Piezoelectric cooling system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a piezoelectric system for controlling the temperature of a fluid. The system includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to be electrically coupled to a current source. The system also includes a membrane disposed between the first portion and second portion. The membrane is configured to be electrically coupled to the current source. A plurality of members is integrally coupled to the second portion and extend in a direction opposite the first portion. The plurality of members is configured to couple a fluid line to the system. The first portion or membrane is configured to receive a current from the current source to control a temperature output from the second portion.

1 . A piezoelectric apparatus for controlling the temperature of a fluid, comprising:
 a body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured to be electrically coupled to a current source;   a membrane disposed between the first portion and second portion, the membrane configured to be electrically coupled to the current source; and   a plurality of members coupled to the second portion and extending in a direction opposite the first portion, the plurality of members configured to couple a fluid line to the apparatus;   wherein, the first portion or membrane is configured to receive a current from the current source to control a temperature output from the second portion.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises an inlet and an outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises ceramic, quartz, or topaz. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first portion is structured to receive electrical energy and increase in temperature; and   the plurality of members is structured to reduce in temperature.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is structured to receive electrical energy and increase the temperature of the plurality of members. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to the second portion or plurality of members. 
     
     
         7 . A temperature control system for a powered machine, comprising:
 a controller;   an electrical energy source electrically coupled to the controller; and   a piezoelectric device disposed in electrical communication with the controller, the piezoelectric device comprising:
 a body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being electrically coupled to the controller; 
 a membrane disposed between the first portion and second portion, the membrane being electrically coupled to the controller; and 
 a plurality of members coupled to the second portion and extending away from the first portion. 
   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the electrical energy source and piezoelectric device are electrically coupled to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a first electrical flow path defined between the controller and membrane; and   a second electrical flow path defined between the controller and first portion;   wherein, the temperature of the plurality of elements is controlled based on the direction of a signal passing through the first or second electrical flow path.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the temperature decreases when the signal is passed through the second flow path to the first portion. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the temperature increases when the signal is passed through the first flow path to the membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a fluid line coupled to the plurality of members. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising an inlet disposed at one side of the second portion and an outlet disposed at an opposite side thereof, wherein the fluid line is configured to transport fluid from the inlet to the outlet. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric device, the temperature sensor being in electrical communication with the controller. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the electrical energy source comprises a battery or alternator. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the piezoelectric device is coupled to an engine or counterweight of the machine. 
     
     
         17 . A method of controlling a temperature of a fluid passing through a fluid line of a machine, the machine including a controller, a current source electrically coupled to the controller, and a piezoelectric device electrically coupled to the controller and including a plurality of members coupled to the fuel line, the method comprising:
 receiving electrical energy from the current source;   converting the received electrical energy into heat;   dissipating the heat to induce a change in temperature of the plurality of members; and   controlling the temperature of fluid passing through the fluid line.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising measuring the temperature of fluid passing through the fluid line. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the controlling step comprises adjusting the amount of received electrical energy to increase or decrease the temperature of the plurality of members. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 decreasing the fluid temperature when electrical energy is received by a first portion of the piezoelectric device; and   increasing the fluid temperature when electrical energy is received by a membrane portion of the piezoelectric device, where the membrane portion is disposed between the first portion and the plurality of members.