System and method for heating and cooling a vehicle
US8316650B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/88
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for heating and cooling a vehicle includes a solar panel disposed on a surface of a vehicle and a thermoelectric unit i) disposed on or in an internal surface disposed in a cabin area of the vehicle, and ii) operatively connected to the solar panel. The thermoelectric unit is configured to heat and/or cool the internal surface in response to electric current applied thereto from the solar panel. The system further includes a control unit operatively associated with the thermoelectric unit. The control unit is configured to determine the amount and direction of the electric current to be applied to the thermoelectric unit based on i) a measured ambient temperature, ii) a measured temperature of the internal surface, and iii) a user-preferred reference temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.