Climate control system for hybrid vehicles using thermoelectric devices

Abstract

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.

1 . A thermoelectric system for distributed localized heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling, the thermoelectric system comprising:
 at least one fluid conduit configured to allow a first fluid to flow therein;   at least one thermoelectric module comprising at least one thermoelectric element, the at least one thermoelectric module in thermal communication with the first fluid and in thermal communication with a region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module, wherein the at least one thermoelectric module is selectively operable either to heat the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the first fluid to the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module or to cool the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module to the first fluid; and   a controller in electrical communication with the at least one thermoelectric module, the controller being configured in a heating mode to supply electrical energy in a first polarity to heat the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module and being configured in a cooling mode to supply electrical energy in a second polarity to cool the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid conduit is coupled with an engine coolant system, the at least one fluid conduit having a portion located proximate to and in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric element; 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat exchanger coupled to the at least one fluid conduit and being in thermal communication therewith, the heat exchanger located downstream of the at least one thermoelectric module; 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid pump coupled with the at least one fluid conduit and being configured to produce a fluid flow therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a valve coupled with the at least one fluid conduit, the valve being selectively moveable between a first position connecting the at least one fluid conduit with the engine coolant system and to a second position isolating the at least one fluid conduit from the engine coolant system. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first blower configured to direct a first air flow across the at least one thermoelectric element. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 3 , further comprising an air duct within which the heat exchanger is located. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a heater core located within the air duct in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7 , further comprising an evaporator located within the air duct in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a blower adapted to provide an air flow within the air duct and across the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the heat exchanger is configured to change the temperature of the air flow and an evaporator located within the air duct is configured to receive the air flow, thereby supplementing a cooling effect of the evaporator. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the heat exchanger is configured to change the temperature of the air flow and a heater core located within the air duct is configured to receive the air flow, thereby supplementing a heating effect of the heater core. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a regenerative braking system, wherein the controller is configured to direct electrical energy generated by the regenerative braking system to the at least one thermoelectric module to generate a temperature change in the at least one thermoelectric element. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a first blower configured to generate a first air flow across the at least one thermoelectric element and a second blower configured to generate a second air flow through the air duct and across the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         15 . A method for heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling localized portions of a vehicle, the method comprising:
 directing a first fluid through at least one fluid conduit configured to allow the first fluid to flow therein;   providing at least one thermoelectric module comprising at least one thermoelectric element, the at least one thermoelectric module in thermal communication with the first fluid and in thermal communication with a region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module;   when a heating mode is desired, heating the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the first fluid to the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module;   when a cooling mode is desired, cooling the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module to the first fluid; and   providing a controller in electrical communication with the at least one thermoelectric module, the controller being configured in a heating mode to supply electrical energy in a first polarity to heat the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module and being configured in a cooling mode to supply electrical energy in a second polarity to cool the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module.   
     
     
         16 . A method for heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling localized portions of a vehicle, the method comprising:
 providing a thermoelectric system comprising at least one fluid conduit configured to allow a first fluid to flow therein and at least one thermoelectric module comprising at least one thermoelectric element in thermal communication with the first fluid and in thermal communication with a region of the vehicle corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module, wherein the at least one thermoelectric module is selectively operable either to heat the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the first fluid to the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module or to cool the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module to the first fluid;   providing a controller in electrical communication with the at least one thermoelectric module, the controller being configured in a heating mode to supply electrical energy in a first polarity to heat the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module and being configured in a cooling mode to supply electrical energy in a second polarity to cool the region corresponding to the at least one thermoelectric module; and   preconditioning at least one region of the vehicle by operating the at least one thermoelectric module.