Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080202125 | Packaged Small-Duct, High-Velocity Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Apparatus - A packaged small-duct, high-velocity air conditioning and heat pump apparatus has a compact construction that facilitates its incorporation into a building structure and its connection with a small-duct, high-velocity air distribution system. The compact construction of the apparatus is achieved by a novel arrangement of a refrigerant fluid compressor, a condenser coil, an evaporator coil, expansion valves, a reversing valve, a hot water coil, a condenser fan, an evaporator fan, and control systems for the condenser and evaporator in a single enclosure that can be easily mounted in a wall of a structure to provide heating and air conditioning to the interior of the structure. | 08-28-2008 |
20080216484 | MAGNETIC REFRIGERATING MATERIAL AND MAGNETIC REFRIGERATING DEVICE - A magnetic refrigeration material includes: at least one selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Tb by a range of 4 to 15 atomic percentages; at least one selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Mn and Cr by a range of 60 to 93 atomic percentages; at least one selected from the group consisting of Si, C, Ge, Al, Ga and In by a range of 2.9 to 23.5 atomic percentages; and at least one selected from the group consisting of Ta, Nb and W by a range of 1.5 atomic percentages or less, wherein the magnetic refrigeration material includes a NaZn | 09-11-2008 |
20080229759 | Method and apparatus for cooling integrated circuit chips using recycled power - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that cools integrated circuit (IC) chips within a computer system. During operation, the system converts heat generated by a heat-generating-device within the computer system into thermoelectric power. The system then supplies the thermoelectric power to an IC chip as a cooling power to reduce the operating temperature of the IC chip, thereby recycling wasted energy within the computer system. | 09-25-2008 |
20080250794 | THERMOELECTRIC PERSONAL ENVIRONMENT APPLIANCE - A personal environment appliance is disclosed in which a person in a localized area can individually control the ambient conditions of the person's localized area. The control permits highly localized adjustment to suit individual preferences, thereby, reducing the impact of individual environmental preferences on the individuals. In addition to environment conditions, a variety of accessories may be provided such as beverage heaters and/or coolers. | 10-16-2008 |
20080264068 | Magnetic Convection Heat Circulation Pump - A magnetic convection heat circulation pump, wherein magnets are disposed inside a magnetic field flow passage for passing a magnetic fluid therein or on a part of the inner wall surface of a circulation flow passage in a magnetic pump thermally joined to a heat receiving part. The magnetic fluid is driven since a magnetic force is directly applied to the magnetic fluid and a large temperature gradient is produced between the heat receiving part and the magnetic pump due to a difference between a heat quantity transferred from the heat receiving part indirectly to the magnetic pump and the heat quantity of the magnetic fluid led into the magnetic pump. | 10-30-2008 |
20080271462 | THERMAL ELECTRIC HVAC MODULE - A heating ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system includes: a fan blower; and a cross-flow heat exchanger in fluid communication with the fan blower. The cross-flow heat exchanger includes a first set of conduits which define a first communication path, a second set of conduits which define a second communication path and a thermoelectric device therebetween. | 11-06-2008 |
20090044545 | Modular Semi-Conservative and Self-Scaling Electronics Cooling System - A modular electronic cooling system with moving parts, composed of a base unit and individual modules inserted into this base unit in respect to the expected upper limit of the heat load is presented. This cooling system utilizes thermoelectric power generation and the heat load itself to allow for operation independent of any external power source. By the same mechanism the cooling system scales within a range beyond initial configuration, automatically reacting to and dissipating a dynamic heat load via forced convection, and doing so passively, without the need for specific programming. The said cooling system comprises of porous material or multi-layered mesh parts, thermoelectric components, a modular assembly system and independent enclosure parts for described porous material or multi-layered mesh, an electronics control system that may be passively activated, and a motor assembly. Altogether the system provides maximum efficiency in terms of form factor. | 02-19-2009 |
20090049843 | Domestic Appliance Comprising a Thermoelectric Heat Pump - A domestic appliance, which may be a tumble dryer, includes a thermoelectric heat pump; at least one series of Peltier elements operationally associated with the heat pump and driven by a supply voltage for producing heat during appliance operation wherein the resistance of the Peltier elements increases with increasing temperature and wherein a threshold temperature for the Peltier elements is defined; and a heat flow path for dissipating heat produced by the Peltier elements wherein at a maximum temperature of the Peltier elements above a normal operating temperature and below the threshold temperature the power of the heat dissipated through the heat flow path is substantially equal to the electrical power drawn by the Peltier elements from the supply voltage. | 02-26-2009 |
20090056344 | Device for adjusting the temperature of a physiological fluid - The invention relates to a device for adjusting the temperature of a physiological fluid. The inventive device includes: a casing ( | 03-05-2009 |
20090094990 | Heat Pump System, in Particular for a Household Appliance - A heat pump system including a heat pump having at least two Peltier elements arranged in series and connected to an energy supply, the heat pump system comprising an electrical dropping resistor arranged in series with the Peltier elements, wherein the Peltier elements and the dropping resistor are jointly supplied with energy by the energy supply. The heat pump system is preferably used in a household appliance, in particular a tumble drier. | 04-16-2009 |
