Heat exchange system for vehicles and method of operating the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a heat exchange system for a vehicle. The heat exchange system can include a first heat exchange circuit supported by the vehicle and fluidly connecting a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, and an expansion device, a module removably secured to the vehicle, the module housing a pump, and a second heat exchange circuit fluidly connecting a liquid-to-air heat exchanger, the pump, and the evaporator. The first exchange circuit can be operable to condition a first passenger space, and the second heat exchange circuit can be operable to condition a second passenger space spaced apart from the first passenger space.

1 . A heat exchange system for a vehicle, the heat exchange system comprising:
 a first heat exchange circuit supported by the vehicle and fluidly connecting a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, and an expansion device;   a module removably secured to the vehicle, the module housing a pump; and   a second heat exchange circuit fluidly connecting a liquid-to-air heat exchanger, the pump, and the evaporator;   wherein the first exchange circuit is operable to condition a first passenger space, and the second heat exchange circuit is operable to condition a second passenger space spaced apart from the first passenger space.   
   
   
       2 . The heat exchange system of  claim 1 , and further comprising a third heat exchange circuit operable to condition the second passenger space when an engine of the vehicle is not in operation. 
   
   
       3 . The heat exchange system of  claim 2 , wherein the module houses a thermal storage component, and the third heat exchange circuit fluidly connects the pump, the thermal storage unit, and the liquid-to-air heat exchanger. 
   
   
       4 . The heat exchange system of  claim 2 , wherein the module houses a heating element, and the third heat exchange circuit fluidly connects the pump, the heating element, and the liquid-to-air heat exchanger. 
   
   
       5 . The heat exchange system of  claim 2 , wherein the module houses a fourth heat exchange circuit fluidly connecting a second condenser, a second compressor, a second evaporator, and a second expansion device, and the third heat exchange circuit fluidly connects the pump, the second evaporator, and the liquid-to-air heat exchanger, and wherein the second evaporator is operable to transfer heat between a fluid traveling along the third heat exchange circuit and a working fluid traveling along the fourth heat exchange circuit. 
   
   
       6 . The heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange system further comprises a third heat exchange circuit fluidly connecting the liquid-to-air heat exchanger, a second liquid-to-air heat exchanger, a vehicle engine, and a second pump. 
   
   
       7 . The heat exchange system of  claim 6 , and further wherein the third heat exchange circuit is operable to condition at least one of the first and second passenger spaces. 
   
   
       8 . A method of operating a heat exchange system in a vehicle, the method comprising the acts of:
 directing a first working fluid through a first heat exchange circuit fluidly connecting a first compressor, a first condenser, a first expansion device, and a first evaporator, the first heat exchange circuit extending through a first passenger space and being supported in the vehicle;   securing a removable module housing a pump to the vehicle;   conveying a second working fluid through a second heat exchange circuit which extends through a second passenger space using the pump; and   transferring heat from one of the first passenger space and the second passenger space to the second working fluid to condition the one of the first passenger space and the second passenger space when an engine of the vehicle is not in operation.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , and further comprising transferring heat from the second heat exchange circuit to the first heat exchange circuit through the evaporator. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , and further comprising directing a third working fluid through a third heat exchange circuit fluidly connecting a second compressor, a second condenser, a second expansion device, and a second evaporator housed within the removable module. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , and further comprising transferring heat from the second heat exchange circuit to the third heat exchange circuit through the second evaporator when the engine of the vehicle is not in operation. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , and further comprising charging a thermal storage component with thermal potential energy supplied by one of the first and second heat exchange circuits. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , and further comprising supporting the thermal storage component in the removable module. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second heat exchange circuit fluidly connects an air-to-liquid heat exchanger and the pump. 
   
   
       15 . A modular heat exchange system for a vehicle, the modular heat exchange system comprising:
 a first heat exchange circuit extending between and connecting a first module and a second module, the first heat exchange circuit being operable to provide one of heating and cooling capacity to a first passenger space of the vehicle;   a second heat exchange circuit extending between and connecting the first module, a third module, and a fourth module, the second heat exchange circuit being operable to provide one of heating and cooling capacity to a second passenger space of the vehicle, the second passenger space being spaced apart from the first passenger space; and   a third heat exchange circuit extending between and connecting the third and fourth modules, the third heat exchange circuit being operable to provide one of heating and cooling capacity to the second passenger space of the vehicle, the fourth module being removably supported on the vehicle.   
   
   
       16 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 15 , wherein the first module includes an evaporator positioned along the first and second heat exchange circuits. 
   
   
       17 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 15 , wherein the third module includes an air-to-liquid heat exchanger positioned along the second and third heat exchange circuits. 
   
   
       18 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 15 , wherein the fourth module includes a pump operable to circulate a working fluid in the second and third heat exchange circuits. 
   
   
       19 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 15 , and further comprising a fourth heat exchange circuit supported within the fourth module. 
   
   
       20 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 19 , wherein the fourth module includes an evaporator positioned along the third and fourth heat exchange circuits. 
   
   
       21 . A modular unit for a heat exchange system in a vehicle, the vehicle having a heat exchange circuit for conditioning a passenger space of the vehicle, the modular unit comprising:
 a conduit that forms a portion of a fluid flow path;   a first disconnect valve at a first end of the conduit;   a second disconnect valve at a second end of the conduit, the first and second disconnect valves being connectable to the heat exchange circuit of the vehicle; and   a pump for conveying a working fluid along the fluid flow path and through the heat exchange circuit of the vehicle;   wherein the first and second disconnect valves prevent substantial loss of working fluid from the fluid flow path when the modular unit is removed from the vehicle.   
   
   
       22 . The modular unit of  claim 21 , and further comprising a thermal storage component positioned along the fluid flow path. 
   
   
       23 . The modular unit of  claim 21 , and further comprising a heating element positioned along the fluid flow path/conduit. 
   
   
       24 . The modular unit of  claim 21 , wherein the fluid flow path is a first fluid flow path, and further comprising a second fluid flow path connecting a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. 
   
   
       25 . The modular unit of  claim 24 , wherein the evaporator is positioned along the first fluid flow path. 
   
   
       26 . The modular unit of  claim 21 , and further comprising a prime mover operable to drive the pump.