CN101808839A

CN101808839A - Radial thermoelectric device assembly

Info

Publication number: CN101808839A
Application number: CN200880108340A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 约翰·洛非
Original assignee: Amerigon Inc
Current assignee: Gentherm Inc
Priority date: 2007-07-23
Filing date: 2008-07-23
Publication date: 2010-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-23
Also published as: WO2009015235A1; JP2010534821A; CN101808839B; US20090026813A1

Abstract

According to some embodiments, a heat exchange device includes a housing, having at least one inlet, at least one first outlet and at least one second outlet. The device further includes an impeller positioned within the housing and configured to receive fluid from the at least one inlet and transfer it to at least one of the first outlet and the second outlet. In addition, the device comprises one or more heat exchange modules configured to receive a volume of fluid and selectively thermally condition it before said fluid exits through the first outlet or the second outlet. In one embodiment, the heat exchange module is partially or completely positioned within the housing.

Description

Radial thermoelectric device assembly

The cross reference of related application

The application requires the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/951 that submitted on July 23rd, 2007,431 preceence, in this mode by reference in conjunction with its full content.

Technical field

The disclosure relates generally to temperature control apparatus, especially, relates to producing heating and/or the useful thermoelectric heat exchanger of cooling fluid.

Background technology

U.S. Patent No. 5,626,021 has described a kind of temperature controlling system that comprises thermoelectric unit and air blower, and it can be used for providing the air that heats and/or cool off to the automotive seat surface.This system can also be used to enclosure space, bed, chair, other sitting device and/or directly provides the air that heats and/or cool off to the user.

About automotive seat, in this structure, by make air by be formed in the seat one or more pipelines and subsequently the seat surface by the passenger arrive the passenger, can give the passenger with the air distribution of heating and/or cooling.In seat, below and the amount of space that can be used for this temperature controlling system on every side often be extremely limited.For example, in some automobiles, for saving in weight or increase passenger space, seat have only several inches thick, and in abutting connection with the adjacent structure of automobile, as the floor or the back of automobile.And, the automaker constantly in seat, below and various device is installed on every side, as electronic building brick or variable waist support device.In addition, seat is the size of back of seat particularly, is typically designed to as much as possible for a short time, to reduce the seat cabin amount of space that seat occupies, increases passenger space thus and/or reduces weight.

Existing temperature controlling system is too big and can not to be installed in seat interior, following or on every side.It is 5 or 6 inches air blower that traditional system has diameter, and it produces the air-flow that arrives H Exch by pipeline, and H Exch is optionally regulated the temperature of air.H Exch can be several inches wide and long, and can be about 1 inch thick.Air arrives the bottom of seat cushion and/or the back of seat cushion from the H Exch transmission by pipeline.The common volume of this system is big, and is difficult to be installed in below the automotive seat or inside.

The pipeline that uses with these systems also is that volume is big, and if pipeline must pivot from seat bottom to permission or the chair back of rotation, then be difficult to use.These pipelines not only take other space in the seat, and barrier air, therefore require bigger fan that air-flow is provided.Bigger fan needs additional space, may turn round with bigger speed, and/or may produce more noise.Noise is undesirable in interior of motor vehicles.And, the temperature of the air that this pipeline influence is passed through, perhaps the heats cold air perhaps cools off heated air, and the result needs bigger fan or H Exch usually.Consider these deficiencies, compacter, the more energy-conservation heating and cooling of automotive seat needs system, preferably more quiet system.In addition, compacter, more energy-conservation heating and cooling system also uses in other partial air conditioning device.

Summary of the invention

According to some embodiments, a kind of heat exchange rig comprises housing, has at least one inlet, at least one first outlet and at least one second outlet.This device also comprises impeller, is arranged in the described housing, and this impeller construction is passed at least one in exporting of described first outlet and second for accepting from the fluid of described at least one inlet and with it.In addition, this device comprises one or more heat exchange modules, be configured to accept a large amount of fluids and described fluid export by first outlet and second leave before the described fluid of thermal conditioning optionally.In one embodiment, described heat exchange module partially or completely is arranged in the described housing.

In some embodiments, described heat exchange module comprises thermounit.In other configuration, described thermounit comprises amber ear card circuit.In another embodiment, described heat exchange module also comprises H Exch, and described H Exch and described thermounit thermal communication make at least a portion of described a large amount of fluids be conducted through or close this H Exch.In a kind of configuration, H Exch is communicated with substrate heat, and described substrate comprises heat conduction and non-conducting material.

In other configuration, described heat exchange module is along the outer peripheral portion setting of described enclosure interior.In another embodiment, described heat exchange module partly extends along the whole girth of described housing substantially.In another embodiment, this device comprises at least two independent heat exchange modules.In one embodiment, described heat exchange module is spaced apart in described housing with essentially identical spacing.In other embodiments, described heat exchange module is electrically connected mutually.In one embodiment, described heat exchange module adopts the end connector to be electrically connected mutually, and this end connector comprises the extension of the substrate of thermounit.

According to some configurations, heat exchange module comprises becoming H Exch on a group that fluid is communicated with the upside of thermounit and becoming H Exch under a group that fluid is communicated with the downside of described thermounit.In a kind of configuration, described at least one first outlet is gone up heat exchanger fluid with this group and is communicated with, and described at least one second outlet is communicated with heat exchanger fluid under this group.In the another kind configuration, described at least one first outlet is along the sidewall sections setting of described housing, and described at least one second outlet is along the bottom setting of described housing.

In some embodiments, described impeller construction for substantially the fluid of same amount is passed to described at least one first outlet and described at least one second export.In other configuration, described H Exch along basically with near the consistent direction orientation of fluid flow direction of described H Exch.In another embodiment, this device construction is to seat-assembly, for example, supplies with the fluid of thermal conditioning to seat, bed, sofa, chair, wheelchair and/or sports ground seat etc.According to some embodiments, described heat exchange module is configured to adapt in use thermal stress.In one embodiment, the substrate of described heat exchange module comprises at least one expansion pipe.

According to other configuration, a kind of seat-assembly of climate controlled comprises seat bottom, chair back and heat exchange rig.This heat exchange rig comprises: housing has at least one inlet, at least one first outlet and at least one second outlet; Impeller is arranged in the described housing, and this impeller construction is passed at least one in exporting of described first outlet and second for accepting from the fluid of described at least one inlet and with it; With at least one heat exchange module, be configured to accept a large amount of fluids and described fluid export by described first outlet and second leave before the described fluid of thermal conditioning optionally.In some configurations, described heat exchange module is arranged in the described housing.In other embodiments, the fluid of thermal conditioning that leaves described first outlet of described heat exchange rig or second outlet is configured to transmit at least one the opening in described seat bottom and chair back.And in some embodiments, the fluid of thermal conditioning is configured to the passenger's transmission towards described seat-assembly.In some configurations, described heat exchange rig is mounted to the surface of described seat bottom or chair back.In another embodiment, at least one in described first outlet and second outlet is configured to be communicated with the described opening aligning and the fluid of described seat bottom or chair back substantially.

According to other embodiment, a kind of method of thermal conditioning fluid is included at least one heat exchange module is set in the dryer housing.Described at least one heat exchange module is configured to accept a large amount of fluids and the described fluid of thermal conditioning optionally before described fluid leaves by the outlet of described housing.This method also comprises by powering up for described heat exchange module and starting the impeller of air blower and optionally heat or cool off described fluid.In some configurations, heat exchange module comprises thermounit.

U.S. Patent No. 6,606,866 disclose the various structures of thermounit (TED), and this thermounit has radiant type H Exch and the thermoelectric unit that is configured to solve above-mentioned multiple shortcoming.Though represented improvements over the prior art, the several aspects of ' 866 design-calculateds have restriction on commercial applications.For example, disclosed radiant type electrothermal module is difficult to make in ' 866 modules, and may produce the fatigue damage that is caused by thermal expansion force.In addition, the air-flow by this radiant type H Exch may not be optimised to be used for commercial the application.

Some embodiments provide a kind of circular heat exchanger system that comprises the heat exchanger module system.The heat exchanger module system comprises: the interior week that limits opening in the heat exchanger module system; Thermounit comprises: first substrate comprises a plurality of sectors of at least a portion of the periphery that limits thermounit; Second substrate; And be arranged on a plurality of thermoelectric pellet parts between first substrate and second substrate.

Some embodiments provide a kind of heat exchanger module system, comprise at least a portion of limiting periphery and a plurality of heat exchanger modules of opening.Each heat exchanger module comprises: thermounit comprises first substrate, second substrate and is arranged on therebetween a plurality of thermoelectric pellet parts; First H Exch is thermally coupled to first substrate; With second H Exch, be thermally coupled to second substrate.

Some embodiments provide a kind of heat exchanger module system, comprise a plurality of heat exchanger modules, and wherein each heat exchanger module comprises: thermounit comprises first substrate, second substrate and is arranged on therebetween a plurality of thermoelectric pellet parts; First H Exch is thermally coupled to first substrate; With second H Exch, be thermally coupled to second substrate; And a plurality of coupling members, connect at least some adjacent heat exchanger modules.

Some embodiments provide a kind of method of making the heat exchanger module system, comprising: make the coupling member distortion of heat exchanger module system, this heat exchanger module system comprises: with a plurality of heat exchanger modules of basic linear array shape setting; And coupling member, it connects adjacent heat exchanger module, is essentially polygonal heat exchanger module system with formation.

Some embodiments provide a kind of method that is used for regulated fluid, this method comprises: the thermounit of heat exchanger module applies electromotive force, wherein heat exchanger module comprises thermounit, this thermounit comprises first substrate, second substrate, be arranged on therebetween a plurality of thermoelectric pellet parts, be thermally coupled to first H Exch of first substrate and be thermally coupled to second H Exch of second substrate, and described electromotive force produces heal differential effectively between first substrate and second substrate; And make fluid flow through first and second Hs Exch of heat exchanger module system.The heat exchanger module system comprises at least a portion of the circumference that limits the heat exchanger module system and a plurality of heat exchanger modules of opening circumference, each module comprises the upper and lower, and radially flow out and outflow system radially subsequently from the circumference of opening on the top of the first of fluid by the heat exchanger module system, and flow out from the circumference of opening the bottom of the second portion of fluid by the heat exchanger module system, turn to subsequently about 90 degree and in axial direction on leave.

Some embodiments provide a kind of thermal modules that is used to transmit the air that is conditioned, this module comprises: housing, comprise top, bottom and the sidewall that between the upper and lower, extends, this housing defines inner chamber, this top defines the inlet that enters inner chamber at least in part, sidewall defines first outlet at least in part, and this bottom defines second outlet at least in part; Impeller is arranged in the housing, and this impeller comprises and is configured to around rotation axis rotation and by inlet air be sucked housing and radially will flow subsequently guide a plurality of blades of sidewall into; The thermoelectric heat exchanger system is arranged in the housing.This thermoelectric heat exchanger system comprises: first H Exch around the rotation axis formation of impeller, and is constructed so that fluid flows along first direction along first H Exch at least in part; Second H Exch, the rotation axis formation around impeller is arranged on below first H Exch, and is constructed so that fluid flows along first direction along second H Exch at least in part; And thermounit, has facing surfaces, it produces thermal drop in response to the electric current that flows through thermounit between a surface and facing surfaces, a described surface and the first H Exch thermal communication, and the described facing surfaces and the second H Exch thermal communication, the part of its middle shell is extended between the outlet of the outlet of first H Exch and second H Exch, make the fluid from first H Exch be drawn towards first outlet, be drawn towards second outlet from the fluid of second H Exch.

Some embodiments provide a kind of radiant type outlet air blower, comprise housing, and this housing comprises top, bottom and the sidewall that extends between the upper and lower.This housing defines inner chamber substantially, and this top defines the inlet of inner chamber at least in part.And this bottom defines the outlet of circumferentially basic and/or radial symmetry at least in part.This radiant type outlet air blower also comprises the impeller that is arranged in the housing, and this impeller comprises and is configured to air be sucked housing and subsequently at a plurality of blades that radially/radially will flow towards one or more outlets direct around the rotation axis rotation and by inlet.

These and other feature is disclosed in further detail at this.

Description of drawings

Following reference is used to illustrate rather than the accompanying drawing that is used to limit preferred implementations more of the present invention describes these and other feature, aspect and the advantage of this device, system and method in detail.Comprise 76 figure in the accompanying drawing.It will be appreciated that the purpose of accompanying drawing is an explanation thought of the present invention, and can be not to scale (NTS).

Figure 1A for a kind of embodiment of thermoelectric heat exchanger system certainly on the transparent view seen.

The transparent view of Figure 1B for seeing under the graphic thermoelectric heat exchanger system from Figure 1A.

Fig. 1 C is graphic thermoelectric heat exchanger system decomposition figure among Figure 1A.

Fig. 1 D is the side cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger system of Figure 1A.

Fig. 1 E is the transparent view of the embodiment of heat exchanger module.

Fig. 1 F is the transparent view of the heat exchanger module on the embodiment that is installed in movement-oriented device of Fig. 1 E.

Fig. 1 G is the top view according to a kind of air blower assembly that comprises three heat exchanger modules of embodiment.

Fig. 1 H is the top view according to a kind of air blower assembly that comprises two heat exchanger modules of embodiment.

Fig. 1 I is the top view according to the air blower assembly that comprises two heat exchanger modules of another kind of embodiment.

Fig. 2 A is a kind of top view of embodiment that comprises the polygon heat exchanger module system of a plurality of rectangle Hs Exch.

Fig. 2 B is the top view of another kind of embodiment that comprises the polygon heat exchanger module system of a plurality of rectangle Hs Exch.

Fig. 2 C is the top view of another kind of embodiment that comprises the polygon heat exchanger module system of a plurality of rectangle Hs Exch.

Fig. 2 D illustrates the top view of the system that comprises the coupling member that is used to connect contiguous heat exchanger module.

Fig. 2 E illustrates the top view according to a kind of employing coupling member proximity thermal exchanger module connected to one another of embodiment.

Fig. 2 F illustrates the lateral plan according to a kind of coupling member of the interconnective proximity thermal exchanger module of employing spot weld of embodiment.

Fig. 2 G illustrates the lateral plan according to a kind of coupling member of the mutual contiguous proximity thermal exchanger module that is provided with of embodiment.

Fig. 2 H illustrates the coupling member spot-welded together each other according to a kind of Fig. 2 G of embodiment.

Fig. 2 I illustrates the top view according to the assembly that is arranged on the flow blockage member between the adjacent heat exchanger module comprising of a kind of embodiment.

Fig. 3 A illustrates the top view of a kind of embodiment of the linear heat exchanger module system that comprises the deformable coupling member.

Fig. 3 B illustrates the linear heat exchanger module system of the polygon form that converts to of Fig. 3 A.

Fig. 3 C and 3D are a kind of transparent view of embodiment of the distortion of the linear embodiment of coupling member graphic heat exchanger module system in Fig. 3 A coupling member that converts the graphic polygon embodiment of Fig. 3 B to.

Fig. 4 A illustrates the top view of the another kind of embodiment of the linear heat exchanger module system of thin portion that comprises the deformable coupling member.

Fig. 4 B and 4C are a kind of transparent view of embodiment of distortion of the coupling member of Fig. 4 A.

Fig. 5 A illustrates the top view of the another kind of embodiment of the linear heat exchanger module system of thin portion that comprises the deformable coupling member.

Fig. 5 B and 5C are a kind of transparent view of embodiment of distortion of the coupling member of Fig. 5 A.

Fig. 6 A illustrates the top view of the another kind of embodiment of the linear heat exchanger module system of thin portion that comprises the deformable coupling member.

Fig. 6 B and 6C are a kind of transparent view of embodiment of distortion of the coupling member of Fig. 6 A.

Fig. 6 D is the top view that is used in the layout in the manufacturing of heat exchanger module system of Fig. 6 A.

Fig. 6 E is the top view according to a kind of printed circuit board (PCB) that is configured to be used in the air blower assembly that comprises one or more heat exchanger modules of embodiment.

Fig. 7 A illustrates a kind of embodiment of the circular heat exchanger module that is suitable for use in the heat exchanger system with perspective fashion.

Fig. 7 B-7D is a kind of detailed perspective of embodiment that is used in the H Exch of the heat exchanger module among Fig. 7 A.

Fig. 7 E is the viewgraph of cross-section of a kind of embodiment of graphic heat exchanger module among Fig. 7 A.

Fig. 7 F is the viewgraph of cross-section of the heat exchanger module of Fig. 7 E, illustrates the altitude temperature difference effect between its first substrate and second substrate.

Fig. 7 G is the top view that is used in a kind of embodiment of the thermounit in the graphic H Exch among Fig. 7 A, shows the altitude temperature difference effect between its first substrate and second substrate.

Fig. 7 H illustrates a kind of top view of embodiment of the part of segmentation substrate.

Fig. 8 A is a kind of top view of embodiment that comprises the annular heat electric installation of first fan-shaped substrate and non-fan-shaped second substrate.

Fig. 8 B is a kind of backplan of embodiment that comprises the annular heat electric installation of first fan-shaped substrate and non-fan-shaped second substrate.

Fig. 9 A is the top view according to a kind of thin slice of substrate of formation thermounit of embodiment.

Fig. 9 B is for the top view by a kind of embodiment of the thermounit of the cutting of the thin slice of Fig. 9 A or a plurality of arc substrate portion of providing is provided.

Fig. 9 C is the top view according to the thin slice of the substrate of the formation thermounit of another kind of embodiment.

Fig. 9 D is the top view according to the thin slice of the substrate of the formation thermounit of another embodiment.

Figure 10 is the side cross-sectional view of a kind of embodiment of heat exchanger system, and wherein first and second Hs Exch are compared with graphic embodiment among Fig. 1 D and are provided with lowlyer, and balance is by the air-flow of first and second Hs Exch thus.

Figure 11 A is a kind of top view of embodiment that comprises the heat exchanger system of the radiating gill of the transverse distribution that is used to revise the air-flow by first and second Hs Exch or blade.

Figure 11 B is the top view of another kind of embodiment that comprises the heat exchanger system of the radiating gill of the transverse distribution that is used to revise the air-flow by first and second Hs Exch or blade.

Figure 11 C illustrates a kind of top view of embodiment that is transferred to the air of the heat exchanger module that is arranged on the air blower component internal from impeller.

Figure 11 D illustrates the detailed top view of the air blower assembly of Figure 11 C.

Figure 11 E-11G illustrates the top view of the various embodiments of the H Exch that is arranged on the heat exchanger module in the air blower assembly.

Figure 11 H illustrates the transparent view according to a kind of folding H Exch of embodiment.

Figure 11 I and 11J illustrate top view and the lateral plan according to a kind of folded heat exchanger with waveform shape of embodiment respectively.

Figure 12 A is the viewgraph of cross-section of a kind of embodiment of engine impeller assembly, and wherein impeller comprises the vertical separator of battery plates that is configured to revise by the relative wind of first and second Hs Exch.

Figure 12 B is a kind of top view of embodiment of engine impeller assembly that comprises the vertical separator of battery plates of Figure 12 A.

The viewgraph of cross-section of the another kind of embodiment of Figure 13 A and 13B engine impeller assembly, wherein impeller comprises the inclination separator of battery plates that is configured to revise by the relative wind of first and second Hs Exch.

Figure 14 A and 14B illustrate the engine impeller assembly that comprises apical ring in the mode of perspective and side cross-section.

Figure 14 C is for for the section drawing as the air-flow that calculates of graphic engine impeller assembly among Figure 14 A and the 14B.

Figure 15 is a kind of side cross-sectional view of embodiment of the engine impeller assembly that do not comprise apical ring.

Figure 16 illustrates a kind of embodiment of the engine impeller assembly of the blade portion that comprises varying number and lower blade portion.

Figure 17 is the scheme drawing that comprises the ventilation system of the thermounit in a kind of embodiment.

Figure 18 A is the viewgraph of cross-section of a kind of embodiment of radiant type outlet air blower, and Figure 18 B is its transparent view.

Figure 18 C and 18D are top view and the lateral plan that is installed in a kind of embodiment of the radiant type outlet air blower in the seat cushion.

Figure 19 A illustrates and wherein adopts the taper import air stream outlet to be turned to 90 ° air blower.

Figure 19 B and 19C are graphic top view and the lateral plan that is installed in the air blower in the seat cushion in Figure 19 A.

Figure 20 illustrates a kind of side cross-sectional view of embodiment of the seat system of the radiant type outlet air blower that comprises a kind of embodiment.

The specific embodiment

Various embodiment described below has illustrated and can be used for realizing a kind of or a plurality of improved various structures.Embodiment that these are specific and example only are illustrative, and are not thought and/or its various aspects and/or the features that will be limited in this proposition.As used herein, term " cold side ", " heated side ", " cold side ", " hot side ", " than cold side ", " hotter side " etc. are relative terms, and do not relate to any specified temp.For example, " heat " of thermoelectric cell or array, " heating " or " hotter " side can be ambient temperatures, and " cold ", " cooling " or " colder " side are in the temperature colder than ambient temperature.On the contrary, " cold ", " cooling " or " colder " side can be in ambient temperature, and " heat ", " heating " or " hotter " side are in the temperature higher than ambient temperature.Therefore, these terms are respect to one another, are used to represent that a side of thermounit is more high or low than the temperature of opposite design side.

In addition, the fluid that relates in discussing hereinafter flows and has direction.When carry out this with reference to the time, they are usually directed to the direction shown in the accompanying drawing.For example, above H Exch or the fluid by H Exch flow and can be described as leaving or be set up the axis that centers on along these Hs Exch.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that the fluid flow pattern in the device can take helix, circular movement, other turbulent flow and/or laminar flow pattern or the like form.Expression " leaving " axis or " along " meaning of the term of the term of axis or any direction that other is described in the application is to summarize for the illustrative about this direction of accompanying drawing.Directional terminology as " top ", " end ", " on ", D score, " left side ", " right side ", " preceding ", " back ", " cw " and " conter clockwise " also be with respect to graphic structure in the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1A is the top perspective of a kind of embodiment of disc thermoelectric heat exchanger system 100 roughly.Graphic thermoelectric heat exchanger system 100 comprises smooth cylindrical housing 110, and it defines inner chamber or chamber 111 (referring to Fig. 1 D).Housing 110 mainly comprises roof 112, diapire 114 and sidewall 116.In the illustrated embodiment, roof 112 and diapire 114 are roughly flat circular, and sidewall 116 is roughly cylindrical shape.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that in other configuration or embodiment the shape of any other parts of housing 110, roof 112, diapire 114, sidewall 116 and/or system 100 can be revised according to hope or needs.

The inlet of circular or import 122 can be arranged on roof 112 centre or near.In other embodiments, except or replace graphic inlet 122, inlet can also be formed in the diapire 114.First outlet 124 comprises the top that is formed on sidewall 116 or the one or more openings on the top.And second outlet, 126 (shown in Figure 1B) comprise the one or more openings 126 that form around diapire 114 circumference.Each can extend to inlet 122, first outlet 124 and/or second outlet 126 in the inner chamber of housing 110, and can be communicated with the cavity fluid of housing 110.

Continuation is with reference to Figure 1A, and engine impeller or fan component 130 are arranged in the

housing

110, and 122 is appreciiables by entering the mouth.As shown in the figure, the part of movement-oriented device or separating device 140 can be divided into two, and extends through sidewall 116.In the illustrated embodiment, movement-oriented device 140 is divided into housing 110 the top 110a of the top that comprises sidewall 116 and roof 112 and comprises the bottom of sidewall 116 and the bottom 110b of diapire 114.At this separating device 140 is described in more detail.

Figure 1B is the bottom perspective view of thermoelectric heat exchanger system 100, shows to be formed on the outlet of second in the diapire 114 126.In many application, first outlet, 124 and/or second outlet 126 is communicated with the plumbing system fluid that guides the fluid be conditioned, and the described fluid that is conditioned is provided to by thermoelectric heat exchanger system 100 and/or from the position of one or more expectations.Other configuration that it will be understood to those of skill in the art that inlet 122, first outlet 124 and second outlet 126 is used in other embodiments, and this depends on specific application or use.For example, the shape and the position of the graphic embodiment of inlet 122, first outlet 124 and/or second outlet 126 can be revised in other embodiments according to the expectations or needs.

Fig. 1 C is the exploded drawings of the graphic thermoelectric heat exchanger of 1B system 100 in Figure 1A.From top to bottom, Fig. 1 C illustrates the bottom 110b that engine impeller assembly 130 wherein is installed of the top 110a of housing, the heat exchanger module system 150 that comprises a plurality of heat exchanger modules 152, movement-oriented device 140 and housing.In the illustrated embodiment, heat exchanger module system 150 comprises with polygon configuration, for example a plurality of heat exchanger modules 152 of locating with regular hexagon.Be also referred to as " polygon heat exchanger module system " in this this configuration, it discussed in more detail at this.As illustrating in greater detail at this, in improved embodiment, polygon heat exchanger module system 150 can be greater or less than six heat exchanger modules 152 predictably.In addition,, can predict, in improved embodiment, can comprise heat exchanger module 152 with uneven side though heat exchanger module 152 is the essentially rectangular with flattened side in the illustrated embodiment.For example, in a kind of specific configuration, heat exchanger system 150 comprises a plurality of arcuate segments of being arranged to the circular pattern.

Fig. 1 D is the viewgraph of cross-section along circumferential edges of thermoelectric heat exchanger system 100, because this device 100 is roughly rotational symmetric around center shaft 102, it only shows this device 100 half approx.As discussed above, housing 110 can comprise top 110a and bottom 110b.In graphic configuration, movement-oriented device 140 is arranged between the top 110a and bottom 110b of housing.Engine impeller assembly 130 is mounted to the central authorities of diapire 114, in the chamber 111 that is limited by housing 110.Inlet 122 is formed in roof 112 central authorities.Heat exchanger module 152 contact flow guidess 140, and between roof 112 and diapire 114, extend, make all fluids that flow through this device 100 basically all flow through and be seated one or more heat exchanger module 152.

Continuation is with reference to graphic embodiment among Fig. 1 D, and heat exchanger module 152 comprises first H Exch 154, second H Exch 156 and is arranged on thermounit 160 between them substantially.In some configurations, heat exchange module 152,154 comprises radiating gill (as, folded fin heat sink) etc.Advantageously, thermounit 160 is fit to electric energy is changed into the temperature difference or thermal drop.A kind of example of the thermounit 160 that is fit to is amber ear card (Peltier) devices, and it comprises the different materials that at least one pair of is electrically connected in series and heat is connected in parallel, for example, and a series of n-types and p-type quartz conductor sheet device or element.In some configurations, a plurality of this quartz conductor sheet devices are arranged between first substrate 164 and second substrate 166.Depend on the sense of current that flows through thermounit 160, one in first substrate 164 and second substrate 166 will be heated, and another will be cooled.Substrate 164 and 166 is usually by the material with high thermal conductivity coefficient and low electric conductivity well known in the art, for example, and some stupalith and/or fluoropolymer resin.In one embodiment, substrate 164,166 comprises polyimide (as filled polyimide) and/or epoxy resin etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, first H Exch 154 is thermally coupled to first substrate, 164, the second Hs Exch 156 and is thermally coupled to second substrate 166.H Exch is thermally coupled to substrate with any suitable means.In a kind of configuration, substrate comprises copper or other hard ware on the one or both sides that are fixed to polyimide layer.Therefore, H Exch (as, radiating gill) can weld or be fixed on the copper or other metal outer that is included in the substrate.In other configuration, H Exch can be by being provided with one or multiple thermal compound betwixt, for example the thermal compound of heat adhesive, hot epoxy resin, hot grease, hot ointment and/or other this area resin and be thermally coupled to adjacent substrate.In the embodiment that adopts heat adhesive and/or hot epoxy resin, hot mixt can also be used to H Exch is mechanically fixed to substrate.In some embodiments, H Exch adopts machanical fastener well known in the art to be fixed to

substrate.H Exch

154 and 156 is by comprising the Heat Conduction Material that forms with the large tracts of land geometric configuration, for example, radiating gill, blade, pin and/or raceway groove etc., it allows radiant type fluid to flow.

As discussing in more detail at this, in some embodiments, 156 one-tenth radial segmentations of first H Exch 154 and second H Exch (as, longshore current body flow direction, along be approximately perpendicular to the direction of flow direction and/or along any other direction).Can make the H Exch segmentation can help the effectiveness of regenerator of increase from the H Exch to the fluid by adjacent segmentation is isolated mutually.In addition, when air or other fluid were heated by thermounit or cool off, the segmentation of H Exch and/or substrate can help to reduce the thermal stress to system.In other embodiments, first H Exch 154 and second H Exch 156 can form does not have radial segmentation or has the radial segmentation of part.

In the illustrated embodiment, movement-oriented device 140 or separation pig contact thermounit 160, and from thermounit 160, radially extend, its top with roof 112 and sidewall 116 defines first Room 118 of 111 top circumference around the chamber.Similarly, the bottom of movement-oriented device 140, thermounit 160, diapire 114 and sidewall 116 defines second Room 119 of the 111 bottom circumference around the chamber.To flow through in first Room 118 and second Room 119 one owing to add hot fluid, and cooling fluid will flow through another.In some embodiments, movement-oriented device 140 comprises thermal insulating material well known in the art.The example of suitable thermal insulating material comprises one or more fluoropolymer resins, for example, polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyolefin, acronitrile-butadiene-styrene, acrylic resin, polyamide, polyester, polyimide, polysulfones, polyureas, polycarbonate and their copolymer, compound.In some embodiments, thermal insulating material for example adopts the foaming agent of the insulating resistance value that improves material to expand.Some embodiments of movement-oriented device 140 comprise composite material, and it for example provides the insulation characterisitic of expectation and the mechanical specialities of expectation.For example, in some embodiments, compound form comprise one or more polymeric materials well known in the art and one or more fibre reinforced materials (as, glass fibre, carbon fiber, boron fiber etc.).In preferred embodiment, there is not fluid between first Room 118 and second Room 119, to flow basically.First outlet 124 can make first Room 118 be communicated with the first exterior section fluid of device 100, and second outlet 126 can make second Room 119 be communicated with the second exterior section fluid of device 100.

As shown in the embodiment of graphic heat exchanger module 152 among Fig. 1 E, first H Exch 154 and second H Exch 156 are can (radially) longer than thermounit, form slit 158 thus.Referring now to Fig. 1 F, in graphic configuration, the size of at least a portion of movement-oriented device 140 forms and is configured to be contained in the slit 158 that roughly is formed between the H Exch 154,156.Therefore, in some embodiments, movement-oriented device 140 has essentially identical thickness with the vertical dimension of thermounit 160 slits 158.In the illustrated embodiment, movement-oriented device 140 comprises a plurality of engagement members 142, and its size forms laterally (that is, in their each end) and engages and fix each heat exchanger module 152, reduces its cross motion thus.

