Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A thermoelectric tempering device having a plurality of thermoelectrically operating tempering elements, including a cold surface, which forms upon the supply of an electric current, on one side thereof, and a warm surface on the opposite side thereof, including air/heat exchange bodies affixed on both sides and accommodated in a respective air flow chamber, and ventilators effecting an air flow along the same. Simple adjustment and expansion possibilities are provided with a unit of the tempering device configured as a tempering module and constructed so that the air flow chambers are configured as flow channels surrounding the heat exchange bodies parallel to the flow direction laterally and on the cover side facing away from the tempering elements, the flow channels having an air intake opening and an air discharge opening, wherein the ventilator of the respective flow channel is disposed on an intake opening or on a discharge opening.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A personal environment appliance and a vent for a personal environment appliance are provided. The appliance includes at least one thermoelectric module over at least one inlet port. The appliance further includes at least one main outlet port spaced from the at least one inlet port and at least one waste outlet port spaced from the at least one inlet port. The appliance further includes at least one filter between the at least one inlet port and the at least one thermoelectric module. The vent includes a plurality of first tubular conduits generally parallel to one another and each first tubular conduit having a ratio of the length divided by the width, The vent further includes a plurality of second tubular conduits generally parallel to one another and having a ratio of the length divided by the width. The plurality of second tubular conduits generally surrounds the plurality of first tubular conduits.

Abstract: A thermoelectric tempering device having a plurality of thermoelectrically operating tempering elements, including a cold surface, which forms upon the supply of an electric current, on one side thereof, and a warm surface on the opposite side thereof, including air/heat exchange bodies affixed on both sides and accommodated in a respective air flow chamber, and ventilators effecting an air flow along the same. Simple adjustment and expansion possibilities are provided with a unit of the tempering device configured as a tempering module and constructed so that the air flow chambers are configured as flow channels surrounding the heat exchange bodies parallel to the flow direction laterally and on the cover side facing away from the tempering elements, the flow channels having an air intake opening and an air discharge opening, wherein the ventilator of the respective flow channel is disposed on an intake opening or on a discharge opening.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a thermoelectric system includes at least one cell. The at least one cell can include a first plurality of electrically conductive shunts extending along a first direction, a second plurality of electrically conductive shunts extending along a second direction non-parallel to the first direction, and a first plurality of thermoelectric (TE) elements. The first plurality of TE elements can include a first TE element between and in electrical communication with a first shunt of the first plurality of shunts and a second shunt of the second plurality of shunts, a second TE element between and in electrical communication with the second shunt and a third shunt of the first plurality of shunts, and a third TE element between and in electrical communication with the third shunt and a fourth shunt of the second plurality of shunts.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A personal environment appliance and a vent for a personal environment appliance are provided. The appliance includes at least one thermoelectric module over at least one inlet port. The appliance further includes at least one main outlet port spaced from the at least one inlet port and at least one waste outlet port spaced from the at least one inlet port. The appliance further includes at least one filter between the at least one inlet port and the at least one thermoelectric module. The vent includes a plurality of first tubular conduits generally parallel to one another and each first tubular conduit having a ratio of the length divided by the width, The vent further includes a plurality of second tubular conduits generally parallel to one another and having a ratio of the length divided by the width. The plurality of second tubular conduits generally surrounds the plurality of first tubular conduits.

Abstract: A personal environment appliance is disclosed in which a person in a work area can individually control the ambient conditions of that persons localized work space environment. The control permits highly localized adjustment to suit individual preferences, thereby, reducing the impact of individual environmental preferences on the individuals. In addition to environment conditions, a variety of accessories may be provided such as beverage heaters and/or coolers.

Abstract: A personal environment appliance is disclosed in which a person in a work area can individually control the ambient conditions of that persons localized work space environment. The control permits highly localized adjustment to suit individual preferences, thereby, reducing the impact of individual environmental preferences on the individuals. In addition to environment conditions, a variety of accessories may be provided such as beverage heaters and/or coolers.

Abstract: An improved safety restraint system for a motor vehicle including: safety restraint device such as a seat belt and air bag(s) for protecting an occupant during a crash, a processor for predicting the collision of an obstacle with the motor vehicle and for generating an output signal to activate various actuators, actuators for activating the restraint devices in dependence with an output of the sensors various sensors including a radar microwave or millimeter wave system for generating and propagating electromagnetic radiation waves and to receive reflected waves, the transmitted and received waves being of predetermined frequency, wavelength, spectrum, duration and power to provide a desired sensing range and response.

Abstract: An audio navigation system incorporating an audio CD player for playing an audio format CD constituting a data storage medium for the navigation system. The CD may store a database containing map data and navigation information, software including an algorithm for selecting a desired route between a designated starting point and destination, and speech data for generating audible spoken statements through a sound system. The audio CD player may be part of a sound system and may also play audio CDs carrying musical selections.

Abstract: The energy management control system employs sensors for monitoring of energy consumption by various vehicle systems and provides energy consumption prediction for range calculation based on standard or memorized driving data. A navigation system in cooperation with the energy management system allows route planning based on energy consumption considerations and provides alternative routes for energy deficient conditions. A controller in the system with an associated display provides information to a vehicle driver concerning system status and controls various vehicle systems for increased energy efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing a passenger restraint actuation signal for use in an actuatable passenger restraint system in a vehicle is provided. The method comprises a sensor for providing a time varying electric signal proportional to vehicle deceleration. A crash energy is determined and compared against a predetermined limit. If the determined crash energy equals or exceeds the predetermined limit, a passenger restraint actuation signal is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are presented for actuating a passenger restraint system in a passenger vehicle. A sensor senses vehicle deceleration and provides a deceleration signal having a value that varies in accordance with deceleration. A plurality of crash evaluation circuits each respond to the deceleration signal for evaluating the deceleration signal in accordance with respectively different crash evaluation algorithms. Each evaluation circuit provides a FIRE vote signal when its evaluation of the deceleration signal indicates that the restraint system should be actuated. A crash evaluation expertise circuit is associated with all but one of the plurality of crash evaluation circuits. Each expertise circuit has an expert output circuit for providing an expert signal when the expertise circuit determines that its associated evaluation circuit is an expert in evaluating the type of crash condition represented by the deceleration signal.