Abstract: A heating and ventilation system that removes water vapor from recirculating air from a passenger compartment is provided. The system includes a housing that includes an air inlet and an air outlet, the air inlet comprising a first inlet that is aligned to receive air flowing from a passenger compartment of a vehicle that includes the housing, and a second inlet that is configured to receive air from outside of a vehicle. A housing supports a semipermeable membrane that is aligned with the first inlet such that air that flows through the first inlet flows through the semipermeable membrane before flowing to the air outlet, and wherein air flowing through the second inlet does not flow through the semipermeable membrane. A first port that is fluidly connected to the semipermeable membrane. The housing includes a valve disposed to control the air flowing therein.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module includes an air inlet, a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve. The air inlet includes a first inlet portion that receives a first input air and a second inlet portion to receive a second input air. The blower is in communication with the air inlet. The blower includes a first airflow section and a second airflow section. The first valve is disposed in the inlet and controls flow of the first input air and the second input air through the first airflow section. The second valve is disposed adjacent to the first valve and is configured to control flow of the first input air and the second input air through the second airflow section. The third valve is disposed in the second valve and selectively restricts leakage of the first input air into the first airflow section.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module may include a valve housing, an adjustable valve, an adjustable compensation door, and an actuator. The valve housing may include an inlet cowl. The valve may be disposed in the valve housing. The compensation door may be disposed in the inlet cowl upstream of the valve. The actuator may be connected to the compensation door. The actuator may be in fluid communication with the inlet cowl and may adjust the compensation door based on an air pressure in the inlet cowl.

Abstract: A heating and ventilation system is provided. The system includes a housing with air inlet that receives air from a fan, which takes an intake from either or both of fresh air from outside of the vehicle and the passenger compartment. The housing includes a semipermeable membrane that is aligned to receive air flowing from the fan. A first port receives water vapor that is removed from the air that flows into the semipermeable membrane. The housing receives an evaporator of a heat pump system.

Abstract: A method of controlling air recirculation via a continuous-feedback loop control system that adjusts cabin air recirculation in vehicles based on a number of different sensor inputs. The system uses a mass balance on the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle to monitor and reduce the amount of dissolved water vapor in the cabin, leading to reduced risk of condensation while simultaneously improving battery consumption.

Abstract: A blower assembly for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module may include a blower and an air funnel. The blower may include a blower wheel. The air funnel may include a base portion and a circumferential wall connected to and projecting from the base portion. When viewed in a first direction parallel to a blower axis, a first flow area may be defined by and between a first side of the base portion and an outer perimeter of the blower wheel. When viewed in the first direction, a second flow area may also be defined by and between a second side of the base portion and the outer perimeter of the blower wheel.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module may include a valve housing and a plurality of adjustable valves. The valve housing may define an internal space. The valve housing may include a first inlet via which a first input air is flowable into a first intake region of the internal space, a second inlet via which a second input air is flowable into a second intake region of the internal space, and a plurality of airflow openings. The adjustable valves may be disposed in the valve housing between the two intake regions. A first valve may be adjustable about a first axis to selectively open and close the first airflow opening with respect to the intake regions. A second valve may be adjustable about a second axis to selectively open and close the second airflow opening with respect to the intake regions.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module includes an air inlet, a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve. The air inlet includes a first inlet portion that receives a first input air and a second inlet portion to receive a second input air. The blower is in communication with the air inlet. The blower includes a first airflow section and a second airflow section. The first valve is disposed in the inlet and controls flow of the first input air and the second input air through the first airflow section. The second valve is disposed adjacent to the first valve and is configured to control flow of the first input air and the second input air through the second airflow section. The third valve is disposed in the second valve and selectively restricts leakage of the first input air into the first airflow section.

Abstract: Detecting and/or mitigating the presence of particle contaminants in a MEMS device involves converting benign areas in which particles might become trapped undetectably by electric fields during test to field-free regions by extending otherwise non-functional conductive shield and gate layers and placing the same electrical potential on the conductive shield and gate layers. Particle contaminants can then be moved into detection locations remote from the potential trap areas and having particle detection structures by providing some mechanical disturbance.

Abstract: Detecting and/or mitigating the presence of particle contaminants in a MEMS device involves including MEMS structures that in normal operation are robust against the presence of particles but which can be made sensitive to that presence during a test mode prior to use, e.g.

