TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNITS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS COMPONENTS, ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS

Abstract

A temperature control unit includes a first fan on a conditioned air side of the temperature control unit. The temperature control unit also includes a second fan on a plenum air side of the temperature control unit. The temperature control unit further includes a duct wall between the first fan and the second fan and a thermoelectric element positioned on the duct wall between the first fan and the second fan. The thermoelectric element is configured to transfer heat between the conditioned air side of the temperature control unit and the plenum air side of the temperature control unit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/631,869, filed Apr. 9, 2024, the disclosure 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 temperature control units 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 gases to the environment, contributing to global warming and climate change.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure include a temperature control unit includes a first fan on a conditioned air side of the temperature control unit. The temperature control unit also includes a second fan on a plenum air side of the temperature control unit. The temperature control unit further includes a duct wall between the first fan and the second fan, and a thermoelectric element positioned on the duct wall between the first fan and the second fan. The thermoelectric element is configured to transfer heat between the conditioned air side of the temperature control unit and the plenum air side of the temperature control unit.

Other embodiments of the disclosure include a temperature control system including an air conditioning system configured to supply conditioned air to a conditioned space and draw air from a plenum and a supplemental temperature control unit. The supplemental temperature control unit includes a first fan on a conditioned side of the temperature control unit. The supplemental temperature control unit further includes a second fan on a plenum side of the temperature control unit. The supplemental temperature control unit also includes a thermoelectric element positioned between the first fan and the second fan, the thermoelectric element configured to transfer heat between the conditioned space and the plenum.

Another embodiment of the disclosure includes a method of conditioning air in a space. The method includes drawing conditioned air from the space at a conditioned inlet. The method further includes drawing plenum air from a plenum at a plenum inlet. The method also includes passing the conditioned air from the space over a first side of a thermoelectric element. The method further includes passing the plenum air from the plenum over a second side of the thermoelectric element opposite the first side of the thermoelectric element. The method further includes transferring heat between the conditioned air and the plenum air through the thermoelectric 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 plan view of a temperature control unit in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of a temperature control unit in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a face view of the temperature control unit of FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the temperature control unit of FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate plan views of a temperature control unit in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate face views of embodiments of the temperature control unit illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of a temperature control system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Drawings presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be actual views of any particular material, component, structure, device, or system. Variations from the shapes depicted in the drawings as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein are not to be construed as being limited to the particular shapes or regions as illustrated, but include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as box-shaped may have rough and/or nonlinear features, and a region illustrated or described as round may include some rough and/or linear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded, and vice versa. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and do not limit the scope of the present claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.

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. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0 percent met, at least 95.0 percent met, at least 99.0 percent met, at least 99.9 percent met, or even 100.0 percent met.

As used herein, “about” or “approximately” in reference to a numerical value for a particular parameter is inclusive of the numerical value and a degree of variance from the numerical value that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand is within acceptable tolerances for the particular parameter. For example, “about” or “approximately” in reference to a numerical value may include additional numerical values within a range of from 90.0 percent to 110.0 percent of the numerical value, such as within a range of from 95.0 percent to 105.0 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 97.5 percent to 102.5 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 99.0 percent to 101.0 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 99.5 percent to 100.5 percent of the numerical value, or within a range of from 99.9 percent to 100.1 percent of the numerical value.

As used herein, relational terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “bottom,” “above,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” and the like, may be used for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the materials in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if materials in the figures are inverted, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” or “on bottom of” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” or “on top of” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below, depending on the context in which the term is used, which will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art. The materials may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees, inverted, flipped) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless 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,” “longitudinal,” “horizontal,” and “lateral” are in reference to a major plane of a structure and are not necessarily defined by earth's gravitational field. A “horizontal” or “lateral” direction is a direction that is substantially parallel to the major plane of the structure, while a “vertical” or “longitudinal” direction is a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the major plane of the structure. The major plane of the structure is defined by a surface of the structure having a relatively large area compared to other surfaces of the structure. With reference to the drawings, a “horizontal” or “lateral” direction may be perpendicular to an indicated “Z” axis, and may be parallel to an indicated “X” axis and/or parallel to an indicated “Y” axis; and a “vertical” or “longitudinal” direction may be parallel to an indicated “Z” axis, may be perpendicular to an indicated “X” axis, and may be perpendicular to an indicated “Y” axis.

