Patents by Inventor Lon E. Bell
Lon E. Bell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11264655Abstract: A system for conditioning and moving a fluid can include a thermoelectric device comprising a first side and a second side, the first side configured to heat or cool the fluid with electrical current applied to the thermoelectric device. The system can include a fluid conduit configured to allow a fluid to flow therein and to transfer the fluid into being in thermal communication with the thermoelectric device. The system can include a flow control device in fluid communication with the thermoelectric device, the flow control device configured to direct the fluid in the fluid conduit with respect to the thermoelectric device. The system can include a flapper valve configured to move relative to the thermoelectric device to at least partially block flow of the fluid through a portion of the fluid conduit.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATEDInventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur, Stephen Davis
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Publication number: 20220016956Abstract: A climate control system and method controls climate at selected regions within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. The system includes at least one fluid conduit configured to allow a liquid to flow in the at least one fluid conduit. The system further includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. At least two thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies are in thermal communication with the liquid and each of the at least two thermoelectric assemblies has a corresponding region within the passenger compartment. The at least two thermoelectric assemblies are selectively operable to transfer heat between the corresponding region and the liquid, wherein the at least two thermoelectric assemblies are each operable independently from one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur
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Publication number: 20200130457Abstract: A climate control system and method controls climate at selected regions. The thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. The system can include a fluid conduit configured to allow a liquid to flow in the at least one fluid conduit. The system can further include a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. At least two thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies are in thermal communication with the liquid to provide climate control to a region.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur
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Publication number: 20200067150Abstract: In certain embodiments, a battery thermal management system includes at least one battery, at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one battery, and a conduit comprising an inlet configured to allow a working fluid to enter and flow into the conduit and into thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The conduit further comprises an outlet configured to allow the working fluid to exit and flow from the conduit and away from being in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The battery thermal management system can further include a first flow control device which directs the working fluid through the inlet of the conduit and a second flow control device which directs the working fluid through the outlet of the conduit. The first flow control device and the second flow control device are each separately operable from one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur, Stephen Davis
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Patent number: 10473365Abstract: In certain embodiments, a thermoelectric heat pump includes a heat transfer region having an array of thermoelectric modules, a waste channel in substantial thermal communication with a high temperature portion of the heat transfer region, and a main channel in substantial thermal communication with a low temperature portion of the heat transfer region. An enclosure wall provides a barrier between fluid in the waste channel and fluid in the main channel throughout the interior of the thermoelectric heat pump. In some embodiments, the waste fluid channel and the main fluid channel are positioned and shaped such that differences in temperature between fluids disposed near opposite sides of the enclosure wall are substantially decreased or minimized at corresponding positions along the channels.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATEDInventors: Lon E. Bell, Robert W. Diller
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Patent number: 10464391Abstract: A thermoelectric system and method provides distributed localized heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling. The thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. Each thermoelectric assembly comprises a plurality of thermoelectric elements, and each thermoelectric assembly is in thermal communication with a first working fluid and in thermal communication with a region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly. Each thermoelectric assembly is selectively operable either to heat the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the first working fluid to the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly or to cool the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly to the first working fluid. Each thermoelectric assembly is operable independently from operation of other thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATEDInventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur
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Publication number: 20170343253Abstract: In certain embodiments, a thermoelectric heat pump includes a heat transfer region having an array of thermoelectric modules, a waste channel in substantial thermal communication with a high temperature portion of the heat transfer region, and a main channel in substantial thermal communication with a low temperature portion of the heat transfer region. An enclosure wall provides a barrier between fluid in the waste channel and fluid in the main channel throughout the interior of the thermoelectric heat pump. In some embodiments, the waste fluid channel and the main fluid channel are positioned and shaped such that differences in temperature between fluids disposed near opposite sides of the enclosure wall are substantially decreased or minimized at corresponding positions along the channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Lon E. Bell, Robert W. Diller
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Publication number: 20170294692Abstract: In certain embodiments, a battery thermal management system includes at least one battery, at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one battery, and a conduit comprising an inlet configured to allow a working fluid to enter and flow into the conduit and into thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The conduit further comprises an outlet configured to allow the working fluid to exit and flow from the conduit and away from being in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The battery thermal management system can further include a first flow control device which directs the working fluid through the inlet of the conduit and a second flow control device which directs the working fluid through the outlet of the conduit. The first flow control device and the second flow control device are each separately operable from one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur, Stephen Davis
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Publication number: 20170259643Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Marco Ranalli, Martin Adldinger, Todd Robert Barnhart, John LaGrandeur, Lon E. Bell, Lakhi Nandlal Goenka
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Patent number: 9719701Abstract: In certain embodiments, a thermoelectric heat pump includes a heat transfer region having an array of thermoelectric modules, a waste channel in substantial thermal communication with a high temperature portion of the heat transfer region, and a main channel in substantial thermal communication with a low temperature portion of the heat transfer region. An enclosure wall provides a barrier between fluid in the waste channel and fluid in the main channel throughout the interior of the thermoelectric heat pump. In some embodiments, the waste fluid channel and the main fluid channel are positioned and shaped such that differences in temperature between fluids disposed near opposite sides of the enclosure wall are substantially decreased or minimized at corresponding positions along the channels.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Gentherm IncorporatedInventors: Lon E. Bell, Robert W. Diller
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Patent number: 9666914Abstract: In certain embodiments, a battery thermal management system includes at least one battery, at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one battery, and a conduit comprising an inlet configured to allow a working fluid to enter and flow into the conduit and into thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The conduit further comprises an outlet configured to allow the working fluid to exit and flow from the conduit and away from being in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The battery thermal management system can further include a first flow control device which directs the working fluid through the inlet of the conduit and a second flow control device which directs the working fluid through the outlet of the conduit. The first flow control device and the second flow control device are each separately operable from one another.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Gentherm IncorporatedInventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur, Stephen Davis
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Patent number: 9574767Abstract: Technologies are provided for employing electrical energy to control a combustion reaction. Energy is received from a combustion reaction. A portion of the received energy is converted to generated electricity. The generated electricity converted from the combustion energy is used to control the combustion reaction.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: CLEARSIGN COMBUSTION CORPORATIONInventors: Kraig K. Anderson, Christopher A. Wiklof, Lon E. Bell
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Patent number: 9555686Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Gentherm IncorporatedInventors: Marco Ranalli, Martin Adldinger, Todd Robert Barnhart, John LaGrandeur, Lon E. Bell, Lakhi Nandlal Goenka
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Publication number: 20160361968Abstract: A thermoelectric system and method provides distributed localized heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling. The thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. Each thermoelectric assembly comprises a plurality of thermoelectric elements, and each thermoelectric assembly is in thermal communication with a first working fluid and in thermal communication with a region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly. Each thermoelectric assembly is selectively operable either to heat the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the first working fluid to the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly or to cool the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly to the first working fluid. Each thermoelectric assembly is operable independently from operation of other thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur
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Publication number: 20160233403Abstract: Some embodiments provide a waste heat recovery apparatus including an exhaust tube having a cylindrical outer shell configured to contain a flow of exhaust fluid; a first heat exchanger extending through a first region of the exhaust tube, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cylindrical outer shell; a second region of the exhaust tube extending through the exhaust tube, the second region having a low exhaust fluid pressure drop; an exhaust valve operatively disposed within the second region and configured to allow exhaust fluid to flow through the second region only when a flow rate of the exhaust fluid becomes great enough to result in back pressure beyond an allowable limit; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with an outer surface of the outer shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Lon E. Bell, Douglas T. Crane, John LaGrandeur, David van Heerden
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Patent number: 9366461Abstract: A climate control system and method controls climate at selected regions within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. The system includes at least one fluid conduit configured to allow a liquid to flow in the at least one fluid conduit. The system further includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. At least two thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies are in thermal communication with the liquid and each of the at least two thermoelectric assemblies has a corresponding region within the passenger compartment. The at least two thermoelectric assemblies are selectively operable to transfer heat between the corresponding region and the liquid, wherein the at least two thermoelectric assemblies are each operable independently from one another.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Gentherm IncorporatedInventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur
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Publication number: 20160138800Abstract: Technologies are provided for employing electrical energy to control a combustion reaction. Energy is received from a combustion reaction. A portion of the received energy is converted to generated electricity. The generated electricity converted from the combustion energy is used to control the combustion reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: CLEARSIGN COMBUSTION CORPORATIONInventors: KRAIG K. ANDERSON, CHRISTOPHER A. WIKLOF, LON E. BELL
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Patent number: 9310112Abstract: A thermoelectric system and method provides distributed localized heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling. The thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. Each thermoelectric assembly comprises a plurality of thermoelectric elements, and each thermoelectric assembly is in thermal communication with a first working fluid and in thermal communication with a region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly. Each thermoelectric assembly is selectively operable either to heat the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the first working fluid to the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly or to cool the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly to the first working fluid. Each thermoelectric assembly is operable independently from operation of other thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Gentherm IncorporatedInventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur
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Patent number: 9276188Abstract: Some embodiments provide a waste heat recovery apparatus including an exhaust tube having a cylindrical outer shell configured to contain a flow of exhaust fluid; a first heat exchanger extending through a first region of the exhaust tube, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cylindrical outer shell; a second region of the exhaust tube extending through the exhaust tube, the second region having a low exhaust fluid pressure drop; an exhaust valve operatively disposed within the second region and configured to allow exhaust fluid to flow through the second region only when a flow rate of the exhaust fluid becomes great enough to result in back pressure beyond an allowable limit; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with an outer surface of the outer shell.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Gentherm IncorporatedInventors: Lon E. Bell, Douglas T. Crane, John LaGrandeur, David van Heerden
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Publication number: 20150244042Abstract: In certain embodiments, a battery thermal management system includes at least one battery, at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one battery, and a conduit comprising an inlet configured to allow a working fluid to enter and flow into the conduit and into thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The conduit further comprises an outlet configured to allow the working fluid to exit and flow from the conduit and away from being in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The battery thermal management system can further include a first flow control device which directs the working fluid through the inlet of the conduit and a second flow control device which directs the working fluid through the outlet of the conduit. The first flow control device and the second flow control device are each separately operable from one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Lon E. Bell, John LaGrandeur, Stephen Davis