Thermoelectric-based thermal management of electrical devices
First Claim
1. A thermal management system configured to manage temperature in a temperature-sensitive region of an electrical device, the system comprising:
- a thermoelectric device configured to transfer thermal energy between a main surface and a waste surface upon application of electric power to the thermoelectric device, wherein the main surface of the thermoelectric device is in substantial thermal communication with an electrical conductor, wherein the electrical conductor is configured to deliver electric power to or from an electrical device such that the electrical conductor serves as a conduit for conducting thermal energy between a temperature-sensitive region of the electrical device and the thermoelectric device, and wherein the electrical device comprises a battery cell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed embodiments include thermoelectric-based thermal management systems and methods configured to heat and/or cool an electrical device. Thermal management systems can include at least one electrical conductor in electrical and thermal communication with a temperature-sensitive region of the electrical device and at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one electrical conductor. Electric power can be directed to the thermoelectric device by the same electrical conductor or an external power supply, causing the thermoelectric device to provide controlled heating and/or cooling to the electrical device via the at least one electrical conductor.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A thermal management system configured to manage temperature in a temperature-sensitive region of an electrical device, the system comprising:
a thermoelectric device configured to transfer thermal energy between a main surface and a waste surface upon application of electric power to the thermoelectric device, wherein the main surface of the thermoelectric device is in substantial thermal communication with an electrical conductor, wherein the electrical conductor is configured to deliver electric power to or from an electrical device such that the electrical conductor serves as a conduit for conducting thermal energy between a temperature-sensitive region of the electrical device and the thermoelectric device, and wherein the electrical device comprises a battery cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A thermal management system configured to manage temperature in a temperature-sensitive region of an electrical device, the system comprising:
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a thermoelectric device configured to transfer thermal energy between a main surface and a waste surface upon application of electric power to the thermoelectric device, wherein the main surface of the thermoelectric device is in substantial thermal communication with an electrical conductor, and wherein the electrical conductor is configured to deliver electric power to or from an electrical device such that the electrical conductor serves as a conduit for conducting thermal energy between a temperature-sensitive region of the electrical device and the thermoelectric device; and a thermal insulator in electrical communication with the electrical conductor and configured to substantially thermally isolate the thermoelectric device from a second electrical device that is in electrical communication with the electrical conductor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A thermal management system configured to manage temperature in a temperature-sensitive region of an electrical device, the system comprising:
a thermoelectric device configured to transfer thermal energy between a main surface and a waste surface upon application of electric power to the thermoelectric device, wherein the main surface of the thermoelectric device is in substantial thermal communication with an electrical conductor, wherein the electrical conductor is configured to deliver electric power to or from an electrical device such that the electrical conductor serves as a conduit for conducting thermal energy between a temperature-sensitive region of the electrical device and the thermoelectric device, and wherein the electrical device comprises a battery pack.
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26. A thermal management system configured to manage temperature in a temperature-sensitive region of an electrical device, the system comprising:
a thermoelectric device configured to transfer thermal energy between a main surface and a waste surface upon application of electric power to the thermoelectric device, wherein the main surface of the thermoelectric device is in substantial thermal communication with an electrical conductor, wherein the electrical conductor is configured to deliver electric power to or from an electrical device such that the electrical conductor serves as a conduit for conducting thermal energy between a temperature-sensitive region of the electrical device and the thermoelectric device, and wherein the electrical device comprises a plurality of electrical components, and wherein at least some of the plurality of electrical components comprise battery cells.
Specification