Continuation is with reference to Fig. 1 D, and engine impeller assembly 130 can comprise a plurality of fan blade 132 that are fixed to engine rotor 134.For simplicity, omitted to the terminal of thermounit 160 and engine impeller assembly 130 power supplies and circuital current path and detailed description.

In use, fluid, for example air 122 is drawn in the thermoelectric heat exchanger system 100 by entering the mouth by engine impeller assembly 130, engine impeller assembly 130 compressions or apply energy on fluid.Therefore, air or other fluid can radially be entered in the chamber 111 in the housing 110.The first of fluid is pushed through first H Exch 154, for example, and the first of first H Exch, 154 cooling fluids.The first of the fluid that is cooled enters first Room 118 subsequently and leaves this device by first outlet 124 (as, sewage draining exit).Equally, the second portion of fluid is pushed through second H Exch 156, and in this example, second H Exch 156 adds the second portion of hot fluid.The second portion of fluid enters second Room 119 subsequently and flows out this device by second outlet 126 (as, primary outlet).In the illustrated embodiment, first H Exch 154 and second H Exch 156 and first Room 118 and second Room 119 all are arranged in the housing 110, therefore all are arranged in the part in the chamber 111 that is limited by housing 110.

The arrow of Fig. 1 D is represented to flow by the main fluid of heat exchanger system 100.With reference to these arrows, in graphic layout, fluid enters system 100 along the rotation axis that is basically parallel to or is roughly parallel to engine impeller assembly 130 and perpendicular to the first direction of discoid housing 110.This fluid approximately turns to 90 degree subsequently, so that point to along roughly radially the direction B with respect to the rotation axis of engine impeller assembly 130.Should flow and continue along this radial direction by first H Exch 154 and second H Exch 156.In graphic layout, the mobile continuation by first H Exch 154 is radially by first outlet 124 and flow out housing 110.In the illustrated embodiment, mobile continuation the by second H Exch 156 advanced, and turn to about 90 degree by sidewall 116,126 leave by second outlet, and flow out housing 110 along the direction that is approximately perpendicular to radial direction B and is parallel to the rotation axis of engine impeller assembly 130.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that in improved embodiment first outlet, 124 and/or second outlet 126 can be by standalone configuration, with radially, tangentially, axially or along any third side to exhaust fluid.

In one embodiment, first H Exch 154 comprises heat exchanger system 100 " blowdown side (waste side) ".That is to say, air by flowing of second H Exch 156 can be directed to will by the seat-assembly of heat exchanger system 100 coolings and/or heating (as, seat, bed etc.) the surface.Depend on whether the air by second H Exch will be heated or cooled, heat or removed from the air that flows through first H Exch 152 perhaps is passed to the air that flows through first H Exch 152.In modification ground embodiment, can inverter systems 100, the second Hs Exch 156 as " blowdown side " running of heat exchanger system 100.For example, heating and cooling pattern this put upside down and can be realized by the sense of current that change is passed to Peltier circuit or other thermounit.

According to some embodiment, as in diagram among Fig. 1 G-1I and this goes through, the heat exchanger module system can comprise one or more heat-exchange systems (as, thermounit, H Exch etc.), they are not all around the whole periphery setting of system.For example, in Fig. 1 G in the graphic configuration, this system comprise altogether three heat-exchange systems 150 ', its (as, with identical or essentially identical interval, as 120 degree increments) be positioned at central impeller 130 ' on every side.In other embodiments, heat-exchange system 150 ' quantity, size, shape, at interval, position and/or other details can change according to the expectations or needs.In some embodiments, heat-exchange system 150 ' mutually be electrically connected (as the electrical connection that is one another in series of, pellet parts).Yet, in other is arranged, heat-exchange system 150 ' power independent of one another and controlling.

As graphic among Fig. 1 G-1I, the heat-exchange system 150 that intermittently separates ' with comprise that mode works like those system class of the heat-exchange system of whole or most of system (as, Fig. 1 C, 2A etc.).Air be directed to one or more heat-exchange systems 150 ', be used for thermal conditioning.As discussed above, portion of air flows out this system by primary outlet, and remaining air flows out this system by sewage draining exit.The housing of this system can comprise the opening that is provided with at interval.For example, in one embodiment, opening (as, outlet etc.) usually with heat-exchange system 150 ' position, size, space and/or further feature overlap.

Graphic system class is similar to graphic embodiment among Fig. 1 G among Fig. 1 H, and discusses at this.Yet as shown in the figure, illustrated system only comprises and roughly is arranged on impeller 130 two heat-exchange systems 150 of opposite end " ".In Fig. 1 G and 1H, heat-exchange system comprises curved shape, to be complementary with one or more other assemblies of housing, impeller and/or this system or the contour shape of feature substantially.Yet, shown in Fig. 1 I, heat-exchange system 150 " ' can comprise essentially rectangular shape or any other shape.

Graphic embodiment can help to reduce the manufacturing cost of this assembly among Fig. 1 G-1I, because the size of heat exchange module and complexity (as, the quantity of assembly, the amount of needed material etc.) reduced.This structure can also help to provide other assembling alerting ability for assembly.

Fig. 2 A illustrates the top view of embodiment of the modification of the polygon heat exchanger module system 2200 that can be used in the heat exchanger system 100 described here.Opposite with above-mentioned graphic embodiment, the embodiment of Fig. 2 A comprises one group of eight heat exchanger module 2210, and each forms at least a portion of polygon circumference.In general, heat exchanger module 2210 forms at least a portion of the circumference of polygon heat exchanger module system 2200.Opening 2240 shapes in the heat exchanger module system 2200, size form and are configured to for example hold the engine impeller assembly in other respects, as mentioned above.In the illustrated embodiment, heat exchanger module 2210 also defines at least a portion of the circumference of opening 2240.Graphic embodiment is basically about central axis 2250 symmetries, forms equilateral polygon (as, octagon).It will be understood to those of skill in the art that other embodiment can not be rotational symmetric.

In the illustrated embodiment, adjacent heat exchanger module 2210 adjoins each other basically, forms the osed top figure thus, has little gap, perhaps at all without any the gap.This structure can help to guide fluid to pass through heat exchanger module system 2200.As discussed above, graphic heat exchanger module system 2200 for example is suitable for use among Figure 1A-1F in the graphic heat exchanger system.Each heat exchanger module 2210 can comprise first and second Hs Exch (not shown) of the relative face that is thermally coupled to thermounit 2216.In some embodiments, the zone of thermounit 2216 get along well first H Exch 2212 and second H Exch (not shown) the zone with the expansion.For example, in the illustrated embodiment, thermounit 2216 to the first Hs Exch 2212 and second H Exch are narrow, shown in shade.Therefore, heat exchanger module system 2200 is configured to allow fluid to flow to polygonal outside from polygon in-to-in opening 2240 by the H Exch that is thermally coupled to thermounit.As discussed above, this can allow this air or other fluid to be selectively heated as required or cool off.

In the illustrated embodiment, different with the heat exchanger module of the crooked shape of hereinafter discussing, from the top, each heat exchanger module 2210 is roughly rectangle or rectilinear.Embodiment in conjunction with the system of rectangle heat exchanger module can provide one or more following advantages: be convenient to the manufacturing of thermounit 2216 and/or heat exchanger module 2210; Cost-cutting; Interchangeability; Replaceability; Design flexibility or the like.For example, though graphic embodiment comprises the heat exchanger module 2210 of the size that basic cardinal principle is identical, other embodiment comprises the heat exchanger module with at least two kinds of different sizes.

In other embodiments, the heat exchanger module system comprises a plurality of thermounits of at least a portion that limits the polygon girth, and is thermally coupled to first and second Hs Exch on it.In first and second Hs Exch at least one is across adjacent thermounit.For example, some embodiment comprises graphic similarly integral ring-shaped H Exch among Fig. 7 A and the 7B, its size, shape form and be configured in other respects along be included in as some or all heat exchanger module in graphic those specific housings among Fig. 2 A-2C (as, thermounit, substrate etc.) extend.Therefore, the advantage of polygon array thermal electric installation and the interchange of heat advantage of integral ring-shaped H Exch can in conjunction with, as discussing in more detail at this.

Fig. 2 B illustrates the top view of another embodiment of the heat exchanger module system 2200 of similar and the graphic embodiment of Fig. 2 A.Yet as shown in the figure, graphic embodiment comprises six heat exchanger modules 2210 altogether among Fig. 2 B.The embodiment of graphic heat exchanger module system 2200 is similar to graphic embodiment among Fig. 2 B in the top view among Fig. 2 C, except it is included in gap 2202 between the adjacent heat exchanger module 2210.In some embodiments, the manufacturability of heat exchanger module system 2200 has been improved in gap 2202.For example, this gap can allow one or more independent assemblies to have the size tolerance limit of broad.Gap 2202 can also allow the relative motion of heat exchanger module 2210 and/or its assembly, for example, and het expansion and contraction and/or mechanical movement or the like.Gap between the heat exchanger module for example can be adopted the movement-oriented device of suitable constructions and/or be adopted independent filling band to fill, and prevents that thus fluid from walking around the exchanger module system.Other embodiment is not included in every pair of gap between the adjacent heat exchanger module.Will recognize that in the embodiment that comprises the gap between the adjacent heat exchanger module, the size in this gap can change according to the needs of expectation or application-specific.

Fig. 2 D illustrates the part of embodiment that is used for machinery and/or electrically connects the system 2200 of adjacent heat exchanger module 2210.In the illustrated embodiment, each heat exchanger module 2210 comprises the coupling member 2230 of every end for the interconnection joint, its size form and be configured to machinery and/or electrically connect adjacent heat exchanger module 2210 one or more members (as, substrate, H Exch etc.) an and/or part.For example, the substrate of adjacent heat exchanger module 2210 can be electrically connected to each other, advantageously current delivery is spreaded all over the pellet parts of two or more adjacent thermounits.Coupling member 2230 is connected by any method well known in the art, for example, adopts plug, socket, connection fast, clip, solder joint, welding, spiral nail, sections, rivet, adhesives and/or their combination.As discussed above, one or more parts of adjacent heat exchanger module or assembly (as, thermounit, substrate, radiating gill or other H Exch etc.) can adopt one or more methods of attachment or device to link mutually.In some embodiments, these modules are electricity and/or thermally coupled mutually, designs with simplified system.

