control device which directs the working fluid through the inlet of the conduit and a second flow control device which directs the working fluid through the outlet of the conduit. The first flow control device and the second flow control device are each separately operable from one another.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A thermal management system comprising:
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a thermoelectric device having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the thermoelectric device is configured to selectively provide heating or cooling to a battery when the battery is in thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric device, upon application of electrical power to the thermoelectric device; a power supply electrically connected to the thermoelectric device; a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric device; a second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the second side of the thermoelectric device; a first conduit configured to permit a first working fluid to flow into thermal communication the first heat exchanger and away from being in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger; a first flow control device configured to direct the first working fluid through the first conduit in a first direction; a second conduit configured to allow a second working fluid to flow into thermal communication with the second heat exchanger and away from being in thermal communication with the second heat exchanger; a second flow control device configured to direct the second working fluid to flow through the second conduit in a second direction opposite the first direction such that a total temperature drop between the thermoelectric device and the first working fluid is reduced; and a controller configured to selectively operate the thermoelectric device to either heat or cool the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A thermal management system comprising:
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a thermoelectric device having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the thermoelectric device is configured to selectively provide heating or cooling to an electrical device when the electrical device is in thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric device, upon application of electrical power to the thermoelectric device; a power supply configured to supply electrical power to the thermoelectric device; a heat exchanger in substantial thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric device; a first conduit configured to allow a first working fluid to flow into substantial thermal communication with the heat exchanger and away from being in substantial thermal communication with the heat exchanger; and a first flow control device configured to direct the first working fluid through the first conduit in a first direction; wherein the first conduit, the thermoelectric device, the electrical device and the heat exchanger are substantially contained within an enclosure, and wherein the thermoelectric device is positioned in close proximity to the electrical device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification