System and method for distributed thermoelectric heating and cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized heating and cooling systems are inefficient due to significant energy waste, slow response times, and reliance on ozone-depleting refrigerants, with limited effectiveness in providing localized comfort and thermal management for sensitive systems and vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A distributed thermoelectric system with a network of thermoelectric assemblies and fluid conduits that allow a first working fluid to flow through, enabling independent heating or cooling of regions by transferring heat between the fluid and a second working fluid, with thermal storage and control mechanisms to optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If centralized heating and cooling systems are used, then thermal capacity can be provided for large volumes, but significant energy waste occurs due to conditioning walls, ducting, ceilings, windows and furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the centralized thermal management into multiple distributed thermoelectric assemblies positioned throughout the space. Each assembly independently provides thermal control to its local zone, eliminating the need for extensive ducting and reducing energy waste on non-target structures while maintaining coverage of large volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a distributed network of thermoelectric assemblies as intermediaries between the heat source and target objects. These assemblies use working fluids to transfer thermal energy locally, avoiding the energy losses associated with centralized ducted systems that condition large volumes of air and structure.
2Volume of stationary object
If centralized heating and cooling systems are used, then thermal control can be provided for the entire space, but response time is slow
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the thermal control into distributed assemblies, each unit can respond independently and immediately to local thermal demands without waiting for centralized system activation, significantly reducing response time while maintaining comprehensive space coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed assemblies are pre-positioned throughout the space and can be activated immediately when thermal control is needed, eliminating the startup delay inherent in centralized systems that must first condition air and distribute it through ducts.
3Loss of energy
If thermoelectric devices are used for localized heating and cooling, then energy efficiency is improved, but too much thermoelectric material is required which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple thermoelectric elements into integrated assemblies that share common working fluid pathways and thermal management structures. This merging reduces the total amount of thermoelectric material needed while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of localized thermal control.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed thermoelectric assemblies are designed to perform multiple functions including heating, cooling, and thermal energy recovery. This multi-functionality reduces the overall quantity of thermoelectric material required compared to separate dedicated systems for each function.
4Power
If centralized air handler units are used in vehicles, then cooling capacity can be provided, but the majority of cooled air is spent lowering the temperature of non-occupant parts
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by positioning thermoelectric assemblies directly at occupant locations rather than cooling the entire cabin air. This ensures that thermal energy is delivered precisely where needed (on occupants) rather than being wasted on cooling windows, head liners, seats, and flooring that do not require temperature control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high efficiency and capacity for localized heating and cooling, reducing energy waste and improving response times, while using less thermoelectric material and avoiding ozone-depleting substances, thus providing effective thermal management with reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
Each thermoelectric assembly is in thermal communication with the first working fluid and in thermal communication with a region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly
Implementation Method 2
at least one fluid conduit configured to allow a first working fluid to flow therein
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. Each thermoelectric assembly comprises a plurality of thermoelectric elements
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoelectric system and method provides distributed localized heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling. The thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. Each thermoelectric assembly comprises a plurality of thermoelectric elements, and each thermoelectric assembly is in thermal communication with a first working fluid and in thermal communication with a region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly. Each thermoelectric assembly is selectively operable either to heat the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the first working fluid to the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly or to cool the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly to the first working fluid. Each thermoelectric assembly is operable independently from operation of other thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies.