System and method of providing quick thermal comfort with reduced energy by using directed spot conditioning

• Main Authors: Kadle Prasad S, Wang Mingyu, Wolfe, IV Edward, Ghosh Debashis, Zima Mark J, Craig Timothy D
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 04.10.2016
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENTS OR ADAPTATIONS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING,OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY FOR PASSENGER OR GOODSSPACES OF VEHICLES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and a method of controlling a HVAC system that is configured to provide a perceived comfortable ambient environment to an occupant seated in a vehicle cabin. The system includes a nozzle configured to direct an air stream from the HVAC system to the location of a thermally sensitive portion of the body of the occupant. The system also includes a controller configured to determine an air stream temperature and an air stream flow rate necessary to establish the desired heat supply rate for the sensitive portion and provide a comfortable thermal environment by thermally isolating the occupant from the ambient vehicle cabin temperature. The system may include a sensor to determine the location of the sensitive portion. The nozzle may include a thermoelectric device to heat or cool the air stream.