Method and system for controlling an operation of a thermoelectric device

• US 9,685,599 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2012
• Issued: 06/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
• Inventors: Zheng, Sihai, Petrovski, Dusko, Maass, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Aviles Bosques, Orlando E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Febles, Antonio R
• Application Number:
  US13/646,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20130086923A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,719 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/02 using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/04 reversible
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2321/0212 of electric power, current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/00 Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects integrated devices or assemblies of multiple devices H10N19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/01 Manufacture or treatment
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/13 characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction

Abstract

According to some embodiments, a thermoelectric system includes a thermoelectric device having a first surface and a second surface and a power source configured to deliver a voltage across the thermoelectric device to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric device, wherein the first surface is configured to heat and the second surface is configured to cool when the thermoelectric device is activated. The system further includes a processor configured to determine a potential between the first surface and the second surface when the thermoelectric device is deactivated, correlate the potential to a temperature of the first surface and adjust the correlated temperature of the first surface based on an ambient temperature.

Claims

1. A thermoelectric system comprising:

a thermoelectric device having a first surface and a second surface;

a power source configured to deliver a voltage signal across the thermoelectric device to power the thermoelectric device, wherein the voltage signal is configured to be delivered at a duty cycle that includes a plurality of on and off power pulses, wherein the plurality of on and off power pulses are a plurality of alternating on-time periods and off-time periods, whereby each of the on-time periods is a time during which a power is supplied to the thermoelectric device and each of the off-time periods is a time during which the power is switched off;

wherein the first surface is configured to heat and the second surface is configured to cool when the thermoelectric device is being powered; and

a processor configured to;

adjust an amount of power supplied to the thermoelectric device by varying the duty cycle of the voltage signal supplied to the thermoelectric device and determine a potential difference between the first surface and the second surface during at least one of the off-time periods between consecutive on-time periods within the duty cycle;

determine a temperature of the first surface based on the potential difference and on an ambient temperature.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

compare the temperature of the first surface with a desired temperature; and

adjust the amount of power supplied to the thermoelectric device by the power source, thereby reducing an amount of error between the temperature of the first surface and the desired temperature.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second thermoelectric device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine a potential difference between a first and a second surface of the second thermoelectric device during at least one of the off-time periods between consecutive on-time periods within the duty cycle;

correlate the potential difference between the first and second surfaces of the second thermoelectric device to a temperature of the first surface of the second thermoelectric device; and

compare the temperature of the first surface of the second thermoelectric device with the temperature of the first surface of the first thermoelectric device;

adjust an output to at least one of the first and second thermoelectric devices based on the comparison.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device is located in an automobile seat.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device is located in a cup holder or cool bin.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device is located in a bed system.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device is located in a medical application.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device is located in a battery thermal management application or system.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to provide temperature controlled fluid to a vehicle battery.

11. A method of controlling a duty cycle or a power level of a thermoelectric device, the method comprising:

adjusting an amount of power supplied to the thermoelectric device by varying a duty cycle of the thermoelectric device, the duty cycle including a plurality of on and off power pulses, wherein the plurality of on and off power pulses are a plurality of alternating on-time periods and off-time periods, whereby each of the on-time periods is a time during which a power is supplied to the thermoelectric device and each of the off-time period is a time during which the power is switched off;

determining a potential difference between a first surface of the thermoelectric device and a second surface of the thermoelectric device during at least one of the off-time periods between consecutive on-time periods within the duty cycle;

wherein the first surface is configured to heat and the second surface is configured to cool when the thermoelectric device is electrically activated or powered;

correlating the potential difference with a temperature of the first surface of the thermoelectric device; and

adjusting the duty cycle or the power level of the thermoelectric device based on a comparison of the temperature of the first surface of the thermoelectric device with a desired temperature.

12. A method of measuring a temperature of a side of a thermoelectric device having a first side and a second side, the method comprising:

adjusting an amount of power supplied to the thermoelectric device by varying a duty cycle of a power signal supplied to the thermoelectric device, the duty cycle including a plurality of on and off power pulses, wherein the plurality of on and off power pulses are a plurality of alternating on-time periods and off-time periods, whereby each of the on-time periods is a time during which a power is supplied to the thermoelectric device and each of the off-time period is a time during which the power is switched off;

measuring a voltage difference between a first and a second side during at least one of the off-time periods between consecutive on-time periods within the duty cycle; and

correlating the voltage difference to a temperature of at least one side of the thermoelectric device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein correlating the voltage difference to the temperature of the at least one side is accomplished using a lookup table.

14. A method of providing temperature control to a system comprising a thermoelectric device including a first surface and a second surface, the method comprising:

adjusting an amount of power supplied to the thermoelectric device by varying a duty cycle of a power signal, the duty cycle including a plurality of on and off power pulses, wherein the plurality of on and off power pulses are a plurality of alternating on-time periods and off-time periods, whereby each of the on-time periods is a time during which a power is supplied to the thermoelectric device and each of the off-time period is a time during which the power is switched off;

determining a potential difference between the first surface and the second surface during at least one of the off-time periods between consecutive on-time periods within the duty cycle;

correlating the potential difference with a temperature of the first surface;

comparing the temperature of the first side with a desired temperature value; and

adjusting the power received by the thermoelectric device based on the comparison, thereby changing an amount of heat exchanged between a fluid and at least one of the first surface and the second surface, wherein the fluid is provided to the system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the system comprises a vehicle seat.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the system comprises a cup holder or cool bin.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the system comprises a medical application.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the system comprises a bed system.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the system comprises a cooling tower or other cooling device or system.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the system comprises battery thermal management.