COMPACT TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNIT AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS, ASSEMBLY, AND METHODS

Abstract

A temperature control unit may include one or more thermoelectric cooling elements coupled to a conditioned space heat exchanger and an unconditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may further include one or more conditioned air fans configured to move air from a conditioned space over the conditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may also include one or more unconditioned air fans configured to move air from an unconditioned space over the unconditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may further include a power supply configured to change a polarity and level of power to the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/262,023, filed Oct. 1, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/374,882, filed Sep. 7, 2022, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to temperature control devices. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a compact temperature control unit and associated components, assemblies and methods.

BACKGROUND

Conditioning the air in a space may include heating or cooling the air by passing the air through a heat exchanger that may absorb heat from the air to cool the air or transfer heat to the air to heat the air. The cooling or heating is conventionally provided by a fluid, such as water or a refrigerant. The fluid may be cooled through a refrigeration process by passing the fluid through a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve. The fluid leaving the expansion valve may be colder than the fluid entering the compressor. The fluid may then absorb heat from the heat exchanger or another cooling fluid through an evaporator.

Conventional air conditioning systems consume large amounts of energy to run the compressors and are complex and require special handling to make any repairs due to the refrigerant systems. Conventional air conditioners also use the vapor compression cycle with refrigerants, which are potent greenhouse gasses and may contribute to global warming and climate change. Lastly, conventional air conditioners do not typically provide heating to a space. As a result users may burn fossil fuels to heat their space, adding greenhouse gasses to the environment, contributing to global warming and climate change.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure may include a temperature control unit. The unit may include one or more thermoelectric cooling elements coupled to a conditioned space heat exchanger and an unconditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may further include one or more conditioned air fans configured to move air from a conditioned space over the conditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may also include one or more unconditioned air fans configured to move air from an unconditioned space over the unconditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may further include a power supply configured to change a polarity and level of power to the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements.

Another embodiment of the disclosure may include a temperature control unit. The unit may include one or more thermoelectric cooling elements operatively coupled to a conditioned space heat exchanger through a first working fluid. The unit may further include the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements operatively coupled to an unconditioned space heat exchanger through a second working fluid. The unit may also include one or more conditioned air fans configured to move air from a conditioned space over the conditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may further include one or more unconditioned air fans configured to move air from an unconditioned space over the unconditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may also include a power supply configured to change a polarity and level of power to the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements.

Another embodiment of the disclosure may include a temperature control unit. The unit may include a thermoelectric cooling element operatively coupled to a conditioned space heat exchanger through a first heat pipe. The unit may further include the thermoelectric cooling element operatively coupled to an unconditioned space heat exchanger through a second heat pipe. The unit may also include one or more conditioned air fans configured to move air from a conditioned space over the conditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may further include one or more unconditioned air fans configured to move air from an unconditioned space over the unconditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may also include a power supply configured to change a polarity and level of power to the thermoelectric cooling element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming embodiments of the present disclosure, the advantages of embodiments of the disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the following description of embodiments of the disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a temperature control unit in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate a cross-sectional views of the temperature control unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the temperature control unit of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a temperature control system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a temperature control unit in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top down schematic view of the temperature control unit of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side schematic view of the temperature control unit of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side schematic view of the temperature control unit of FIG. 8 in a collapsed arrangement;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the temperature control unit of FIGS. 6-9 installed in a window;

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate different views of a liquid heat exchanger assembly of the temperature control unit of FIGS. 6-10;

FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic view of a temperature control unit according to embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of the temperature control unit of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular temperature control unit or component thereof, but are merely idealized representations employed to describe illustrative embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale.

As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter means and includes to a degree that one skilled in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a small degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. For example, a parameter that is substantially met may be at least about 90% met, at least about 95% met, at least about 99% met, or even at least about 100% met.

As used herein, relational terms, such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” without limitation, are generally used for clarity and convenience in understanding the disclosure and accompanying drawings and do not connote or depend on any specific preference, orientation, or order, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “and/or” means and includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, the terms “vertical” and “lateral” refer to the orientations as depicted in the figures.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 illustrate different views of a temperature control unit 100. FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic of the temperature control unit 100. The temperature control unit 100 may be configured to be positioned in a window 302. The temperature control unit 100 may include a shelf 108 configured to rest against the window 302 while a base of the temperature control unit 100 rests on an interior window sill 304. The temperature control unit 100 may include a conditioned side 110 directed toward a conditioned space, such as the interior of a room, and an unconditioned side 112 directed to an unconditioned space, such as an exterior space or outside. A foot 104 (also referred to herein as “support foot 104”) may extend from the base of the temperature control unit 100 on the unconditioned side 112 of the temperature control unit 100. The foot 104 may have an adjustable height and be configured to contact an exterior window sill 306. As illustrated the exterior window sill 306 may extend at an angle, such that rain, snow, without limitation, runs away from the window 302. The foot 104 may be configured to adjust to the angle of the exterior window sill 306, such as through a ball joint. A top portion of the temperature control unit 100 may also extend at an angle away from the window 302, such that rain, snow, without limitation, may run away from the window 302. In one or more embodiments, a catch 106 may extend from the top surface of the temperature control unit 100 to sandwich the window 302 between the catch 106 and the shelf 108.

The temperature control unit 100 may include multiple thermoelectric cooling elements 208, arranged in parallel and/or in a series/multistage array, positioned in a central portion of the temperature control unit 100. The thermoelectric cooling elements 208 may be arranged in an array. The thermoelectric cooling element 208 may be an element formed from two different materials configured to transfer heat from one material to the other material through the Peltier effect. The Peltier effect transfers heat from one material to another when a voltage is applied to the two materials. The transfer of heat may be reversed by reversing the polarity of the voltage applied thereto e.g., via one or more switches for selectively applying voltages to respective materials of thermoelectric cooling element 208, without limitation. If the thermoelectric cooling element 208 is arranged such that the heat is transferred from the conditioned side 110 to the unconditioned side 112, the temperature control unit 100 may cool the conditioned space. If the thermoelectric cooling element 208 is arranged such that the heat is transferred from the unconditioned side 112 to the conditioned side 110, the temperature control unit 100 may heat the conditioned space.

The temperature control unit 100 may include a heat exchanger 206 on the conditioned side 110 of the temperature control unit 100 and a heat exchanger 204 on the unconditioned side 112 side of the temperature control unit 100. The heat exchangers 204, 206 may be configured to enhance heat transfer between the air of the conditioned side 110 and unconditioned side 112 of the temperature control unit 100 and the respective sides of the thermoelectric cooling elements 208. In one or more embodiments, the heat exchangers 204, 206 may be an array of fins extending from the respective surfaces of the thermoelectric cooling element 208. The fins may be arranged such that air from the respective spaces may pass between the fins and either collect heat from the fins or transfer heat to the fins.

The temperature control unit 100 may include one or more fans 210 on the conditioned side 110 of the temperature control unit 100 and one or more fans 202 on the unconditioned side 112 side of the temperature control unit 100. The fans 210 on the conditioned side 110 (also referred to herein as “conditioned air fans 110”) may be configured to draw air from the conditioned space into the temperature control unit 100 through an inlet 308. The air from the conditioned space may then pass over and/or under the heat exchanger 206 (e.g., through an area vertically displaced from the heat exchanger 206) and transfer heat to or from the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 through the heat exchanger 206. For example, if the conditioned space is being heated the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 may be producing heat which may be transferred to the air through the heat exchanger 206. If the conditioned space is being cooled, the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 may be transferring heat to the unconditioned side 112 of the temperature control unit 100, such that the air may transfer heat from the conditioned space to the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 through the heat exchanger 206. After the air passes through the heat exchanger 206, the fans 210 may move the conditioned air out of the temperature control unit 100 through an outlet 310 and back into the conditioned space. The fans 202 on the unconditioned side 112 (also referred to herein as “unconditioned air fans 112”) may draw unconditioned air into the temperature control unit 100 through an inlet 312. The unconditioned air may pass through the heat exchanger 204. The heat exchanger 204 may either reject heat to the unconditioned air or draw heat from the unconditioned air depending on the state of the temperature control unit 100. For example, if the temperature control unit 100 is heating the conditioned space, the heat exchanger 204 may draw heat from the unconditioned air to transfer the heat to the conditioned side 110 of the thermoelectric cooling elements 208. If the temperature control unit 100 is cooling the conditioned space, the heat exchanger 204 may reject heat that was drawn from the conditioned side 110 of the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 through the heat exchanger 204. After the unconditioned air passes through the heat exchanger 204, the fans 202 may move the unconditioned air out of the temperature control unit 100 through an outlet 314.

The power to the temperature control unit 100 may be converted from AC (wall outlet power) to DC power through a power supply 402. The power supply 402 may include one or more transformers configured to convert line voltage to a voltage configured to operate the associated components. For example, components may be configured to operate at low voltages, such as 12 volts, 24 volts, without limitation. In one or more embodiments, the power supply 702 may operate as an inverter configured to alter the type of power being supplied. For example, the power supply 702 may convert alternating current (AC) line power to direct current (DC) power. The power may be provided to the fans 202, 210, the thermoelectric cooling elements 208, controllers, and other powered components of the temperature control unit 100. As described above, changing the polarity to the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 may change the direction of the heat transfer in the thermoelectric cooling elements 208. Changing the level of power to the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 will reduce the amount of heat transferred between the conditioned and unconditioned space, allowing the thermoelectric element to operate more efficiently at part load. Therefore, the control unit 102 may be configured to control the polarity and/or level of power to the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 based on the status of the temperature control unit 100. For example, the control unit 102 may be configured to receive a temperature set point and a temperature reading from the conditioned space. The control unit 102 may determine whether to heat or cool the conditioned space based on a comparison of the temperature set point and the temperature reading from the conditioned space. The control unit 102 may then determine which polarity and level of power to supply to the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 based on whether the temperature control unit 100 is heating or cooling the conditioned space.

In one or more embodiments, the control unit 102 may be configured to modulate or regulate the power being supplied to the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 by the power supply 402 to adjust the heating or cooling output. For example, if the temperature reading from the conditioned space is near the temperature set point, the control unit 102 may operate the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 at a partial load to reduce the power consumption and the heating or cooling provided by the thermoelectric cooling elements 208. Reducing power supplied to the thermoelectric cooling elements may increase the efficiency of the temperature control unit at least because thermoelectric cooling elements may perform more efficiently in partial load conditions. In other embodiments, power to the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 may be regulated via voltage or current.

FIG. 5 illustrates a temperature control system including multiple temperature control units 100. In one or more embodiments, the temperature control units 100 may be configured to communicate with one another and/or with an internet-based application. For example, the temperature control units 100 may be configured to communicate wirelessly through radio waves, such as a WiFi network or Bluetooth. In one or more embodiments, the control unit 102 of one of the temperature control units 100 may control all of the temperature control units 100. In other embodiments, the control unit 102 of one of the temperature control units 100 may provide set points to the other control units 102.

In one or more embodiments, a room sensor 502 may be configured to control the temperature control units 100. For example, the room sensor 502 may be positioned in another portion of the conditioned space. The room sensor 502 may include a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the conditioned space. The room sensor 502 may include a temperature set point. The room sensor 502 may then compare the temperature of the conditioned space with the temperature set point and send a signal to the control units 102 of the respective temperature control units 100 to set the temperature control units 100 to heating or cooling based on the comparison.

In other embodiments, the room sensor 502 may be configured to read a temperature of the conditioned space and provide the temperature to the respective control units 102. The control units 102 may then compare the temperature of the conditioned space received from the room sensor 502 to a temperature set point and determine whether to heat or cool the conditioned space.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate schematic views of an embodiment of a temperature control unit 600. The temperature control unit 600 may include a primary heat exchanger 602 on a conditioned side 630 of the temperature control unit 600 and a secondary heat exchanger 604 on an unconditioned side 632 of the temperature control unit 600. As described above, the conditioned side 630 of the temperature control unit 600 may be positioned in a conditioned space, such as the interior of a room, and the unconditioned side 632 may be directed to an unconditioned space, such as an exterior space or outside. The primary heat exchanger 602 may include primary fans 606 (also referred to herein as “conditioned air fans 606”), which may be configured in an array across a surface of the primary heat exchanger 602. The secondary heat exchanger 604 may similarly include secondary fans 608 (also referred to herein as “unconditioned air fans 608”) arranged in an array across a surface of the secondary heat exchanger 604. In one or more embodiments, the primary fans 606 and the secondary fans 608 may be arranged and configured to push air through the associated primary heat exchanger 602 and secondary heat exchanger 604. In other embodiments, the primary fans 606 and the secondary fans 608 may be arranged and configured to pull air through the associated primary heat exchanger 602 and secondary heat exchanger 604.

The primary heat exchanger 602 may be configured to transfer heat from a working fluid, such as water, glycol or a refrigerant, without limitation, to air passing through the primary heat exchanger 602. For example, the primary heat exchanger 602 may be a fin tube heat exchanger. The working fluid may pass through the tubes of the primary heat exchanger 602 and the air being moved by the primary fans 606 may pass through the fins of the primary heat exchanger 602 transferring heat between the working fluid and the air to condition the air. The type of heat transfer occurring between the working fluid and the air may be determined the temperature of the working fluid. The working fluid may be heated or cooled by multiple thermoelectric cooling elements 610, positioned in parallel and/or in a series, multistage arrangement. As described above, the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 may be elements formed from two different materials configured to transfer heat from one material to the other material through the Peltier effect. The thermoelectric cooling elements 610 may be arranged and configured to transfer heat from the working fluid on the conditioned side 630 of the temperature control unit 600 to a working fluid on the unconditioned side 632 of the temperature control unit 600. The transfer of heat may be reversed by reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 as described above. Thus, if the thermoelectric cooling element 610 is configured such that the heat is transferred from the conditioned side 630 to the unconditioned side 632, the temperature control unit 600 may cool the conditioned space. Whereas, if the thermoelectric cooling element 610 is configured such that the heat is transferred from the unconditioned side 632 to the conditioned side 630, the temperature control unit 600 may heat the conditioned space.

The temperature control unit 600 may include a primary fluid heat exchanger 612 and a secondary fluid heat exchanger 614, which may be configured to transfer heat between the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 and the working fluids of the conditioned side 630 and unconditioned side 632 of the temperature control unit 600. The primary fluid heat exchanger 612 and secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 may be configured to increase a surface area of the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 in contact with the associated working fluids. For example, the primary fluid heat exchanger 612 and the secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 may be formed from a material having a high thermal conductivity, such as a metal (e.g., aluminum, copper, without limitation). The primary fluid heat exchanger 612 and secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 may be coupled to opposing surfaces of the thermoelectric cooling elements 610, such that heat may be transferred between the primary fluid heat exchanger 612 and the secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 through the thermoelectric cooling elements 610. For example, when the temperature control unit 600 is heating the conditioned space, the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 may remove heat from the secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 and may transfer heat to the primary fluid heat exchanger 612. When the temperature control unit 600 is cooling the conditioned space, the thermoelectric cooling element 610 may remove heat from the primary fluid heat exchanger 612 and transfer heat to the secondary fluid heat exchanger 614.

The temperature control unit 600 may include a primary pump 618, which may be configured to move the primary working fluid through the primary heat exchanger 602 and the primary fluid heat exchanger 612. The temperature control unit 600 may also include a secondary pump 616 configured to move the secondary working fluid through the secondary heat exchanger 604 and then secondary fluid heat exchanger 614.

Similar to the primary heat exchanger 602, the secondary heat exchanger 604 may be a fluid to air heat exchanger, such as a fin tube heat exchanger. The secondary fans 608 (which may also be referred to herein as “unconditioned air fans 608”) may cause air from the unconditioned space to pass through the secondary heat exchanger 604 to either collect heat from the secondary heat exchanger 604 or transfer heat to the working fluid through the secondary heat exchanger 604. The secondary working fluid may then cool or heat the secondary side of the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 through the secondary fluid heat exchanger 614.

The temperature control unit 600 may be controlled by a controller 620, which may control power (e.g., voltage, polarity, current, without limitation) to the thermoelectric cooling elements 610. The controller 620 may similarly control the primary fans 606, the secondary fans 608, the primary pump 618, and the secondary pump 616. The temperature control unit 600 may also include multiple sensors configured to measure properties of the temperature control unit 600 and or the surrounding spaces (e.g., the conditioned space and/or unconditioned space). For example, the temperature control unit 600 may include a primary return sensor 622 configured to measure properties of the air from the conditioned space as the air enters the conditioned side 630 of the temperature control unit 600. The temperature control unit 600 may further include a primary supply sensor 626 configured to measure properties of the air as the air leaves the conditioned side 630 of the temperature control unit 600. The temperature control unit 600 may also include a secondary return sensor 624 configured to measure properties of the air from the unconditioned space as the air enters the unconditioned side 632 of the temperature control unit 600. The temperature control unit 600 may further include a secondary supply sensor 628 configured measure properties of the air leaving the unconditioned side 632 of the temperature control unit 600.

The controller 620 may use measurements from the sensors to make control decisions. For example, the controller 620 may calculate a temperature change across the primary heat exchanger 602 using a temperature measurement from then primary return sensor 622 and a temperature measurement from the primary supply sensor 626. The controller 620 may control power (e.g., voltage, polarity, current, without limitation) to the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 based on a comparison between the temperature change across the primary heat exchanger 602 and a desired temperature change. The desired temperature change may be determined based on a comparison between a temperature in the conditioned space and a space set point. For example, as a difference between the temperature of the conditioned space and the space set point increases, the power supplied to the thermoelectric cooling elements may increase, and the desired temperature change across the primary heat exchanger 602 may also increase. Similarly, as a difference between the temperature of the conditioned space and the space set point decreases, the power supplied to the thermoelectric cooling elements may decrease, and the desired temperature change across the primary heat exchanger 602 may also decrease.

The controller 620 may also use measurements from the sensors to detect and/or diagnose faults or errors. For example, the controller 620 may determine if the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 are functioning by comparing a temperature at the primary supply sensor 626 to a temperature at the secondary supply sensor 628 or by comparing the temperature change across the primary heat exchanger 602 to a temperature change across the secondary heat exchanger 604.

The temperature control unit 600 may also include a power supply 702 configured to provide power to the different components of the temperature control unit 600. For example, the power supply 702 may supply power to the controller 620, the primary fans 606, secondary fans 608, secondary pump 616, primary pump 618, and thermoelectric cooling elements 610. The power supply 702 may include one or more transformers configured to convert line voltage to a voltage configured to operate the associated components. For example, the controller 620 and/or thermoelectric cooling elements 610 may be configured to operate at low voltages, such as 12 volts, 24 volts, without limitation. In one or more embodiments, the power supply 702 may operate as an inverter configured to alter the type of power being supplied. For example, the power supply 702 may convert alternating current (AC) line power to direct current (DC) power.

The controller 620, power supply 702, thermoelectric cooling elements 610, primary fluid heat exchanger 612, secondary fluid heat exchanger 614, secondary pump 616, and primary pump 618 may be housed in a body 802. The primary heat exchanger 602, secondary heat exchanger 604, and the associated primary fans 606 and secondary fans 608 may extend away from the body 802 on opposing lateral ends of the body 802. The body 802 may be configured to span a space between the conditioned space and the unconditioned space, such as a wall or window between the conditioned space and the unconditioned space. In one or more embodiments, the temperature control unit 600 may be collapsible, such as for storage and/or shipping. For example, the primary heat exchanger 602 and associated primary fans 606 may be coupled to a first lateral end of the body 802 through a hinge 804 and the secondary heat exchanger 604 and the associated secondary fans 608 may be coupled to a second lateral end of the body 802 through another hinge 804. The hinges 804 may facilitate folding the primary heat exchanger 602 and the secondary heat exchanger 604 under the body 802 as illustrated in FIG. 9.

The arrangement of the body 802 and the primary heat exchanger 602 and the secondary heat exchanger 604 extending away from the body 802 may reduce an area of the hole through which the temperature control unit 600 passes to position the temperature control unit 600, while the primary heat exchanger 602 and the secondary heat exchanger 604 may present an area (e.g., vertical cross sectional area) much larger than a vertical cross sectional area of the body 802, which may increase a transfer of heat between the air on the conditioned side 630 and/or the unconditioned side 632 and the respective working fluid through the primary heat exchanger 602 and/or the secondary heat exchanger 604.

FIG. 10 illustrates the temperature control unit 600 installed in a window 1002 as a window unit. The body 802 may pass through the window 1002, such that the primary heat exchanger 602 and primary fans 606 of the conditioned side 630 of the temperature control unit 600 are positioned on a conditioned side of the window 1002 and the secondary heat exchanger 604 and secondary fan 608 of the unconditioned side 632 of the temperature control unit 600 are positioned on an unconditioned side of the window 1002. The temperature control unit 600 may be positioned such that a gap 1004 is defined between a wall 1006 and the primary fans 606. The gap 1004 may facilitate return air from the conditioned space entering the primary fans 606 to flow through the primary heat exchanger 602 where the temperature of the return air may be increased or decreased as necessary to reach a space temperature set point for the conditioned space. Similarly a gap may be defined between the wall 1006 and the secondary fans 608 on an opposite side of the wall 1006 in the unconditioned space for substantially the same reason.

In one or more embodiments, the temperature control unit 600 may be permanently installed with the body 802 extending through a wall, such as through an opening formed in the wall. The body 802 of the temperature control unit 600 may be secured to the opening in the wall with the primary heat exchanger 602 and primary fan 606 extending from the wall on a conditioned side of the wall and the secondary heat exchanger 604 and the secondary fan 608 extending from the wall on the unconditioned side of the wall.

FIGS. 11 through 14 illustrate different views of a liquid heat exchanger assembly 1100. The liquid heat exchanger assembly 1100 may include, as non-limiting examples, the primary fluid heat exchanger 612 and secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 described above. The primary fluid heat exchanger 612 and secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 may be coupled to opposing sides of the thermoelectric cooling elements 610.

The primary fluid heat exchanger 612 may include a primary heat transfer plate 1102 which may be coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric cooling elements 610. An array of thermoelectric cooling elements 610 may be coupled to the primary heat transfer plate 1102. The primary heat transfer plate 1102 may include an array of fins 1208 on an opposite side of the primary heat transfer plate 1102 from the thermoelectric cooling elements 610. The fins 1208 may be arranged and spaced apart as depicted by FIG. 12 such that the primary working fluid may pass between the individual fins 1208. The fins 1208 (e.g., the surface area of respective fins 1208, without limitation) may increase a surface area of the primary heat transfer plate 1102, which may increase the amount of heat transferred between the primary heat transfer plate 1102 and the primary working fluid.

The primary heat transfer plate 1102 may be disposed within a cavity of a primary plenum 1202. The cavity of the primary plenum 1202 may be defined by directing walls 1210 on opposing sides of the primary plenum 1202. The directing walls 1210 may extend at an angle from opposing primary fluid ports 1106, which may serve as fluid inlets or outlets. The directing walls 1210 may be configured to direct the primary working fluid entering a first primary fluid port 1106 toward the fins 1208 of the primary heat transfer plate 1102, such that the primary working fluid may pass through the fins 1208 before the directing wall 1210 on the opposite side of the primary plenum 1202 directs the primary working fluid out a second primary fluid port 1106.

The secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 may be similar to the primary fluid heat exchanger 612 and coupled to an opposing side of the array of thermoelectric cooling elements 610. For example, the secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 may include a secondary plenum 1204 including directing walls 1302 configured to the secondary working fluid entering from a first secondary fluid port 1108 across fins 1206 of a secondary heat transfer plate 1104 and out a second secondary fluid port 1108. The secondary heat transfer plate 1104 may be directly coupled to the opposite side of the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 from the primary heat transfer plate 1102.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate views of an embodiment of a temperature control unit 1500. The temperature control unit 1500 may include a primary heat exchanger 1502 on a conditioned side 1524 of the temperature control unit 1500 and a secondary heat exchanger 1504 on an unconditioned side 1526 of the temperature control unit 1500. As described above, the conditioned side 1524 of the temperature control unit 1500 may be positioned in a conditioned space, such as the interior of a room, and the unconditioned side 1526 may be directed to an unconditioned space, such as an exterior space or outside. The primary heat exchanger 1502 may include primary fans 1506 (also referred to herein as “conditioned air fans 1506”), which may be configured in an array across a surface of the primary heat exchanger 1502. The secondary heat exchanger 1504 may similarly include secondary fans 1508 (also referred to herein as “unconditioned air fans 1508”) arranged in an array across a surface of the secondary heat exchanger 1504. In some embodiments, the primary fans 1506 and the secondary fans 1508 may be arranged and configured to push air through the associated primary heat exchanger 1502 and secondary heat exchanger 1504. In other embodiments, the primary fans 1506 and the secondary fans 1508 may be arranged and configured to pull air through the associated primary heat exchanger 1502 and secondary heat exchanger 1504, as illustrated in FIG. 15.

The temperature control unit 1500 may utilize primary heat pipes 1516 to transfer heat from the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510 to the primary heat exchanger 1502. A heat pipe includes three sections—an evaporation section, a transfer section, and a condenser section. Evaporation section includes a chamber and a fluid reservoir that contains a working fluid. The working fluid is selected on the basis of the desired heat flow through heat pipe. If the heat flow through heat pipe is high, water is chosen as working fluid. If the heat flow through heat pipe is low, any other fluid with lower heat of vaporization than water is chosen as working fluid. Examples of fluids with low heat of vaporization include, but are not limited to, methanol, ammonia, ethanol, acetone, fluorocarbons such as Freon, mixtures of water and ethyl alcohol, and mixtures of water and ammonia. The condenser section is configured to reject heat from the working fluid to a heat sink or heat exchanger. The working fluid evaporates by absorbing heat in the evaporation section and forms a vapor in chamber. The vapor reaches condenser section through the transfer section and rejects the heat to condenser section to form droplets. Thereafter, the condenser section transfers the heat out of the heat pipe to a heat sink or heat exchanger. The droplets then return to the evaporation section and replenish the fluid reservoir. The working fluid travels through the heat pipe through natural circulation caused by the increases and decreases in temperature of the working fluid. The evaporation section and the condenser section of the heat pipe may be on opposing ends of the heat pipe.

The primary heat exchanger 1502 may be configured to transfer heat from primary heat pipes 1516 to air passing through the primary heat exchanger 1502. For example, the primary heat exchanger 1502 may be an array of fins arranged around an end of the primary heat pipes 1516. The primary heat pipes 1516 may reject heat to the primary heat exchanger 1502 or absorb heat from the primary heat exchanger 1502 and the air being moved by the primary fans 1506 may pass through the fins of the primary heat exchanger 1502 absorbing and/or rejecting heat therefrom. Thus, the primary heat exchanger 1502 may transfer heat between the primary heat pipes 1516 and the air to condition the air. The direction of the heat transfer through the primary heat pipes 1516 may be determined based on a mode of the temperature control unit 1500. For example, if the temperature control unit 1500 is heating the conditioned space, the evaporator section may be coupled to a primary heat sink 1514 receiving heat from the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510 and the condenser section of the primary heat pipes 1516 may be rejecting heat to the primary heat exchanger 1502 to heat the air on the conditioned side 1524 of the temperature control unit 1500. If the temperature control unit 1500 is cooling the conditioned space, the evaporator section may be coupled to the primary heat exchanger 1502 receiving heat from the air on the conditioned side 1524 of the temperature control unit 1500 and the condenser section of the primary heat pipes 1516 may be rejecting heat to the primary heat sink 1514 which may be absorbed by the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510.

The working fluid may be heated or cooled by multiple thermoelectric cooling elements 1510. As described above, the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510 may be elements formed from two different materials configured to transfer heat from one material to the other material through the Peltier effect. The thermoelectric cooling elements 1510 may be arranged and configured to transfer heat from the primary heat pipes 1516 on the conditioned side 1524 of the temperature control unit 1500 to secondary heat pipes 1518 on the unconditioned side 1526 of the temperature control unit 1500. The transfer of heat may be reversed by reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510 as described above. Thus, if the thermoelectric cooling element 1510 is configured such that the heat is transferred from the conditioned side 1524 to the unconditioned side 1526, the temperature control unit 1500 may cool the conditioned space. Whereas, if the thermoelectric cooling element 1510 is configured such that the heat is transferred from the unconditioned side 1526 to the conditioned side 1524, the temperature control unit 1500 may heat the conditioned space.

Similar to the primary heat exchanger 1502, the secondary heat exchanger 1504 may be an array of fins coupled to secondary heat pipes 1518. The secondary fans 1508 may cause air from the unconditioned space to pass through the secondary heat exchanger 1504 to either collect heat from the secondary heat exchanger 1504 or to transfer heat to the secondary heat pipes 1518 through the secondary heat exchanger 1504. The secondary heat pipes 1518 may then cool or heat the secondary side of the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510 through a secondary heat sink 1512.

In some embodiments, the primary heat pipes 1516 and the secondary heat pipes 1518 may be configured to reverse flow direction based on the mode of the temperature control unit 1500. For example, the end of the primary heat pipes 1516 coupled to the primary heat exchanger 1502 may act as the condenser portion in a heating mode and the end of the primary heat pipes 1516 coupled to the primary heat sink 1514 may act as the condenser in a cooling mode, such that the flow of heat in the primary heat pipes 1516 may reverse in the different modes to transfer heat to or from the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of the temperature control unit 1500 Similar to the temperature control unit 600 described above, the temperature control unit 1500 may be configured to have a bridge 1606 that is thinner than the surrounding portions of the temperature control unit 1500 to reduce the size (e.g., vertical cross sectional area) of the temperature control unit 1500 where it passes through the barrier (e.g., wall or window) between the conditioned space and the unconditioned space. The control elements, such as a controller, a power supply, the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510, the primary heat sink 1514, and the secondary heat sink 1512 may be housed in a bridge 1606. The primary heat exchanger 1502, secondary heat exchanger 1504, and the associated primary fans 1506 and secondary fans 1508 may be arranged in the larger portions of the temperature control unit 1500 on opposing lateral sides of the bridge 1606.

The larger portions of the temperature control unit 1500 on opposing sides of the bridge 1606 may define a channel 1604 over the bridge 1606. The channel 1604 may be configured to receive a securing element, that may form the barrier between the conditioned space and the unconditioned space. For example, the channel 1604 may be configured to receive a window, such that the window may retract to allow the unconditioned side 1526 of the temperature control unit 1500 to pass through the window. The window may then be substantially closed, such that the window may extend into the channel 1604 resting on the bridge 1606 to form a barrier between the unconditioned side 1526 and the conditioned side 1524 of the temperature control unit 1500.

The temperature control unit 1500 may include a primary air inlet 1520 on the conditioned side 1524 of the temperature control unit 1500 and a secondary air inlet 1522 on the unconditioned side 1526 of the temperature control unit 1500. The air inlets 1520, 1522 may be positioned in a top surface of the respective sides angularly offset from the flow path through the respective fans 1506, 1508. The air inlets 1520, 1522 may be configured to receive air from the respective conditioned space or unconditioned space and direct the air to the respective heat exchangers 1502, 1504 through a duct as illustrated in FIG. 15.

The conditioned side 1524 of the temperature control unit 1500 may include a user interface 1602. The user interface 1602 may be configured to provide a user with information about the temperature control unit 1500 and/or the conditioned space, such as temperature readings from sensors in the temperature control unit 1500, operational parameters, errors, fault codes, etc. The user interface 1602 may also provide inputs that the user may change, such as set points, timers, etc.

The temperature control unit 1500 may also include a power supply, such as power supply 402, power supply 702 described above, configured to provide power to the different components of the temperature control unit 1500. For example, the power supply may supply power to a controller, the primary fans 1506, secondary fans 1508, and thermoelectric cooling elements 1510. The power supply may include one or more transformers configured to convert line voltage to a voltage configured to operate the associated components. For example, the controller and/or thermoelectric cooling elements 1510 may be configured to operate at low voltages, such as 12 volts, 24 volts, without limitation. In one or more embodiments, the power supply may operate as an inverter configured to alter the type of power being supplied. For example, the power supply may convert alternating current (AC) line power to direct current (DC) power. The power supply may also be configured to alter a polarity of the power to components of the temperature control unit 1500. For example, as described above, reversing the polarity of the power to the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510 may effectively change the temperature control unit 1500 from a cooling mode to a heating mode. Similarly, the power supply may change a level of the power provided to the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510, as described above, to change a level of cooling or heating being provided therefrom.

The embodiments of the disclosure described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures do not limit the scope of the invention, since these embodiments are merely examples of embodiments of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, various modifications of the present disclosure, in addition to those shown and described herein, such as alternative useful combinations of the elements described, may become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. Such modifications and embodiments are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A temperature control unit comprising:

one or more thermoelectric cooling elements coupled to a conditioned space heat exchanger and an unconditioned space heat exchanger;

one or more conditioned air fans configured to move air from a conditioned space vertically displaced from the conditioned space heat exchanger;

one or more unconditioned air fans configured to move air from an unconditioned space over the unconditioned space heat exchanger; and

a power supply configured to change a polarity of power to the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements.

2. The temperature control unit of claim 1, wherein the power supply is configured to change a level of the power to the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements.

3. The temperature control unit of claim 1, further comprising:

a shelf configured to contact a window and support a conditioned space side of the temperature control unit; and

a support foot extending from a bottom of the temperature control unit on an unconditioned space side of the temperature control unit to support the unconditioned space side of the temperature control unit.

4. The temperature control unit of claim 1, wherein the conditioned space heat exchanger is directly coupled to a first surface of the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements and the unconditioned space heat exchanger is directly coupled to a second surface of the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements opposite the first surface.

5. The temperature control unit of claim 1, wherein the conditioned space heat exchanger is operatively coupled to a first surface of the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements through a first working medium and the unconditioned space heat exchanger is operatively coupled to a second surface of the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements opposite the first surface through a second working medium.

6. The temperature control unit of claim 5, wherein the first working medium and the second working medium are a same type of medium.

7. The temperature control unit of claim 5, wherein the first working medium and the second working medium comprise heat pipes.

8. The temperature control unit of claim 5, wherein the first working medium and the second working medium comprise a liquid.

9. A temperature control unit comprising:

one or more thermoelectric cooling elements operatively coupled to a conditioned space heat exchanger through a first working fluid;

the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements operatively coupled to an unconditioned space heat exchanger through a second working fluid;

one or more conditioned air fans configured to move air from a conditioned space over the conditioned space heat exchanger;

one or more unconditioned air fans configured to move air from an unconditioned space over the unconditioned space heat exchanger; and

a power supply configured to change a polarity and a level of power to the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements.

10. The temperature control unit of claim 9, further comprising a body housing the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements, wherein the conditioned space heat exchanger is coupled to the body on a first lateral end of the body and the unconditioned space heat exchanger is coupled to the body on a second lateral end of the body.

11. The temperature control unit of claim 10, wherein the conditioned space heat exchanger extends away from the body and the unconditioned space heat exchanger extends away from the body.

12. The temperature control unit of claim 10, wherein the body is configured to pass through a barrier between the conditioned space and the unconditioned space and the body has a vertical cross sectional area less than a vertical cross sectional area of the conditioned space heat exchanger and the unconditioned space heat exchanger.

13. The temperature control unit of claim 9, further comprising a controller configured to communicate wirelessly with another controller of another temperature control unit.

14. A temperature control unit comprising:

a thermoelectric cooling element operatively coupled to a conditioned space heat exchanger through a first heat pipe;

the thermoelectric cooling element operatively coupled to an unconditioned space heat exchanger through a second heat pipe;

one or more conditioned air fans configured to move air from a conditioned space over the conditioned space heat exchanger;

one or more unconditioned air fans configured to move air from an unconditioned space over the unconditioned space heat exchanger; and

a power supply configured to change a level of power to the thermoelectric cooling element.

15. The temperature control unit of claim 14, wherein the first heat pipe comprises an evaporative section, a transfer section, and a condenser section.

16. The temperature control unit of claim 15, wherein the power supply is configured to change a polarity of the power to the thermoelectric cooling element and the first heat pipe is configured to reverse a heat flow direction when the polarity of the power to the thermoelectric cooling element is changed.

17. The temperature control unit of claim 14, further comprising:

a conditioned side including the conditioned space heat exchanger and the one or more conditioned air fans;

an unconditioned side including the unconditioned space heat exchanger and the one or more unconditioned air fans; and

a bridge section positioned between the conditioned side and the unconditioned side.

18. The temperature control unit of claim 17, wherein the bridge section has a vertical cross section less than a vertical cross section of the conditioned side and the unconditioned side.

19. The temperature control unit of claim 17, wherein the conditioned side, the unconditioned side, and the bridge section define a channel between the conditioned side and the unconditioned side.

20. The temperature control unit of claim 14, wherein the first heat pipe includes a working fluid selected from a group consisting of water, methanol, ammonia, ethanol, acetone, fluorocarbons, and mixtures of water and ethyl alcohol.