Heat Pump, Selective Heating And Cooling Patents (Class 62/3.3)
  • Patent number: 10232844
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes: an internal combustion engine; a generator that generates electric power by using an output of the internal combustion engine; an electric storage device that stores the electric power generated by the generator; an electric motor that generates a driving force for the hybrid vehicle by receiving at least one of the electric power that is generated by the generator and the electric power that is stored in the electric storage device; a heating apparatus that heats a vehicle cabin, the heating apparatus including an electric heater that heats the vehicle cabin by using the electric power that is stored in the electric storage device; and an electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidekazu Hirabayashi, Kunihiko Jinno, Hiroaki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10228166
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate controlled seating assembly includes a thermal module. The thermal module comprises at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel and a thermoelectric device (e.g., Peltier circuit) positioned upstream of the outlet channel. In one embodiment, the seating assembly includes a sensor positioned within an interior of the thermal module and configured to detect the presence of a liquid, such as water, condensation or other fluids, on or near said sensor. In certain arrangements, the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a liquid by measuring an electrical resistance or capacitance across a portion of the sensor. A climate control system can include a separator gasket located within a housing of a fluid module and at least partially between the cold passage and the hot passage. In some embodiments, the separator gasket comprises one or more wicking materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
    Inventor: John Lofy
  • Patent number: 10215454
    Abstract: A cooling system including a first cooling apparatus thermally exposed to a space to be cooled. The cooling system further includes a second cooling apparatus thermally exposed to the space to be cooled and thermally exposed to the first cooling apparatus. Heat discharged from the second cooling apparatus powers the first cooling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: ThermoTek, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Quisenberry
  • Patent number: 10193046
    Abstract: A thermoelectric generating device includes: a thermoelectric generating element configured to convert thermal energy to electric energy and to output the electric energy; a temperature measuring unit configured to measure hot side temperature of the thermoelectric generating element; and a temperature controller configured to perform control to increase an amount of current returning to the thermoelectric generating element when the hot side temperature becomes higher than predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Kelk Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromasa Kaibe, Hirokuni Hachiuma
  • Patent number: 10179526
    Abstract: A method of conditioning a seat includes operating a first thermal conditioning assembly in a seat back configured to support an occupant torso. The first thermal conditioning assembly provides a first heat transfer rate. A second thermal conditioning assembly is operated in a seat cushion configured to support occupant lower region. The second thermal conditioning assembly provides a second heat transfer rate simultaneously with and different than the first heat transfer rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Gentherm Inc.
    Inventors: David Brian Marquette, Daniel Charles Guerithault
  • Patent number: 10153226
    Abstract: A heat dissipating device including a base including a heat absorbing plate made of a metallic material and configured for an electronic product to be placed thereon; a heat absorbing plate flow channel is disposed within the heat absorbing plate and is configured for a cooling medium to flow through; a heat dissipating main body connected to the base; wherein the heat dissipating main body includes a housing, and a first heat dissipator and a heat dissipating fan disposed within the housing; the first heat dissipator includes a first heat dissipating substrate; a first heat dissipating flow channel, configured for the cooling medium to flow through, is disposed within the first heat dissipating substrate; the heat absorbing plate flow channel and the first heat dissipating flow channel are connected via pipes and form a cooling medium circulation loop; and a fluid pump is disposed in the cooling medium circulation loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Haoxiong Zou
  • Patent number: 10147862
    Abstract: An electronic control device includes: a thermoelectric element module that has a plurality of thermoelectric element groups, which are connected in parallel; and a control circuit that supplies a driving power to the thermoelectric element module to perform an operation control of the thermoelectric element module. Additionally, the plurality of thermoelectric element groups respectively have a plurality of thermoelectric elements, which are connected in series. Moreover, each of the plurality of thermoelectric elements is provided with a pair of a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor. Furthermore, the plurality of thermoelectric element groups have different number of the thermoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daichi Marui, Masafumi Umeno
  • Patent number: 10036581
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to heat exchanger assemblies, systems, and methods for conditioning medium in an environment (e.g., in a controlled environment) to a suitable temperature. In particular, embodiments may include heat transfer assemblies and medium conditioning systems that may condition the medium in the environment by raising or lowering temperature thereof to a suitable conditioned temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Koplow
  • Patent number: 10032974
    Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module and a thermoelectric conversion apparatus in which a thermoelectric conversion element can be flexibly attached to heat sources having various shapes in high density are provided. The thermoelectric conversion module includes a first thermoelectric conversion element configured of a cylindrical thermoelectric conversion material having a hollow portion and a second thermoelectric conversion element configured of a thermoelectric conversion material having a different conductive type from that of the first thermoelectric conversion element and fixed in the hollow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaaki Higashida, Kaori Toyoda, Yoshihisa Ohido, Takashi Kubo, Satoshi Maeshima
  • Patent number: 9983259
    Abstract: A dual loop type temperature control module and an electronic device testing apparatus having the same are provided. The temperature control module comprises a first loop through which a first working fluid of a first temperature flows, a second loop through which a second working fluid of a second temperature flows, a controller for controlling a first switching valve such that the first or second working fluid flows through a temperature regulating device, and a second switching valve such that the working fluid flowing through the temperature regulating device returns to the first or second loop. The temperature regulating device adjusts a thermoelectric cooling device to reach two different reference temperatures based on the rise/fall of its temperature dependent on the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CHROMA ATE INC.
