Heat exchanger beds and related systems and methods

Abstract

An embodiment of a heating system for a camp includes at least one heat exchanger bed. Each heat exchanger bed includes a bed frame defining a chamber therein, a bedding assembly positioned on top of the bed frame, and a heat exchanger positioned in the chamber that is configured to transfer heat to or from the bedding assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bed comprising:
 a bed frame defining a chamber therein;   a bedding assembly positioned on top of the bed frame; and   a heat exchanger positioned in the chamber that is configured to transfer heat to or from the bedding assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The bed of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermoelectric generator (TEG) that is configured to generate electrical power via a temperature gradient between the heat exchanger and the bedding assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The bed of  claim 2 , further comprising a controller assembly that is at least partially electrically powered by the TEG, wherein the controller assembly is configured to control a temperature output from the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . The bed of  claim 3 , wherein the heat exchanger is configured to circulate a fluid therethrough, wherein the bed further comprises one or more flow control devices, and wherein the controller assembly is configured to adjust the one or more flow control devices to adjust a flow rate of the fluid through the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . The bed of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more flow control devices comprise one or more pumps, and wherein the controller assembly is configured to control the one or more pumps so that an operating speed of the one or more pumps is directly related to a magnitude of the temperature gradient between the heat exchanger and the bedding assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The bed of  claim 4 , wherein the controller assembly is communicatively coupled to one or more sensors that are configured to detect a temperature of the fluid, and wherein the controller assembly is configured to adjust the one or more flow control devices based at least in part on the temperature of the fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The bed of  claim 4 , wherein the controller assembly includes a user input device that is configured to receive a user input corresponding to a desired temperature output from the heat exchanger, and wherein the controller assembly is configured to adjust the one or more flow control devices based at least in part on the user input to the user input device. 
     
     
         8 . The bed of  claim 4 , wherein the TEG is incorporated as a layer in the bedding assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The bed of  claim 8 , wherein the bedding assembly includes a thermal mass layer that includes a phase-change material that is configured to change phase to store and emit thermal energy. 
     
     
         10 . The bed of  claim 4 , further comprising a cooling assembly that is configured to circulate a refrigerant through a tube assembly, wherein the cooling assembly comprises:
 one or more heat exchanger tube assemblies; and   a compressor that is configured to circulate a refrigerant through the one or more heat exchanger tube assemblies.   
     
     
         11 . The bed of  claim 10 , wherein the compressor is at least partially electrically powered by the TEG. 
     
     
         12 . The bed of  claim 10 , wherein each of the one or more heat exchanger tube assemblies further comprise:
 an outer tube;   an inner tube positioned in the outer tube to define an annular space between the outer tube and the inner tube, wherein the inner tube is in fluid communication with the compressor so that the inner tube is configured to carry the refrigerant therein; and   a second phase-change material positioned in the annular space.   
     
     
         13 . The bed of  claim 12 , wherein the inner tube includes a plurality of fins that extend outward from the inner tube and within the annular space. 
     
     
         14 . The bed of  claim 1 , further comprising a Peltier cooler that is configured to cool the bedding assembly when energized with electric current. 
     
     
         15 . The bed of  claim 14 , wherein the Peltier cooler comprises a thermoelectric material that is coupled to the bedding assembly. 
     
     
         16 . A heating system for a camp, the heating system including:
 at least one bed of  claim 1 ; and   a heater assembly,   wherein the at least one bed is in fluid communication with the heater assembly such that the heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from a fluid circulated from the heater assembly to the bedding assembly.   
     
     
         17 . The heating system of  claim 16 , wherein the heater assembly comprises a solar concentrator that further comprises:
 a heating vessel; and   one or more reflectors that are configured to reflect sunlight onto the heating vessel.   
     
     
         18 . The heating system of  claim 17 , wherein the heating vessel is elevated off of the ground. 
     
     
         19 . The heating system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 one or more flow control devices; and   a controller assembly that is configured to adjust the one or more flow control devices to adjust a flow rate of the fluid through the bed; and   a thermoelectric generator (TEG) that is configured to generate electrical power via heat emitted from the heat exchanger to at least partially electrically power the controller assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The heating system of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more flow control devices comprise one or more pumps, and wherein the controller assembly is configured to control the one or more pumps so that an operating speed of the one or more pumps is directly related to a magnitude of a temperature gradient across the TEG. 
     
     
         21 . The heating system of  claim 16 , wherein the bedding assembly of the at least one bed includes a thermal mass layer including a phase-change material that is configured to change phase to store and emit thermal energy.