Shown in Fig. 2 E, adjacent heat exchanger module is along coupling member 2230 ' or interconnect along the another part that extends along module edge.In some embodiments, coupling member 2230 ' be the joint member of essentially rectangular, its shape, size form the coupling member 2230 ' crossover that also is configured in other respects with adjacent heat exchange module.In some are arranged, metal level or band or other conductive member that coupling member 2230 ' comprise is configured to make the thermounit of adjacent block to be electrically connected mutually.As a result, the electric current that is supplied to a module advantageously can transfer to one or more other modules in the particular system.

Fig. 2 F illustrate by adjacent coupling member 2230 mutually spot-welded together ' lateral plan.As shown in the figure, spot-wedling electrode E+, E-can along coupling member 2230 ' the opposite end be provided with.In case applied enough moving coupling members 2230 ' be in contact with one another tried hard to recommend, electric current can be passed to another electrode E-from an electrode E+.This process can so that the position of coupling member 2230 ' be in contact with one another or near formation spot weld 2268.

In some embodiments, the extendible portion of substrate above and/or under the thermounit of coupling member 2230 ' only.As discussed above, this substrate preferably includes the layer of heat conduction and electrical isolation, as for example, and polyimide and/or pottery etc.As a result, this non-conductive layer extend to coupling member 2230 ' in make and also to be difficult to coupling member 2230 ' spot-welded together mutually because conduction path must be arranged, be used to allow electric current from an electrode E+ by coupling member 2230 ' be passed to another electrode E-.Therefore, before can finishing pinpoint welding procedure, this non-conductive layer of substrate or part (as, polyimide, pottery etc.) may need to be removed, to penetrate or otherwise abandon.

Fig. 2 G illustrate be in essence the thermounit in the adjacent heat exchange module substrate 2264 (as, go up or down) continuity two coupling members 2230 ' lateral plan.As shown in the figure, each coupling member 2230 ' comprise metal (as, copper) layer 2266, its be configured to contact with in abutting connection with adjacent coupling member 2230 ' metal level 2266.In addition, the opposite side of substrate 2264 comprises the layer of polyimide 2265, pottery or some other non-conducting material.Therefore, as discussed above, this non-conducting material layer 2265 may be able to removed, downcut, bore a hole or abandon before coupling member 2230 ' formation spot weld 226.

According to a kind of embodiment, spot weld 2268 can be formed on adjacent coupling member 2230 ' between, and do not abandon graphic non-conductive layer 2265 among Fig. 2 H.As shown in the figure, electrode E+, E-can not mutually on the position of horizontal alignment along each coupling member 2230 ' the metal level setting.Therefore, for stable, may need to each electrode E+, E-applies and offsets or balancing force B.In addition, can along coupling member 2230 ' the position of a part on apply constriction or squeese pressure F, wish to guarantee the correct contact between metal level or the member 2266 with spot weld 2268 at described part place.As shown in the figure, electric current can be along the time unlike spot welding the normal conduction direct path advance by metal level or member 2266 (as, Fig. 2 F).But, this spot welding method can allow enough spot welds 2268 be formed on coupling member 2230 ' between, and do not need from last removal polyimide or another non-conductive layer.Will recognize that this spot-welding technology can be applied to other use field except the adjacent heat exchanger module that connects heat exchanger system.

Fig. 2 I illustrates the top view that is arranged on a plurality of heat exchanger modules 150 in the heat exchanger assembly.As discussed above, module 150 can with the adjacent H Exch of thermounit thermal communication (as, radiating gill) between produce gap 188 mode locate.In order to ensure the air that is moved by air blower or other fluid can not be walked around or the H Exch of short block 150, flow blockage joint 190 or other member can be arranged on 188 places, one or more this gap at key place.In some embodiments, joint 190 be connected to housing (as, upper plate, lower plate, sidewall etc.).Yet in other embodiments, joint 190 or other flow blockage member are connected to the other parts of module 150 and/or this assembly.

Fig. 3 A illustrates the top view of a kind of embodiment of heat exchanger module system 2300, and this system comprises a plurality of heat exchanger modules 2310 and connects a plurality of coupling members 2360 of adjacent heat exchanger module 2310.Terminal coupling member 2370 extends from each terminal heat exchanger module 2310a.The embodiment of system 2300 for example is used for making the heat exchanger module system that is similar to the graphic system of Fig. 2 A.Each heat exchanger module 2310 comprises the thermounit and first and second Hs Exch basically as described above.

Continuation is with reference to Fig. 3 A, and the edge of the edge of each heat exchanger module 2310, each coupling member 2360 and the edge of each terminal coupling member 2370 be conllinear basically.Graphic embodiment for example is the structure of one mounting arrangement between mounting 2300.Yet, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that different configurations can be with in other embodiments.In the illustrated embodiment, coupling member 2360 machinery and electrically connect adjacent heat exchanger module 2310, terminal coupling member 2370 is by machinery and be electrically coupled to terminal heat exchanger module 2310a.In some were arranged, each coupling member 2360 at least a portion was elastomeric, flexible and/or deformable, as will be discussed in more detail as follows.

Fig. 3 B illustrates heat exchanger module system 2300 graphic rectilinear structure (diplopia) from Fig. 3 A and converts the polygonized structure top view of (as, the hexagon in the graphic embodiment) to.In the illustrated embodiment, this conversion is by making the crooked or distortion of coupling member 2360 to provide desired results to realize.In the illustrated embodiment, terminal coupling member 2370 is immediate in final structure.

Fig. 3 C and 3D are the transparent view of coupling member, illustrate coupling member feasible folding with will install 2300 therefrom the linear form shown in Fig. 3 A be reconstructed into as graphic the sort of closing form among Fig. 3 B.

Fig. 4 A illustrates the top view of the detailed structure of another embodiment of be fit to making roughly in Fig. 2 A coupling member 2460 of the heat exchanger module system of graphic type and adjacent heat exchanger module 2410.Fig. 4 B and 4C illustrate the folding or distortion that is fit to of coupling member 2460.Best shown in Fig. 4 B, the part 2462 of coupling member 2460 can be arranged on the downstream of heat exchanger module 2410, therefore can be constructed to the air-flow that part or all of obstruction therefrom passes through.

Fig. 5 A illustrates the top view of detailed structure of another embodiment of the coupling member 2560 that is fit to the heat exchanger module system of graphic type among the shop drawings 2A and adjacent heat exchanger module 2510.Fig. 5 B and 5C illustrate the folding or distortion that is fit to of coupling member 2560.

Fig. 6 A illustrates the top view of the detailed structure of another embodiment of be fit to making roughly in Fig. 2 A coupling member 2660 of the heat exchanger module system of graphic type and adjacent heat exchanger module 2610.Fig. 6 B and 6C illustrate the folding or distortion that is fit to of coupling member 2660.In the graphic structure, because there is not any part of coupling member 2560,2660 to be arranged on the downstream of heat exchanger module 2510,2610, airflow obstruction is not a problem in Fig. 5 A and 6A.

And, best referring to Fig. 6 A, coupling member 2660 may be formed entirely in the shell of heat exchanger module 2610 (as, that is to say, in the width border of heat exchanger module).Therefore, therein at least in the integrally formed embodiment of at least a portion of the part of coupling member 2660 and heat exchanger module 2610, for example, therein at least in the integrally formed embodiment of the other parts of the part of coupling member 2660 and substrate or thermounit or assembly, compare with the embodiment outside coupling member wherein extends to the shell of heat exchanger module, for example compare with graphic embodiment among the 5A-5C, can make graphic embodiment with littler waste with Fig. 4 A-4C.The exemplary layout of two heat exchanger modules 2610 illustrates in Fig. 6 D, shows this actv. layout.Therefore, among Fig. 6 A-6C the embodiment of graphic heat exchanger module system can be more effective, easier and/or cost more make in the lowland.

Fig. 6 E illustrates and can be used for being convenient to one or more heat exchanger modules 150 are connected to printed circuit board (PCB) (PCB) 180 on it or a kind of embodiment of other electrical bus.As shown in the figure, PCB 180 or other substrate component can comprise a plurality of slits 182 or other point of connection of the end 151 of installed module 150 thereon.Slit 182 can be configured to adopt main electrical sheet 181 or conductive member allow the end 151 of module 150 be arranged to mutual electric connection (as, with the series connection structure), advantageously these conductive members are exposed to each slit 182 place.As a result, one or more modules 150 (as, thermounit, radiating gill or other H Exch etc.) can easily be fixed in PCB 180 or the similar substrate.For example, module 150 can be included in the end terminals 151 that slit 182 or other point of connection place are soldered to PCB 180.This allows user convenient by selecting quantity, type or other details relevant with heat exchanger module 150 to customize specific assembly.And, eliminated the needs of more complicated, the electrical connection that labor content is big and expensive between adjacent modules 150 to the simple connection of PCB.Will recognize that PCB or other electrical bus member can be incorporated in any in and/or the embodiment described or its equivalent graphic at this.

Graphic embodiment also is used for comprising the heat exchanger system of a plurality of thermounits that limit the polygon girth among Fig. 4-6, described hot spot device is thermally coupled to first and second Hs Exch such as the H Exch that is similar to graphic embodiment among Fig. 7 B, at least a portion of described exchanger is across a plurality of thermounits, and this will discuss hereinafter.

Fig. 7 A illustrates the transparent view that is suitable for use in such as at the embodiment of the heat exchanger module 1900 of the heat exchanger system of this description and/or graphic system (as, Fig. 1,9 etc.).Graphic heat exchanger module 1900 comprises thermounit 1910, be arranged on first H Exch 1920 on the upper surface of thermounit 1910 and second H Exch 1930 on the lower surface of thermounit 1910 is set.In the illustrated embodiment, thermounit 1910 is thin annular or annular disc form, and it is limited by short radius that forms opening 1940 girths (R1) and the major radius (R2) that forms the girth of heat exchanger module 1900.In some embodiments, opening 1940 size forms also and is configured to hold the engine impeller assembly, for example, and as mentioned above and as graphic among Fig. 1 D.In the illustrated embodiment, each is annular shape substantially in the

H Exch

1920 and 1930, have and thermounit 1910 similar or similar substantially highly (H), and have and thermounit 1910 similar or substantially similar short radius (R1) and major radius (R2).Yet in other configuration, the relative height of this module (H), minimum and/or major radius and/or any other characteristic can or require according to expectation to change.

