FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10 and Rule 13]
TITLE: “A CHILLER SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE”
Name and address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, of an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA
Nationality: Indian
The following specification describes the nature of invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure in general relates to a field of air conditioning. Particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a chiller system. Further, embodiments of the disclosure discloses the chiller system for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Generally, vehicles are equipped with air conditioning units to cater cooling effects for occupants inside the vehicle under hot soak conditions. Existing air conditioning units in the vehicles adds up to the cost, as well as operational cost, since the air conditioning units operate by consuming energy from the engines that consume additional fuel which affects overall fuel economy of the vehicle. With this, users tend to opt out vehicles equipped with air conditioning units or may not use the air conditioning units, due to its negative impact on fuel economy.
In the existing vehicles, cooling is catered by a blower or an air conditioner. The blower circulates air with higher velocity. However, the blower fails to provide comfort to the occupant, since the temperature of the air circulated into the cabin is same as that of atmospheric air. Further, the air conditioner (AC) provides instant cooling effect to the occupant inside the cabin. However, initial material cost of the air conditioning unit is higher which adds up to both component cost, operational cost and maintenance cost, which is undesired. Further in the air conditioners due to their closed circuit, failure to any of the component would result in failure to the entire air conditioning unit, which is undesired.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above. The background section of the present disclosure should not be considered as a limitation of the present disclosure.
The drawbacks/difficulties/disadvantages/limitations of the conventional techniques explained in the background section are just for exemplary purpose and the disclosure would never limit its scope only such limitations. A person skilled in the art would understand that this disclosure and below mentioned description may also solve other problems or overcome the other drawbacks/disadvantages of the conventional arts which are not explicitly captured above.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of conventional system are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a chiller system as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a chiller system for a vehicle is disclosed. The chiller system includes a first heat exchanger defined with a cabin air cooling zone and an evaporative cooling zone and a plurality of first heat exchanging members defined in the cabin air cooling zone and the evaporative cooling zone. Further the chiller system includes a cooling pad disposed at one end of the evaporative cooling zone. The cooling pad is structured to receive liquid to be in a wet condition. Further, the chiller system includes an air recirculation blower structured to circulate air through the cooling pad and onto the plurality of first heat exchanging members of the evaporative cooling zone for cooling the evaporative cooling zone. The cooled evaporative cooling zone cools the heat exchangers of the cabin air cooling zone. Additionally, the chiller system includes a cabin air circulation blower structured to circulate cabin air onto the plurality of first heat exchanging members of the cabin air cooling zone, for cooling the cabin air.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the chiller system includes a partition stem structured to separate the cabin air cooling zone and the evaporative cooling zone.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the cooling pad is made of cellulose.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the chiller system includes a second heat exchanger disposed above the first heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger is defined with a plurality of second heat exchanging members.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the chiller system includes a plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules positioned on a top surface of the cabin air cooling zone. The plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules are coupled to an electric source and is structured to cool the cabin air cooling zone.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the chiller system includes a plurality of diffusion cooling devices extending through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The plurality of diffusion cooling devices extends through the partition stem.
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In an embodiment of the disclosure, each of the plurality of diffusion cooling devices is a vortex tube. The vortex tube includes a body defined with a compressed air inlet, exposed out of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and structured to receive compressed air. Further the body is defined with a cold air outlet disposed in engagement with the first heat exchanger, the cold air cools the first heat exchanger, and a hot air outlet, exposed out of the second heat exchanger for venting out hot air out of the chiller system.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the evaporative cooling zone, the plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules, the plurality of diffusion cooling devices are structured as heat sink for cooling the cabin air cooling zone.
It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a chiller system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure. 2 illustrates an assembled perspective view of the chiller system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the chiller system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify various constructions of the chiller system, which may vary from transmission to transmission. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such assembly. In other words, one or more elements in the assembly proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly.
The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures. 1 to 3. In the Figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs. In the figures, vehicle is not illustrated for the purpose of simplicity.
Figure. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a chiller system (100). In an embodiment, the chiller system (100) may be used in vehicles. As an example, the vehicle can be of at least several

different uses and can be referred to as a heavy and light-duty vehicle including but not limited to a work vehicle, a bus, a material hauling vehicle, a fire-fighting vehicle, caravan, and the like. Also, the vehicle may include sports utility vehicles (SUVs), multi-utility vehicles (MUVs), pick-up trucks, and the like without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the chiller system (100) has been described in context with the vehicle and the same cannot be construed as a limitation since the chiller system (100) may be deployed in buildings, industries and the like, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
As seen in Figure. 1, the chiller system (100) may include a first heat exchanger (101). The first heat exchanger (101) may be defined with a cabin air cooling zone (104) and an evaporative cooling zone (105). In an embodiment, the chiller system (100) may include a partitioning stem (111) which may be structured to separate the cabin air cooling zone (104) and an evaporative cooling zone (105). The partitioning stem (111) may extend along an axis A-A of the first heat exchanger (101) to separate the cabin air cooling zone (104) and the evaporative cooling zone (105) along a length of the chiller system (100). As apparent from Figure. 1, the first heat exchanger (101) may include a plurality of first heat exchanging members (103). Each of the plurality of first heat exchanging members (103) may be in form of fins which may adjacent to each other. The plurality of first heat exchanging members (103) may aid in increasing surface area of the first heat exchanger (101) for effective heat exchange with the air.
Referring now to Figures. 1 and 2 in tandem with Figure. 3, the chiller system (100) may include at least one cooling pad (114). The at least one cooling pad (114) may be disposed at one end of the evaporative cooling zone (105). In an embodiment, the at least one cooling pad (114) may be disposed at both ends of the evaporative cooling zone (105). In another embodiment, the cooling pad (114) may be made up cellulose and may maximize an evaporative surface. The cooling pad (114) may be configured to continuously receive liquid such as but not limiting to water from a reservoir (116), in order to be in a wet condition. Further, the chiller system (100) may include an air recirculation blower (118) which may be configured to continuously supply air through the cooling pad (114) and onto the plurality of first heat exchanging members (103) of the evaporative cooling zone (105). The air striking the cooling pad (114) may get cooled, which then facilitates cooling of the plurality of heat exchanging members (103) in the evaporative cooling zone (105). The cooled first heat

exchanging members (103) in the evaporative cooling zone (105) may aid in cooling of the plurality of first heat exchanging members (103) in the cabin air cooling zone (104). Additionally, the chiller system (100) may include a cabin air circulation blower (119) which may be structured to circulate cabin air onto the plurality of first heat exchanging members (103) of the cabin air cooling zone (104), where the cabin air exchanges heat with the plurality of first heat exchanging members (103) and gets cooled.
In an embodiment, in the cabin air cooling zone (104), heat transfer occurs from the air to the plurality of first heat exchanging members (103) for cooling the air circulated from the cabin by a cabin air circulation blower (119), while in evaporative cooling zone (105), heat transfer occurs from the plurality of first heat exchanger members (103) to the air for cooling the plurality of heating exchanging members (103).
Turning back to Figure. 1, the chiller system (100) may include a plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules (106) which may be positioned on a top surface (113) of the cabin air cooling zone (104) and structured to cool the cabin air cooling zone (104). As seen in Figure. 3, each of the plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules (106) may be electrically coupled to a power source (117) such as but not limiting to a battery of the vehicle. When an electric voltage from the power source (117) may be applied across terminals of the plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules (106), one side of the thermoelectric cooling modules (106) may become cool and other side of the thermoelectric cooling modules (106) may become hot. The cooled side of the thermoelectric cooling modules (106) may aid in cooling of the cabin air cooling zone (104), and the heat on the hot side may be dissipated to atmosphere. In an embodiment, the chiller system (100) may include a second heat exchanger (102) disposed above the first heat exchanger (101) [thus, the plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules (106)]. The second heat exchanger (102) may be defined with a plurality of second heat exchanging members (103a), which may be configured to dissipate heat generated by one of the side of the plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules (106) to atmosphere.
Referring further to Figure. 1, the chiller system (100) may include a plurality of diffusion cooling devices (107). The plurality of diffusion cooling devices (107) may be disposed in the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102). In an embodiment, the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102) may be defined with a plurality of cavities (112) which may be configured to support the plurality of diffusion cooling devices (107). In an embodiment, each of the plurality of diffusion cooling devices (107) may be a
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vortex tube. The vortex tube may include a compressed air inlet (110), which may be exposed out of the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102) and may be structured to receive compressed air from but not limiting to a brake system (115) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the vortex tube may be positioned in the chiller system (100) such that, the cold air outlet (108) may be disposed in the partitioning stem (111) and the hot air outlet (109) may extend through the second heat exchanger (102). Further, the vortex tube includes a cold air outlet (108) disposed in engagement with the first heat exchanger (101) and a hot air outlet (109) exposed out of the second heat exchanger (102) for venting out hot air out of the chiller system (100). In an embodiment, the vortex tube may be a device which may use the compressed air and provide streams of hot and cold air through two different outlets. When the compressed air may enter into the vortex tube, it may start rotating in the grooves made in the internal structure of vortex tube at very high speed. As the air propagates further, it may exchange heat with the returning stream of air and may reduce its temperature. At the end, the reverse stream may be diffused from an orifice where its temperature may be reduced and may get out as cold air through the cold air outlet (108). The cold air may cool the partitioning stem (111), which may subsequently cool the heat exchanging members (103) of the cabin air cooling zone (104). The majority of rotating air may be ejected out as hot air stream from the hot air outlet (109), which may be dissipated to the atmosphere by the second heat exchanger (102).
In an embodiment, the configuration of the chiller system (100) may aid in cooling of the cabin air cooling zone (104) by three heat sinks i.e., the evaporative cooling zone (105), the plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules (106) and the plurality of diffusion cooling devices (107). Thus, the chiller system (100) provides effective cooling to cabin. Further, the configuration of the chiller system (100), i.e., features of the components and interaction between the components aids in minimizing energy loss, thus ensures efficient cooling.
In an embodiment, the chiller system (100) adapts components which operate on minimal power usage, thereby aids in improving fuel economy of the vehicle, unlike conventional air conditioners which demand high power from engine, thus affecting the fuel economy.
In an embodiment, the chiller system (100) may aid in achieving minimal temperatures up to 8 to 10 degree Celsius.

In an embodiment, the configuration of the chiller system (100) may aid in functioning of chiller unit even if there is failure to any of the components.
In an operational embodiment, upon activation of the chiller system (100) by an operator, water may be circulated to the cooling pad (114) to make the cooling pad (114) wet. Further, the air recirculation blower (118) may circulate air through the cooling pad (114), where the air gets cold and then strikes on to the first heat exchanging members (103) of the evaporative cooling zone (105). The cold air striking the evaporative cooling zone (105), may cool the evaporative cooling zone (105), which then may aid in cooling the cabin air cooling zone (104). Air from the cabin may be circulated by the cabin air circulation blower (119) to strike onto the cabin air cooling zone (104), where the cabin air exchanges heat with the first heat exchanging members (103) of the cabin air cooling zone (104) and becomes cold. The cold cabin air may then be circulated back to the cabin, which provides chilling effect to the occupants. In an embodiment, the cabin air may be continuously circulated through the cabin air cooling zone (104), where the warm air from the cabin enters through one side of the cabin air cooling zone (104) and the cold air may exit the cabin air cooling zone (104) from another side and may enter the cabin to provide chilling effect. Simultaneously, the thermoelectric cooling modules (106) may be activated where one side of thermoelectric modules becomes cold, thereby provide cooling to the cabin air cooling zone (104) and the diffusion cooler (107) may also operate to provide cold air into the partitioning stem (111) for cooling the cabin air cooling zone (104). Thus, the configuration of the chiller system (100) cools the cabin air cooling zone (104) through three heat sinks, thus providing effective cooling to the cabin, even at hot soak conditions.
In an embodiment, the chiller system (100) may include a control unit [not shown in Figures]. The control unit based on the set temperature by the operator or based on cabin temperature my regulate rate of fluid supply to cooling pad (114) or may selectively activate the thermoelectric cooling modules (106) and diffusion cooling devices (107). In an example, if the operator sets for moderate cooling, the control unit may deactivate one of the cooling pad (114) or the thermoelectric cooling modules (106) or the diffusion cooling devices (107) such that, the cabin air cooling zone (104) is cooled moderately thereby facilitating moderate cooling of cabin air.
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural
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as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to

contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Referral numeral Description
100 Chiller system
101 First heat exchanger
102 Second heat exchanger
103 First heat exchanging members
103a Second heat exchanging members
104 Cabin air cooling zone
105 Evaporative cooling zone
106 Thermoelectric cooling modules
107 Diffusion cooling devices
108 Cold air outlet
109 Hot air outlet
110 Compressed air inlet
111 Partitioning stem
112 Cavities
113 Top surface
114 Cooling pad
115 Brake system
116 Reservoir
117 Power source
118 Air recirculation blower
119 Cabin air circulation blower

We Claim:
1. A chiller system (100) for a vehicle, the system comprising:
a first heat exchanger (101) defined with a cabin air cooling zone (104) and an evaporative cooling zone (105);
a plurality of first heat exchanging members (103) defined in the cabin air cooling zone (104) and the evaporative cooling zone (105);
a cooling pad (114) disposed at one end of the evaporative cooling zone (105), the cooling pad (114) is structured to receive liquid to be in a wet condition;
an air recirculation blower (118) structured to circulate air through the cooling pad (114) and onto the plurality of first heat exchanging members (103) of the evaporative cooling zone (105) for cooling the evaporative cooling zone (105), wherein the cooled evaporative cooling zone (105) cools the plurality of first heat exchanging members (103) of the cabin air cooling zone (104); and
a cabin air circulation blower (119) structured to circulate cabin air onto the plurality of first heat exchanging members (103) of the cabin air cooling zone (104), for cooling the cabin air.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a partition stem structured to separate the cabin air cooling zone (104) and the evaporative cooling zone (105).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling pad (114) is made of cellulose.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a second heat exchanger (102) disposed above the first heat exchanger (101), the second heat exchanger (102) is defined with a plurality of second heat exchanging members (103a)
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules (106) positioned on a top surface (113) of the cabin air cooling zone (104).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules (106) are coupled to an electric source and is structured to cool the cabin air cooling zone (104).
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7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of diffusion cooling devices (107) extending through the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claims 2 and 7, wherein the plurality of diffusion cooling devices (107) extends through the partition stem.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of diffusion cooling devices (107) is a vortex tube, wherein the vortex tube comprises:
a body defined with:
a compressed air inlet (110), exposed out of the first heat exchanger (101) and the second heat exchanger (102) and structured to receive compressed air;
a cold air outlet (108) disposed in engagement with the first heat exchanger (101); and
a hot air outlet (109), exposed out of the second heat exchanger (102) for venting out hot air out of the chiller system (100).
10. The system (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the evaporative cooling zone (105), the plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules (106), the plurality of diffusion cooling devices (107) are structured as heat sink for cooling the cabin air cooling zone (104).
11. A vehicle comprising a chiller system (100) as claimed in claim 1.