20090094991 | High Efficiency Hybrid Air Conditioning System - A hybrid air conditioning system ( | 04-16-2009 |
20090100842 | Hybrid thermoelectric-vapor compression system - A heating and cooling system to maintain an area at a desired temperature including a thermoelectric device ( | 04-23-2009 |
20090120105 | Thermal Haptic Effects - A thermal haptic feedback device includes a plurality of cells coupled to a processor. The processor controls each of the cells so that each cell can independently generate heating or cooling effects. Unique haptic effects, such as a simulated wind effect, can be generated by causing some cells to be hot or cold, or changing some of the cells from hot to cold. | 05-14-2009 |
20090126370 | Thermoelectric Heat Pump for Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilation - A thermoelectric heat pump ( | 05-21-2009 |
20090173082 | NOVEL SOLID STATE THERMOVOLTAIC DEVICE FOR ISOTHERMAL POWER GENERATION AND COOLING - A device for simultaneously generating electrical power and cooling, including an active layer for intrinsically transducing thermal energy into electrical energy, a first electrical contact having a first work function and a second electrical contact having a second work function, a first electron diffusion barrier positioned between and in electric communication with the active layer and the first electrical contact, and a second electron diffusion barrier positioned between and in electric communication with the active layer and the second electrical contact. The first work function and the second work function are nonidentical. Transduction of thermal energy into electrical energy yields thermally generated electrical carriers of both positive and negative charge, wherein thermally generated electrical carriers are separated according to charge to either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact, thereby lowering the average thermal energy of the active layer. | 07-09-2009 |
20090205342 | AUXILIARY COOLING AND HEATING APPARATUS FOR AUTOMOBILES USING THERMOELECTRIC MODULE - An auxiliary cooling and heating apparatus for automobiles using a thermoelectric module, in which a thermoelectric module is divided into plural ones and supplied with electric power sequentially to reduce inrush current of the thermoelectric module, thereby reducing a load of an electric system of the automobile and increasing durability of the electric system, and enhancing efficiency of the thermoelectric module by controlling capacity in the optimum state. | 08-20-2009 |
20090288423 | Thermoelectirc cooling for a refrigerated display case - A refrigerated display case ( | 11-26-2009 |
20090288424 | Enclosure for surveillance hardware - The enclosure for surveillance hardware provided herein protects the hardware from external elements and from damage. The enclosure may be configured for a node of a peer to peer surveillance architecture. The enclosure may comprise a sealed component chamber and an adjacent support chamber. The sealed component chamber may enclose the components therein in an air or watertight manner. The support chamber may comprise an airflow system and thermal conductor which regulates the temperature in the component chamber. The enclosure may be formed from a multilayer material having various protective qualities. A controller may be provided to control operation of the airflow system and thermal conductor in response to changes in temperature. | 11-26-2009 |
20090288425 | HEAT REGULATING DEVICE FOR AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - The present invention provides for a system and method for regulating and monitoring heat dissipation of an integrated circuit by employing a heat regulating device with a thermal structure net work assembly. Each thermal structure can act as a heat conducting pathway for inducing heat into and/or dissipating heat away from the integrated circuit, thus creating a more uniform temperature gradient across the semiconductor body. | 11-26-2009 |
20090308082 | Heating/Cooling System for a Motorcycle Rider - A motorcycle rider is heated by the steps of: transferring heat from atmosphere to a thermally conductive element mounted on a motorcycle by the Peltier effect; and circulating working liquid in a closed cycle from the thermally conductive element, through a garment worn by the motorcycle rider via an inlet coupling thereto and an outlet coupling therefrom, and then back to the thermally conductive element. In an alternative arrangement, a motorcycle rider is cooled by the steps of: circulating working liquid in a closed cycle through a garment worn by the rider via an outlet coupling therefrom, via a thermally conductive element mounted on the motorcycle, and then back to the an inlet coupling to the garment; and transferring heat from the thermally conductive element to atmosphere by the Peltier effect. In either case, both the inlet coupling and the outlet coupling are separable to allow the motorcycle rider to leave the motorcycle while still wearing the garment. | 12-17-2009 |
20100018220 | APPARATUS FOR HEATING OR COOLING AND MONITORING CONSUMPTION OF A BEVERAGE - An apparatus selectively heats or cools a beverage in a beverage container and indicates an amount of beverage in the beverage container. The apparatus comprises a portable housing having a door opening into a thermal chamber that is well suited for heating or cooling a 16-ounce (370 milliliter) beverage container. A control module controls a thermoelectric cooler to alternatively heat or cool the beverage. A scale weighs the beverage container and beverage and outputs a value related to a weight of beverage in the container. A display module optionally displays time and weight data related to beverage consumption. The thermoelectric cooler may optionally be controlled to reduce audible noise or to reduce energy consumption. A flexible arm and tubing clip hold a drinking straw in a convenient position for drinking. Power for the apparatus may optionally by supplied by an AC-to-DC converter with a 12 VDC output or from a 12-volt battery. | 01-28-2010 |