Buildings, such as houses, commercial buildings, shops, garages, etc., include occupied space where it is desirable to provide some type of conditioning to the air, such as heating or cooling for the comfort of the occupants. Conventional systems utilize natural gas or other fossil fuels to heat the air either directly or through a heated water (e.g., boiler) system and utilize refrigerants to cool the air either directly or through a cooled water (e.g., chiller) system. The conventional refrigerants and exhaust from burning of fossil fuels are known to cause damage to the environment. Alternative systems that can utilize electricity to heat and cool a space may reduce the damage to the environment caused by conventional heating and cooling systems.

FIG. 1 illustrates a temperature control unit 100. The temperature control unit 100 may be configured to heat or cool air in a conditioned space 104 with thermoelectric elements 120. The thermoelectric elements 120 are configured to transfer heat from one side of the thermoelectric elements 120 to an opposite side of the thermoelectric elements 120. In some embodiments, the thermoelectric elements 120 are Peltier devices that are configured to change the direction that the heat is transferred by changing the polarity of the power applied to the thermoelectric elements 120. The thermoelectric elements 120 may be thermoelectric thermocouples affixed directly to copper or aluminum substrates. The thermoelectric thermocouples may be doped with electrically conductive and thermally insulating material. The thermoelectric elements 120 may be configured to transfer heat from a conditioned space 104 to a plenum 102 when cooling the conditioned space 104. In other cases, the thermoelectric elements 120 are configured to transfer heat from the plenum 102 to the conditioned space 104 when heating the conditioned space 104. In some embodiments, the thermoelectric elements 120 are arranged in an array including multiple thermoelectric elements 120. In some embodiments, the thermoelectric elements 120 include heat exchanging features, such as fins, plates, screens, etc., extending from the surfaces of the thermoelectric elements 120 and configured to increase the surface area of the thermoelectric elements 120 in contact with the air.

The plenum 102 may be an area above a ceiling (e.g., an attic or mechanical space separated from the conditioned space 104 by the ceiling). In other embodiments, the plenum 102 may be a basement space or crawl space separated from the conditioned space 104 by a floor. In other embodiments, the plenum 102 may be a space or shaft defined within a wall separated from the conditioned space 104 by the wall. The plenum 102 may have a temperature that is closer to the temperature of the conditioned space 104 than an outside temperature. Thus, an efficiency of the temperature control unit 100 may increase over an efficiency of a similar temperature control unit configured to transfer heat between the conditioned space 104 and outside space.

The embodiment of the temperature control unit 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is secured to a ceiling tile frame 108 between the conditioned space 104 and a plenum 102. The ceiling tile frame 108 also supports ceiling tiles 106 forming the ceiling separating the conditioned space 104 from the plenum 102. The temperature control unit 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is supported by the ceiling tile frame 108 through an interface between the ceiling tile frame 108 and a duct 114 passing through the temperature control unit 100. The duct 114 is configured to separate the air from the conditioned space 104 from the air in the plenum 102 as the air from both the conditioned space 104 and the plenum 102 pass through the respective sides of the temperature control unit 100.

The temperature control unit 100 includes an inlet 110, such as a perforated or louvered panel at substantially a same level as the ceiling tiles 106 surrounding the temperature control unit 100. The inlet 110 may be positioned substantially centrally below the temperature control unit 100 (e.g., below a radial center of the temperature control unit 100). A first fan 116 may be positioned over the inlet 110 and configured to draw air from the conditioned space 104 through the inlet 110 into the temperature control unit 100. The air may pass from the fan over the thermoelectric elements 120. The thermoelectric elements 120 may remove heat from the air or provide heat to the air depending on the configuration (e.g., heating or cooling) of the thermoelectric elements 120.

The temperature control unit 100 also includes a second fan 118 located in the plenum 102. The second fan 118 is separated from the first fan 116 by the thermoelectric elements 120. The second fan 118 is configured to draw air from the plenum 102 and pass the air from the plenum 102 over the thermoelectric elements 120. The thermoelectric element 120 may transfer heat to the air from the plenum 102 or remove heat from the air from the plenum 102 depending on the configuration (e.g., heating or cooling) of the thermoelectric elements 120.

