Thermoelectric heat pump system

Abstract

A single or multi stage liquid loop thermoelectric heat pump system for cooling and/or heating is disclosed that can achieve higher delta temperature and COP then previous thermoelectric heat pump systems.

1 . A thermoelectric heat pump system operable in a cooling and/or heating mode, comprising:
 a thermoelectric apparatus;   a liquid heat exchanger block apparatus thermally coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric apparatus, the liquid heat exchanger block apparatus including at least one passage for flow of a heat transfer liquid therethrough;   a radiator for rejecting heat from the heat transfer fluid when the thermoelectric pump system operates in a cooling mode and absorbing heat in the heat transfer fluid when the thermoelectric pump system operates in a heating mode;   a convective fan associated with the radiator for increasing the heat transfer coefficient of the radiator; and   a conduit system coupling the liquid heat exchanger block apparatus and the radiator for circulating the heat transfer fluid between the liquid heat exchanger block apparatus and the radiator;   wherein a second side of the thermoelectric apparatus opposite from the first side is thermally coupled to a heat source when the thermoelectric heat pump system operates in a cooling mode or to a cold source when the thermoelectric heat pump system operates in a heating mode, wherein the thermoelectric apparatus can be powered to pump heat from the heat source in the cooling mode and pump heat to the cold source in the heating mode.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat source or the cold source comprises a second liquid heat exchanger block apparatus thermally coupled to the second side of the thermoelectric apparatus, the second liquid heat exchanger block apparatus including at least one passage for flow of a second heat transfer liquid therethrough; a second radiator for rejecting heat from the second heat transfer fluid when the thermoelectric pump system operates in a heating mode and absorbing heat in the second heat transfer fluid when the thermoelectric pump system operates in a cooling mode; and a second conduit system coupling the second liquid heat exchange block apparatus and the second radiator for circulating the second heat transfer fluid between the second liquid heat exchanger block apparatus and the second radiator, wherein the first and second conduit systems have a counterflow configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric apparatus comprises a plurality of thermoelectric modules in a cascaded arrangement. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric apparatus comprises a plurality of thermoelectric modules spaced apart from one another, each of said thermoelectric modules having one side in thermal contact with the liquid heat exchanger block apparatus and an opposite second side in thermal contact with the heat source or the cold source. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric apparatus comprises a plurality of discrete thermoelectric modules spaced apart from one another, and wherein the liquid heat exchanger block apparatus comprises a plurality of discrete liquid heat exchanger blocks arranged in series for flow of the heat transfer fluid sequentially therethrough, each of said thermoelectric modules having one side in thermal contact with a different one of the discrete liquid heat exchanger blocks and an opposite second side in thermal contact with the heat source or the cold source, wherein the heat source or cold source comprises a plurality of second discrete liquid heat exchanger blocks, each thermally coupled to a different one of said discrete thermoelectric modules, a second radiator, and a second conduit system for circulating a heat transfer fluid sequentially through the second liquid heat exchanger blocks and the second radiator. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric apparatus comprises a plurality of discrete thermoelectric modules spaced apart from one another, and wherein the liquid heat exchanger block apparatus comprises a plurality of discrete liquid heat exchanger blocks arranged in series for flow of the heat transfer fluid sequentially therethrough, each of said thermoelectric modules having one side in thermal contact with one of the discrete liquid heat exchanger blocks and an opposite second side in thermal contact with the heat source or the cold source, wherein the heat source or cold source comprises a plurality of second discrete liquid heat exchanger blocks, each thermally coupled to one of said discrete thermoelectric modules, a second radiator, and a second conduit system for circulating a heat transfer fluid sequentially through the second liquid heat exchanger blocks and the second radiator, wherein the discrete liquid heat exchanger blocks, the discrete thermoelectric modules, and the second discrete liquid heat exchanger blocks are in a stacked arrangement with each discrete thermoelectric module having a discrete liquid heat exchanger block on one side and a second discrete liquid heat exchanger block on the opposite side. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second stage thermoelectric heat pump comprising:
 a second stage thermoelectric apparatus;   a second stage liquid heat exchanger block apparatus thermally coupled to a first side of the second stage thermoelectric apparatus, the second stage liquid heat exchanger block apparatus including at least one passage for flow of a second stage heat transfer liquid therethrough;   a second stage radiator for rejecting heat from the second stage heat transfer fluid when the thermoelectric pump system operates in a cooling mode and absorbing heat in the second stage heat transfer fluid when the thermoelectric pump system operates in a heating mode;   a second stage convective fan associated with the second stage radiator for increasing the heat transfer coefficient of the second stage radiator; and   a second stage conduit system coupling the second stage liquid heat exchanger block apparatus and the second stage radiator for circulating the heat transfer fluid between the second stage liquid heat exchanger block apparatus and the second stage radiator;   wherein the system further comprises an additional liquid heat exchanger block apparatus coupled in series to the conduit system for flow of the heat transfer fluid therethrough, and wherein the additional liquid heat exchanger block apparatus is thermally coupled to a second side of the second stage thermoelectric apparatus opposite from the first side.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a third stage thermoelectric heat pump comprising:
