Thermoelectric enhanced HVAC system and method
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsDaniel Spurgeon, Mahmoud Taher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A heating and cooling system is provided for use on a work machine. The system may include one or more temperature sensors configured to collect environmental temperature information and a compressor-based HVAC unit having a compressor and providing in-cabin climate control based on circulation. The system may also include a thermoelectric HVAC unit to supplement the compressor-based HVAC unit. Further, the system may include a controller configured to control the thermoelectric HVAC unit and the compressor-based HVAC unit based on the environmental temperature information.
Claims30
A heating and cooling system for use on a work machine, comprising:
- one or more temperature sensors configured to collect environmental temperature information;
- a compressor-based HVAC unit having a compressor and providing in-cabin climate control based on circulation;
- a thermoelectric HVAC unit to supplement the compressor-based HVAC unit;
- and
- a controller configured to control the thermoelectric HVAC unit and the compressor-based HVAC unit based on predetermined information.
A method for use in a thermoelectric enhanced heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system having a compressor-based HVAC unit and one or more thermoelectric modules on a work machine, comprising:
- determining an operational mode for the thermoelectric enhanced HVAC system;
- determining an operational status for the compressor-based HVAC unit;
- and
- supplementing the compressor-based HVAC unit with the one or more thermoelectric modules based on the operational status of the compressor-based HVAC unit.
A method for operating at least one thermoelectric module within a thermoelectric enhanced HVAC system having a compressor-based HVAC unit, comprising:
- obtaining environmental temperature information;
- determining an operational mode for the at least one thermoelectric module based on the environmental temperature information;
- determining a polarity and magnitude of a voltage to be applied to thermoelectric materials within the at least one thermoelectric module;
- and
- applying the voltage having the determined polarity and magnitude to the thermoelectric materials within the at least one thermoelectric module.
A control system of a work machine for use in a thermoelectric enhanced HVAC system, comprising:
- a compressor-based HVAC unit;
- at least one thermoelectric HVAC unit, and a controller configured to perform operations to:
- obtain environmental temperature information from one or more sensors;
- determine an operational mode for the thermoelectric enhanced HVAC system based on the environmental temperature information;
- determine an operational status for the compressor-based HVAC unit;
- and
- supplement, based on the operational status of the compressor-based HVAC unit, operation of the compressor-based HVAC unit by operating the at least one thermoelectric HVAC unit.
A work machine, comprising:
- an operator cabin;
- a compressor-based HVAC unit configured to provide conditioned air to the cabin;
- at least one thermoelectric module configured to alter environmental conditions in the cabin;
- and
- a controller configured to selectively operate the compressor-based HVAC unit and the at least one thermoelectric module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.