    Inventors: Xin-Yi Wu, Chien-Hung Lo
  • Patent number: 9821627
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for conditioning the air of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprises a housing with a first and a second flow conduit for conducting air and a coolant circuit with at least two heat exchangers, wherein a first heat exchanger is arranged in the first flow conduit and a second heat exchanger is arranged in the second flow conduit. The first heat exchanger can be operated independently of the operating mode as an evaporator and the second heat exchanger can be operated independently of the operating mode as a condenser. The housing comprises at least one air conduction device with which an air mass flow conditioned in the air conditioning system can be discharged into the environment. The coolant circuit is constructed with a heat exchanger which is arranged outside of the housing and can be operated as an evaporator or as a condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Roberto Della Rovere, Marc Graaf, Navid Durrani
  • Patent number: 9748890
    Abstract: A hybrid solar thermal collector is provided. The hybrid solar collector comprises a photovoltaic element to convert sunlight into electricity; and a solar thermal collector device comprising an absorber element to convert sunlight into heat; wherein the absorber element is immersed in a heat transfer fluid in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventor: Mark W Miles
  • Patent number: 9605881
    Abstract: A system for adaptive cooling and energy harvesting comprising at least one thermoelectric device capable of acting as a thermoelectric cooler and as a thermoelectric generator, a hierarchical multiple-level control system, and electronics controlled by the control system and connected to the thermoelectric device. The electronics selectively configure the thermoelectric device in at least in a thermoelectric cooler operating mode and in a thermoelectric generation operating mode. The thermoelectric device can incorporate quantum-process and quantum-well materials for higher heat transfer and thermoelectric generation efficiencies. The invention provides for thermoelectric devices to additionally operate in temperature sensing mode. The hierarchical control system can comprise a plurality of control system, each of which can operate in isolation and can be interconnected with additional subsystems associated with other hierarchical levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 9581362
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein relating to an Alternating Current-Direct Current (AC-DC) power conversion system for supplying power to one or more Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs). In some embodiments, a system comprises one or more TECs and an AC-DC power conversion system configured to supply power to the one or more TECs for a high efficiency mode of operation and a high heat pumping mode of operation. The AC-DC power conversion system comprises a first AC-DC power converter configured to convert an AC input to a DC output at a first output power level for the high efficiency mode of operation of the one or more TECs. The AC-DC power conversion system further comprises a second AC-DC power converter configured to convert the AC input to a DC output at a second output power level for the high heat pumping mode of operation of the one or more TECs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Phononic Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall Stanley, Daniel Barus, Ricardo E. Rodriguez, Jesse W. Edwards, Robert Joseph Therrien
  • Patent number: 9574711
    Abstract: A vapor pressure regulation system includes a vessel including a vessel wall that defines an enclosure, and a temperature adjustment mechanism coupled to the vessel. A heat transfer between the temperature adjustment mechanism and the vessel is adjusted based on at least a vapor pressure within the vessel to facilitate regulating the vapor pressure within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Shengyi Liu, Lijun Gao
  • Patent number: 9520308
    Abstract: Provided is a temperature control system configured to mix a low temperature heating medium and a high temperature heating medium to supply the heating mediums at a temperature according to a process recipe to an electrostatic chuck (ESC) configured to maintain a temperature and support a wafer in a chamber in which a semiconductor wafer processing process is performed, and a heating medium obtained by mixing a heating medium cooled through a thermoelectric element and a heating medium heated through a heater to a desired target temperature according to a first ratio and a second ratio is provided to a load and recovered from the load, and the heating medium is distributed to the thermoelectric element and the heater according to the first ratio and the second ratio, which are ratios upon the mixing, optimizing power consumption for cooling or heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TECHEST CO., LTD
    Inventors: Min Jin Han, Jae Geon Kim
  • Patent number: 9435578
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to apparatuses and methods for storing temperature-sensitive items. More specifically, embodiments include a storage apparatus that may store the temperature-sensitive items. For example, the storage apparatus may include a storage compartment that may be maintained at a predetermined temperature or temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: TOKITAE LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Calderon, Fong-Li Chou, Michael Friend, David Gasperino, Shieng Liu, Matthew F. Rosen, Shannon Weise Stone, Ozgur Emek Yildirim
  • Patent number: 9360645
    Abstract: Provided is a one-piece injection molded part which is used to assemble an optical module, the one-piece injection molded part including: a plurality of plates and a plurality of living hinges. The plurality of plates includes an input faceplate, an output faceplate, a left side plate, a right side plate, a bottom plate and a lid plate and is integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Wilfred Courchaine, Anthony Nieves
  • Patent number: 9357182
    Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for remotely monitoring a surveillance area, including deploying a secure enclosure that includes a controller coupled to a switch, a router, and a video-server appliance, the controller configured to provide remote operation and status information presentable via a remote server coupled to the router, and sending video information received by one or more cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: All Systems Designed Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary E Venable, Jr., Michael David Brown
  • Patent number: 9335073
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate controlled seating assembly includes a thermal module. The thermal module comprises at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel and a thermoelectric device (e.g., Peltier circuit) positioned upstream of the outlet channel. In one embodiment, the seating assembly includes a sensor positioned within an interior of the thermal module and configured to detect the presence of a liquid, such as water, relative humidity, condensation or other fluids, on or near said sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
    Inventor: John Lofy
  • Patent number: 9310110
    Abstract: A thermoelectric drinking apparatus has a feeding pipe, a cooling-gain circulating loop, a heating-gain circulating loop, an outlet pipe, and a thermoelectric heat pump. The thermoelectric heat pump has a cooling unit attached to the cold side of a thermoelectric chip, which has a cooling channel in its interior, and a heating unit attached to the hot side of the thermoelectric chip and provided with a heating channel in its interior. The feeding pipe conducts fluid into the cooling channel and the heating channel respectively. The cooling-gain and heating-gain circulating loop respectively cause fluids in the cooling channel and heating channel to create circular flows, such that the cold side and hot side of the thermoelectric chip respectively cool and heat the fluids via the cooling channel and heating channel. The outlet pipe discharges the cooled and/or heated fluids respectively from the cooling-gain circulating loop and heating-gain circulating loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ming-Lang Hung, Jyi-Ching Peng, Ya-Wen Chou, Yi-Ray Chen
  • Patent number: 9276188
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a waste heat recovery apparatus including an exhaust tube having a cylindrical outer shell configured to contain a flow of exhaust fluid; a first heat exchanger extending through a first region of the exhaust tube, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cylindrical outer shell; a second region of the exhaust tube extending through the exhaust tube, the second region having a low exhaust fluid pressure drop; an exhaust valve operatively disposed within the second region and configured to allow exhaust fluid to flow through the second region only when a flow rate of the exhaust fluid becomes great enough to result in back pressure beyond an allowable limit; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with an outer surface of the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
    Inventors: Lon E. Bell, Douglas T. Crane, John LaGrandeur, David van Heerden
  • Patent number: 9241427
    Abstract: An airfoil to provide directed cooling of active elements, such as in a multi-device storage enclosure. In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing having opposing first and second ends. A first active element is mounted within the housing adjacent the first end, and a second active element mounted within the housing adjacent the second end. A fan assembly is mounted within the housing adjacent the second end to establish an airflow through the housing adjacent the first and second active elements for cooling thereof. An airfoil is mounted within the housing between the first and second active elements to accelerate and direct the airflow proximate the second active element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Lon M. Stevens, Shawn J. Noland, Andrew J. Dunn
  • Patent number: 9214831
    Abstract: A wind charger set on a circuit board for powering a button cell held by a holder set on the circuit board. The wind charger includes a bracket attached to the holder, a wind turbine fixed on the bracket and a charge circuit. The charge circuit is set on the circuit board. The wind turbine transfers airflow created by a heat-dissipating device set on the circuit board into electricity for powering the charge circuit, which charges the button cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: ShenZhen Treasure City Technology Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei Pang, Al-Ling He, Wan-Li Ning
  • Patent number: 9200823
    Abstract: An ice maker has a mold with a first piece and a second piece. A cavity within the mold includes a first reservoir in the first piece and a second reservoir in the second piece that align to substantially enclose the cavity. A fluid intake aperture in the first piece extends to the cavity for injecting water therein. A thermoelectric device has a cold side thermally coupled to the exterior surface of the second piece. The thermoelectric device transfers heat from the cold side to a hot side to provide a first temperature to the mold. A removable cooling source is thermally coupled to the hot side of the thermoelectric device. The cooling source is configured to reduce the temperature of the hot side to allow the cold side to provide a second temperature that is cooler than the first temperature to freeze the water in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Brian K. Culley
  • Patent number: 9194449
    Abstract: A suspension device for use with a low temperature refrigeration system, such as an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator is provided. A support ring is provided with three spring-loaded tension assemblies equally spaced about the periphery of the support ring. The tension assemblies each have a pulley, about which is entrained a band of material. Connected to this band is a ring that laterally supports a cylindrical salt pill. Undesired variations in the amount of slack in the band as the salt pill cools are compensated for by the spring loading of the tension assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
    Inventor: Donald C. Wegel
  • Patent number: 9182158
    Abstract: An appliance that includes a vacuum insulated cabinet structure having an exterior wall and an interior wall with a vacuum therebetween that forms at least the back wall, bottom, right side, left side, and top of the appliance; and a dual cooling system that includes at least one vapor compression system portion configured to operate during a pull down mode and a thermoelectric portion configured to operate in a steady-state mode without the vapor compression system operating while providing sufficient cooling to offset the steady-state heat load of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 9173415
    Abstract: An apparatus for refrigeration and heating of bulk fluid, and particularly, but not exclusively, to the refrigeration of bulk milk freshly obtained from dairy animals such as cows. The apparatus is provided with a refrigerated bulk milk tank and magnetic refrigeration unit for refrigerating and heating, as appropriate, the fluid stored in said tank. The fluid stored in the tank is one of (i) milk, (ii) milk and one or more fermenting agents, (iii) a cleaning fluid, (iv) water, and (v) air. Normally, the fluid stored in the tank is milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Meillan
  • Patent number: 9163863
    Abstract: A beverage temperature control apparatus for use in holding and maintaining a temperature of a beverage container includes a housing having a bottom wall, upstanding side walls, and a top wall extending across the side walls, the walls together defining an interior area. The top wall defines an aperture in communication with the interior area that is configured to receive the beverage container substantially into the interior area. A thermoelectric assembly is situated in the interior area of the housing proximate the opening, the thermoelectric assembly having a first portion that becomes cold when energized and a second portion that becomes warm when energized. A battery is situated in the interior area of the housing that is selectively actuated to energize the thermoelectric assembly. The thermoelectric assembly includes a primary channel configured to selectively cool the beverage container and a secondary channel configured to selectively heat the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Judith G. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9099942
    Abstract: The device for generating current and/or voltage includes means for making a fluid flow between an inlet and an outlet of the device, and a thermoelectric module having a first active surface exposed to the fluid. The thermoelectric module includes apertures, and is placed in the path of the fluid between the inlet and the outlet of the device, the first active surface being substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Julia Simon, Tristan Caroff
  • Patent number: 9084397
    Abstract: An environmental controlling system to better preserve cut flowers and other flora in vase water. The system uses thermoelectric modules, heat exchangers, fans, power supply, and a thermal conductor to cool and/or heat the water in a flower vase as required. By cooling the water, formation of algae and formation of a callus on the cut stem is reduced. In addition, keeping the stems in water of optimal temperature controls production of ethylene and other phytohormones. These effects prevent premature wilting, leaf abscission, flower senescence, and reduces the care required to maximize the life of cut flowers and other flora. In the event of cold ambient conditions that might cause freezing, the flow of heat can optionally be reversed, warming the water in the vase to avoid freezing the stems and/or maintain optimum temperature and other conditions for a specific variety of flora.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Inventors: Fergus Stewartson Smith, Dana Maerta Af Rosenborg Smith
  • Patent number: 9046165
    Abstract: A ball screw capable of thermal dissipation is formed of a screw rod, a screw nut, and a plurality of balls mounted between the screw rod and the screw nut. The screw nut includes a mounting surface. A thermoelectric cooler is mounted to the screw nut and includes a heat-absorptive surface and a heat-dissipative surface. The heat-absorptive surface is adhered to the mounting surface. Accordingly, the ball screw can cool the heat down and is structurally simple and the whole weight is not increased due to the thermoelectric cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: National Chung Cheng University
    Inventors: Yeau-Ren Jeng, Yu-Xian Huang
  • Patent number: 9038400
    Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. For example, a temperature control system (TCS) can include an air channel configured to deliver airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The TCS can include a one thermal energy source and a heat transfer device connected to the air channel. A first fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and a thermoelectric device (TED). A second fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the TED and the heat transfer device. A bypass circuit can connect the thermal energy source to the heat transfer device. An actuator can cause coolant to circulate selectively in either the bypass circuit or the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A control device can operate the actuator when it is determined that the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
    Inventor: Lakhi Nandlal Goenka
  • Publication number: 20150138715
    Abstract: Methods are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic component. The methods include providing: a liquid-cooled structure, a thermal conduction path coupling the electronic component and the liquid-cooled structure, a coolant loop in fluid communication with a coolant-carrying channel of the liquid-cooled structure, and an outdoor-air-cooled heat exchange unit coupled to facilitate heat transfer from the liquid-cooled structure via, at least in part, the coolant loop. The thermoelectric array facilitates transfer of heat from the electronic component to the liquid-cooled structure, and the heat exchange unit cools coolant passing through the coolant loop by dissipating heat from the coolant to outdoor ambient air. In one implementation, temperature of coolant entering the liquid-cooled structure is greater than temperature of the outdoor ambient air to which heat is dissipated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy J. CHAINER, David P. GRAYBILL, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Vinod KAMATH, Bejoy J. KOCHUPARAMBIL, Roger R. SCHMIDT, Mark E. STEINKE
  • Patent number: 9035222
    Abstract: An actively heated mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container is provided. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating or cooling system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating or cooling system can include one or more heating or cooling elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a wireless power receiver that wirelessly receives power from a power source and control circuitry configured to charge one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating or cooling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Oromo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton Alexander
  • Publication number: 20150128614
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an apparatus for transporting heat using a thermoelectric converter. The apparatus may include a thermoelectric converter, such as a thin-film. The apparatus may include a heating loop in thermal communication with a hot side of the thermoelectric converter and a cooling loop in thermal communication with a cold side of the thermoelectric converter. The thermoelectric converter may include a stack of alternating thermoelement and constricted contact layers. The thermoelectric converter may have a counter-flow fluid loop that moves a fluid against the temperature gradient of the thermoelectric converter. The apparatus may be configured to provide heating or cooling of a fluid, such as air or water. The apparatus may include a thermal storage medium configured as a thermal battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: SHEETAK, INC.
    Inventors: Uttam Ghoshal, Ayan Guha, Himanshu Pokhama
  • Publication number: 20150121900
    Abstract: A warm-cool beauty treatment device, comprising: a Peltier element of a plate shape having a first surface configured to generate heat, and a second surface configured to absorb heat; a heat sink including—a first section touching the first surface, and a second section connecting the first section thermally; a first plate connected to the first surface thermally via the heat sink; a second plate connected to the second surface thermally; a blower configured to produce air flow to release the heat of the second section; and a power supply configured to supply electric power to the Peltier element and the blower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: IWAO YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20150121899
    Abstract: A drive circuit of a temperature adjustment apparatus drives a Peltier element at a desired output amount. A state detector detects an electrical state of the Peltier element. A control circuit calculates a desired output amount based at least on the electrical state of the Peltier element, determines a control quantity for driving the Peltier element at the desired output amount, and controls the drive circuit at the control quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Tadao NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20150114008
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided, in particular for a motor vehicle, with at least one thermoelectric element to generate a heat flow, wherein the thermoelectric element is arranged on a carrier element, wherein several carrier elements arranged on top of one another along a stacking spindle form a carrier element stack, in which a first fluid channel for a first fluid and a second fluid channel for a second fluid, fluidically separated from the first, are constructed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan HIRSCH, Manuel WEHOWSKI, Florin MOLDOVAN
  • Publication number: 20150107268
    Abstract: Provided is a temperature control system configured to mix a low temperature heating medium and a high temperature heating medium to supply the heating mediums at a temperature according to a process recipe to an electrostatic chuck (ESC) configured to maintain a temperature and support a wafer in a chamber in which a semiconductor wafer processing process is performed, and a heating medium obtained by mixing a heating medium cooled through a thermoelectric element and a heating medium heated through a heater to a desired target temperature according to a first ratio and a second ratio is provided to a load and recovered from the load, and the heating medium is distributed to the thermoelectric element and the heater according to the first ratio and the second ratio, which are ratios upon the mixing, optimizing power consumption for cooling or heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: TECHEST. CO., LTD
    Inventors: Min Jin HAN, Jae Geon KIM
  • Publication number: 20150107270
    Abstract: A heating and cooling cup holder may include a holder body having an opened upper end and a blast hole formed in a side surface of the holder body into which wind is introduced, a heat exchanging body having a front surface coupled to an outer side surface of the holder body to cover the blast hole and having an inlet formed in one side surface of the heat exchanging body to allow the wind introduced through the inlet to be heat-exchanged, a first peltier element having a front surface coupled to a rear surface of the heat exchanging body, a heat dissipating module coupled to a rear surface of the first peltier element, a second peltier element having an upper surface coupled to a lower surface of the holder body, and a heat pipe heat-exchangeably connecting a lower surface of the second peltier element to the heat dissipating module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, KBAUTOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Man Ju Oh, Jae Woong KIM, Jae Woo PARK, Jae Hoon KIM
  • Publication number: 20150107269
    Abstract: A heating and cooling cup holder includes: a holder body to store a beverage container, a shape enclosing the beverage container, and a blowing hole to which wind is introduced; a heat exchanger having a front coupled to an outer side of the holder body to cover the blowing hole and an inlet to thereby allow the wind introduced into the inlet to be heat-exchanged and then discharged into the holder body through the blowing hole; a Peltier element having a front coupled to a rear surface of the heat exchanger and a heat pipe having a front of one end portion coupled to a rear surface of the Peltier element and the other end portion extended to a side direction; and a radiating module coupled to one end portion of the heat pipe and a radiating fan arranged at a rear of the radiating module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, KBAUTOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Man Ju Oh, Jae Woong Kim, Jae Woo Park, Jae Hoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20150107271
    Abstract: A heating and cooling cup holder may include an inner holder having an air hole, a heat exchanging unit covering the air hole and having an intake port at a first side so that air flowing inside through the intake port exchanges heat through heat transfer fins in the heat exchanging unit and flows into the inner holder through the air hole, a peltier element having a front coupled to a rear of the heat exchanging unit, a heat dissipation module including a heat sink and a heat dissipating fan coupled to the rear of the peltier element, an outer holder surrounding the side of the inner holder and defining a ventilation space together with the inner holder therebetween, and a blower disposed in the ventilation space and having a discharge port connected to the intake port of the heat exchanging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, KBAUTOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Man Ju Oh, Jae Woong KIM, Jae Woo PARK, Jae Hoon KIM