In Fig. 7 A in the graphic embodiment,, produce

H Exch

1920 and 1930, as graphic among Fig. 7 B-7D by making the pleating or fan-folded of one or more Heat Conduction Materials to form a plurality of radiating gills 1922.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that other embodiment can adopt different fan-folded shapes.Shown in Fig. 7 C and 7D (it is the detail drawing of the H Exch 1920 shown in Fig. 7 B), radiating gill 1922 is close together at short radius R1 place, and radially separately extends to the largest interval of major radius R2.Therefore, fin density is in the centre of

H Exch

1920 and 1930, and is promptly the highest in the upstream that fluid in graphic configuration flows, and its outer edges place, that is, the downstream that fluid flows is minimum.

In some configurations, the heat transfer of flowing for the fluid by pipeline may be depended on two relevant variablees: coefficient of heat transmission h and heat transfer surface area A.What generally know is that coefficient of heat transmission h is the highest at the entrance place, here is the upstream extremity of H Exch at the R1 place.Face area A is also the highest at the R1 place, because fin density is the highest there.The combination of these effects has improved the interchange of heat in the H Exch, it has higher fin density in the entrance, has lower fin density in the exit, by making around or distortion crooked perpendicular to the H Exch that is assumed to be rectangle of the axis of H Exch top and bottom changing radiating gill at interval, thereby this in the illustrated embodiment.In the illustrated embodiment, this distortion is annular, has produced the H Exch of annular shape.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that and adopt other distortion in other embodiments, for example just form arcuate shape, can realize identical effect.

Fig. 7 E illustrates the cross-sectional plane along the cross section E-E of Fig. 7 A of heat exchanger module 1900.Thermounit 1910 comprises first substrate 1912, second substrate 1914 and is arranged on therebetween a plurality of quartz conductor sheet devices 1916.Quartz conductor sheet device 1916 is well known type, is used to convert electric energy to

thermal drop.Substrate

1912 and 1914 mainly comprises the material of high-termal conductivity well known in the art and low electric conductivity, and is as discussed above.

First H Exch 1920 be fixed to first substrate 1912 (as, be arranged on copper or other metal levels on the substrate), second H Exch 1930 is fixed to second substrate 1914 similarly.As discussed above,

H Exch

1920 and 1930 is fixed to

substrate

1912 and 1914 usually in the following manner respectively, and suitable permeability of heat promptly is provided betwixt, guarantees that simultaneously two parts will keep enough connections during use each other.

In use, when on pellet parts, applying voltage, the heating (heat) in first substrate 1912 and second substrate 1914, and another turn cold (cold).For the material with normal (positive) thermal expansion coefficient, hot substrate expands, and cold substrate shrinks, and shown in Fig. 7 F, wherein first substrate 1912 is a hot substrate, and second substrate 1914 is

cold substrate.Substrate

1912 and 1914 this discrepant expansion produce shears and moment of deflection, and produces stress at pellet parts 1906 places, and this can cause thermounit 1910, and there was a mechanical failure.The physical deformation of thermounit 1910 also influences the fluid dynamics in the heat exchanger system, has reduced the efficient of system thus.The size of shearing and bending force and stress may depend on the thermal expansion coefficient, heal differential (Δ T=Th-Tc), substrate 1912 of

substrate

1912 and 1914 and 1914 size (as, length, width, thickness etc.) and/or one or more other factors.

Fig. 7 G illustrates graphic thermounit 1910 top view during use among Fig. 7 A, shows the expansion of first substrate 1912 and the contraction of second substrate 1914.The effective length L of this device 1910 is external diameters (2R2) of whole thermounit 1910, rather than poor (R2-R1) between major radius and the short radius, and this difference is less.This bigger effective dimensions may cause having relatively large shearing and bending force in the illustrated embodiment.

Fig. 8 A and 8B illustrate the top and the bottom view of annular heat electric installation 2010 respectively, and this annular heat electric installation 2010 has reduced some ill-effects of differential expansion at least, keep the bigger advantage of heat transfer of bending or circular heat exchanger simultaneously.Thermounit 2010 is similar to graphic thermounit 1910 among Fig. 7 A-7F, has the general toroidal shape, and be fit to similarly to use, for example, as the assembly of the thermoelectric heat exchanger module in the graphic thermoelectric heat exchanger system among graphic among Fig. 7 A and/or Fig. 1.Graphic thermounit 2010 comprises first and second substrates 2012 and 2014 respectively, is arranged on a plurality of pellet parts (not shown) therebetween.The opening 2040 of circular is set, for example, holds the engine impeller assembly, as mentioned above.In the illustrated embodiment, second substrate 2014 and pellet parts roughly with thermounit 1910 in describe the same.Yet first substrate 2012 comprises a plurality of sectors or piece district 2012a.In the illustrated embodiment, sector 2012a is around central axis 2050 basic rotation symmetries.Therefore, each among seven sector 2012a has roughly similarly size.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that sector and/or other more or less sector that other embodiment comprises that size is different.Because the first substrate sector 2012a can move freely rather than individual unit independently, the shearing that assessment is caused by the heal differential between first substrate 2012 and second substrate 2014 and the persistence length L of bending force are the radial width (R2-R1) of each sector 2012a and/or the girth width W of each sector 2012a, with bigger that rather than with the diameter (2R2) of substrate 2010.Because R2-R1 is less than 2R2, and is significantly less than 2R2 in some embodiments, shearing and bending force and stress have advantageously been reduced.In essence, first substrate 2012 is divided into sector 2012a and provides " expansion junction surface " 2013 for it.Will recognize that, according to the expectations or needs, substrate radially and/or circumferencial direction can comprise this expansion junction surface 2013 or gap.

In the illustrated embodiment, sector 2012a is roughly wedge shape arc or brachymemma, corresponding to monolithic first substrate 1912 (Fig. 7 G) with a plurality of cardinal principles otch radially, produce thus a plurality of laterally or the sector that separates of circumference, it defines at least a portion of first substrate, 1912 girths.In the illustrated embodiment, sector 2012a defines the girth (R1) of first substrate 2012 and the girth (R2) of opening 2040.In some embodiments, annular first H Exch that is similar to graphic embodiment among Fig. 7 B is thermally coupled to first substrate 2010.Other embodiment adopts the multicompartment H Exch, and for example, each assembly is corresponding to sector 2012a.In other configuration, single H Exch can partially or completely extend on the two or more different sector 2012a of the substrate with expansion junction surface.The substrate 2012 of branch sector is different from the H Exch of the segmentation that graphic embodiment is described among above-mentioned contact Fig. 1 D, and the H Exch of segmentation is radially to separate rather than be spaced laterally apart basically.Some embodiments that comprise the heat exchanger module of substrate 2012 of branch sector or system also comprise the H Exch of one or more radial segments, and it provides thermal insulation between the segmentation of streamwise, and has improved thermal behavior.

Fig. 7 H is a kind of top view of embodiment of the part of first substrate 2010, and this first substrate 2010 laterally and radially all be divided into sector 2010a has further reduced the mechanical strees that is caused by the heal differential between first and second substrates of thermounit thus.Therefore, by along the circumferential direction substrate being carried out segmentation, can be at heating and/or cooling period reduction stress along the circumferential direction.In addition, if device has big radial dimension, segmentation radially can also reduce stress.In addition, radial segments also provides thermal insulation, and this can bring more effective transfer of heat.For other details relevant with the reduction of the thermal stress that between the thermounit used life, applies, please refer to the U.S. Patent application No.60/951 that submitted on July 23rd, 2007,432, and on July 23rd, 2008 is that submit, name is called " segmentation thermounit (SEGMENTED THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE) " and requires U.S. Patent application No.60/951 according to U.S.C. § 119 (e), non-the dividing an application of 432 preceence (application number the unknown), in this mode by reference in conjunction with its full content.

Fig. 9 A illustrates the top view of the thin slice 2109A of heat conduction, non-conducting material, and this thin slice can be cut or form upper substrate and/or the infrabasal plate that the annular heat electric installation 2110 that is similar to graphic embodiment among Fig. 8 A and the 8B is provided.The thin slice 2109A or other member that form the substrate of thermounit 2110 can comprise big relatively rectangular shape.Shown in Fig. 9 A, comprise that at thermounit 2110 substrate can comprise a plurality of arc components in the embodiment of shape of basic bending.This can be thermounit a substrate (as, go up or down) comprise the situation at the radial expansion junction surface that is used to help to discharge the thermal stress between used life, as will be this discusses in more detail.Therefore, first substrate, 2012, the first substrates 2112 that are similar to graphic embodiment among Fig. 8 A can be divided into sector 2112a.

Continuation uses this arc substrate can help to improve " fillup efficiency " of the substrate foil that therefrom obtains independent substrate portion with reference to Fig. 9 A.In other words, advantageously, can reduce the thin slice 2109A of waste quantity of material (as, can not be used for cutting or provide those materials of the part of substrate).This can reduce the manufacturing and/or the assembly cost of this device, and is special when the relative cost of baseplate material is higher relatively.On the contrary, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that if replace a plurality of segmentation arch sections with single annular base plate (Fig. 8 B), " waste " sheeting amount will be obviously higher.

The heat exchanger module of being made by thermounit 2110 also comprises first H Exch that is thermally coupled to first substrate 2112 and second H Exch that is thermally coupled to second substrate 2114, as mentioned above.In some embodiments, the shape of first and second Hs Exch corresponds essentially to arc thermounit subelement 2110a, forms the curved heat exchanger submodule thus.Replacedly, each curved heat exchanger unit can be regarded independent heat exchanger module as, and the assembling of independent heat exchanger module can be regarded formation heat exchanger module assembly or system as.

In other embodiments, the border of at least one in first and second Hs Exch does not correspond to the border of at least one arc thermounit subelement 2110a basically.For example, in some embodiments, each in first and second Hs Exch all comprises the monomer-type H Exch, for example, and shown in Fig. 7 B.In some embodiments, at least one in first and second Hs Exch comprises the sector that radially separates, and forms the concentric thermounit in some embodiments in fact.In U.S. Patent No. 6,539, can find the detailed description of this configuration in 725, in this mode by reference in conjunction with its full content.

