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US 6,606,866 B2Granted
Thermoelectric heat exchanger
AssigneeAmerigon Incorporated
InventorLon E. Bell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a system for thermally conditioning and pumping a fluid. The system includes a thermoelectric heat exchanger having a thermoelectric device configured to pump heat. Heat exchangers are provided for transferring heat to and from the thermoelectric device and for generating a fluid flow across the thermoelectric device. The conditioned fluid may be placed in thermal communication with a variety of objects, such as a vehicle seat, or anywhere localized heating and cooling are desired. Thermal isolation may also be provided in the direction of flow to enhance efficiency.
Claims52
A thermoelectric heat exchanger system comprising:
- a first heat exchanger formed about an axis and configured such that fluid flows along the first heat exchanger at least partially in a first direction;
- a second heat exchanger formed about the axis and configured such that fluid flows along the second heat exchanger at least partially in a direction other than the first direction;
- and
- a thermoelectric device having opposing surfaces that generate a temperature gradient between one surface and an opposing surface in response to electrical current flowing through the thermoelectric device, the one surface in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger and the opposing surface in thermal communication with the second heat exchanger,
- wherein at least one of the first and second heat exchangers are configured to provide substantial thermal isolation in the direction of flow, and wherein the first direction is at least partially outward from the axis.
2 more elements
A thermoelectric heat exchanger system comprising:
- a thermoelectric device configured to generate a thermal gradient between a first temperature side and a second temperature side in response to an electrical current;
- a at least one first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first or the second temperature side of the thermoelectric device, the heat exchanger rotatable about a rotational axis;
- an auxiliary fan configured to rotate about the rotational axis and to generate fluid flow along the heat exchanger.
A thermoelectric heat exchanger system comprising:
- a thermoelectric device formed about an axis and having opposing surfaces that generate a temperature gradient between one surface and an opposing surface in response to electrical current flowing through the thermoelectric device;
- and
- first and second heat exchangers formed about the axis and configured such that fluid flows along the first heat exchanger and along the second heat exchanger generally away from the axis, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the one surface, and the second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the opposing surface, wherein at least one of the first and second heat exchangers are formed to provide thermal isolation in the direction of fluid flow between a plurality of portions of the at least one heat exchanger.
A thermoelectric heat exchanger system comprising:
- a thermoelectric device formed about an axis and having opposing surfaces that generate a temperature gradient between one surface and an opposing surface in response to electrical current flowing through the thermoelectric device;
- and
- first and second heat exchangers formed about the axis and configured such that fluid flows along the first heat exchanger and along the second heat exchanger generally away from the axis, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the one surface, and the second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the opposing surface;
- and
- an auxiliary fan that rotates about the axis and generates fluid flow along at least one of the first and second heat exchangers.
2 more elements
A method of conditioning a fluid flow comprising the steps of:
- flowing current through a thermoelectric device having opposing surfaces to generate a temperature gradient between a first surface and a second surface of the thermoelectric device;
- flowing a fluid along a first heat exchanger formed about an axis at least partially in a first direction, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first surface;
- flowing a fluid along a second heat exchanger formed about the axis at least partially in a direction other than the first direction, the second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the second surface;
- and
- forming at least one of the first and second heat exchangers to provide thermal isolation in the direction of flow.
2 more elements
A method of conditioning flowing fluid comprising the steps of:
- flowing current through a thermoelectric device having opposing surfaces to generate a temperature gradient between a first surface and a second surface of the thermoelectric device;
- flowing a fluid along a first heat exchanger formed and rotational about an axis, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first surface;
- the flowing at least partially provided via an auxiliary fan configured to rotate about the axis and to generate fluid flow along the first heat exchanger.
A method of conditioning flowing fluid comprising the steps of:
- generating a temperature gradient in a thermoelectric device between one surface and an opposing surface;
- and
- flowing fluid along first and second heat exchangers formed about an axis and configured such that the fluid flows along the first heat exchanger and along the second heat exchanger generally away from the axis, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the one surface, and the second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the opposing surface, wherein at least one of the first and second heat exchangers are formed to provide thermal isolation in the direction of fluid flow between a plurality of segments of the at least one heat exchanger.
A thermoelectric heat exchanger system comprising:
- a first heat exchanger formed about an axis and configured such that fluid flows along the first heat exchanger at least partially in a first direction;
- a second heat exchanger formed about the axis and configured such that fluid flows along the second heat exchanger at least partially in a direction other than the first direction;
- a thermoelectric device having opposing surfaces that generate a temperature gradient between one surface and an opposing surface in response to electrical current flowing through the thermoelectric device, the one surface in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger and the opposing surface in thermal communication with the second heat exchanger;
- and
- a heat transfer member in thermal communication with the one or the opposing surface of the thermoelectric device and in thermal communication with the first or second heat exchanger, wherein at least one of the first and second heat exchangers are formed in segments to provide thermal isolation in the direction of flow.
2 more elements
A thermoelectric heat exchanger system comprising:
- a first heat exchanger formed about an axis and configured such that fluid flows along the first heat exchanger at least partially in a first direction;
- a second heat exchanger formed about the axis and configured such that fluid flows along the second heat exchanger at least partially in a direction other than the first direction;
- a thermoelectric device having opposing surfaces that generate a temperature gradient between one surface and an opposing surface in response to electrical current flowing through the thermoelectric device, the one surface in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger and the opposing surface in thermal communication with the second heat exchanger;
- and
- a heat transfer member in thermal communication with the one or the opposing surface of the thermoelectric device and in thermal communication with the first or second heat exchanger, wherein at least one of the first and second heat exchangers are formed in segments to provide thermal isolation in the direction of flow, and wherein the at least one heat exchanger is formed of a plurality of blades that define a series of spaces between the blades.
2 more elements
A thermoelectric heat exchanger system comprising:
- a first heat exchanger formed about an axis and configured such that fluid flows along the first heat exchanger at least partially in a first direction;
- a second heat exchanger formed about the axis and configured such that fluid flows along the second heat exchanger at least partially in a direction other than the first direction;
- a thermoelectric device having opposing surfaces that generate a temperature gradient between one surface and an opposing surface in response to electrical current flowing through the thermoelectric device, the one surface in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger and the opposing surface in thermal communication with the second heat exchanger;
- and
- a heat transfer member in thermal communication with the one or the opposing surface of the thermoelectric device and in thermal communication with the first or second heat exchanger, wherein at least one of the first and second heat exchangers are formed in segments to provide thermal isolation in the direction of flow, wherein the at least one heat exchanger is formed of a plurality of blades that define a series of spaces between the blades, and wherein the thermal isolation is in the direction of flow.
2 more elements
A thermoelectric heat exchanger system comprising:
- a thermoelectric device formed about an axis and having opposing surfaces that generate a temperature gradient between one surface and an opposing surface in response to electrical current flowing through the thermoelectric device;
- and
- first and second heat exchangers formed about the axis and configured such that fluid flows along the first heat exchanger and along the second heat exchanger generally away from the axis, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the one surface, and the second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the opposing surface, wherein at least one of the first and second heat exchangers is formed in segments to provide the thermal isolation;
- and
- an auxiliary fan that rotates about the axis and generates fluid flow along at least one of the first and second heat exchangers.
2 more elements
A thermoelectric heat exchanger system comprising:
- a thermoelectric device formed about an axis and having opposing surfaces that generate a temperature gradient between one surface and an opposing surface in response to electrical current flowing through the thermoelectric device;
- and
- first and second heat exchangers formed about the axis and configured such that fluid flows along the first heat exchanger and along the second heat exchanger generally away from the axis, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the one surface, and the second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the opposing surface, wherein at least one of the first and second heat exchangers is formed in segments to provide the thermal isolation;
- and
- an auxiliary fan that rotates about the axis and generates fluid flow along at least one of the first and second heat exchangers,
- wherein the at least one heat exchanger is formed of a plurality of blades that are constructed in segments.
3 more elements
A thermoelectric heat exchanger system comprising:
- a thermoelectric device formed about an axis and having opposing surfaces that generate a temperature gradient between one surface and an opposing surface in response to electrical current flowing through the thermoelectric device;
- and
- first and second heat exchangers formed about the axis and configured such that fluid flows along the first heat exchanger and along the second heat exchanger generally away from the axis, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the one surface, and the second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the opposing surface, wherein at least one of the first and second heat exchangers is formed in segments to provide the thermal isolation;
- and
- an auxiliary fan that rotates about the axis and generates fluid flow along at least one of the first and second heat exchangers,
- wherein the at least one heat exchanger is formed of a plurality of blades that are constructed in segments, and wherein the segments are substantially thermally isolated from each other in the direction of fluid flow.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.