Air-conditioning and heating system utilizing thermo-electric solid state devices

Abstract

In one embodiment, a cooling and heating system includes a heat exchanger, a thermoelectric cooler coupled to the heat exchanger and operable to cool or heat a fluid within the heat exchanger, a heat transfer device, an input conduit coupled between the heat exchanger and the heat transfer device, a return conduit coupled between the heat exchanger and the heat transfer device, and a pump operable to transport the fluid through the input conduit, the heat exchanger, the return conduit, and the heat transfer device. Thermal energy existing within the fluid, while flowing through the heat transfer device, is utilized to heat or cool an environment adjacent the heat transfer device.

1 . A cooling and heating system, comprising: 
 a heat exchanger;    a thermoelectric cooler coupled to the heat exchanger and operable to cool or heat a fluid within the heat exchanger;    a heat transfer device;    an input conduit coupled between the heat exchanger and the heat transfer device;    a return conduit coupled between the heat exchanger and the heat transfer device;    a pump operable to circulate the fluid through the input conduit, the heat exchanger, the return conduit, and the heat transfer device; and    wherein thermal energy existing within the fluid while flowing through the heat transfer device is utilized to heat or cool an environment adjacent the heat transfer device.    
   
   
       2 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan adjacent the heat transfer device and operable to force air over the heat transfer device.  
   
   
       3 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat transfer structure coupled to the thermoelectric cooler and operable to remove thermal energy from the thermoelectric cooler.  
   
   
       4 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan adjacent the heat transfer structure and operable to force air over the heat transfer structure to aid in removing the thermal energy.  
   
   
       5 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump comprises a magnetic pump and is coupled to the return conduit.  
   
   
       6 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermostat controller module operable to control the temperature of one side of the thermoelectric cooler.  
   
   
       7 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises an upper section having a first passageway and a lower section having a second passageway, the first and second passageways separated by a copper plate.  
   
   
       8 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises a combination of glycol and distilled water.  
   
   
       9 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the input conduit, the heat exchanger, the return conduit, and the heat transfer device comprise a closed loop system.  
   
   
       10 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid is introduced to the closed loop system via a valve assembly coupled to the input conduit.  
   
   
       11 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer device is coupled to a limb of a patient.  
   
   
       12 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer device comprises a radiator of an automobile.  
   
   
       13 . A cooling and heating method, comprising: 
 coupling together an input conduit, a heat exchanger, a return conduit, and a heat transfer device to form a closed loop;    coupling a thermoelectric cooler to the heat exchanger;    cooling or heating a fluid within the heat exchanger;    circulating the fluid through the input conduit, the heat exchanger, the return conduit, and the heat transfer device; and    heating or cooling an environment adjacent the heat transfer device via thermal energy existing within the fluid while the fluid is flowing through the heat transfer device.    
   
   
       14 . The cooling and heating method of  claim 13 , further comprising forcing air over the heat transfer device via a fan adjacent the heat transfer device.  
   
   
       15 . The cooling and heating method of  claim 13 , further comprising coupling a heat transfer structure to the thermoelectric cooler to remove thermal energy from the thermoelectric cooler.  
   
   
       16 . The cooling and heating method of  claim 15 , further comprising forcing air over the heat transfer structure to aid in removing the thermal energy.  
   
   
       17 . The cooling and heating method of  claim 13 , further comprising control the temperature of one side of the thermoelectric cooler.  
   
   
       18 . The cooling and heating method of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid comprises a combination of glycol and distilled water.  
   
   
       19 . The cooling and heating method of  claim 13 , further comprising coupling the heat transfer device to a limb of a patient.  
   
   
       20 . The cooling and heating method of  claim 13 , wherein the heat transfer device comprises a radiator of an automobile.  
   
   
       21 . A cooling and heating system, comprising: 
 a heat exchanger;    a plurality of thermoelectric coolers coupled to the heat exchanger and operable to cool or heat a fluid within the heat exchanger; and    wherein the heat exchanger comprises an upper section having a first passageway and a lower section having a second passageway, the first and second passageways separated by a copper plate.    
   
   
       22 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 21 , further comprising a heat transfer structure coupled to the thermoelectric coolers and operable to remove thermal energy from the thermoelectric coolers.  
   
   
       23 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 22 , further comprising a fan adjacent the heat transfer structure and operable to force air over the heat transfer structure to aid in removing the thermal energy.  
   
   
       24 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 21 , wherein the fluid comprises a combination of glycol and distilled water.  
   
   
       25 . The cooling and heating system of  claim 21 , wherein the copper plate is approximately ¼ inches thick.