The first fan 116 and the second fan 118 may be coupled to one or more fan motors 122. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a single fan motor 122 is operatively coupled to both the first fan 116 and the second fan 118 through a common drive shaft 124. Thus, the first fan 116 and the second fan 118 operate in substantially a same direction and at a same speed. In other embodiments, the first fan 116 and the second fan 118 may have separate fan motors 122 configured to operate the first fan 116 and the second fan 118 independently, such as at different speeds or in different directions. In some embodiments, at least one of the first fan 116 and the second fan 118 may be formed from multiple fans forming a bank of fans 116, 118. In some embodiments, the temperature control unit 100 may also include an air filter positioned in the flow path on the conditioned air side of the temperature control unit 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the temperature control unit 100 installed between the conditioned space 104 and a plenum 102 beneath a floor. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the floor is formed from floor tiles 202 supported by floor supports 204. The plenum 102 is defined between the floor tiles 202 and a sub-floor 206. In other embodiments, the plenum 102 may be a basement or crawl space.

The temperature control unit 100 is supported by the floor supports 204 through an interface between the floor supports 204 and the duct 114 of the temperature control unit 100. As described above, the temperature control unit 100 includes a centrally located inlet 110 and an outlet 112 about the radially outer portion of the temperature control unit 100 between the inlet 110 and the duct 114. The first fan 116 is positioned beneath the inlet 110 and configured to draw air from the conditioned space 104 through the inlet 110 and push the air over thermoelectric elements 120 before the air re-enters the conditioned space 104 through the outlet 112.

The second fan 118 positioned on an opposite side of the thermoelectric elements 120 from the first fan 116 draws air from the plenum 102 and passes the air over the thermoelectric elements 120 on the plenum side of the thermoelectric elements 120 before the air re-enters the plenum 102. As discussed above, a voltage applied across the thermoelectric elements 120 causes the thermoelectric elements 120 to transfer heat from one side of the thermoelectric elements 120 to the other (e.g., from the conditioned space 104 to the plenum 102 or from the plenum 102 to the conditioned space 104).

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the first fan 116 of the temperature control unit 100. The second fan 118 of the temperature control unit 100 is similarly arranged on an opposite side of the thermoelectric elements 120. The first fan 116 includes an inlet 302 in a central portion of the first fan 116. Vanes 304 of the first fan 116 are shaped and arranged to draw air into the inlet 302 and move the air over the thermoelectric elements 120 over the vanes 304 as the first fan 116 rotates.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the thermoelectric elements 120 are positioned radially between the inlet 302 and an outer edge 306 of the first fan 116, such that the air passes over the thermoelectric elements 120 as the air moves radially from the inlet 302 past the outer edge 306 of the first fan 116. There are multiple thermoelectric elements 120 arranged circumferentially about the first fan 116.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, there are four thermoelectric elements 120 circumferentially spaced about the first fan 116. In other embodiments, there may be more or less of the thermoelectric elements 120. For example, a larger temperature control unit 100 may include more thermoelectric elements 120 than a smaller temperature control unit 100. In some embodiments, the temperature control unit 100 may include a single thermoelectric element 120, two thermoelectric elements 120, three thermoelectric elements 120, four thermoelectric elements 120, six thermoelectric elements 120, ten thermoelectric elements 120, twenty thermoelectric elements 120, etc. The size and/or arrangement of the temperature control unit 100 may be determined based on the associated occupied space. For example, a small temperature control unit 100 with fewer thermoelectric elements 120 may be used to supplement heating and cooling in an air-conditioned space for single person. A larger temperature control unit 100 with a large number of thermoelectric elements 120 may be used to supplement heating and cooling in an air-conditioned space for a larger group of people, such as a conference room or open office space.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the temperature control unit 100. As discussed above, the first fan 116 draws air from the conditioned space 104 and passes the air over the thermoelectric element 120 before the air returns to the conditioned space 104. The thermoelectric element 120 includes a first heat exchanger 402 extending from the surface of the thermoelectric element 120 facing the first fan 116. The first heat exchanger 402 may be features configured to increase the surface area of the thermoelectric element 120, such as fins, plates, or screens. In some embodiments, the first heat exchanger 402 is a direct heat exchanger configured to transfer heat directly from the surface of the first heat exchanger 402 to passing air. In other embodiments, the first heat exchanger 402 is a liquid to air heat exchanger, such that a fluid is used as a heat transfer medium.

The second fan 118 draws air from the plenum 102 and passes the air over the thermoelectric element 120 before the air returns to the plenum 102. The thermoelectric element 120 includes a second heat exchanger 404 extending from the surface of the thermoelectric element 120 facing the second fan 118. The second heat exchanger 404 may be features configured to increase the surface area of the thermoelectric element 120, such as fins, plates, or screens. In some embodiments, the second heat exchanger 404 is a direct heat exchanger configured to transfer heat directly from the surface of the second heat exchanger 404 to passing air. In other embodiments, the second heat exchanger 404 is a liquid to air heat exchanger, such that a fluid is used as a heat transfer medium.

The thermoelectric element 120 is configured to transfer heat between the surface facing the first fan 116 to the surface facing the second fan 118. Thus, the thermoelectric element 120 is configured to transfer heat between the air from the conditioned space 104 and the air from the plenum 102. As discussed above, the thermoelectric element 120 is configured to transfer heat from one surface to the other when a voltage is applied to the thermoelectric element 120. The direction of the transfer of heat may be defined by a polarity of the voltage applied through the Peltier effect.

The temperature control unit 100 includes a power supply 406 configured to supply power to the components of the temperature control unit 100. The power supply 406 may be a direct current (DC) power supply, such as a battery or rectifier. The power supply 406 may be configured to supply power to the thermoelectric element 120, the first fan 116, and the second fan 118. In some embodiments, one or more components of the temperature control unit 100 may be powered by an external power source, such as line voltage. For example, the first fan 116 and/or the second fan 118 may be configured to receive power from an external power source. In some embodiments, the first fan 116 and/or the second fan 118 may be configured to receive power (e.g., alternating current (AC) power or DC power) through a separate control device, such as a motor controller, motor starter, or variable frequency drive (VFD). Powering some components from an external source may facilitate using different types of power, such as AC power for some components and DC power for other components. Furthermore, powering some components from an external source may reduce the size of the power supply 406, which may reduce the size and/or cost of the temperature control unit 100.

In some embodiments, the power is supplied by the power supply 406 through a controller 408. For example, the power supply 406 may be directly coupled to the controller 408 and the controller 408 may then provide the power from the power supply 406 to the individual components of the temperature control unit 100, such as the thermoelectric element 120, first fan 116, and the second fan 118. In other embodiments, the power from the power supply 406 to the individual components may be controlled by the controller 408 without passing through the controller 408, such as through relays, switches, motor controllers, digital signals, analog signals, etc. Temperature control units 100 according to the disclosure may have relatively low power demands, such that the power supplies 406 may be low voltage low amperage power supplies, such as control power, control transformers, or Ethernet power. In some embodiments the temperature control unit may include additional accessories, such as lights, emergency signals (e.g., exit signs, fire alarms, etc.), speakers, etc.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate embodiments of a temperature control unit 500 similar to the temperature control unit 100 discussed above. The temperature control unit 500 includes a first fan 502 configured to draw air from a conditioned space 504 through a conditioned air inlet 506 and a second fan 508 configured to draw air from a plenum 510 through a plenum air inlet 512. The temperature control unit 500 includes multiple thermoelectric elements 514 defining a wall between the conditioned air inlet 506 and the plenum air inlet 512, such that the thermoelectric elements 514 are configured to transfer heat from the conditioned air inlet 506 to the plenum air inlet 512 or from the plenum air inlet 512 to the conditioned air inlet 506 depending on the configuration (e.g., heating or cooling) of the temperature control unit 500.

FIG. 6 illustrates the temperature control unit 500 installed in a ceiling between the conditioned space 504 and the plenum 510, where the plenum 510 is above the ceiling. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the ceiling is formed by ceiling tiles 602 secured by a ceiling tile frame 604. The temperature control unit 500 is supported between the ceiling tiles 602 by the ceiling tile frame 604. In other embodiments, the temperature control unit 500 may be installed between the conditioned space 504 and a different plenum, such as an under floor plenum as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The temperature control unit 500 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes an inlet duct 606 defining the conditioned air inlet 506. The air from the conditioned space 504 is drawn from a perimeter region of the temperature control unit 500 through the conditioned air inlet 506 defined by the inlet duct 606. The air passes over the thermoelectric elements 514. As discussed in detail above, the thermoelectric elements 514 are configured to transfer heat from one side of the thermoelectric elements 514 to the other when a voltage is applied to the thermoelectric elements 514. The polarity of the voltage may define the direction of the heat transfer. Thus, the polarity of the voltage may define a heating mode where heat is transferred from the plenum air inlet 512 to the conditioned air inlet 506 and a cooling mode where heat is transferred from the conditioned air inlet 506 to the plenum air inlet 512.

