Abstract: A heat exchanger inlet tank including a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface and an inlet connector having an inner surface substantially continuous with the inner surface of the housing. The inner surface of the inlet connector and the inner surface of the housing converging to form an inlet interface. The heat exchanger further includes a protuberance disposed on the inner surface of the housing configured to militate against a pressure drop of a fluid flowing through the inlet tank.

Abstract: A tube and fin arrangement of an evaporator for an air conditioning system for a vehicle having a first row of tubes disposed within a flow of air having at least two refrigerant tubes and at least two thermal storage tubes in thermal communication with the at least two refrigerant tubes, each of the thermal storage tubes containing a phase change material. The tube and fin arrangement further includes a fm in thermal communication with the first row of tubes and configured to receive a flow of air therethrough.

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: 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: A climate control system of a vehicle and a method of controlling the climate control system to minimize vehicle energy consumption and maximize occupant comfort. The climate control system includes a main HVAC system for conditioning a fluid discharged into a passenger compartment of the vehicle, an auxiliary HVAC system for conditioning a localized fluid of at least one HVAC zones of the passenger compartment, a seat system, and an HVAC controller. The HVAC controller controls the main HVAC system, the auxiliary HVAC system, and the seat system based upon at least one parameter and condition which pertains to at least one of electrical energy consumption of the vehicle and occupant comfort.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system for a vehicle has a control module including a housing having an air flow conduit formed therein. An evaporator core is disposed in the air flow conduit, wherein at least a portion of the evaporator is configured to receive a first fluid from a first fluid source therein. An internal thermal energy exchanger configured to receive a second fluid from a second fluid source is disposed in the air flow conduit downstream of at least a portion of the evaporator core and upstream of a blend door disposed in the air flow conduit. The internal thermal energy is in thermal energy exchange relationship with an exhaust gas system of the vehicle.

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: A control module for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system includes a housing having an air flow conduit formed therein. An evaporator core is disposed in the air flow conduit, wherein at least a portion of the evaporator is configured to receive a fluid from a fluid source therein. An internal thermal energy exchanger is disposed in the air flow conduit downstream of at least a portion of the evaporator core and upstream of a blend door disposed in the air flow conduit. The internal thermal energy exchanger is configured to receive a second fluid from a second fluid source and a third fluid from a third fluid source, wherein the second fluid absorbs thermal energy from a flow of air through the air flow conduit and the third fluid releases thermal energy from the flow of air through the air flow conduit.

Abstract: A control module for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system includes a housing having an air flow conduit formed therein. An evaporator core is disposed in the air flow conduit, wherein at least a portion of the evaporator is configured to receive a first fluid from a first fluid source therein. An internal thermal energy exchanger is disposed in the air flow conduit downstream of at least a portion of the evaporator core and upstream of a blend door disposed in the air flow conduit. The internal thermal energy exchanger is in thermal energy exchange relationship with a second fluid source through a heat pipe.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes a primary HVAC unit and a supplemental heat exchanger. The primary HVAC unit is disposed within a passenger compartment region 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 region 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: A control module for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system includes a housing having an air flow conduit formed therein. An evaporator core is disposed in the air flow conduit, wherein at least a portion of the evaporator is configured to receive a fluid from a fluid source therein. An internal thermal energy exchanger is disposed in the air flow conduit downstream of at least a portion of the evaporator core and upstream of a blend door disposed in the air flow conduit. The internal thermal energy exchanger is configured to receive another fluid from at least another fluid source therein to provide a heating and cooling thereto.

Abstract: An integrated thermal transfer system is provided for transferring heat between a coolant and a refrigerant in an HVAC system to change a temperature of the coolant. Heat is then transferred between the coolant having a changed temperature and a device in need of thermal control, such as a battery. The system includes an evaporator having a refrigerant tank, where the refrigerant tank contains the refrigerant. A coolant tank is disposed adjacent and in thermal communication with the refrigerant tank, the coolant tank including an inlet and an outlet, where the coolant tank contains the coolant. The device is fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet of the coolant tank.

Abstract: A refrigeration system is provided that comprises a compressor, condenser, a thermal expansion valve, an isentropic expansion nozzle, and an evaporator. An isentropic expansion nozzle includes an inlet and an outlet with the isentropic expansion nozzle inlet fluidly coupled to a thermal expansion valve outlet. The evaporator includes an inlet and an outlet, wherein the evaporator inlet is fluidly coupled to the isentropic expansion nozzle outlet and the evaporator outlet is fluidly coupled to the compressor inlet. Using the system, a fluid can be modified prior to evaporation. The fluid is passed through the thermal expansion valve to decrease a pressure and decrease a temperature of the fluid. The fluid is then passed through the isentropic expansion nozzle to increase a velocity of the fluid without substantially changing the temperature of the fluid. The fluid is thereafter passed into the evaporator.

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: A defrost system for a motor vehicle is disclosed, the defrost system including ducting in fluid communication with a top of a windshield of the motor vehicle and/or at least one side of the windshield of the motor vehicle. In certain embodiments, the ducting has at least a portion disposed in an A-pillar of the motor vehicle, and in other embodiments the ducting has at least a portion disposed in a B-pillar of the motor vehicle.

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 and between the front seats thereof. The HVAC system includes a plurality of heat exchangers disposed within a housing thereof.

Abstract: A control module for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system includes a housing having an air flow conduit formed therein. An evaporator core is disposed in the air flow conduit, wherein at least a portion of the evaporator is configured to receive a first fluid from a first fluid source therein. An internal thermal energy exchanger is disposed in the air flow conduit downstream of at least a portion of the evaporator core and upstream of a blend door disposed in the air flow conduit. The internal thermal energy exchanger is configured to receive a second fluid from a second fluid source therein, wherein the first fluid is a refrigerant and the second fluid is at least one of a phase change material, a coolant, and a phase change material coolant.

Abstract: A heat exchanger configured to condition a flow of fluid therein. The heat exchanger includes a first manifold, a second manifold, and a conditioning assembly having a plurality of tubular elements extending between the first manifold and the second manifold. The first manifold includes a first end having an inlet formed therein and a second end formed opposite the first end, wherein a generally tapered portion of the second end of the first manifold and a fluid drain feature formed in the generally tapered portion of the first manifold are configured to minimize an amount of the first fluid remaining in at least one of the first manifold and the tubular elements after operation of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat exchanger configured to condition a flow of fluid therein. The heat exchanger includes a first manifold, a second manifold, and a conditioning assembly having a plurality of tubular elements extending between the first manifold and the second manifold. The first manifold includes a first end having an inlet formed therein and a second end formed opposite the first end. The first manifold is formed by at least one wall having at least one fluid flow distribution feature integrally formed therein. The at least one fluid flow distribution feature includes a channel extending substantially parallel to a general direction of flow of the fluid through the first manifold.