US5890371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hybrid air conditioning system and a method therefor
Assignee: Thermotek Inc
•
Filing: 1997-07-11
•
Granted: 1999-04-06
•
Expires: 2017-07-11
Abstract
Abstract A system for conditioning the air within an enclosure which houses heat producing equipment. The system includes a passive heat removal system, for precooling the air, and a thermoelectric temperature control system used in conjunction with the passive heat removal system to achieve additional cooling, temperature control and heating. The passive heat removal system includes a heat pipe system. A power control system includes a programmable control means which receives signals, from a temperature sensor, which are indicative of the temperature of the air in the enclosure. Based upon these signals, the power control system controls the activation of thermoelectric devices in the thermoelectric temperature control system and controls the activation of fans to remove a desired amount of heat from the air in the enclosure and discharge the unwanted heat to the outside air. A switching device operates to apply battery power to the power control system if the electrical power source for the thermoelectric temperature control system fails. A polarity reversal circuit reverses the DC polarity of the DC voltage applied to the thermoelectric devices to reverse the heat pumping of the thermoelectric devices in the situation where the air in the enclosure needs to be heated. Circuitry and sensors are provided to monitor the speed of the fans to detect any failure of a fan. A current control circuit supplies power to and temperature control of thermoelectric cooling devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Sathya Rajasubramanian
- 👤 Roger S. DeVilbiss
- 👤 Thomas C. Dedmon
- 👤 Tony M. Quisenberry
- 👤 Ronald Borman
- 👤 Allen D. Boger, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:20
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F5/00; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F24F5/0042; F25; F25B; F25B2321/00; F25B2321/02; F25B2321/021; F25B2321/0212; F25B2321/025; F25B2321/0251
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A system for conditioning the air within an enclosure which houses heat producing equipment which is activated by an electrical power source, said system comprising: a passive heat removal system for receiving and cooling warm air produced by the heat producing equipment within the enclosure and returning the cooled air to the heat producing equipment and transferring the heat from the warm air to the outside of the enclosure, said passive heat removal system comprising a heat pipe system spaced from said heat producing equipment; at least one thermoelectric assembly for receiving and further cooling the cooled air from the passive heat removal system and returning the further cooled air to the heat producing equipment and transferring the heat from the cooled air to the outside of the enclosure, said at least one thermoelectric assembly being spaced from said heat producing equipment; a power control system for activating the at least one thermoelectric assembly to maintain the temperature of the air within the enclosure below a predetermined value determined for the heat producing equipment; and sensor means positioned within the enclosure to monitor the temperature of the air within the enclosure and connected to provide an input to the power control system indicative of the temperature of the air within the enclosure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
212 words
A system for conditioning the air within an enclosure which houses heat producing equipment which is activated by an electrical power source, said system comprising: a passive heat removal system for receiving and cooling warm air produced by the heat producing equipment within the enclosure and returning the cooled air to the heat producing equipment and transferring the heat from the warm air to the outside of the enclosure, said passive heat removal system comprising a heat pipe system spaced from said heat producing equipment; at least one thermoelectric assembly for receiving and further cooling the cooled air from the passive heat removal system and returning the further cooled air to the heat producing equipment and transferring the heat from the cooled air to the outside of the enclosure, said at least one thermoelectric assembly being spaced from said heat producing equipment; a power control system for activating the at least one thermoelectric assembly to maintain the temperature of the air within the enclosure below a predetermined value determined for the heat producing equipment; and sensor means positioned within the enclosure to monitor the temperature of the air within the enclosure and connected to provide an input to the power control system indicative of the temperature of the air within the enclosure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat pipe system includes at least one passive evaporator operatively connected to at least one passive condenser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as set forth in claim 1 further including means for moving the air within the enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for moving the air comprises at least one fan.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the activation of said at least one fan is controlled by said power control system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as set forth in claim 1 further including means for moving the air outside the enclosure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for moving the air comprises at least one fan.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the activation of said at least one fan is controlled by said power control system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said power control system comprises programmable control means to receive an output from said sensor means and provide an output to the power control system causing said power control system to activate said at least one thermoelectric assembly, said providing of the output to the power control system being determined by the difference between the sensed temperature of the air within the enclosure and the predetermined value of temperature determined for the heat producing equipment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said programmable control means comprises a microprocessor and associated software.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one thermoelectric assembly comprises at least one thermoelectric device positioned between two sides of a heat exchanger.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as set forth in claim 11 wherein one side of said heat exchanger comprises a fined heat exchanger.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said the side of said heat exchanger comprises a heat pipe system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said power control system receives power from said electrical power source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as set forth in claim 14 further including a battery for providing power to said power control system if said electrical power source fails.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said battery is a 24 volt DC battery.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said battery is a 48 volt DC battery.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as set forth in claim 15 further including a switching device operatively connected between said electrical power source and said power control system to apply battery power to said power control system when said electrical power source fails.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as set forth in claim 14 further including a polarity reversal circuit operatively connected between said power control system and said at least one thermoelectric assembly to reverse the heat pumping of said at least one thermoelectric assembly.