Solar-powered temperature regulation system for the interior of an automobile/motor vehicle

Abstract

A temperature regulation system, which can be used to cool the interior temperature of an automobile/motor vehicle, when it is parked under the sun, substantially below the external temperature, was designed and produced. The system was powered by solar cells, thus functioning without dissipating any energy from the vehicle's battery. The mechanical device of the system incorporated Peltier elements, heat sinks and fans, all controlled by a power supply in the form of a circuit board. When the automobile was switched on, the system could be further used as an automobile climate control unit, for heating or cooling, withdrawing the supplementary electricity from the battery, another feature controlled by the circuit board.

1 . A temperature regulation system comprising: 
 a tubular body having a side wall and open ends arranged to permit flow through the tubular body;    at least one heat pump integrated into the side wall of the tubular body, the at least one heat pump operable to establish a temperature difference between the inside and outside of the tubular body; and    a power supply connection coupled to provide power to the at least one heat pump.    
   
   
       2 . A temperature regulation system according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one set of photovoltaic cells connectable to the power supply connection.  
   
   
       3 . A temperature regulation system according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one electrochemical cell connectable to the power supply connection.  
   
   
       4 . A temperature regulation system according to  claim 1  further comprising an air flow system of at least one fan for directing air through the inside of the tubular body.  
   
   
       5 . A temperature regulation system according to  claim 1  further comprising an air flow system of at least one fan for directing air along the outside of the tubular body.  
   
   
       6 . A temperature regulation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one heat pump is a Peltier element, the Peltier element having first and second broad surfaces, the first broad surface facing outside the tubular body and the second broad surface facing inside the tubular body.  
   
   
       7 . A temperature regulation system according to  claim 6  further comprising a pair of heat sinks arranged, wherein one of the pair is on one side of the Peltier element and the second of the pair is on the other side of the Peltier element.  
   
   
       8 . A temperature regulation system according to  claim 7 , wherein the pair of heat sinks is one of aluminum, copper, nickel or an alloyed metal material.  
   
   
       9 . A temperature regulation system according to  claim 1  further comprising a regulator operable to control the temperature difference.  
   
   
       10 . A temperature regulation system according to  claim 1  further comprising a sensor operable to detect different levels of carbon monoxide.