Thermoelectric-based thermal management systems

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a battery thermal management system includes at least one battery, at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one battery, and a conduit comprising an inlet configured to allow a working fluid to enter and flow into the conduit and into thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The conduit further comprises an outlet configured to allow the working fluid to exit and flow from the conduit and away from being in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The battery thermal management system can further include a first flow control device which directs the working fluid through the inlet of the conduit and a second flow control device which directs the working fluid through the outlet of the conduit. The first flow control device and the second flow control device are each separately operable from one another.

1 . A thermal management system comprising:
 a thermoelectric device having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the thermoelectric device is configured to selectively provide heating or cooling to a battery when the battery is in thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric device, upon application of electrical power to the thermoelectric device;   a power supply electrically connected to the thermoelectric device;   a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric device;   a second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the second side of the thermoelectric device;   a first conduit configured to permit a first working fluid to flow into thermal communication the first heat exchanger and away from being in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger;   a first flow control device configured to direct the first working fluid through the first conduit in a first direction;   a second conduit configured to allow a second working fluid to flow into thermal communication with the second heat exchanger and away from being in thermal communication with the second heat exchanger;   a second flow control device configured to direct the second working fluid to flow through the second conduit in a second direction opposite the first direction such that a total temperature drop between the thermoelectric device and the first working fluid is reduced; and   a controller configured to selectively operate the thermoelectric device to either heat or cool the battery.   
     
     
         2 . The thermal management system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control current supplied to the thermoelectric device, thereby modifying a heat pumping capacity of the thermoelectric device. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal management system of  claim 1 , wherein the second conduit is fluidly coupled with a fluid reservoir or source. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal management system of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid reservoir or source is configured to heat or cool the second working fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal management system of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid reservoir or source is fluidly coupled with a heat source. 
     
     
         6 . The thermal management system of  claim 5 , wherein the heat source comprises an engine powertrain fluid, and wherein the system is configured to provide additional heat to the battery. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal management system of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid reservoir or source comprises a radiator. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal management system of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid reservoir or source is configured to reject heat from the battery through the thermoelectric device. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal management system of  claim 7 , wherein the radiator is a vehicle chassis. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal management system of  claim 7 , wherein the radiator is an auxiliary radiator. 
     
     
         11 . The thermal management system of  claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure for containing the battery. 
     
     
         12 . The thermal management system of  claim 11 , wherein the thermoelectric device, the first conduit, the first heat exchanger, and the battery are integrated with the enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The thermal management system of  claim 12 , wherein the thermoelectric device is positioned in a same plane as at least a portion of the enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . The thermal management system of  claim 12 , wherein the second conduit is positioned outside the enclosure, and wherein the thermoelectric device is positioned between the first conduit and the second conduit. 
     
     
         15 . The battery thermal management system of  claim 1 , wherein the first working fluid is re-circulated through the first conduit. 
     
     
         16 . The thermal management system of  claim 1 , wherein the second working fluid is re-circulated through the second conduit. 
     
     
         17 . A thermal management system comprising:
 a thermoelectric device having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the thermoelectric device is configured to selectively provide heating or cooling to an electrical device when the electrical device is in thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric device, upon application of electrical power to the thermoelectric device;   a power supply configured to supply electrical power to the thermoelectric device;   a heat exchanger in substantial thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric device;   a first conduit configured to allow a first working fluid to flow into substantial thermal communication with the heat exchanger and away from being in substantial thermal communication with the heat exchanger; and   a first flow control device configured to direct the first working fluid through the first conduit in a first direction;   wherein the first conduit, the thermoelectric device, the electrical device and the heat exchanger are substantially contained within an enclosure, and wherein the thermoelectric device is positioned in close proximity to the electrical device.   
     
     
         18 . The thermal management system of  claim 17 , wherein the electrical device is a battery or a battery case. 
     
     
         19 . The thermal management system of  claim 17 , wherein the thermoelectric device is integrated with the electrical device. 
     
     
         20 . The thermal management system of  claim 17 , wherein the first side of the thermoelectric device is positioned as close to the electrical device as possible.