Abstract: A fluid flow system of the present invention includes a supply source for conditioning a flow of fluid and a plurality of ducts for delivering the conditioned fluid to a passenger compartment of a vehicle. One of the ducts is a discharge device having an outer peripheral wall and a flow distribution assembly. The outer peripheral wall and the flow distribution assembly are configured to improve a distribution of the fluid to the passenger compartment. The flow distribution assembly includes a plurality of plates having various thicknesses and flow paths of different sizes and spacing formed therein to direct and substantially uniform distribute the fluid, maximizing a performance and an efficiency of the fluid flow system.

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 heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a hybrid 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. In some embodiments, the HVAC system has at least a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit can be configured to transfer heat to or from an electric side of the hybrid vehicle. The second circuit can be configured to transfer heat to or from a fuel-fed side of the hybrid vehicle.

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 fluid flow distribution device for a fluid component configured to improve a distribution of a fluid flow therein. The fluid flow distribution includes a plurality of walls. The walls form a chamber configured to receive a fluid flow from a fluid source therein. The chamber is in fluid communication with a fluid inlet of the fluid component and a plurality of flow paths. Each of the flow paths includes an inlet and an outlet. At least one of the walls includes an inner surface, wherein a distance between the inner surface and a plane generally defined by the inlets of the flow paths non-uniformly progressively decreases in respect of a general direction of the fluid flow into the fluid flow distribution device to downwardly direct the fluid flow into the flow paths adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A thermal energy exchanger for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system is disclosed, the thermal energy exchanger includes a plurality of first tubes for receiving a fluid therein interleaved with a plurality of second tubes, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the second tubes includes a phase change material disposed therein.

Abstract: A cooling system is disclosed including a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a means for regulating a flow of a fluid, and a thermoelectric device for cooling a fluid, wherein a difference in temperature between a hot side and a cold side of the thermoelectric device is minimized and an efficiency of the thermoelectric device is maximized.

Abstract: A thermal energy exchanger for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system of the present invention includes a plurality of first tubes, a plurality of second tubes disposed downstream of the first tubes, and a plurality of third tubes disposed downstream of the second tubes. At least a portion of at least one of the second tubes includes a phase change material disposed therein and at least a portion of at least one of the third tubes includes a phase change material disposed therein.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an outer tube and an inner tube coaxially arranged within the outer tube. Both of the outer tube and the inner tube include a fluid channel formed therein. A first fluid flows through the fluid channel of the outer tube, and a second fluid, in heat exchange relationship with the first fluid, flows through the fluid channel of the inner tube. At least one heat conductive feature is formed between the outer tube and the inner tube, and on an inner surface of the inner tube to maximize a heat exchange between the fluids.

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 cooling system is disclosed including a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a means for regulating a flow of a fluid, and a thermoelectric device for cooling a fluid, wherein a difference in temperature between a hot side and a cold side of the thermoelectric device is minimized and an efficiency of the thermoelectric device is maximized.

Abstract: A cooling system is disclosed including a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a means for regulating a flow of a fluid, and a thermoelectric device for cooling a fluid, wherein a difference in temperature between a hot side and a cold side of the thermoelectric device is minimized and an efficiency of the thermoelectric device is maximized.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a vehicle is shown, wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes having integrated thermoelectric devices disposed thereon to facilitate heat transfer between the tubes and an atmosphere surrounding the tubes.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a hybrid 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. In some embodiments, the HVAC system has at least a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit can be configured to transfer heat to or from an electric side of the hybrid vehicle. The second circuit can be configured to transfer heat to or from a fuel-fed side of the hybrid vehicle.

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 heat exchanger for a vehicle is shown, wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes having integrated thermoelectric devices disposed thereon to facilitate heat transfer between the tubes and an atmosphere surrounding the tubes.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a hybrid 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. In some embodiments, the HVAC system has at least a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit can be configured to remove heat from an electric side of a hybrid vehicle. The second circuit can be configured to remove heat from a fuel-fed side of a hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a hybrid 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 hybrid vehicle during operation of the HVAC system.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include systems for heating and cooling the interior climate of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the system comprises a conduit having a first fluid channel, a second fluid channel, a fluid diversion channel configured to divert fluid flow between the first and second channels, and a thermoelectric device operatively connected to the fluid conduit. In certain embodiments, the thermoelectric device comprises a plurality of thermal zones. In some embodiments, the plurality of thermal zones comprises a first thermal zone connected to a first electric circuit switchable between a first polarity and a second polarity and a second thermal zone connected to a second electric circuit switchable between the first polarity and the second polarity independent of the polarity of the first electric circuit.

Abstract: A thermal energy exchanger for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system is disclosed, the thermal energy exchanger includes a phase change material disposed therein, whereby the phase change material is at least one of encapsulated by a thermally conductive material and impregnated with a thermally conductive material.