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as set forth in claim 4 further including means operatively connected between said at least one fan and said power control system to monitor the speed of said at least one fan.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as set forth in claim 20 further including means to indicate a failure of said at least one fan.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as set forth in claim 7 further including means operatively connected between said at least one fan and said power control system to monitor the speed of said at least one fan.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as set forth in claim 22 further including means to indicate a failure of said at least one fan.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of conditioning the air within an enclosure which houses heat producing equipment which is activated by an electrical power source, said method comprising the steps of: providing a passive heat removal system comprising a heat pipe system disposed in spaced relationship from said heat producing equipment and adapted for receiving and cooling warm air produced by the heat producing equipment within the enclosure and returning the cooled air to the heat producing equipment and transferring the heat from the warm air to the outside of the enclosure; providing at least one thermoelectric assembly disposed in spaced relationship from said heat producing equipment and adapted for receiving and further cooling the cooled air from the passive heat removal system and returning the further cooled air to the heat producing equipment and transferring the heat from the cooled air to the outside of the enclosure; determining the temperature of the air within the enclosure; providing a power control system to receive an indication of said temperature of the air within the enclosure and for activating the at least one thermoelectric assembly to maintain the temperature of the air within the enclosure below a predetermined value determined for the heat producing equipment.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of conditioning the air within an enclosure which houses heat producing equipment which is activated by an electrical power source, said method comprising the steps of: providing a passive heat removal system comprising a heat pipe system disposed in spaced relationship from said heat producing equipment and adapted for receiving and cooling warm air produced by the heat producing equipment within the enclosure and returning the cooled air to the heat producing equipment and transferring the heat from the warm air to the outside of the enclosure; providing at least one thermoelectric assembly disposed in spaced relationship from said heat producing equipment and adapted for receiving and further cooling the cooled air from the passive heat removal system and returning the further cooled air to the heat producing equipment and transferring the heat from the cooled air to the outside of the enclosure; determining the temperature of the air within the enclosure; providing a power control system to receive an indication of said temperature of the air within the enclosure and for activating the at least one thermoelectric assembly to maintain the temperature of the air within the enclosure below a predetermined value determined for the heat producing equipment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said heat pipe system includes at least one passive evaporator operatively connected to at least one passive condenser.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 further including the step of providing means for moving the air within the enclosure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein said means for moving the air comprises at least one fan.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 27 wherein the activation of said at least one fan is controlled by said power control system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 further including the step of providing the means for moving the air outside the enclosure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 29 wherein said means for moving the air comprises at least one fan.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 30 wherein the activation of said at least one fan is controlled by said power control system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said power control system comprises programmable control means to receive the indication of said temperature of the air within the enclosure and provide an output to the power control system causing said power control system to activate said at least one thermoelectric assembly, said providing of the output to the power control system being determined by the difference between the determined temperature of the air within the enclosure and the predetermined value of temperature determined for the heat producing equipment.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 32 wherein said programmable control means comprises a microprocessor and associated software.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said at least one thermoelectric assembly comprises at least one thermoelectric device positioned between two sides of a heat exchanger.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 34 wherein one side of said heat exchanger comprises a finned heat exchanger.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as set forth in claim 35 wherein the other side of said heat exchanger comprises a heat pipe system.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said power control system receives power from said electrical power source.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as set forth in claim 37 further including the step of providing a battery for providing power to said power control system if said electrical power source fails.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as set forth in claim 38 wherein said battery is a 24 volt DC battery.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as set forth in claim 38 wherein said battery is a 48 volt DC battery.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as set forth in claim 38 further including the step of providing a switching device operatively connected between said electrical power source and said power control system to apply battery power to said power control system when said electrical power source fails.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as set forth in claim 37 further including the step of providing a polarity reversal circuit operatively connected between said power control system and said at least one thermoelectric assembly to reverse the heat pumping of said at least one thermoelectric assembly.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as set forth in claim 27 further including the step of providing means operatively connected between said at least one fan and said power control system to monitor the speed of said at least one fan.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 43 further including the step of providing means to indicate a failure of said at least one fan.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as set forth in claim 30 further including the step of providing means operatively connected between said at least one fan and said power control system to monitor the speed of said at least one fan.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 45 further including the step of providing means to indicate a failure of said at least one fan.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-04-05 | 2002-10-05 | 2003-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-05 | 2006-10-05 | 2007-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-05 | 2010-10-05 | 2011-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |