Patent ID: 7380586

Claim:
A system for controlling the interior climate of a vehicle, the vehicle having an engine coolant system, the system comprising: a thermoelectric module including at least one thermoelectric element, the at least one thermoelectric element producing heat upon application of electrical energy in a first polarity and producing cold upon application of electrical energy in a second polarity; a controller in electrical communication with the thermoelectric module, the controller being configured in a heating mode to supply electrical energy in the first polarity to heat a first air flow and being configured in a cooling mode to supply electrical energy in the second polarity to cool the first air flow; a coolant conduit coupled with the engine coolant system, the coolant conduit having a portion located proximate to and in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric element; a heat exchanger coupled to the coolant conduit and being in thermal communication therewith, the heat exchanger located downstream of the at least one thermoelectric module; a coolant pump coupled with the coolant conduit and being configured to produce a coolant flow there through; and a valve coupled with the coolant conduit, the valve being selectively moveable between a first position connecting the coolant conduit with the engine coolant system and to a second position isolating the coolant conduit from the engine coolant system.