Fig. 9 B illustrates the top view of a kind of embodiment of thermounit 2110, and wherein in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of substrate portion 2110a, three thermounit subelements are radially nested.As discussed above, when comparing, use a plurality of arc substrate 2110a to help to reduce manufacturing cost by reducing to discard with single circle or annular base plate.Particularly, the arc substrate portion can adjacent one another arely cut into piles up or nested arrangement, to reduce discarding between the stripping and slicing shown in Fig. 9 B.By contrast, when circle or annular base plate part is cut out or is molded into by thin slice or other member 2109C, because the hole of substrate has been wasted, use circle or annular heat electric installation may produce a large amount of discarded baseplate materials (as, the polyimide that has copper or other metal part on one or two in its surface) (referring to Fig. 9 C).

With reference to Fig. 9 D, will recognize that the amount of the waste material that produces when using the rectangular substrate part can further reduce the thin slice 2109D that cuts or handle Heat Conduction Material.As shown in the figure, in some embodiments, use rectangular substrate can help to minimize the amount of discarded baseplate material, because can be simply along many horizontal and vertical lines dicing sheet 2109D.An embodiment of device that comprises a plurality of rectangle thermounit 2112D that will be constructed to use this rectangular substrate is shown in Fig. 9 D.

As at this with reference to as described in Fig. 1 D, from the air of first H Exch 154 (as, waste gas) can be directed to along radial direction, and can be along the Direction guide of the rotation axis that is parallel to engine impeller assembly 130 from the air of second H Exch 156 (as, main air).Except different outflow directions, can be from flowing of engine impeller by the downside in deflection chamber 111.This can produce uneven flowing between H Exch 154,156.Generally speaking, the expectation amount that is passed to the air of H Exch 154,156 equates or is approximately equal.

Figure 10 illustrates and has made the heat exchanger system 300 that changes.In the illustrated embodiment, upper and lower shell body portion 302,304 and disengagement gear 306 are constructed so that first H Exch 154 and second H Exch 156 are set to be lower than the enforcement side of above-mentioned Figure 1A-1D.Therefore, the air that flows out engine impeller assembly 130 radially moved with downward direction before entering first and second Hs Exch 154,156.This configuration promotes more air by first H Exch 154, and compensating air is to the deflection of 111 bottoms, chamber.

Figure 11 A illustrates another embodiment, and wherein flow adjustment or guide of flow radiating gill or blade 320 can be arranged on the upstream and/or the downstream of first and second Hs Exch 154,156.These blades can be used to provide the transverse distribution by the air-flow of device outlet.In some embodiments, radiating gill or blade 320 are configured to provide flowing of equating or equate substantially to thermounit.In other embodiments, this radiating gill or blade 320 are used for realizing the flow pattern expected.

Figure 11 B illustrates a kind of embodiment, wherein the outlet 126 of second H Exch 156 be provided with can optionally be used for limiting flow and therefore bias voltage by the radiating gill or the blade 322 that flow of first H Exch 154.Will recognize that, when air by from the impeller radial directed to one or more thermounits and/or when outlet, one or more other devices or method can be used for distributing and/or regulating air.

As discussed above, air or other fluid that is moved by impeller can be along allowing fluid to enter the Direction guide of radiating gill or H Exch easily.Therefore, shown in Figure 11 C and 11D, heat exchanger system 150C can be configured to accept better to guide the air of coming by impeller 130C towards its.With reference to the detailed top view of Figure 11 D, adjacent radiating gill 156C or other H Exch can so that the mode that fluid enters wherein locate.For example, radiating gill 156C can be with respect to the crooked special angle θ 2 of radial direction, and this angle goes up the air flow line A that is fit to coupling or basic coupling expection usually.As a result, the fluid head that advantageously can reduce by this system loses.And these features can help to reduce noise, improve system effectiveness, and one or more other advantages are provided.

Figure 11 E-11G illustrates heat exchanger system 150E, 150F, and various other embodiments of 150G, these systems are constructed to adapt to described air or other fluid during near the front end of these systems better at air or other fluid.For example, as graphic configuration among Figure 11 D, graphic three kinds of embodiments comprise radiating gill 156E among Figure 11 E-11G, 156F, and 156G, it has according to the front end that leaves the expection air flow line A bending of impeller.

Shown in Figure 11 E, the also bending of the tail end of radiating gill 156E or other H Exch (as, along the direction identical or along opposite direction with front end).And the tail end of radiating gill 156F can the graphic such non-bending of image pattern 11F (as, align with radial direction substantially).In addition, shown in Figure 11 G, radiating gill 156G or other H Exch can have and allow air admission or therefrom by, any other shape or structure to be guided by the mode along expectation.

Figure 11 H illustrates the transparent view that is configured to the folded fin heat sink 156H that uses with any embodiment disclosed here.As discussed above, this radiating gill or other H Exch can be set to be communicated with one or more thermounits or substrate heat.According to the expectations or needs, specific assembly can comprise one group, two or more sets this radiating gill 156H.As discussed above, this H Exch of unitary construction can be placed on one, the top or bottom of two or more heat exchanger modules.

Figure 11 I and 11J illustrate the top view and the lateral plan of the another kind of embodiment of folded heat exchanger 156I (as, radiating gill) respectively.As shown in the figure, radiating gill 156I can comprise bending or slotted shape.For example, as discussed above, this structure can be convenient to air or other fluid enters wherein.Will recognize that according to the expectations or needs, H Exch can comprise one or more other shapes, design or structure.

Figure 12 A illustrates the another kind that the flows configuration that is used between deflection first and second Hs Exch 154,156.In this embodiment, engine impeller assembly 130 comprises horizontal subdivision plate 138, and horizontal subdivision plate 138 is divided into top 132a and the bottom 132b with height L2, the wherein L2＞L1 with height L1 with the blade of impeller 130.By increasing relative depth or other size of top 132a or bottom 132b,, air can be partial to first or second H Exch 154,156 according to the expectation or the needs of application-specific or use.Compare with the embodiment of Figure 10, this embodiment advantageously can keep the general planar profile (that is, the roof 302 of Figure 10 can comprise step) of the top surface of this system.

Figure 12 B illustrates the top view of a kind of embodiment of the engine impeller assembly 130 that comprises graphic horizontal subdivision plate 138 among Figure 12 A.Extend to separator of battery plates 138/ blade 132a from engine rotor 134, a plurality of spokes 136 of 132b assembly can allow the bottom 132b by the direction of flow blade of import or 122 (Fig. 1 D) that enter the mouth suction.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that and replace or except these concrete apparatus and method that disclose, can use in other embodiments provides fluid to other means of the bottom 132b of blade.For example, can in diapire 114 (Fig. 1 D), one or more fluid intakes be set.

Figure 13 A illustrates the improvement embodiment of the configuration of Figure 12.In this embodiment, separator of battery plates 138 can tilt up or down with the angle θ from radial direction, so that smooth-going transition to be provided when the air diverts first or second H Exch.The turbulent flow that this causes in the time of can reducing and/or eliminate air contact separator of battery plates 138.Figure 13 B is near the detail drawing in the zone the separator of battery plates 138, and wherein fluid is mobile is relatively roughly indicated by arrow.In some embodiments, separator of battery plates 138 can also comprise bending or the profile that otherwise is shaped, and further reduces turbulent flow with expectation or needs according to application-specific or use.

Figure 14 A and 14B illustrate the embodiment of the engine impeller assembly 130 that comprises apical ring 139 respectively with transparent view and side cross-sectional views.In some embodiments, apical ring 139 has reduced the air-flow by the last H Exch that is communicated with last chamber 118 fluids, and shown in Figure 14 C, this figure is the section drawing of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model that comprises the engine impeller assembly 130 of apical ring 139.It has been generally acknowledged that, from the turbulent flow of apical ring 139 may to the air-flow by last H Exch reduce be responsible for, it has produced unbalanced air-flow at first and second Hs Exch.

Therefore, some embodiments of engine impeller assembly 130 do not comprise apical ring, and its embodiment illustrates with side cross-sectional views in Figure 15.Compare with the similar engine impeller assembly that comprises apical ring, some embodiments of engine impeller assembly 130 have improved the air-flow by last H Exch, have produced the more air-flow of balance thus between first and second Hs Exch.

Figure 16 illustrates and allows the lateral plan of control by the another kind of embodiment of the engine impeller assembly 130 of the relative wind of first and second Hs Exch.As shown in the figure, engine impeller assembly 130 can comprise vertical separator of battery plates 138, and it roughly is divided into blade top 132a and bottom 132b, and this is similar to graphic embodiment among Figure 12 A, 13A and the 13B.In the illustrated embodiment, by the top 132a of change blade and/or the quantity of bottom 132b, changed relative wind.For example graphic embodiment comprises 50 132a of blade portion, 80 132b of lower blade portion.It will be understood to those of skill in the art that according to the expectations or needs other embodiment comprises the 132a of blade portion and the 132b of lower blade portion of varying number.And the quantity of the 132a of blade portion can be greater than the quantity of the 132b of lower blade portion.The factor that influences the quantity of 132a of blade portion and the 132b of lower blade portion in application-specific can include but not limited to, the concrete geometric configuration of engine impeller assembly 130 or whole device (as, shape, size etc.) and/or the characteristic of H Exch etc.In some embodiments, these factors are determined by model, for example by CFD and/or by one of employing or multiple empirical method etc.

As in this discussion, some embodiments are used for to seat, bed, furniture, wheelchair, other is fixed or mobile seat-assembly and/or other device etc. provide the air of being regulated, but are not limited to this application.This method and apparatus can be used for any desired place that the local flow of the air of being regulated is arranged.In some configurations, this suitable selective thermal regulate the fluid delivery system of air or other fluid and device can (as, patterned heat or cooling) or directly point to one or more users by the fuid distribution system of seat-assembly and other device.Figure 17 illustrates a kind of embodiment, and wherein as described here, heat-exchange system 100 is used for being used in combination with the seat 10 that ventilates.This system 100 can be controlled individually by the controller 12 of special use or by the main control unit (not shown).

The embodiment of system described here, apparatus and method is not limited to regulate air and/or other gas or fluid.Therefore some gases such as helium have the permeability of heat bigger than air expects in application-specific, and expects to use such as oxygen, nitrogen and/or argon gas other in other is used.Depend on specific application, can use all gases or gas mixture.

