Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Advanced Thermal Management: Efficient Heating & Cooling Tech

Publication ID: 24-11857004_0001_PTD
Published: October 27, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Thermal Management: Efficient Heating & Cooling Tech,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857004_0001_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857004_0001_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,004.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent's heating and cooling system, although effective, has limitations in terms of thermal response time, safety, and adaptability. This invention addresses these limitations by introducing novel materials, structures, and mechanisms that improve heat transfer, reduce thermal runaway risks, and increase overall system efficiency.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims demonstrate novelty and inventive step by introducing a thermoelectric device, phase-change materials, conforming thermally conductive materials, micro-channels, and thermal runaway protection mechanisms, which collectively provide a significant improvement over the original patent's heating and cooling system.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include the use of different thermoelectric materials, varying the design of the micro-channels, or incorporating additional safety features. Variations may involve adapting the invention for specific applications, such as medical devices, aerospace, or consumer electronics.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The advanced thermal management systems have far-reaching commercial potential in industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and consumer electronics, where efficient, safe, and adaptable heating and cooling technologies are critical.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A41 A41D13/005
A A47 A47C7/744
B B60 B60N2/5635
B B60 B60N2/5678
F F25 F25B21/04
H H10 H10N10/13
H H10 H10N10/10
H H10 H10N10/17

Field of Art

Thermal management systems, including heating and cooling technologies for personal comfort, transportation, and electronic devices, with expertise in thermal transfer materials, thermoelectric devices, and heat distribution mechanisms

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A thermal engineering professional with advanced degree, familiar with materials science, heat transfer principles, thermoelectric technologies, and design optimization for thermal control systems

Obviousness Rationale

A person skilled in thermal engineering would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core heating and cooling system technology. The disclosed improvements leverage known thermoelectric principles, phase-change materials, and thermal management techniques that are well-established in the field. These modifications represent incremental design choices that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to enhance thermal performance and adaptability.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Flexible sheeted thermally conductive material for heat distribution
PTD Variation
Integration of thermoelectric device bonded to flexible thermally conductive material for rapid temperature change
Obviousness Reasoning
Combining thermoelectric technology with flexible thermal materials is a known technique for improving thermal responsiveness, representing a predictable variation within standard thermal engineering design practices
Source Patent Element
Heat transfer plate in thermal communication with surface
PTD Variation
Embedded micro-channels to facilitate heat transfer fluid flow
Obviousness Reasoning
Enhancing heat transfer mechanisms through micro-channel design is a standard engineering approach for improving thermal efficiency, utilizing well-understood fluid dynamics principles
Source Patent Element
Heating and cooling system for surface contact
PTD Variation
Incorporation of phase-change materials to enhance heat storage and release
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating phase-change materials into thermal systems is a recognized method for improving thermal performance, representing a finite set of known enhancement techniques
Source Patent Element
Flexible sheeted material for thermal distribution
PTD Variation
Conforming thermally conductive material designed to adapt to specific shape requirements
Obviousness Reasoning
Material adaptability is a standard design consideration in thermal management, representing an obvious optimization for improved thermal contact and efficiency
Source Patent Element
Heating and cooling system with thermal transfer capabilities
PTD Variation
Thermal runaway protection mechanism to detect and respond to abnormal temperature increases
Obviousness Reasoning
Safety mechanism integration is a standard engineering practice for thermal systems, representing a predictable enhancement to prevent potential operational failures
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857004 and the disclosed technical variations, a person having ordinary skill in thermal engineering would find the presented innovations obvious and lacking inventive step. The combination of known thermal management techniques, thermoelectric principles, and material science approaches demonstrates that the claimed variations represent predictable design modifications within the ordinary capabilities of a skilled practitioner in the field of heating and cooling technologies.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,004
TitleHeating and cooling technologies
Assignee(s)GENTHERM GMBH