  • Publication number: 20150101355
    Abstract: Air conditioning system and method for a high-voltage battery of a vehicle are provided. The system includes a first heat exchanger that is disposed within a battery housing and a first blower that supplies air to the first heat exchanger. A peltier element is combined with the first heat exchanger and a first surface of the peltier element comes into contact with the first heat exchanger. A second heat exchanger is disposed in an air extraction unit of a trunk room and a second blower supplies air to the second heat exchanger, to discharge air inside the trunk room to an exterior after performing heat exchange. A cooling line operates as a coolant circulating line, and a first end of the cooling line comes into contact with a second surface of the peltier element and a second end performs heat exchange between the second end and the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Man Ju Oh, Jae Woong Kim, Jae Woo Park, Jae Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8997502
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a first thermoelectric assembly that includes a first set of thermoelectric elements and a first plate and a second plate are coupled to the first set of thermoelectric elements. A second thermoelectric assembly is spaced apart from the first thermoelectric assembly. It includes a second set of thermoelectric elements and a third plate and a fourth plate are coupled to the second set of thermoelectric elements. A first set of fins is coupled to the first plate and a second set of fins is coupled to the third plate. A third set of fins is coupled to the second plate and a fourth set of fins is coupled to the fourth plate. A fan is coupled to the first and second sets of fins and is substantially centered with respect to a gap between the first and second sets of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Marlow Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Ayres, Overton L. Parish, IV
  • Publication number: 20150089961
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled storage module is disclosed. In one embodiment, a storage module is provided comprising a memory, a temperature sensor, a thermoelectric cooler, and a controller. The controller compares a temperature reading from the temperature sensor to a target temperature. If the temperature reading differs from the target temperature, the controller activates the thermoelectric cooler. For example, if the temperature reading is higher than the target temperature, the thermoelectric cooler can be activated to cool the memory. This allows the memory (e.g., NAND die(s)) to operate in a narrow range of temperatures providing better system tradeoffs on memory (e.g., NAND) characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Yacov Duzly, Alon Marcu
  • Patent number: 8991193
    Abstract: A cooling and heating cup holder may include a holder body being open in a top thereof and defining a space therein so as to receive a cup, a blower fluid-connected to first and second sides of the holder body, wherein the blower supplies air to the first side of the holder body and draws the air off from the second side of the holder body to circulate the air around the holder body, and a flow guide having a spiral shape provided along an inner circumferential surface of the holder body, wherein a first end of the flow guide may be fluid-connected to the first side of the holder body and a second end of the flow guide may be fluid-connected to the second side of the holder body so that the flow guide guides the air in the holder body to flow spirally outside an outer circumferential surface of the cup held in the holder body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Woo Park, Jae Woong Kim, Man Ju Oh
  • Publication number: 20150071409
    Abstract: A sample temperature control chamber is described for a benchtop X-ray machine and/or full-protection X-ray machine, which comprises (a) a first chamber part (11) and a second chamber part (12) which can be connected together and are configured so as to form a closed chamber, (b) a sample holder, (c) an integrated temperature control device for controlling the temperature of a sample (P) which is provided on the sample holder, and (d) an active cooling system for dissipating heat from the sample temperature control chamber, the active cooling system comprising a heat sink and/or a fan. A system for X-ray-based analysis of a sample, in particular for X-ray diffraction measurements, is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Josef Gautsch, Christian Resch
  • Publication number: 20150027134
    Abstract: The invention involves a personal climate control system for heating and cooling the body of a user, and method for providing personal comfort in the form of body heating or cooling to a user of the device. The personal climate control system includes a heat exchanger assembly and a robe assembly coupled together with a tubing assembly. A heat exchanger assembly is utilized to provide conditioned air under pressure to a tortuous path of internal tubing embedded within a piece of clothing worn by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: JAMEY DEERING
  • Publication number: 20150020532
    Abstract: Devices and systems for active thermal control of sample holding devices for bDNA testing, polymerase chain reaction testing, chemiluminescent immuno-assay testing, and so forth. The thermal control subsystem includes a fluidic circuit, first and second heater assemblies, a centrifugal pump, and a heat exchange device. The first and second heater assemblies include a heat removal device and a controllable thermo-electric device. One or both of the heater assemblies can include a heat spreader. A controller actively controls the pump, the heat removal device, and the thermo-electric devices, to thermally-control sample-containing vessels retained in the holding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.
    Inventors: Jim Polaniec, David J. Lapeus, Tim Greszler, Frank Klingshirn, Chris Sturges, Matt Schmidt