×

VEHICLE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM AND METHOD UTILIZING THERMAL STORAGE

  • US 20140208789A1
  • Filed: 01/25/2013
  • Published: 07/31/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A heat pump system for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment for receiving conditioned air, an engine, and a chargeable battery, the system comprising:

  • a thermal storage medium configured to store heat produced by charging the vehicle battery pack;

    a first coolant circuit configured to circulate a first coolant to absorb the stored heat from the thermal storage medium;

    a refrigeration circuit configured to circulate a refrigerant configured to absorb stored heat from the first coolant and further configured for conditioning the air to be received by the passenger compartment;

    a first heat exchanger configured to exchange stored heat from the first coolant circulating within the first coolant circuit to the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit;

    a second coolant circuit configured to circulate a second coolant configured to absorb heat from the refrigerant and further configured for further conditioning air to be received by the passenger compartment;

    a second heat exchanger configured to exchange the heat absorbed by the refrigerant within the refrigeration circuit from the first coolant within the first coolant circuit to the second coolant within the second coolant circuit; and

    wherein the heat stored in the thermal storage medium is transferred to the conditioned air received by the passenger compartment via the first coolant circuit, the refrigeration circuit, and the second coolant circuit.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×