20100037626 | TEMPERATURE CALIBRATION DEVICE HAVING RECONFIGURABLE HEATING/COOLING MODULES TO PROVIDE WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE - A temperature calibration device uses Peltier cells for heating and cooling. The Peltier cells are connected to a relay that connects the cells to each other in one configuration for heating and a different configuration for cooling. The Peltier cells also receive supply voltages having different magnitudes and polarities for heating and cooling. By changing the manner in which the Peltier cells are connected to each other and using different supply voltages for heating and cooling, the cells are able to operate closer to their specified maximum temperature differential without sacrificing the useful life of the cells. | 02-18-2010 |
20100043451 | THERMOELECTRIC HOT/COLD PANS - A container temperature control system having an inner container and a receptacle in which the inner container can be positioned. A thermoelectric based heat transfer unit is positioned in an opening in the receptacle such that an interior portion thereof is by the inner container and an exterior portion thereof is outside with heat being selectively transferable between these interior and exterior portions. | 02-25-2010 |
20100058776 | BOTTLE STAND WITH ACTIVE COOLING - A bottle display stand with an active cooling function. The display stand includes a housing having an opening into which a beverage bottle may be inserted. A reservoir for containing a cooling medium is disposed inside the hollow housing. A pump, in fluid communication with the reservoir, recirculates the cooling medium from the reservoir through a fluid passageway and out of a spray jet. The spray jet is aimed at an upper region of the bottle, preferably the shoulder. Cooling medium travels down the body of the bottle substantially in a thin film that does not obscure the bottle or its label and creates a waterfall- or fountain-type effect that is extremely aesthetically pleasing without splashing, dripping, or a similar mess. Simultaneously, the thin film of cooling medium chills the beverage and keeps it cold. A cooling unit may optionally remove heat from the cooling medium. | 03-11-2010 |
20100101239 | MULTI-MODE HVAC SYSTEM WITH THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE - Disclosed embodiments include systems for heating and cooling the interior climate of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the system comprises a conduit having a first fluid channel, a second fluid channel, a fluid diversion channel configured to divert fluid flow between the first and second channels, and a thermoelectric device operatively connected to the fluid conduit. In certain embodiments, the thermoelectric device comprises a plurality of thermal zones. In some embodiments, the plurality of thermal zones comprises a first thermal zone connected to a first electric circuit switchable between a first polarity and a second polarity and a second thermal zone connected to a second electric circuit switchable between the first polarity and the second polarity independent of the polarity of the first electric circuit. | 04-29-2010 |
20100107655 | CLIMATE CONTROL DEVICE - The invention relates to a climate control device having a cooling air outlet ( | 05-06-2010 |
20100115968 | HEATING APPARATUS COMPRISING A THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE - The invention relates to a heating apparatus ( | 05-13-2010 |
20100115969 | PORTABLE THERMOELECTRIC COOLING/HEATING UNIT AND RELATED MERCHANDIZING SYSTEM - A portable cooling/heating unit for cooling/heating a product container. The unit includes a thermoelectric assembly, a housing, a front side fan, and a rear side fan. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device, a first heat sink, and a second heat sink. The housing maintains the first heat sink and front fan within a front side channel, and the second heat sink and rear fan within a rear side channel. The housing further forms a condensation passageway segment that facilitates fluid connection between the channels. During use, the unit is removably assembled to the container such that openings of the front side channel are fluidly within the container's interior region. Accumulated condensation is directed to the rear side channel and evaporated. | 05-13-2010 |
20100132380 | Thermoelectric heat transferring unit - A thermoelectric heat transferring unit for transferring heat between an enclosed space and outside of the enclosed space includes a thermoelectric module, a control module, an air intake duct, and an air return duct. The thermoelectric module includes an upper air flow chamber arranged on the enclosed-space side, a lower air flow chamber arranged on the external side, and at least one array of thermoelectric chips sandwiched directly between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. Each of the chambers has a heat sink with heat sink fins and is connected to the thermoelectric chips. The control module controls the heat to be transferred from the upper chamber via the thermoelectric chips to the lower chamber in a cooling mode, and controls the heat to be transferred from the lower chamber via the thermoelectric chips to the upper chamber in a heating mode. | 06-03-2010 |
20100139290 | ENCLOSURE FOR SURVEILLANCE HARDWARE - The enclosure for surveillance hardware provided herein protects the hardware from external elements and from damage. The enclosure may be configured for a node of a peer to peer surveillance architecture or other devices, and for mobile or other applications. The enclosure may comprise a sealed component chamber and an adjacent support chamber. The sealed component chamber may enclose the components therein in an air or watertight manner. The support chamber may comprise an airflow system and thermal conductor which regulates the temperature in the component chamber. The enclosure may be formed from a multilayer material having various protective qualities. A controller may be provided to control operation of the airflow system and thermal conductor in response to changes in temperature. | 06-10-2010 |
20100146991 | THERMO-ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - This invention relates to providing energy efficient thermoelectric heat pump systems for iso-thermal transport and storage, of perishable goods, such as vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. Also this invention relates to providing energy efficient iso-thermal transport and storage systems, of perishable goods, which are compact, light weight. This invention further relates to providing on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, the ability of such iso-thermal transport and storage systems to maintain temperature sensitive goods at a constant-temperature. | 06-17-2010 |
20100162728 | THERMOELECTRIC NANOWIRE ARRAY WITH LOW HEAT LEAKAGE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A thermoelectric nanowire array with a low heat leakage and a manufacturing method thereof are described. Nanowire array units separated from each other are formed on a substrate, and an air wall is formed at a region on the substrate free of the nanowire array units. Or, a polymeric material having a low thermal conductivity is combined with a template material so as to form a composite template structure for nanowires to deposit therein. With the design of the air wall or the composite template structure, the thermal reflow phenomenon of the thermoelectric nanowire array is avoided, thereby greatly improving a thermal dissipation efficiency of the thermoelectric nanowire array. | 07-01-2010 |
20100186422 | Efficient and light weight thermoelectric waste heat recovery system - One embodiment includes an on-board thermoelectric vehicle system for generating electrical energy using a heated fluid stream, including at least one thermoelectric device having a high temperature junction and a low temperature junction, and a body of high conductivity foam shaped and located to increase heat transfer from the heated fluid stream to the high temperature junction or to increase heat transfer from the low temperature junction of the thermoelectric device. | 07-29-2010 |
20100218512 | Heat exchanger for thermoelectric applications - A thermoelectric system ( | 09-02-2010 |
20100275615 | Electrical lunch box - The enclosed component is a food container especially created to warm and cool food and/or beverages housed therein simultaneously and/or separately and to keep food and/or beverages housed therein warm and/or cold. The said container features two different compartments, a cooled and a heated compartment equally separated by an insulated divider made of ABS to prevent each compartment from absorbing the neighboring temperature. Both compartments can be used as heated and/or cooled environment simultaneously and/or separately by setting its respective switch to the desired mode: warm and/or cold. Each compartment is constructed to be operated together or separately without affecting the temperature of each other. It also features a 6-foot car adapter, a 6-foot 12-volt AC adapter, a rectangular lid with four cup holders located one in each corner and plate holder in the middle, two removable trays for salad and/or fruit, and a soft belt/handle. It works by plugging into a car cigarette lighter or AC outlet. The overall Weight of the container is 5.9 lbs. It can be used by a variety of individuals such as, construction workers, taxi drivers, truck drivers, bus drivers, limo drivers, long distance travelers, Environment protection workers, nursing mothers to keep their baby's bottles at ideal temperature, warm or cold. The thermoelectric machinery of the container is constructed as an integral modular body, which can be removed and/or installed from the main body of the container in one piece. | 11-04-2010 |
20100313575 | THERMOELECTRIC-BASED HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM - Disclosed is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a vehicle that operates in a heating mode, a cooling mode or a demisting mode. In some embodiments, the system includes a first circuit having first pump for circulating a first medium therein, a second circuit having a second pump for circulating a second medium therein and a thermoelectric module having a first surface in thermal contact with the first medium and a second surface in thermal contact with the second medium. | 12-16-2010 |
20100313576 | HYBRID VEHICLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a hybrid vehicle is disclosed, the HVAC system including at least one thermoelectric device for providing supplemental heating and cooling for air supplied to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the HVAC system has at least a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit can be configured to transfer heat to or from an electric side of the hybrid vehicle. The second circuit can be configured to transfer heat to or from a fuel-fed side of the hybrid vehicle. | 12-16-2010 |
20100326091 | AUTOMATIC COLD AND HOT AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM - The various embodiments herein provide an air conditioner system for providing cold and warm air in cars and buildings. The air conditioner system includes a chamber, a plurality of input air blades, a plurality of input air filters, an electrical ventilator, one or more wet heat exchangers, and one or more dry heat exchangers installed in the chamber, an outgoing air heat exchanger, an operation selection valve, an electrical circulating pump, one or more sets of water sprayers nozzles, one or more water sprayer pumps, one or more thermoelectric modules and a microcontroller unit. The passing of air through the chamber is automatically controlled by the microcontroller unit based on the operation of the system in the cooling or heating mode. The air is cooled in the cooling mode using the multistage water evaporation mechanism. | 12-30-2010 |
20110016888 | THERMOELECTRIC MODULE - The thermoelectric module composed of p- and n-conducting thermoelectric material legs which are mutually connected to one another via electrically conductive contacts, is characterized by the fact that the electrically conductive contacts have on the cold and hot sides of the thermoelectric module between the thermoelectric material legs in their course at least one flexibility location which permits flexure and slight displacement of the thermoelectric material legs relative to one another. | 01-27-2011 |
20110041516 | HEAT PUMP FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENTS - A component has an outer wall defining an interior chamber to be cooled. Electronic equipment is mounted within the outer wall in the chamber. A thermoelectric cooler has a cool node positioned to be within the chamber, and a hot node positioned outwardly of the outer wall. A fuel cell provides electricity to the thermoelectric cooler. The fuel cell is mounted outwardly of the outer wall. | 02-24-2011 |
20110048033 | CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A method for thermally conditioning a space adjacent a seat assembly includes activating a heating element positioned within the seat assembly beneath a seat covering. A fluid module that includes a fluid supply device and a thermoelectric element is activated to direct heated air from the fluid module to a space adjacent the seat assembly through a distribution system formed at least partially in the seat cushion. After a period of time, the heating element is deactivated. | 03-03-2011 |
20110061401 | HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE SEAT - A heating and cooling apparatus for a vehicle seat, may include a blower blowing air into a duct leading to the vehicle seat, and a thermoelectric element assembly connected to the duct and including a thermoelectric element that heats or cools air introduced toward the vehicle seat from the duct, the thermoelectric element having condensed water passages penetrating from one side to the other side thereof to allow condensed water to flow therethrough. | 03-17-2011 |
20110061402 | HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE SEAT - A heating and cooling system for a vehicle seat, may include a housing having an air supply port through which air communicates with the vehicle seat and an air exhaust hole through which air communicates with the outside of the housing, a thermoelectric element located in the housing between the air supply port and the air exhaust hole to selectively heat or cool air, which is directed toward the air supply port or the air exhaust hole, and a first blower fan provided in the air supply port to communicate air between the vehicle seat and the thermoelectric element. | 03-17-2011 |
20110079023 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR A HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLE - Some embodiments provide a system for optimizing electrical power management in a vehicle. The system includes a HVAC device and a thermal storage device, both configured to provide heating and cooling to an occupant compartment of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller connected to an electrical storage device and an electrical generating device. The controller receives electrical power generated by the electrical generating device and directs the electrical power to satisfy the vehicle's power requirements and/or stores the electrical power in at least one of the electrical storage device and the thermal storage device. Furthermore, the controller directs at least one of the HVAC device and the thermal storage device to provide heating and cooling to the occupant compartment of the vehicle, depending on the available storage of the thermal storage unit or occupant compartment demands. | 04-07-2011 |
20110083445 | Portable medical container with active temperature control - A temperature-controlled portable container for carrying an injector is provided. The temperature-controlled portable container includes an outer container and an inner container disposed within the outer container. The injector is stored within the inner container, and the inner container is constructed of a thermally conductive material. The temperature-controlled portable container also includes a temperature control device, which maintains an inner container temperature above a first predetermined temperature and below a second predetermined temperature, where the second predetermined temperature is higher than the first predetermined temperature. The temperature-controlled portable container also includes a processor subsystem and a portable power source. The portable power source is coupled to the temperature control device and the processor subsystem, and provides power to the temperature control device and the processor subsystem. | 04-14-2011 |
20110100021 | AIR CONDITIONER - An air conditioner includes a heat storage unit having a heat storage medium, a first heat exchanger for heat exchange with air in a compartment, a second heat exchanger for heat exchange with outside air, and a peltier unit having a first and second heat exchange surfaces opposite to each other. The first heat exchange surface is thermally conductive to the heat storage unit, and the second heat exchange surface is thermally conductive to the first and second heat exchangers. In heat storage mode electric current flows through the peltier unit in one direction to provide heat transfer between the second heat exchanger and the heat storage unit. In air conditioning mode electric current flows through the peltier unit in the other direction to provide heat transfer between the first heat exchanger and the heat storage unit. | 05-05-2011 |
20110107771 | FOOTWEAR TEMPERATURE CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS - Embodiments herein relate to footwear, such as a boots and shoes, and in particular to footwear having a removable element, such as a liner, that includes temperature control elements for controllably regulating and/or altering the temperature of the footwear and thus the wearer's foot. Various embodiments also include an electrical contact in the foot bed adapted to couple to the temperature control element in the liner, and a power source, controller, and actuator coupled to the footwear upper. | 05-12-2011 |
20110107772 | THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT USING DYNAMIC FEEDBACK - A cooling system is disclosed including a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a means for regulating a flow of a fluid, and a thermoelectric device for cooling a fluid, wherein a difference in temperature between a hot side and a cold side of the thermoelectric device is minimized and an efficiency of the thermoelectric device is maximized. | 05-12-2011 |
20110120146 | Air Conditioner for vehicle - An air conditioner for a vehicle includes first and second heating heat exchangers disposed to heat air by using a cooling fluid for cooling an engine as a heat source, a heater disposed to heat the cooling fluid flowing to the second heating heat exchanger, and a controller that outputs an operation request signal to the engine when a temperature of the cooling fluid is lower than a predetermined temperature. The first and second heating heat exchangers are arranged in parallel with respect to a flow direction of the cooling fluid. In the air conditioner, the controller controls a flow amount of the cooling fluid flowing into the second heating heat exchanger to be, smaller than a flow amount of the cooling fluid flowing into the first heating heat exchanger when the heater heats the cooling fluid flowing to the second heating heat exchanger. | 05-26-2011 |
20110132000 | Thermoelectric Heating/Cooling Structures Including a Plurality of Spaced Apart Thermoelectric Components - A thermoelectric heating/cooling structure may include a heat exchanger and a heat spreader spaced apart from the heat exchanger. In addition, a plurality of spaced apart thermoelectric components may be thermally coupled in parallel between the heat exchanger and the heat spreader. More particularly, each of the thermoelectric components may include a first header adjacent the heat exchanger, a second header adjacent the heat spreader, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements thermally coupled in parallel between the first and second headers. The first headers of the thermoelectric components may be spaced apart adjacent the heat exchanger, and the second headers of the thermoelectric components may be spaced apart adjacent the heat spreader. | 06-09-2011 |
20110146301 | Food or Beverage Serving Apparatus that Maintains Non-Ambient Temperatures - A food or beverage serving apparatus is associated with a heat source or sink and one or more heat transfer devices. The food or beverage serving apparatus includes a serving surface for supporting a food or beverage. Each of the one or more heat transfer devices has a first portion in thermal communication with the serving surface and a second portion in thermal communication with the heat source or sink. The one or more heat transfer devices communicate heat between the first portion and the second portion via phase change of an internal working fluid. | 06-23-2011 |
20110162389 | THERMOELECTRICS UTILIZING CONVECTIVE HEAT FLOW - An improved efficiency thermoelectric system is disclosed wherein convection is actively facilitated through a thermoelectric array. Thermoelectrics are commonly used for cooling and heating applications. Thermal power is convected through a thermoelectric array toward at least one side of the thermoelectric array, which leads to increased efficiency. Several different configurations are disclosed to provide convective thermal power transport, using a convective medium. In addition, a control system is disclosed which responds to one or more inputs to make adjustments to the thermoelectric system. | 07-07-2011 |
20110179806 | COOLING APPARATUS - Disclosed is a cooling apparatus including: a heat receiving plate to which a plurality of heating elements are attached; a radiator plate to which a plurality of Peltier devices are attached; a thermal transport heat pipe that couples the heat receiving plate with the radiator plate; and a heat dissipating device being provided on an exothermic side of the Peltier devices; wherein the plurality of heating elements are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the thermal transport heat pipe, and the plurality of Peltier devices are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the thermal transport heat pipe, whereby, when using a plurality of Peltier devices, reducing power consumption thereof by equalizing each operation of the respective Peltier devices. | 07-28-2011 |
20110192173 | AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS - The air conditioning device for electronic components features three channels ( | 08-11-2011 |
20110197597 | System and method for thermal process including a thermoelectric heat pump and internal heat exchanger - A system for using a thermal cycle for heating or cooling. The system comprises a thermoelectric module flowing a gas; and an internal heat exchanger flowing the gas and exchanging heat between the gas and another fluid; the gas flow from at least one of the thermoelectric module and the internal heat exchanger flowing for heating or cooling. The system may be for using a closed cycle to remove a liquid from at least one object comprising moisture, the system comprising an enclosure containing the at least one object and arranged to receive a hot and dry gas for flow over the at least one object and thereby to produce a flow of moist gas at an intermediate temperature. The internal heat exchanger is arranged to exchange heat between the flow of the moist gas at the intermediate temperature and a flow of cold dry gas, thereby producing cooled moist gas and pre-warmed dry gas. The thermoelectric module comprises a first heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a cold side of the thermoelectric module and a second heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a hot side of the thermoelectric module. The first heat exchanger is arranged to flow the cooled moist gas in heat exchange relationship with the cold side of the thermoelectric module thereby condensing the liquid in the cooled moist gas and producing cold dry gas, which is arranged to be flowed through the internal heat exchanger thereby producing the pre-warmed dry gas. The second heat exchanger is arranged to flow the pre-warmed dry gas in heat exchange relationship with the hot side of the thermoelectric module, thereby closing the cycle by producing the hot dry gas arranged to be received by the enclosure. | 08-18-2011 |
20110203296 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for controlling the temperature of an electrical device is described. The system includes a heat sink system in conjunction with a thermoelectric assembly. The systems and methods are particularly suitable in NEMA- | 08-25-2011 |
20110239663 | AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM - Heat exchangers of a refrigerant circuit are constructed of a first adsorption heat exchanger and a second adsorption heat exchanger, both of which have an adsorbent supported thereon, and are constructed so as to be switched into an evaporator and a condenser. An air passage is constructed so as to be switched into states in which air flowing from the outside of a room to the inside of the room and air flowing from the inside of the room to the outside of the room flow through either of the first adsorption heat exchanger and the second adsorption heat exchanger. A dehumidifying operation mode and a humidifying operation mode can be performed by switching the flow of refrigerant and the flow of air at specified intervals, a cooling operation mode and a heating operation mode can be performed without switching the flow of refrigerant and the flow of air, and an ventilating operation mode can be performed by flowing air through the air passage in a state where the refrigerant circuit is stopped. | 10-06-2011 |
20110252813 | Point-of-Use Holding Cabinet - A point-of-use food holding cabinet keeps food products cold using a conventional refrigeration device or a semiconductor solid state heat sink. In one embodiment, one compartment can be kept cold or refrigerated while an adjacent compartment can be kept warm or hot. Solid state heat pumps such as Peltier devices absorb heat on one side and emit heat on the other. By configuring the solid state heat sinks appropriately, one compartment or shelf of a holding cabinet can be refrigerated while an adjacent compartment can be kept warm. | 10-20-2011 |
20110289939 | PERSONAL BEVERAGE WARMERS AND COOLERS FOR VEHICLE SEATS - Example personal beverage warmers and coolers for vehicle seats are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to regulate the temperature of a beverage near a seat of a vehicle, the apparatus includes: a base including a thermally conductive material that conducts heat in a direction that is at least one of to or from a container seated thereon, a thermoelectric device thermally coupled with the base and to be energized to exchange heat with the base, and a heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermoelectric device and a liquid medium to exchange heat therebetween. | 12-01-2011 |
20110308259 | METHODS, DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR EXTRACTION OF THERMAL ENERGY FROM A HEAT CONDUCTING METAL CONDUIT - Provided are methods, devices and systems for controlled removal of thermal energy from a fluid within a thermally conducting metal conduit. The system allows for the in situ formation of a reversible plug that can stop the flow of fluid through the conduit, particularly without inducing thermally induced stress fractures or breaches in the conduit. The devices and systems include a thermal transfer device that can be adapted to be in thermal communication with a thermal conducting metal conduit containing a fluid, particularly a flowing fluid. The devices and systems allows for controlled re-heating of the conduit without inducing thermally induced stress fractures or breaches in the conduit to restore fluid flow through the conduit. | 12-22-2011 |
20120055170 | Thermoelectric Cooling Systems and Engines - A space efficient system especially suited for use as an entirely self-contained stand-alone unit usable in any of multiple contexts where heating or cooling of a defined-volume or enclosure is required. Hot or cold sides of the thermoelectric assemblies face toward one another into a central airflow that enters and exits a housing through a top or bottom of the housing that faces into the enclosure, and the opposite sides of the thermoelectric modules face into channels on opposite sides of the central airflow. The channels can be connected to intake and exhaust air through a common end of the housing, or be separated to individually intake and exhaust air at opposing ends of the housing. Fastener-free mounting of components between insulation shells that cooperate with the thermoelectric assemblies to define the channel boundaries results in tool-free configurability of components for servicing, maintaining, reconfiguring, scaling or customizing of the system. | 03-08-2012 |
20120067064 | THERMO-ELECTRIC STRUCTURE - The invention is a split-thermo-electric structure for cooling, heating, or stabilizing the temperature of an object or for electric power generation. The structure of the invention is comprised of one or more legs comprised of two or more layers of thermo-electric material and a connection layer ( | 03-22-2012 |
20120073309 | THERMOELECTRIC DRINKING APPARATUS AND THERMOELECTRIC HEAT PUMP - A thermoelectric drinking apparatus has a feeding pipe, a cooling-gain circulating loop, a heating-gain circulating loop, an outlet pipe, and a thermoelectric heat pump. The thermoelectric heat pump has a cooling unit attached to the cold side of a thermoelectric chip, which has a cooling channel in its interior, and a heating unit attached to the hot side of the thermoelectric chip and provided with a heating channel in its interior. The feeding pipe conducts fluid into the cooling channel and the heating channel respectively. The cooling-gain and heating-gain circulating loop respectively cause fluids in the cooling channel and heating channel to create circular flows, such that the cold side and hot side of the thermoelectric chip respectively cool and heat the fluids via the cooling channel and heating channel. The outlet pipe discharges the cooled and/or heated fluids respectively from the cooling-gain circulating loop and heating-gain circulating loop. | 03-29-2012 |
