초록 ▼

Systems and methods are provided for the continuous operation of an air conditioning unit or climate control system in a vehicle. The system may include a power generating unit, such as an engine or a fuel cell stack, and an exhaust loop in fluid communication with the power generating unit. First a

Systems and methods are provided for the continuous operation of an air conditioning unit or climate control system in a vehicle. The system may include a power generating unit, such as an engine or a fuel cell stack, and an exhaust loop in fluid communication with the power generating unit. First and second adsorption-based thermal batteries are provided in thermal communication with the exhaust loop. The vehicle may be configured to simultaneously operate in both an air conditioning operational mode powered by the first thermal battery, and a charging operational mode that regenerates the second thermal battery. A thermoelectric generator may also be provided such that the system is entirely self-powered, reducing or eliminating a need for supplemental, i.e. plug-in, charging.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for managing a continuous operation of an air conditioning unit for a vehicle, the method comprising: providing an exhaust loop in fluid communication with a power generating unit, and in thermal communication with each of: a first adsorption-based thermal battery that includes a first e

1. A method for managing a continuous operation of an air conditioning unit for a vehicle, the method comprising: providing an exhaust loop in fluid communication with a power generating unit, and in thermal communication with each of: a first adsorption-based thermal battery that includes a first evaporator, a first condenser, and a first adsorbent bed; a second adsorption-based thermal battery that includes a second evaporator, a second condenser, and a second adsorbent bed; and a thermoelectric generator;operating a climate control system powered by the first thermal battery;concurrently recharging an adsorbent medium of the second thermal battery using waste heat from the exhaust loop;monitoring at least one parameter of the first thermal battery to detect when an adsorption capacity of the first adsorbent bed reaches a predetermined level;using a controller configured to monitor and direct a flow of exhaust gas, reversing operational modes of the first and second thermal batteries, including: stopping operation of the climate control system powered by the first thermal battery;commencing operation of the climate control system powered by the second thermal battery; andconcurrently recharging an adsorbent medium of the first thermal battery using waste heat from the exhaust loop. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the climate control system powered by the first thermal battery comprises: selectively permitting a fluid to pass from a reservoir through the first evaporator;collecting the fluid in an adsorbent medium of the first thermal battery, thereby cooling a temperature of the first evaporator; anddirecting air over the first evaporator and into a cabin of the vehicle. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein recharging the adsorbent medium of the second thermal battery comprises: selectively directing a flow of exhaust gas through a region of the exhaust loop in thermal communication with the adsorbent medium of the second thermal battery, thereby heating the adsorbent medium and causing desorption of the fluid; andpassing the fluid through the first condenser and into the reservoir. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein operating the climate control system powered by the second thermal battery comprises: selectively permitting a fluid to pass from a reservoir through the second evaporator and collecting the fluid in an adsorbent medium of the second thermal battery, thereby cooling a temperature of the evaporator; anddirecting air over the second evaporator and into the cabin of the vehicle. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein recharging the adsorbent medium of the first thermal battery comprises: selectively directing a flow of exhaust gas through a region of the exhaust loop in thermal communication with the adsorbent medium, thereby heating the adsorbent medium and causing desorption of the fluid; andpassing the fluid through the second condenser and into the reservoir. 6. The method according to claim 1, further providing a controller configured to selectively direct a flow of exhaust gas in the exhaust loop between the first thermal battery, the second thermal battery, and the thermoelectric generator. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising directing the flow of exhaust gas through one or more intermediate heat exchangers prior to directing the flow of exhaust gas to one of the first thermal battery, the second thermal battery, and the thermoelectric generator. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising directing electricity generated by the thermoelectric generator to recharge an electrochemical vehicle battery, thereby reducing or eliminating a need for supplemental charging. 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising directing electricity generated by the thermoelectric generator to operate at least one of a thermal battery pump, a coolant pump, and a fan unit of the climate control system. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust loop is provided in fluid communication with a first group of adsorption-based thermal batteries, and a second group of adsorption-based thermal batteries, and the method comprises alternating the continuous operation of the climate control system powered by one of the first and second groups of thermal batteries, while concurrently recharging an adsorbent medium of the other one of the first and second groups of thermal batteries using waste heat from the exhaust loop.