Heat Exchanger Having a Plurality of Thermoelectric Modules Connected in Series

摘要

A thermoelectric heat exchanger includes a tube, a fin, and a thermoelectric assembly. The tube is configured to contain coolant flowing therethrough and thermally couple the coolant to a surface of the tube. The fin is configured to transfer heat from the fin to air passing across the fin. The thermoelectric assembly is thermally coupled to the tube and the fin. The assembly is configured to heat the fin relative to the tube in response to a voltage source applied to the assembly. The assembly includes a plurality of thermoelectric modules. Each of the thermoelectric modules is electrically interconnected into a group of series connected modules. The number of modules in each group that are electrically connected in series is determined based on a voltage value of the voltage source and a local temperature difference between the tube and the fin proximate to the group.

主权项

1. A heat exchanger comprising:
a tube configured to contain coolant flowing therethrough and thermally couple the coolant to a surface of the tube; a fin configured to transfer heat from the fin to air passing across the fin; and a thermoelectric assembly thermally coupled to the tube and the fin, said assembly configured to heat the fin relative to the tube in response to a voltage source applied to the assembly, wherein said assembly includes a plurality of thermoelectric modules, wherein each of the thermoelectric modules is electrically interconnected into a group of series connected modules, wherein the number of modules in each group that are electrically connected in series is determined based on a voltage value of the voltage source and a local temperature difference between the tube and the fin proximate to the group.