ENERGY EFFICIENT TEMPERATURE REGULATED HEAT EXCHANGER SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for cooling a seat 14 surface, comprising at least one cushion, plurality of flexible metallic heat exchangers and optionally a cushioning layer. The metal heat exchangers are thin flexible metal sheets 18a, 18b with high thermal conductivity and a preferable thickness in the range of 0.05 mm and 10 mm. These are incorporated in the cushion, wherein the conduit is bonded, soldered or brazed to thin flexible metal sheet 18a, 18b acting as continued or intermittent conduit, with fluid, for cooling the metallic heat exchangers. The present system allows lowering of the total temperature difference improving the coefficient of performance of the refrigeration system that supplies the cooled fluid, leading to a smaller, lighter cold water supply system that also consumes less power and performs direct cooling of an occupant's body.

Claims

1. An energy efficient seat temperature regulating system (10) using a fluid in an environment comprising of: at least one detachable and portable flexible heat exchanger system (12); at least one fluid temperature regulating unit; a fluid circulation system for circulation of fluid; and a plurality of pipe and hose attachment (20); wherein, said flexible heat exchanger system (12) comprises a plurality of metallic sheets (18a, 18b) with at least one channel of pipes (22a, 22b) connected underneath and positioned below a flexible sheet (16) acting as a cover; said flexible heat exchanger system (12) is connected through said pipe and hose attachment (20) to the fluid temperature regulating unit to cool or heat the fluid and to the fluid circulation system to circulate the fluid in the channel of pipes (22a, 22b) to cool or heat the metallic sheets (18a, 18b) of the flexible heat exchanger system (12) and regulate temperature of a seat (14); and said channel of pipes (22a, 22b) at one end is connected to hose and pipe attachment (20) for input of cooled or heated fluid through the fluid temperature regulating unit in line connection with the fluid circulation system and at other end is connected to hose and pipe attachment (20) for output of fluid in the fluid circulation system.

2. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid is water with an industrial coolant preferably propylene glycol.

3. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the environment includes but not limited to a car or a room.

4. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid temperature regulating unit comprises at least one water heater (42), at least one evaporator (36) and optionally a fan (46) in connection with an air conditioning unit or HVAC system (28) available in the environment through an expansion valve (34) where the system (10) is in use.

5. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid circulation system for circulation of fluid comprises at least one fluid reservoir (40) and at least one pump (38).

6. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of metallic sheets (18a, 18b) are thin, flexible and positioned in bottom parts of thighs, upper back and lower back with high thermal conductivity and a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm and 10 mm.

7. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channels of pipes (22a, 22b) are metallic and preferably made of copper and other conductive materials.

8. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel of pipes (22a, 22b) connected underneath the metallic sheets (18a, 18b) through soldering, brazing, bonding or welding as continued or intermittent conduits.

9. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet (16) is preferably made of a material including but not limited to polyurethane polymers, cloth and leather.

10. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metallic sheets (18a, 18b) are preferably made of metal including but not limited to copper and aluminum.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] A complete understanding of the method of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following drawings:

[0021] FIG. 1 elucidates the seat temperature regulating system with flexible heat exchangers according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 elucidates the seat temperature regulating system with flexible heat exchangers in a disassembled view according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 3 elucidates an arrangement of flexible heat exchangers on a seat according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIGS. 4a and 4b elucidate fluid cooling arrangements in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 5 elucidates the contact areas of an occupant's body car seat cooling system with flexible heat exchangers according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 6 elucidates an alternate arrangement of the most preferred embodiment of the seat temperature regulating system with flexible heat exchangers according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 7 elucidates fluid circulation system for a flexible heat exchangers according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0028] FIG. 8 elucidates a preferred implementation of fluid circulation system cooling the flexible heat exchangers installed in the seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The present invention will now be described more fully. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1 elucidates the seat temperature regulating system 10 with flexible heat exchangers, a seat temperature regulating system 10 is shown comprises of a passenger seat 14 and a flexible heat exchanger system 12.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2 elucidates the seat temperature regulating system 10 with flexible heat exchangers in a disassembled view; a seat temperature regulating system 10 is shown in disassembly. The detachable and portable flexible heat exchanger system 12 is detached from the passenger seat 14 as one of the alternate embodiments. Similarly, the detachable and portable flexible heat exchanger system 12 is attachable to all existing models of seat by installing the flexible heat exchanger system 12 on a flexible surface such as cloth, leather or leatherette.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3 elucidates an arrangement of flexible heat exchanger system 12 on a seat 14, the flexible heat exchanger system 12 comprises of a flexible sheet 16 made up of materials like Polyurethane polymers, cloth, leather etc; a plurality of thin metal sheets 18a and 18b, a channel of pipes 22a and 22b. The plurality of thin metal sheets 18a and 18b are temperature regulated by circulating fluid through the flexible channel of pipes 22a and 22b which in turn are connected to a fluid temperature regulating unit through a flexible pipe or hose attachment 20 preferably made of polymer such as polyurethane which is further connected to the condenser unit 30 or HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) system of a vehicle or residential HVAC system 28. Therefore, an energy efficient seat temperature regulating system 10 using a fluid in an environment including but not limited to a car or room comprises of: [0033] at least one detachable and portable flexible heat exchanger system 12; [0034] at least one fluid temperature regulating unit; [0035] a fluid circulation system for circulation of fluid; and [0036] a plurality of pipe and hose attachment 20; [0037] wherein, [0038] said flexible heat exchanger system 12 comprises a plurality of metallic sheets 18a, 18b with at least one channel of pipes 22a, 22b connected underneath and positioned below a flexible sheet 16 acting as a cover; [0039] said flexible heat exchanger system 12 is connected through said pipe and hose attachment 20 to the fluid temperature regulating unit to cool or heat the fluid and to the fluid circulation system to circulate the fluid in the channel of pipes 22a, 22b to cool or heat the metallic sheets 18a, 18b of the flexible heat exchanger system 12 and regulate temperature of a seat 14; and [0040] said channel of pipes 22a, 22b at one end is connected to hose and pipe attachment 20 for input of cooled or heated fluid through the fluid temperature regulating unit in line connection with the fluid circulation system and at other end is connected to hose and pipe attachment 20 for output of fluid in the fluid circulation system.

[0041] The fluid temperature regulating unit comprises of at least one water heater 42, at least one evaporator 36 and optionally a fan 46 in connection with an air conditioning unit or HVAC system 28 available in the environment through an expansion valve 34 where the system 10 is in use. The channel of pipes 22a, 22b are metallic and preferably of copper and other conductive materials. The metallic sheets 18a, 18b are preferably made of metal including but not limited to copper and aluminum.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 4a in an exemplary embodiment in a vehicle, the fluid temperature regulating unit comprises of a water heater 42, an evaporator 36 and optionally a fan 42. The fluid temperature regulating unit is connected to the condenser unit 30 of suitable HVAC system 28 via an expansion valve 34. The fluid temperature regulating unit is positioned near the evaporator 36 of the HVAC system 28 in the vehicle and placed near the refrigerant lines in the vehicle. The hose and pipe attachment 20 extend to the seats 14 and there are at least 2 hoses per seat.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 4b is another exemplary embodiment in a vehicle wherein the fluid temperature regulating unit comprising of a water heater 42, an evaporator 36 and a low speed fan 46 in connection with a vent 44 from the air conditioner of the vehicle for cooling of the fluid.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 5 elucidates the contact areas of an occupant's body with flexible heat exchanger system 12 of a seat temperature regulating system 10. The seat temperature regulating system 10 is specifically focused around the thighs and lower back, with flexible heat exchanger system 12 on the seat or cover of the seat 14. The heat exchanger system 12 is placed on the seat 14 to avoid the inferior pubic ramus bones and the tailbone, therefore, there is only foam underneath the seating surface at this portion for maximum softness and comfort and conversely cool or heat the bottom part of the thighs, with flexible metallic heat exchanger system 12 beneath the seating surface. This is the fleshy portion of the leg, and the occupant will not feel the metallic portion underneath the surface thereby making the heat exchanger system 12 nearly undetectable.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 6 elucidates an alternate arrangement of the most preferred embodiment of the seat temperature regulating system 10 with flexible heat exchanger system 12, wherein plurality of briquette shaped heat exchanger 26a are installed on the specific area back support surface 24a and seating surface 24b avoiding inferior pubic ramus bones and the tailbone and engaging fleshy portion of the leg and avoiding the back bone, around the lumbar region.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 7 elucidates a fluid circulation system for circulating the cooled or heated fluid in the flexible heat exchanger system 12 comprises of a pump 38 and a fluid reservoir 40 for fluid circulation and thin metallic pipes 22a, 22b installed soldered, brazed, bonded, or welded on the metallic sheets or plates that act as the heat exchangers wherein fluid cooled or heated is circulated. The pump 38 used is preferably a pump with a flow rate of 2.5 to 3.5 LPM. The fluid reservoir is of quantity 500-600 ml approximately in case of vehicle containing a fluid preferably water with an industrial coolant such as propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, etc. The capacity of fluid reservoir 40 may vary as per the application. The flexible heat exchanger system 26a, 12 is cooled or heated via pipes or conduit 22a, 22b attached to flexible heat exchanger system 26a, 12 which flex under the weight of the person sitting in the seat and also in the back support of the seat, so as to not cause discomfort.

[0047] FIG. 8 elucidates a side view of the preferred implementation of fluid circulation system cooling or heating the flexible heat exchangers installed in the seat 14 is shown wherein 22a, 22b are flexible metallic conduits installed on a seat 14 with hose and pipe attachment 20 preferably made of polymer connecting a source of cold water.

[0048] The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principals of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0049] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will readily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.