Thermoelectric device for oil temperature control

摘要

The present disclosure describes systems and methods to increase the speed of engine warm up by heating oil with a thermoelectric device and also to generate electricity using the same thermoelectric device, exploiting a temperature gradient between engine oil and exhaust gases. The disclosure describes a vehicle engine, comprising: an engine oil reservoir; an exhaust gas system; and a thermoelectric device having a hot side and a cold side and connected to a battery, wherein, the thermoelectric device is configured such that the hot side is thermally coupled to the exhaust gas system and the cold side is thermally coupled to the engine oil reservoir. A diverter valve and duct are provided in the exhaust gas system to selectively convey exhaust gases to the thermoelectric device located in or adjacent to the engine oil reservoir.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
heating oil with a thermoelectric device when an oil temperature is below a first threshold; generating electricity with the thermoelectric device when the oil temperature is between the first and a second threshold; and adapting a diverter valve to convey exhaust gas into an exhaust pipe and not a diverter duct if the oil temperature is above the second threshold.