Abstract: Detecting and/or mitigating the presence of particle contaminants in a MEMS device involves including MEMS structures that in normal operation are robust against the presence of particles but which can be made sensitive to that presence during a test mode prior to use, e.g.

Abstract: Differential thermal conditioning of vehicle seat zones is achieved with convenient adjustment of a seat temperature differential for optimizing the thermal comfort of the seat occupant. Two or more thermoelectric units supply conditioned air to different zones of the seat, and the temperature differential between specified zones of the seat is set by an occupant-adjustable control input.

Abstract: Conditioned air discharged from a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is further conditioned by a thermoelectric (TE) air conditioning unit and then directed to air passages in a vehicle seat. Activation of the TE air conditioning unit is based on climate control parameters utilized by the HVAC unit, including a set temperature, radiant heating effects, and cabin air temperature. The climate control parameters are utilized to establish a target seat temperature that optimizes occupant comfort and the transient response of the seat cooling effect.

Abstract: A heating and cooling and air conditioning (HVAC) module housing wherein the defrost outlet and the vent outlet and the seat outlet are disposed next adjacent to one another and a first plate overlies the defrost outlet and the seat outlet and a second plate overlies the seat outlet and the vent outlet for opening and closing various combinations of the outlets. Accordingly, the defrost valve and the vent valve are used to also control air flow through the seat outlet of a HVAC module to a thermo-electric device to heat and cool the seat assembly in a vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for providing home awareness are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor is associated with a household amenity. In response to the occurrence of an event, a wireless signal is transmitted to a monitoring unit which, in turn, superimposes a text message indicative of the event onto a video signal. A display unit, such as a television, is connected to the monitoring unit and displays the video signal including the superimposed text message.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device is disposed in series with the HVAC module for heating and cooling air Ta from the HVAC module for delivery to seat passages of a seat assembly. The thermoelectric device includes a thermoelectric module, a heat exchanger having cold and hot sides, ductwork, a divider that sends variable air flow to the cold or hot sides of the thermoelectric module, and thermal insulation between the cold and hot sides downstream of the heat exchanger. The fan of the HVAC module is the sole motivation for moving the conditioned air Ta originating from the central HVAC module through the thermoelectric device and to the seat assembly.

Abstract: A thermo-electric device has a seat side and a cabin side for delivering heating and cooling air from a HVAC module to seat passages of a vehicle seat assembly. A selector is included for setting a desired or control temperature Tcontrol of the seat assembly. A comparator is included for determining the temperature difference ?T between the actual temperature of the seat assembly Tseat and the desired or selected temperature Tcontrol. A controller simultaneously adjusts a proportioning valve and adjusts the electrical current to the thermoelectric device in relationship to one another in response to the temperature difference ?T.

Abstract: A thermo-electric device is disposed in series with the HVAC module for heating and cooling air Ta from the HVAC module for delivery to seat passages of a seat assembly and/or to a thermal container. The thermoelectric device includes a thermoelectric module, a heat exchanger having cold and hot sides, ductwork, a divider that sends variable air flow to the cold or hot sides of the thermoelectric module, and thermal insulation between the cold and hot sides downstream of the heat exchanger. The fan of the HVAC module is the sole motivation for moving the conditioned air Ta originating from the central HVAC module through the thermoelectric device and to the seat assembly and/or to a thermal container.

Abstract: In order to reduce refrigerant leakage from an automotive air conditioning system, the leakage paths are kept sealed by automatically reducing the output of a variable displacement compressor (12) after initial operation of the engine for a predetermined number of five minutes, and then only for a predetermined number of ten seconds, that is, so long as there has been an air conditioning on signal by the operator. After the reduction in output for ten seconds, the output of the compressor (12) is returned to full output for a predetermined number of two air-conditioning minutes, which is then followed by another ten seconds of reduced output.

Abstract: A system and method for electronically managing discovery pleading information in which a user having an instant discovery request can search a repository to access prior discovery requests and corresponding responses to aid in formulating a response to the instant discovery request. The corresponding prior discovery responses include the documentary and other information previously produced in response to the prior discovery request, and may also include the text of the response itself. In this way the inventive system and method promotes efficiency and consistency in responding to discovery requests.