Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. For example, a temperature control system (TCS) can include an air channel configured to deliver airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The TCS can include a one thermal energy source and a heat transfer device connected to the air channel. A first fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and a thermoelectric device (TED). A second fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the TED and the heat transfer device. A bypass circuit can connect the thermal energy source to the heat transfer device. An actuator can cause coolant to circulate selectively in either the bypass circuit or the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A control device can operate the actuator when it is determined that the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the airflow.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. For example, a temperature control system (TCS) can include an air channel configured to deliver airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The TCS can include a one thermal energy source and a heat transfer device connected to the air channel. A first fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and a thermoelectric device (TED). A second fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the TED and the heat transfer device. A bypass circuit can connect the thermal energy source to the heat transfer device. An actuator can cause coolant to circulate selectively in either the bypass circuit or the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A control device can operate the actuator when it is determined that the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the airflow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a motor vehicle, the HVAC system having a length greater than a width and disposed with the length parallel to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle between the front seats thereof. The HVAC system includes a blower assembly disposed beneath an instrument panel of the motor vehicle or inside an engine compartment.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. For example, a temperature control system (TCS) can include an air channel configured to deliver airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The TCS can include a one thermal energy source and a heat transfer device connected to the air channel. A first fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and a thermoelectric device (TED). A second fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the TED and the heat transfer device. A bypass circuit can connect the thermal energy source to the heat transfer device. An actuator can cause coolant to circulate selectively in either the bypass circuit or the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A control device can operate the actuator when it is determined that the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the airflow.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a vehicle that operates in a heating mode, a cooling mode or a demisting mode. In some embodiments, the system includes a first circuit having first pump for circulating a first medium therein, a second circuit having a second pump for circulating a second medium therein and a thermoelectric module having a first surface in thermal contact with the first medium and a second surface in thermal contact with the second medium.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a motor vehicle with supplemental thermal storage, the HVAC system having a length greater than a width and disposed with the length parallel to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle between the front seats thereof. The HVAC system includes a blower assembly disposed beneath an instrument panel of the motor vehicle or inside an engine compartment. A thermal storage device in thermal communication with air caused to flow through the HVAC system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioning system that operates in a heating mode, a cooling mode or a demisting mode. In some embodiments, the system includes a first circuit for circulating a first medium therein, a second circuit for circulating the first medium or a second medium therein and a thermoelectric module having a first surface in thermal contact with the first medium.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system of a vehicle is disclosed. The thermal energy storage system includes a refrigerant circuit conveying a refrigerant therethrough. The refrigerant circuit includes an evaporator receives a flow of the refrigerant and a flow of air. The thermal energy storage system also includes a coolant circuit conveying a coolant therethrough. The coolant circuit includes a coolant heat exchanger disposed downstream from the evaporator with respect to a direction of the flow of air through the evaporator and an auxiliary heat exchanger receiving a flow of the coolant. The thermal energy storage system further includes a cold storage device in thermal communication with the coolant circuit and a WCAC in fluid communication with the auxiliary heat exchanger.

Abstract: Temperature control systems and methods can be designed for controlling the interior climate of a vehicle or other the climate of another desired region. The temperature control system for a vehicle can have a thermoelectric system providing heating and/or cooling, including supplemental heating and/or cooling. The thermoelectric system can transfer thermal energy between a working fluid, such as liquid coolant, and comfort air upon application of electric current of a selected polarity. The thermoelectric system can supplement or replace the heat provided from an internal combustion engine or other primary heat source. The thermoelectric system can also supplement or replace cold energy provided from a compressor-based refrigeration system or other primary cold energy source.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes a primary HVAC unit and a supplemental heat exchanger. The primary HVAC unit is disposed within a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and configured for at least one of heating and cooling a passenger compartment. The supplemental heat exchanger is spaced apart from the primary HVAC unit and also disposed within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The supplemental heat exchanger is configured to supplement at least one of the heating and the cooling of the passenger compartment by the primary HVAC unit.

Abstract: Temperature control systems and methods can be designed for controlling the interior climate of a vehicle or other the climate of another desired region. The temperature control system for a vehicle can have a thermoelectric system providing heating and/or cooling, including supplemental heating and/or cooling. The thermoelectric system can transfer thermal energy between a working fluid, such as liquid coolant, and comfort air upon application of electric current of a selected polarity. The thermoelectric system can supplement or replace the heat provided from an internal combustion engine or other primary heat source. The thermoelectric system can also supplement or replace cold energy provided from a compressor-based refrigeration system or other primary cold energy source.