 a third stage thermoelectric apparatus;   a third stage liquid heat exchanger block apparatus thermally coupled to a first side of the third stage thermoelectric apparatus, the third stage liquid heat exchanger block apparatus including at least one passage for flow of a third stage heat transfer liquid therethrough;   a third stage radiator for rejecting heat from the third stage heat transfer fluid when the thermoelectric pump system operates in a cooling mode and absorbing heat in the third stage heat transfer fluid when the thermoelectric pump system operates in a heating mode;   a third stage convective fan associated with the third stage radiator for increasing the heat transfer coefficient of the third stage radiator; and   a third stage conduit system coupling the third stage liquid heat exchanger block apparatus and the third stage radiator for circulating the heat transfer fluid between the third stage liquid heat exchanger block apparatus and the third stage radiator;   wherein the system further comprises an additional second stage liquid heat exchanger block apparatus coupled in series to the second stage conduit system for flow of the second stage heat transfer fluid therethrough, and wherein the additional second liquid heat exchanger block apparatus is thermally coupled to a second side of the third stage thermoelectric apparatus opposite from the first side.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second stage and/or third stage thermoelectric apparatus comprises a plurality of thermoelectric modules in a cascaded arrangement. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second stage and/or third stage thermoelectric apparatus comprises a plurality of thermoelectric modules spaced apart from one another, and having a liquid heat exchanger block apparatus on opposite sides thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second stage and/or third stage thermoelectric apparatus comprises a plurality of discrete thermoelectric modules spaced apart from one another, and having separate liquid heat exchanger block devices on opposite sides thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a pump for circulating heat transfer fluid in the conduit system is integrated in a housing of the liquid heat exchanger block apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the liquid heat exchanger block apparatus includes a plurality of microchannel fins for enhanced heat transfer. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the liquid heat exchanger block apparatus includes a plurality of copper microchannel fins in a plastic housing. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric apparatus is made with metallurgical Bi2Te3 powder. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an evaporative cooler associated with the radiator for further cooling the heat transfer fluid in the cooling mode. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising quick disconnects fittings on thermal conduit system to allow easy installation and swapping of different length of thermal conduit for depending on distance for custom installations. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer fluid comprises propylene glycol. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a refillable reservoir for the heat transfer fluid. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an indoor radiator/heat exchanger and an outdoor radiator heat exchanger connected to the heat pump using thermal conduit for indoor cooling and/or heating for air conditioning, HVAC, or to replace vapor compressor heat pump technology in its dual cooling and heating functionality in small and large scale applications. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a conduit to move condensate water to the outside for window mounted and portable thermoelectric heat pump systems. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an indoor radiator/heat exchanger and an outdoor radiator heat exchanger connected to the heat pump using thermal conduit for indoor cooling and/or heating using a blower and bladeless fan for directing the cooling or heating air flow to the occupant for localized cooling and heating. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a vapor compressor HVAC system connected to the thermoelectric heat pump using Freon/heat transport fluid heat exchanger connected with thermal conduit to an outdoor heat exchanger radiator heat exchanger with fan for to provide additional delta temperature on demand at high COPs. This hybrid HVAC system would provide higher COP with smaller heat exchanger since the heat rejection temperature could be much higher improving heat transfer and the hot side of the vapor compressor condenser coil would be cooled by the thermoelectric heat pump providing higher indoor out door delta temperature increasing the efficiency of the hybrid system over a conventional vapor compressor. This two stage hybrid heat pump system would have higher efficiency and larger delta temperature capability for cooling and heating in extreme climates. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an indoor radiator/heat exchanger and an outdoor radiator heat exchanger connected to the heat pump using thermal conduit for indoor cooling and/or heating using a blower and bladeless fan for directing the cooling or heating air flow to the occupant for localized cooling and heating. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 1 , further utilizing a smart system that incorporates functions of sensing, actuation, and control in order to describe and analyze heating or cooling requirements, and make decisions based on the available data in a predictive or adaptive manner, thereby performing smart actions to 1) minimize delta temperatures across thermoelectric devices in series discrete loop and heat pumps in 2 stage configuration by controlling the power to each subsystem heat pump to provide heating and cooling at peak system efficiency 2) turn off a portion of thermoelectric modules when thermal demand is lower to reduce power consumption and increase efficiency. 3) To provide precooling and preheating of dwelling when occupant is expected to return based on learned behaviors of occupant and shut off or reduce cooling and heating demand when occupant is not present. The smart system would provide autonomous operation to optimize energy efficiency based on closed loop control and networking capabilities as well. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a hot water heater water tank where on hot side of heat pump with heat being absorbed from ambient air using radiator with fan, in ground heat conduit loop, or solar absorption panel with heat conduit loop for absorbing heat from the sun. 
     
