Thermoelectric heat exchanger capable of providing two different discharge temperatures

Abstract

A thermoelectric heat exchanger and a thermoelectric heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) configured to provide a cooled fluid or air stream and a heated fluid or air stream. The thermoelectric heat exchanger may include a plurality thermoelectric devices (TEDs), also known as thermoelectric coolers (TECs) or Peltier coolers, in thermal communication. The thermoelectric devices may be arranged in a three dimensional array to provide compact packaging for the thermoelectric heat exchanger assembly. The thermoelectric heat exchanger may be configured to transfer thermal energy between a first thermoelectric device and a second thermoelectric device via evaporation and condensation of a working fluid or refrigerant contained within the thermoelectric heat exchanger.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A cross flow heat exchanger assembly configured to heat a first portion of a fluid flowing through said cross flow heat exchanger assembly and cool a second portion of the fluid flowing through said cross flow heat exchanger assembly, wherein the first portion is segregated from the second portion, said cross flow heat exchanger assembly comprising:
 a first thermoelectric device configured to heat said first portion of the fluid;   a second thermoelectric device configured to cool said second portion of the fluid;   a first tube in thermal communication with the first thermoelectric device;   a second tube in thermal communication with the second thermoelectric device;   a first shell defining a first cavity oriented to contain a working fluid in a substantially liquid phase and sealably coupled to the first tube and the second tube; and   a second shell defining a second cavity oriented to contain the working fluid in a substantially vapor phase, and sealably coupled to the first tube and the second tube, wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are in fluidic communication through the first tube and the second tube, wherein the first thermoelectric device is configured to condense the working fluid within the first tube and the second thermoelectric device is configured to vaporize the working fluid within the second tube, thereby transferring thermal energy between the first thermoelectric device and the second thermoelectric device through evaporation and condensation of the working fluid.   
     
     
         20 . The cross flow heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 19 , further comprising a thermally insulative bulkhead intermediate the first tube and the second tube configured to segregate the first portion and the second portion of the fluid flowing through the cross flow heat exchanger assembly. 
     
     
         21 . The cross flow heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a first fin thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device and configured to cool said first portion of the fluid; and   a second fin thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device and configured to heat said second portion of the fluid.   
     
     
         22 . The cross flow heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a plurality of first thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to a plurality of first tubes; and   a plurality of second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to a plurality of second tubes.   
     
     
         23 . The cross flow heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of first thermoelectric devices are arranged on an outer surface of each of the first tubes in the plurality of first tubes in a two dimensional array and wherein the plurality of second thermoelectric devices are arranged on another outer surface of each of the second tubes in the plurality of second tubes in another two dimensional array. 
     
     
         24 . The cross flow heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a plurality of first fins thermally coupled to the plurality of first thermoelectric devices; and   a plurality of second fins thermally coupled to the plurality of second thermoelectric devices.   
     
     
         25 . The cross flow heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a support structure configured to support and locate the first shell and the second shell relative to one another and configured to direct the first portion and the second portion of the fluid through said cross flow heat exchanger assembly.   
     
     
         26 . The cross flow heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the second tube contains a wicking material configured to draw liquid working fluid from the first shell into the second tube. 
     
     
         27 . The cross flow heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the first thermoelectric device is bonded to the first tube by a thermally conductive adhesive and the second thermoelectric device is bonded to the second tube by the thermally conductive adhesive. 
     
     
         28 . The cross flow heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the working fluid circulates within the cross flow heat exchanger assembly via thermo-syphon action. 
     
     
         29 . The cross flow heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the fluid is air. 
     
     
         30 . The cross flow heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         31 . A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured to heat a first portion of an air stream flowing through said HVAC system while cooling a second portion of the air stream flowing through said HVAC system, wherein said first portion is segregated from said second portion, said HVAC system comprising:
 the cross flow heat exchanger assembly according to claim  1 , wherein the fluid is air;   an air moving device configured to move said air stream through said HVAC system;   a first plenum configured to segregate said air stream into said first portion; and   a second plenum configured to segregate said air stream into said second portion.