A deflector 516 may be positioned proximate a center of the temperature control unit 500 and be configured to redirect the airflow from the conditioned air inlet 506 to the first fan 502 and from the plenum air inlet 512 to the second fan 508. In some embodiments, the deflector 516 is an air dam as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 6. In other embodiments, the deflector 516 may include one or more turning vanes, blades, or dampers.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the temperature control unit 500 includes an outlet duct 608 coupled to the second fan 508. The outlet duct 608 may be configured to direct outlet air from the second fan 508 into the plenum 510 to an area a distance from the plenum air inlet 512. Extending a distance between the outlet plenum air and the plenum air inlet 512 may substantially prevent short-cycling the plenum air, which may improve efficiency of the temperature control unit 500.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate face views of different configurations of the temperature control unit 500. FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate the temperature control unit 500 from the side facing the conditioned space 504. The side of the temperature control unit 500 facing the plenum 510 will have a similar configuration. Each of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate heat exchangers 702 along the thermoelectric elements 514. The heat exchangers 702 may be finned heat sinks, vapor chamber heat sinks, extruded fins, skivved fins, zippered fins, etc. The heat exchangers 702 may be formed from a material having a high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper. In some embodiments, the heat exchangers 702 are formed through a process, such as extrusion, machining, additive manufacturing, etc.

FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment where the first fan 502 is positioned between two conditioned air inlets 506 in the X-direction. The conditioned air inlets 506 pass through the heat exchangers 702 extending from the thermoelectric element 514 on opposing sides of the first fan 502.

FIG. 7B illustrates an embodiment including two first fans 502 positioned between two conditioned air inlets 506 in the X-direction. The conditioned air inlets 506 pass through the heat exchangers 702 extending from the thermoelectric elements 514 on opposing sides of the first fans 502. The two first fans 502 may result in greater air flow through the temperature control unit 500 than the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7A with a single first fan 502. The increased size of the heat exchangers 702 may result in a greater heating or cooling capacity for the temperature control unit 500 over the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, at least due to an increased surface area of the heat exchangers 702.

FIG. 7C illustrates an embodiment including a single first fan 502 centrally positioned between four conditioned air inlets 506 extending in both the X-direction and the Z-direction. The conditioned air inlets 506 pass through the heat exchangers 702 extending from the thermoelectric elements 514 on opposing sides of the first fan 502 in both the X-direction and the Z-direction. The greater number of conditioned air inlets 506 may result in a greater heating or cooling capacity for the temperature control unit 500 over the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, at least due to an increased surface area of the heat exchangers 702. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7C may also have a larger temperature differential over the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7B resulting from a lower air flow through the temperature control unit 500 in combination with the greater heating or cooling capacity of the temperature control unit 500.

The different configurations may be selected for different needs, such as the size of the conditioned space, the thermal load in the conditioned space, the power available in the space, etc.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of a temperature control system 800. The temperature control system 800 includes an air conditioning system 802 configured to condition (e.g., heat or cool) air being supplied to the conditioned space 814. The conditioned air is supplied to the conditioned space 814 through a supply air duct 804. The air from the conditioned space 104 may flow into the plenum 812 through an air return 808 to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the conditioned space 814. The air conditioning system 802 draws air from the plenum 812 through a return air duct 806 to exhaust the air or recirculate the air depending on the type and/or configuration of the air conditioning system 802.

Many conditioned spaces 814 may have areas that are more difficult to control, such as due to varying heat loads (e.g., conference rooms, lunch rooms, break rooms, etc.) or solar loads (e.g., exterior rooms with large windows, etc.). Auxiliary heating or cooling may be used to maintain comfortable temperatures in rooms with varying heat loads. For example, a temperature control unit 810, such as the temperature control unit 100 or temperature control unit 500 described above, may be positioned between the conditioned space 814 and the plenum 812. The temperature control unit 810 may thus be configured to provide supplemental heating or cooling to the conditioned space 814 without being connected directly to the air conditioning system 802. For example, a building control system (BCS) may control the temperature control unit 810 separate from the air conditioning system 802 to maintain the temperature of the conditioned space 814, such as when the air conditioning system 802 is off or when the air conditioning system 802 is not able to maintain the temperature in the conditioned space 814. In some embodiments, multiple temperature control units 810 may be controlled in a single space and may be configured to communicate together through a separate mesh network, such that the BCS may communicate to a main temperature control unit 810 in an area or with a main controller for the multiple temperature control units 810 and the mesh network may facilitate fine control of the space with the multiple temperature control units 810.

Embodiments of the disclosure may facilitate supplemental cooling systems having higher efficiency. Increased efficiency may reduce the power used to control an occupied space and may reduce the emissions related to the control of the occupied space. Embodiments of the disclosure may also facilitate improved control of a space by providing control of smaller areas for individualized comfort control.

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:

a first fan on a conditioned air side of the temperature control unit;

a second fan on a plenum air side of the temperature control unit;

a duct wall between the first fan and the second fan; and

a thermoelectric element positioned on the duct wall between the first fan and the second fan, the thermoelectric element configured to transfer heat between the conditioned air side of the temperature control unit and the plenum air side of the temperature control unit.

2. The temperature control unit of claim 1, further comprising an inlet positioned radially over a center portion of the first fan.

3. The temperature control unit of claim 1, further comprising an outlet positioned radially outward of the first fan.

4. The temperature control unit of claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger secured to the thermoelectric element and configured to transfer heat between the thermoelectric element and air passing through the conditioned air side of the temperature control unit.

5. The temperature control unit of claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger secured to the thermoelectric element and configured to transfer heat between the thermoelectric element and air passing through the plenum air side of the temperature control unit.

6. The temperature control unit of claim 1, further comprising an inlet positioned radially outward of the first fan and an outlet positioned radially over a center portion of the first fan.

7. The temperature control unit of claim 6, wherein the thermoelectric element is positioned on the duct wall along the inlet.

8. The temperature control unit of claim 7, further comprising a heat exchanger positioned within the inlet configured to transfer heat between the thermoelectric element and air passing through the inlet.

9. The temperature control unit of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric element comprises an array of thermoelectric elements.

10. A temperature control system comprising:

an air conditioning system configured to supply conditioned air to a conditioned space and draw air from a plenum; and

a supplemental temperature control unit comprising: a first fan on a conditioned side of the temperature control unit; a second fan on a plenum side of the temperature control unit; and a thermoelectric element positioned between the first fan and the second fan, the thermoelectric element configured to transfer heat between the conditioned space and the plenum.

11. The temperature control system of claim 10, wherein the supplemental temperature control unit further comprises a heat exchanger attached to the thermoelectric element on the conditioned side of the temperature control unit.

12. The temperature control unit of claim 11, wherein the supplemental temperature control unit further comprises a first inlet positioned radially outward of the first fan, wherein the heat exchanger is positioned in the first inlet.

13. The temperature control unit of claim 12, wherein the supplemental temperature control unit further comprises a second inlet positioned radially outward of the first fan on an opposite lateral side of the first fan from the first inlet, wherein a second heat exchanger attached to a second thermoelectric element is positioned in the second inlet.

14. The temperature control system of claim 10, wherein the supplemental temperature control unit further comprises a duct wall separating the conditioned side of the temperature control unit and the plenum side of the temperature control unit.

15. A method of conditioning air in a space, the method comprising:

drawing conditioned air from the space at a conditioned inlet;

drawing plenum air from a plenum at a plenum inlet;

passing the conditioned air from the space over a first side of a thermoelectric element;

passing the plenum air from the plenum over a second side of the thermoelectric element opposite the first side of the thermoelectric element;

transferring heat between the conditioned air and the plenum air through the thermoelectric element.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein transferring heat between the conditioned air and the plenum air through the thermoelectric element comprises:

applying a first voltage to the thermoelectric element at a first polarity causing the thermoelectric element to transfer heat from the plenum air to the conditioned air; and

applying a second voltage to the thermoelectric element at a second polarity opposite the first polarity, causing the thermoelectric element to transfer heat from the conditioned air to the plenum air.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein passing the conditioned air from the space over the first side of the thermoelectric element comprises passing the conditioned air from the space over a heat exchanger operatively coupled to the first side of the thermoelectric element.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising separating the plenum air from the conditioned air with a duct wall.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein drawing the conditioned air from the space comprises drawing the conditioned air from the space with a first fan positioned over the inlet.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein drawing the conditioned air from the space comprises drawing the conditioned air from the space with a first fan where the inlet is positioned radially outward of the first fan.