The present invention provides a system for controlling the climate of a hybrid vehicle. The system includes a thermoelectric module, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a valve. The thermoelectric module includes thermoelectric elements powered by electric energy. The thermoelectric elements emit or absorb heat energy based on the polarity of the electrical energy provided. A tube containing coolant runs proximate the thermoelectric elements. To aid in the transfer of heat energy, a blower is provided to generate an air flow across the thermoelectric elements and the tube. The coolant is provided from the thermoelectric module to a heat exchanger that heats or cools the air flow provided to the cabin of the vehicle. The pump and valve are in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and thermoelectric module. The pump pressurizes the coolant flow through the tube and coolant lines. In a cooling mode, the valve is configured to selectively bypass the engine coolant system of the vehicle.

Climate control system for hybrid vehicles using thermoelectric devices

A personal environment appliance and a vent for a personal environment appliance are provided. The appliance includes at least one thermoelectric module over at least one inlet port. The appliance further includes at least one main outlet port spaced from the at least one inlet port and at least one waste outlet port spaced from the at least one inlet port. The appliance further includes at least one filter between the at least one inlet port and the at least one thermoelectric module. The vent includes a plurality of first tubular conduits generally parallel to one another and each first tubular conduit having a ratio of the length divided by the width, The vent further includes a plurality of second tubular conduits generally parallel to one another and having a ratio of the length divided by the width. The plurality of second tubular conduits generally surrounds the plurality of first tubular conduits. The ratios of the second tubular conduits are sufficiently large such that air flow from the second tubular conduits is substantially laminar.

Thermoelectric personal environment appliance

A system for optimizing electrical power management in a vehicle. The system includes a HVAC device and a thermal storage device, both configured to provide heating and cooling to an occupant compartment of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller connected to an electrical storage device and an electrical generating device. The controller receives electrical power generated by the electrical generating device and directs the electrical power to satisfy the vehicle's power requirements and/or stores the electrical power in at least one of the electrical storage device and the thermal storage device. Furthermore, the controller directs at least one of the HVAC device and the thermal storage device to provide heating and cooling to the occupant compartment of the vehicle, depending on the available storage of the thermal storage unit or occupant compartment demands.

Energy management system for a hybrid-electric vehicle

A climate controlled seat assembly (1) comprising a back structure (102) within at least one forwardly extending side member (104), a seat cushion (108) disposed on the front side of the back member, a fluid distribution system (200), and a climate control device (250). The climate control device (250) is mounted on the rear side of the side member (104). A plenum duct (230) places the fluid distribution system (200) in fluid communication with the climate control device (250). The fluid distribution system (200) is comprised of a plurality of channels (220). A plurality of inserts is disposed within each of a plurality of grooves in the seat cushion (108). The fluid provided by the climate control device (250) through the plenum duct (230) into the fluid distribution system (200) adjusts the climate of the seat.

Climate controlled seat

Disclosed is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a vehicle that operates in a heating mode, a cooling mode or a demisting mode. In some embodiments, the system includes a first circuit having first pump for circulating a first medium therein, a second circuit having a second pump for circulating a second medium therein and a thermoelectric module having a first surface in thermal contact with the first medium and a second surface in thermal contact with the second medium.

Thermoelectric-based heating and cooling system

A heating and/or air conditioning system for an interior of a vehicle has a central heating and/or cooling device and a decentralized air-conveying device which includes a plurality of air-conveying units arranged locally in the vehicle interior. In order to permit good regulation of the heating and/or air conditioning system and efficient air conditioning, respective air-conveying units of the decentralized air-conveying device are arranged in a plurality of subspaces of the vehicle interior for circulating air in the respective subspaces.

Heating and/or air conditioning system having a decentralized air-conveying device

The method involves determining the instantaneous charge state of a thermal energy store (3) in a heat exchanger circuit (4) carrying a thermal bearer liquid and regulating the heating or cooling power extracted from the store accordingly. A user air conditioning demand is fulfilled if it is compatible with the thermal energy store's state of charge, the vehicle's driving state and the heat exchanger circuit parameters, otherwise reduced heating or cooling power is output. An Independent claim is also included for an arrangement for air conditioning a useful space in a motor vehicle.

Air conditioning, especially for electric vehicle passenger compartment, involves meeting demand if compatible with thermal store's charge state, driving state, heat exchanger circuit parameters

The components of the air conditioning system including a first and a second heat exchanger and a first and a second expansion device, completed by a third heat exchanger controlled by the corresponding control of the two expansion devices, are arranged in order to improve the heating effect inside the passenger cabin regardless of weather conditions and facilitating a change between heating and cooling while simultaneously controlling the humidity of the circulated air. The incoming air is kept dry even under extremely low temperatures, the temperature inside the cabin is kept at a comfortable level at least for a short period after the engine is switched off.

Combined air conditioning and heating system for passenger cabin of vehicle working with heat pump

The air conditioner has a compressor (2), the heat from which passes to an inner heat exchanger (6), an expander (8) and a radiator (10) and the exhaust gas heat exchanger (13). The coolant in the expander is expanded at a temperature below a suction temperature of the coolant in the compressor. It is contacted in the radiator with heated air, heated in the exchanger (13) and compressed in the compressor.

Air conditioner for motor vehicle interior

A refrigerant circuit for a motor vehicle air-conditioning system has a refrigerant compressor, a cooler connected downstream of the refrigerant compressor, a restrictor for expanding the refrigerant, and an evaporator for transferring heat to the refrigerant. Pressure in the refrigerant circuit is measured firstly on the high-pressure side and secondly on the low-pressure side. An air-conditioning system can be driven directly or indirectly by the motor vehicle driving engine. The refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit is almost completely liquefied upstream of the restrictor, so that it is easy to determine the refrigerant mass flow. As a result, it becomes possible to determine the compressor torque which is consumed by the refrigerant circuit and to control the motor vehicle driving engine accordingly.

Juergen Wertenbach

Papers

Heating and/or air conditioning system having a decentralized air-conveying device

Air conditioning, especially for electric vehicle passenger compartment, involves meeting demand if compatible with thermal store's charge state, driving state, heat exchanger circuit parameters

Combined air conditioning and heating system for passenger cabin of vehicle working with heat pump

Air conditioner for motor vehicle interior

Method for operating a refrigerant circuit, method for operating a motor vehicle driving engine, and refrigerant circuit