Thermoelectric air conditioner

Abstract

A thermoelectric unit including thermoelectric modules, cold side fins, a heat sink, a hot side heat absorption element, and an electronic controller. The heat absorption element includes a metal heat transfer structure, phase change material (PCM) and heat exchange medium.

1 . Apparatus comprising:
 a thermoelectric unit comprising thermoelectric modules , cold side cooling fins, a cold side heat sink, a hot side heat absorption element, and an electronic temperature controller, wherein said heat absorption element comprises a metal heat transfer structure, a phase change material (PCM) and a fluid heat exchange medium which is a liquid.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said PCM comprises granules with length dimensions of 3-5 mm. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said PCM has a single working temperature. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said PCM comprises a mixture of materials with different working temperatures. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said heat absorption element comprises a thermal insulating portion to prevent heat losses to surrounding space. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said thermal insulating portion comprises a multiple layers with one or more layers of PCM as middle layers. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said cold heat sink comprises a tank for condensed water collection. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising manifold tubing for cold air distribution. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said fluid heat exchange medium comprises a nanofluid. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said nanofluid comprises PCM nano-particles with the same working temperature as the PCM. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said nanofluid comprises a mixture of nanoparticles with different working temperatures. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pump for pumping said liquid.