Abstract: A centrifugal blower assembly comprises a scroll housing including a fluid inlet and a spaced apart fluid outlet. An impeller is disposed in the scroll housing and includes a plurality of spaced apart blades arranged annularly around an axis of rotation of the impeller. A portion of each blade adjacent the fluid inlet is spaced apart from the axis of rotation of the impeller a greater distance than a portion of each blade coupled to a hub opposite the fluid inlet. Each of the blades includes a leading edge that is slanted or curved in a radial direction away from the axis of the rotation of the impeller, causing each of the blades to have a more equal distribution of pressure along a length of each of the blades when the impeller is rotated at a constant speed.

Abstract: An HVAC system of an electric vehicle includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a flow of air therethrough and an air outlet in fluid communication with a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The HVAC system further includes a first heat exchanger disposed in the housing and a second heat exchanger disposed in the housing downstream from the first heat exchanger with respect of a direction of the flow of air through the housing. A primary circuit containing a flow of refrigerant therethrough is in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger. A secondary circuit is in one of fluid communication with and heat exchange communication with the primary circuit and in fluid communication with the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system of a vehicle is disclosed. The thermal energy storage system includes a refrigerant circuit conveying a refrigerant therethrough. The refrigerant circuit includes an evaporator receives a flow of the refrigerant and a flow of air. The thermal energy storage system also includes a coolant circuit conveying a coolant therethrough. The coolant circuit includes a coolant heat exchanger disposed downstream from the evaporator with respect to a direction of the flow of air through the evaporator and an auxiliary heat exchanger receiving a flow of the coolant. The thermal energy storage system further includes a cold storage device in thermal communication with the coolant circuit and a WCAC in fluid communication with the auxiliary heat exchanger.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a first fluid, a second fluid, and a phase change material (PCM). Both tubes and header tanks contain phase change material. The phase change material header tanks are advantageously located outside of the first fluid's header tanks.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. For example, a temperature control system (TCS) can include an air channel configured to deliver airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The TCS can include a one thermal energy source and a heat transfer device connected to the air channel. A first fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and a thermoelectric device (TED). A second fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the TED and the heat transfer device. A bypass circuit can connect the thermal energy source to the heat transfer device. An actuator can cause coolant to circulate selectively in either the bypass circuit or the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A control device can operate the actuator when it is determined that the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the airflow.

Abstract: A centrifugal blower assembly comprises a scroll housing including a fluid inlet and a spaced apart fluid outlet. An impeller is disposed in the scroll housing and includes a plurality of spaced apart blades arranged annularly around an axis of rotation of the impeller. A portion of each blade adjacent the fluid inlet is spaced apart from the axis of rotation of the impeller a greater distance than a portion of each blade coupled to a hub opposite the fluid inlet. Each of the blades includes a leading edge that is slanted or curved in a radial direction away from the axis of the rotation of the impeller, causing each of the blades to have a more equal distribution of pressure along a length of each of the blades when the impeller is rotated at a constant speed.

Abstract: A centrifugal blower including a hollow housing and an impeller having a plurality of blades disposed in the hollow housing, wherein the impeller causes a fluid received in a fluid inlet of the hollow housing to flow in a radially outward direction to a fluid outlet of the hollow housing. A guide device for directing the flow of the fluid in the blower is disposed in the fluid inlet of the hollow housing, the guide device including a shroud configured to militate against turbulence, noise, a recirculation of flow of the fluid at the fluid inlet, and interference between the guide device and balance weights of the blower during an assembly of the blower.

Abstract: A thermal energy heat exchanger for an air conditioning system includes a row of first tubes, a row of second tubes, and a row of third tubes. Inside, heat is exchanged between air, refrigerant, and phase change material, also known as PCM, cool storage material, cold storage material, and latent heat storage material. The first row of tubes carries refrigerant. A portion of the second row of tubes and a portion of the third row of tubes carry refrigerant. The remainder of the second and third rows of tubes carry phase change material. The phase change material can be associated with a phase change material manifold. Advantageously, the melting point of phase change material in the second tubes can be different from the melting point of the phase change material in the third tubes.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a vehicle is disclosed, the HVAC system including at least one thermoelectric device for providing supplemental heating and cooling for air supplied to a passenger compartment of the vehicle to maximize an efficiency of operation of the vehicle during operation of the HVAC system.