     
         27 . System of  claim 26 , where solar adsorption panel could be integrated with roof solar panels or be a separate flexible mat with heat integrated heat conduit loop that goes between solar roofing tiles (Tesla/Solar City) and roof to provide roof cooling and low grade heat which can be up converted to by thermoelectric heat pump for suppling the water heater. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26 , further comprising thermal conduit transporting heating from the hot water tank to heat exchanger in forced air HVAC system to replace fossil fuel based heating systems such as natural gas and old burner systems to enable heating from electricity derived from solar power. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26 , further comprising a natural gas burner in addition to thermoelectric heat pump heating to provide backup heating if solar or battery power gets low for northern climates where continuous heating is essential. This hybrid solid state/natural gas water heater system enables the use of high efficiency solar powered heating in northern climates during the during the warmer seasons while providing additional or back up natural gas heating during the winter time. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermoelectric heat pump for upgrading waste heat to higher temperature heat. Heat from the incoming low grade waste heat fluid stream can pumped out of the low grade waste heat stream to the another steam to upgade the fluid temperature to provide high COP heating for industrial process heating applications. 
     
     
         31 . A thermoelectric heat pump system operable in a cooling and/or heating mode, comprising:
 a thermoelectric apparatus;   a liquid heat exchanger block apparatus thermally coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric apparatus, the liquid heat exchanger block apparatus including at least one passage for flow of a heat transfer liquid therethrough; and   a conduit system coupled to the liquid heat exchanger block apparatus for circulating the heat transfer fluid through the liquid heat exchanger block;   wherein a second side of the thermoelectric apparatus opposite from the first side is thermally coupled to a heat source when the thermoelectric heat pump system operates in a cooling mode or to a cold source when the thermoelectric heat pump system operates in a heating mode, wherein the thermoelectric apparatus can be powered to pump heat from the heat source in the cooling mode and pump heat to the cold source in the heating mode.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a radiator coupled to the liquid heat exchanger block by the conduit system for rejecting heat from the heat transfer fluid when the thermoelectric pump system operates in a cooling mode and absorbing heat in the heat transfer fluid when the thermoelectric pump system operates in a heating mode; and   a convective fan associated with the radiator for increasing the heat transfer coefficient of the radiator.