Auxiliary heating and air conditioning system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

An auxiliary heating and air conditioning system has an output for selectively delivering warm air and cool air to the passenger area of a motor vehicle. The auxiliary system includes a thermo-electric cooler, which is a solid state device having a hot side and a cold side. Heat exchangers are disposed in connection with the hot side and cold side of the thermo-electric cooler to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy away from each side of the thermo-electric cooler. Two fans are disposed in fluid communication with the first and second heat exchangers to transfer air across the exchangers and to the output for selectively heating and cooling the passenger area of the motor vehicle. Interposed between the first and second heat exchangers and the output, are first and second arrays of energy storage panels. Preferably, these panels contain phase change material which is charged during the operation of the motor vehicle to change phase and therefore store thermal energy. When the motor vehicle is shut down, the thermal energy stored within the first and second arrays of energy storage panels is utilized to provide warm and cool air (as carried by the blower) to the internal passenger space of the motor vehicle. Similar heating and air conditioning systems are also provided that, rather than a thermo-electric cooler, utilize a vortex tube or sorption refrigeration technology.