# US 10,118,463 B2 · HVAC system with positive temperature coefficient varying along length of heat rod

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- Number: US 10,118,463 B2
- Document ID: US10118463B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/841,742
- Filed: 2017-12-14
- Published: 2018-04-19
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2013-09-03
- Assignees: Tesla, Inc.
- Applicants: Tesla, Inc.
- Inventors: Vincent G. Johnston; Curt R. O'Donnell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118463B2

## CPC

- B60H 1/2225: {arrangements of electric heaters for heating air}
- B60H 1/00064: {for sending air streams of different temperatures into the passenger compartment}
- B60H 2001/00128: {Electric heaters}
- B60H 2001/00192: {to left and right part of passenger compartment}
- B60H 2001/2287: {Integration into a vehicle HVAC system or vehicle dashboard (B60H2001/00128 takes precedence)}
- B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES

## Abstract

In a first aspect, a vehicle HVAC system includes: a housing that defines at least first and second air conduits to a vehicle interior compartment; and at least first and second heat rods that each traverses the first and second air conduits, wherein a first positive temperature coefficient along a length of the first heat rod is greater at the first air conduit than at the second air conduit, and wherein a second positive temperature coefficient along a length of the second heat rod is greater at the second air conduit than at the first air conduit.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle HVAC system comprising:
a housing that defines at least first and second air conduits to a vehicle interior compartment; and
at least first and second heat rods that each traverse the first and second air conduits, wherein a first positive temperature coefficient along a length of the first heat rod is greater at the first air conduit than at the second air conduit, and wherein a second positive temperature coefficient along a length of the second heat rod is greater at the second air conduit than at the first air conduit.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicle HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the first air conduit leads to a driver position, and the second air conduit leads to a passenger position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The vehicle HVAC system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second heat rods comprises different stones along its length.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The vehicle HVAC system of claim 3, wherein the different stones abut each other at a divider between the first and second air conduits.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The vehicle HVAC system of claim 4, wherein stones on one half of the first heat rod have a higher positive temperature coefficient than stones on another half of the first heat rod.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The vehicle HVAC system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second heat rods traverses the first and second air conduits at a right angle with a divider between the first and second air conduits.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The vehicle HVAC system of claim 1, further comprising at least a third heat rod.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The vehicle HVAC system of claim 7, wherein a third positive temperature coefficient along a length of the third heat rod does not vary between the first and second air conduits.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The vehicle HVAC system of claim 7, wherein each of the first, second and third heat rods is controlled individually.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The vehicle HVAC system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second heat rods is controlled individually.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The vehicle HVAC system of claim 1, wherein:
wherein the first heat rod has different material properties along its length such that a first portion of the first heat rod has a first positive thermal coefficient and a second portion of the first heat rod has a second positive thermal coefficient; and
wherein the second heat rod has different material properties along its length such that a first portion of the second heat rod has a third positive thermal coefficient and a second portion of the second heat rod has a fourth positive thermal coefficient.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The vehicle HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the first heat rod and the second heat rod are substantially parallel to one another.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The vehicle HVAC system of claim 1, wherein each of a first portion of the first heat rod and a first portion of the second heat rod traverses the first air conduit and a second portion of the first heat rod and a second portion of the second heat rod traverse the second air conduit.