Some embodiments are used for by using suitable sealing, insulator and/or other assembly heating well known in the art or cooling off other fluid, for example, fluid and/or supercritical fluid are avoided this fluid to influence unfriendly electrically contacting, thermounit and/or performance any other electricity and/or machine elements thus.Therefore, the fluid such as water or anti-freeze additive can with the embodiment compatibility of method and apparatus described here, as slurry and/or other newton or the non-newtonian fluid etc. of liquid metal (as, Liquid Sodium), fluid and solid.

Because the temperature exchange that obtains from heat and power system is an actv., other distortion of heat exchanger system described here can be used for various widely application.Method and apparatus described here generally can be used for wherein wishing any occasion of transmission (as pumping) thermal conditioning fluid.This application comprises thermostat, for example, uses the device of reference temperature in thermocouple assembly.Another exemplary application is the constant temperature electrolytic bath that for example is used for laboratory and/or technical application.Method and apparatus disclosed herein is used for the application that flow velocity is low and/or temperature traverse is little, and flow velocity and/or the bigger application of the essence temperature difference.

By temperature sensor is placed on the desired location, no matter on H Exch, the upstream of H Exch or downstream and/or Anywhere, and the rotation of electricity control impeller, can provide by the controlled flow of thermal conditioning fluid, so that temperature is remained on predetermined temperature, or provide predetermined thermal conditioning situation.Therefore, some embodiments are particularly useful in the occasion of wishing the localized heat air, for example, and in seat, bed, water bed, fish well, hydrocooler, beverage cooling etc.

In specific embodiment, thermounit can comprise one or more sensors.In some embodiments, this thermounit sensor interior or that thermounit is outer that can be arranged on can be configured to communicate by letter with one or more control setup (not shown), makes that this temperature can be as the part of control routine and/or the part of automatic anti-fault mechanism.In other embodiments, temperature sensor can be arranged on other position in air blower/thermoelectric device assembly, and/or is arranged on the upstream and/or the downstream of this assembly.

And some embodiments find special application in being desirably in the occasion that different time has fluid at differing temperatures.In some embodiments, this device is operating as fan, thermoelectric aspect starts according to expectation.Therefore, some embodiments provide warmer, colder and/or the ambient temperature fluid.

In Figure 18 A with the cross section mode and in Figure 18 B with in the graphic another kind of embodiment of perspective fashion, device 1800 does not comprise TED, H Exch, temperature booster or other temperature or hot adjustment unit.What replace is that this device or system can be configured to radiant type outlet air blower 1800, comprise housing 1810, inlet 1822, outlet 1824 and engine impeller assembly 1830, be similar to cooresponding assembly in the device 100.In the illustrated embodiment, the air flow line of outflow outlet 1824 is roughly earlier coaxial with the axis of symmetry of device 1800.This structure has advantage in the application that drafting apparatus is distributed in the big surface that for example is used for seat, mat or bed, because air distribution channel 1892 can fluid be connected around outlet 1824 girths, as the top view of a kind of embodiment of being installed in the radiant type outlet air blower 1800 in the seat cushion 1890 at Figure 18 C and 18D and lateral plan are illustrated.Because air-flow launches in the air blower exit, to compare with other air blower assembly in this discussion, the pressure that needs is less.

Adopt the taper import to make therein to leave outlet 1924 air flow divert (as, 90 degree etc.) in the air blower 1900, for example shown in Figure 19 A, one or more distribution passages of seat-assembly, bed or other device connect by the taper import and connect, and have obtained more complicated fluid connected system.This system can also present bigger back pressure, and for example, as illustrated among Figure 19 B and the 19C, it is to be installed in the air blower 1900 in the seat cushion 1990 and the top view and the lateral plan of relevant distribution passage 1902.

Compare with the air blower of other type, some embodiments of radiant type outlet air blower 1800 the also place of representing have the noise of reduction.For example, graphic air blower 1900 comprises " zone of cut-offfing (cutoff zone) " 1980 among Figure 19 A at the place of cut-offfing of volute pipe.In some configurations, in this zone of cut-offfing, portion of air flows out outlet 1924, and another one continues to circulate in the housing of air blower 1900, and this can produce noise, and this noise then can depend on the structure of volute pipe, impeller and the structure of cut-offfing.Because graphic radiant type outlet air blower 1800 does not comprise the structure of cut-offfing among Figure 18 A, therefore installing 1800 does not produce any noise that cut-offs, and has formed very quietly device.And the noise in the air blower also irregularity with mobile, pressure, speed and/or one or more other flow performance or characteristic is relevant, and it produces pressure gradient near the housing circumference.Radiant type outlet air blower 1800 can be configured to have symmetry to reduce this heterogeneity, thus at similar flow velocity and back pressure decline low noise.

Yet some embodiments of radiant type outlet air blower 1800 do not produce the back pressure under the similar air-flow high as the air blower that comprises the volute pipe, therefore, are not suitable for wherein expecting the application-specific of higher high back pressure.

Figure 20 illustrates the side cross-sectional view of a kind of embodiment that comprises the seat system 2000 that is configured to the radiant type outlet air blower 1800 that ventilates to seat surface 2010 and backrest 2020.Graphic embodiment comprises optional heated cushions 2030 or is arranged on seat trim 2040 following other heater elements on the seat surface 2010 and the back side 2020.

In any embodiment of Pi Luing, integrated air blower-TED device can be configured to the air of thermal conditioning or other fluid are directly led to one or more users herein.For example, this air can adopt pipeline or other conduit (as, the inner passage of seat-assembly, bed etc.) to be passed to user's neck, shoulder, shank and/or other anatomical area.In some configurations, this pipeline or conduit be arranged on seat-assembly the outside (as, along the route of the side of seat-assembly, bed etc.).

In other embodiments, as shown in figure 20, one or more primary outlets of air blower-TED device of combination can be configured to and be formed on mat, mattress (as, core body part, upper layer part are graded) or seat-assembly (as, seat, bed etc.) any other member or the cooresponding passage in the assembly, inlet or the connection of other catheter fluid.As discussed above, this can eliminate the needs to independent conduit or interconnection pipe element, and this may have superiority in the relatively limited usually embodiment in space especially.

Though this described several preferred embodiment with specific feature, will be understood that, without departing from the scope of the present invention, those skilled in the art can carry out various omissions, replacement, combination and change to one or more detailed structure of this system, equipment and/or method.And accompanying drawing and/or embodiment one or multiple assembly can use with various combination with the assembly of other accompanying drawing and/or embodiment, to be created in the not shown and/or concrete combination described in any bald accompanying drawing or the embodiment.Therefore, scope of the present invention is not limited to aforementioned discussion, and the purpose of aforementioned discussion is to be used for explanation.

Claims

1. heat exchange rig comprises:

Housing has at least one inlet, at least one first outlet and at least one second outlet;

Impeller is arranged in the described housing, and this impeller construction is passed at least one in exporting of described first outlet and second for accepting from the fluid of described at least one inlet and with it; With

At least one heat exchange module is configured to accept a large amount of fluids and the described fluid of thermal conditioning optionally before described fluid leaves by described first outlet or second outlet;

Wherein said heat exchange module is arranged in the described housing.

2. device according to claim 1, wherein said heat exchange module comprises thermounit.

3. device according to claim 2, wherein said thermounit comprise amber ear card circuit.

4. device according to claim 2, wherein said heat exchange module also comprises H Exch, described H Exch and described thermounit thermal communication, at least a portion of wherein said a large amount of fluids is conducted through or close this H Exch.

5. device according to claim 4, wherein said H Exch is communicated with substrate heat, and described substrate comprises heat conduction and non-conducting material.

6. device according to claim 1, wherein said heat exchange module is along the outer peripheral portion setting of described enclosure interior.

7. device according to claim 6, wherein said heat exchange module partly extend along the whole girth of described housing substantially.

8. device according to claim 1, wherein this device comprises at least two independent heat exchange modules.

9. device according to claim 8, wherein said heat exchange module is spaced apart in described housing with essentially identical spacing.

10. device according to claim 8, wherein said heat exchange module is electrically connected mutually.

11. device according to claim 10, wherein said heat exchange module adopt the end connector to be electrically connected mutually, this end connector comprises the extension of the substrate of thermounit.

12. device according to claim 4, wherein said heat exchange module comprises H Exch under H Exch on a group that is communicated with the last side liquid of described thermounit and be communicated with the following side liquid of described thermounit a group, wherein said at least one first outlet is gone up heat exchanger fluid with this group and is communicated with, and described at least one second outlet is communicated with heat exchanger fluid under this group.

13. device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first outlet are along the sidewall sections setting of described housing, and described at least one second outlet is along the bottom setting of described housing.

14. device according to claim 1, wherein said impeller construction for substantially the fluid of same amount is passed to described at least one first outlet and described at least one second export.

15. device according to claim 4, wherein said H Exch along basically with near the consistent direction orientation of fluid flow direction of described H Exch.

16. device according to claim 1, wherein this device construction is to supply with the fluid of thermal conditioning to seat-assembly.

17. device according to claim 1, wherein said heat exchange module is configured to adapt in use thermal stress.

18. device according to claim 17, the substrate of wherein said heat exchange module comprises at least one expansion pipe.

19. the seat-assembly of a climate controlled comprises:

Seat bottom;

Chair back;

Heat exchange rig comprises:

Wherein said heat exchange module is arranged in the described housing;

The fluid configuration of thermal conditioning of wherein leaving described first outlet of described heat exchange rig or second outlet is for transmitting at least one the opening in described seat bottom and chair back; And

Be to transmit wherein towards the passenger of described seat-assembly by the fluid configuration of thermal conditioning.

20. assembly according to claim 19, wherein said heat exchange rig is mounted to the surface of described seat bottom or chair back.

21. assembly according to claim 19, at least one in wherein said first outlet and second outlet are configured to aim at the described opening of described seat bottom or chair back substantially and fluid is communicated with.

22. the method for a thermal conditioning fluid comprises:

At least one heat exchange module is set in dryer housing;

Wherein said at least one heat exchange module is configured to accept a large amount of fluids and the described fluid of thermal conditioning optionally before described fluid leaves by the outlet of described housing; And

By powering up for described heat exchange module and starting the impeller of described air blower and optionally heat or cool off described fluid;

Wherein said heat exchange module comprises thermounit.