THERMAL CONDITIONING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VEHICLE REGIONS
First Claim
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1. A thermal conditioning system for heating or cooling within a thermal zone of a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a fluid circuit configured to circulate a first working fluid in the fluid circuit;
a thermal energy source in thermal communication with the fluid circuit, the thermal energy source configured to heat or cool the first working fluid;
a first conduit in fluid communication with the fluid circuit, the first conduit configured to convey at least some of the first working fluid in the first conduit;
a first heat transfer device in thermal communication with the first conduit;
a first component within the thermal zone of the vehicle, the first component in thermal communication with the first heat transfer device, wherein the first heat transfer device heats or cools the first component via thermal energy transferred from or to the at least some of the first working fluid in the first conduit;
a second conduit in fluid communication with the fluid circuit, the second conduit configured to convey at least some of the first working fluid in the second conduit;
a second heat transfer device in thermal communication with the second conduit; and
a second component within the thermal zone of the vehicle, the second component in thermal communication with the second heat transfer device, wherein the second heat transfer device heats or cools the second component via thermal energy transferred from or to the at least some of the first working fluid in the third conduit.
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Abstract
Features for a vapor compression system configured to cool and/or heat (i.e. thermally condition) two or more distinct climate controlled vehicle interior components via a common thermal bus are disclosed. Some embodiments employ a single compressor. Some embodiments employ multiple compressors and/or thermal buses, each servicing components located within respective interior thermal zones of a vehicle, for example a front row seat zone, second and/or third row seat zones, and/or an overhead zone and/or a trunk zone.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A thermal conditioning system for heating or cooling within a thermal zone of a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a fluid circuit configured to circulate a first working fluid in the fluid circuit; a thermal energy source in thermal communication with the fluid circuit, the thermal energy source configured to heat or cool the first working fluid; a first conduit in fluid communication with the fluid circuit, the first conduit configured to convey at least some of the first working fluid in the first conduit; a first heat transfer device in thermal communication with the first conduit; a first component within the thermal zone of the vehicle, the first component in thermal communication with the first heat transfer device, wherein the first heat transfer device heats or cools the first component via thermal energy transferred from or to the at least some of the first working fluid in the first conduit; a second conduit in fluid communication with the fluid circuit, the second conduit configured to convey at least some of the first working fluid in the second conduit; a second heat transfer device in thermal communication with the second conduit; and a second component within the thermal zone of the vehicle, the second component in thermal communication with the second heat transfer device, wherein the second heat transfer device heats or cools the second component via thermal energy transferred from or to the at least some of the first working fluid in the third conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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- 13. The system of claim 13, wherein the fluid circuit is in thermal communication with an evaporator of the vapor compression system to cool the first working fluid.
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21. A system for thermally conditioning a first and second component in a vehicle having a central heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the system comprising:
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a thermal bus comprising; a main line configured to circulate a thermal medium therethrough; a thermal region including a first heat exchanger and the component; a first branch coupled with the main line and configured to circulate at least some of the thermal medium from the main line to the thermal region; a second thermal region including a second heat exchanger and a second component; a second branch coupled with the main line and configured to circulate at least some of the thermal medium from the main line to the second thermal region; and a vapor compression system separate from the central HVAC system in thermal communication with the thermal bus, the vapor compression system comprising; a miniature compressor; a condenser coupled with the compressor; and an evaporator coupled with the condenser and the compressor, wherein the miniature vapor compression system provides thermal energy to the thermal medium circulating in the main line of the thermal bus. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification