Patent ID: 6223539
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: B60H,B60N,F04D,F25B,H01L

Abstract:
A temperature controlled ventilation system for a seat, comprising:a supply side, annular heat exchanger forming a hole therein about an axis of rotation and configured to allow air to pass outward from said axis of rotation, said supply side heat exchanger comprising a first series of heat transfer surfaces that are aligned with a plurality of axes orthogonal to the rotational axis, at least a portion of the first series of heat transfer surfaces comprising folds of a thermally conductive material;a waste side, annular heat exchanger forming a hole therein about said axis of rotation and configured to allow air to pass outward from said axis of rotation, said waste side heat exchanger comprising a second series of heat transfer surfaces that are aligned with a plurality of axes orthogonal to the rotational axis, at least a portion of the second series of heat transfer surfaces comprising folds of a thermally conductive material;a thermoelectric device having opposing surfaces that generate higher temperatures on one surface and lower temperatures on an opposite surface depending on the direction of the electrical current passing through the thermoelectric device, one surface being connected to and in thermal communication with the supply side heat exchanger and the opposite surface being connected to and in thermal communication with the waste side heat exchanger;a motor drivingly connected to at least one of the heat exchangers or thermoelectric device to rotate the heat exchangers about the axis of rotation to cause air to enter at least one of the holes along the axis of rotation and pass outward through the heat exchanger;an enclosure containing at least the supply heat exchanger and forming an outlet through which air exits after passing through the supply heat exchanger;a seat having a surface against which a person rests, the surface having passages therethrough in at least a portion of the surface where the person rests, the surface being in fluid communication with the outlet of the supply heat exchanger, the heat exchanger and motor rotation cooperating so air from the heat exchanger is forced through the surface to provide conditioned air in the area where said person rests against the surface during use of the seat.