20120079836 | COOLING AND HEATING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A cooling and heating device for an electric vehicle includes a blower unit, which contains therein a blower in order to forcibly blow intake air. A temperature control unit is connected to the blower unit to receive air that is blown from the blower unit. A heat exchanger core having a thermoelectric element is disposed inside the temperature control unit. A heat pipe transfers heat. One end of the heat pipe is in contact with one surface of the thermoelectric element. Heat dissipation fins are disposed on the other end of the heat pipe. A cooling passage contains therein the heat dissipation fins of the heat pipe. Coolant fluid flows inside the cooling passage so that the coolant fluid performs heat exchange with the heat dissipation fins. The cooling and heating device can be used with electric vehicles and can increase cooling efficiency. | 04-05-2012 |
20120096872 | Refrigerator - A refrigerator includes a main body provided with a storage chamber, a door to open and close the storage chamber, and an ice maker to make ice cubes, wherein the door includes a receiving chamber provided at a front surface of the door to receive the ice maker and an auxiliary door to open and close the receiving chamber. Accordingly, since the receiving chamber may be opened through the auxiliary door without opening of the door, the ice maker may be conveniently cleaned or repaired. | 04-26-2012 |
20120111027 | THERMOELECTRIC-ENHANCED, VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION APPARATUS FACILITATING COOLING OF AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT - Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic component. The apparatus includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor coupled to the refrigerant loop, and a controllable thermoelectric array disposed in thermal communication with the refrigerant loop. Refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant loop facilitates dissipation of heat from the electronic component, and the thermoelectric array is disposed with a first portion of the refrigerant loop, residing upstream of the compressor, in thermal contact with a first side of the array, and a second portion of the refrigerant loop, residing downstream of the compressor, in thermal contact with a second side of the array. The thermoelectric array ensures that refrigerant in the refrigerant loop entering the compressor is in a superheated thermodynamic state by transferring heat from refrigerant passing through the second portion to refrigerant passing through the first portion of the refrigerant loop. | 05-10-2012 |
20120125014 | THERMO-ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - The invention is directed to an energy efficient thermoelectric heat pump assembly. The thermoelectric heat pump assembly preferably comprises two to nine thermoelectric unit layers capable of active use of the Peltier effect; and at least one capacitance spacer block suitable for storing heat and providing a delayed thermal reaction time of the assembly. The capacitance spacer block is thermally connected between the thermoelectric unit layers. The present invention further relates to a thermoelectric transport and storage devices for transporting or storing temperature sensitive goods, for example, vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. Preferably the transport or storage devices are configured and provide on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, at a constant-temperature, with an acceptable temperature variation band. | 05-24-2012 |
20120144844 | AIR-CONDITIONING VENTILATION SEAT MODULE FOR VEHICLES - An air-conditioning ventilation seat module for vehicles, may include a blower unit having a housing, a thermoelectric module having a casing mounted in the housing, wherein a thermoelectric device may be mounted in the casing, and wherein an internal space of the casing may be divided into a cold air path and a hot air path, a separator connected to one side of the thermoelectric module between the cold air path and the hot air path and having a curved section in order to maximize an amount of absorbing a condensate that may be created by a temperature difference between the cold air path and the hot air path when the seat module operates in cooling mode. | 06-14-2012 |
20120159967 | THERMOELECTRIC APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a thermoelectric apparatus, including: a power supply unit outputting AC power; a plurality of thermoelectric modules including substrates, electrodes and thermoelectric elements; a rectifier configured of a pair of diodes each connected in series at one side of the respective thermoelectric modules, the diodes having a different direction; and a path selection unit selecting any one of the pair of diodes having a different direction and connecting the diode to the power supply unit. | 06-28-2012 |
20120174599 | THERMOELECTRIC COMPRESSED AIR AND/OR INERT GAS DRYER - A gas dryer is provided. The gas dryer includes a first opening structure forming a cooling pathway fluidly connected to the first opening; a first thermoelectric device thermally connected to the structure forming the cooling pathway and a heat exchanger. A condensate drain is located near an end of the cooling pathway and configured to drain condensate formed when a fluid is cooled along the cooling pathway. A structure forming a warming pathway is located between the condensate drain and a second opening, and a second thermoelectric device thermally connected between the structure forming cooling pathway and the structure forming the warming pathway and connected to exchange heat between the cooling pathway and the warming pathway. A method of drying a gas is provided. The method includes directing the gas through a cooling pathway, removing heat from the gas in the cooling pathway with a first thermoelectric device to a heat exchanger, condensing a fluid out of the gas. The method further includes draining the condensed fluid from the gas, directing the gas though a warming pathway and removing heat from gas in the cooling pathway with a second thermoelectric device and inserting that heat into gas in the warming pathway. | 07-12-2012 |
20120186272 | PORTABLE COOLER AND WARMER USING THERMOELECTRIC ELEMENT - A portable cooler and warmer having improving cooling and/or heating performances and an improving assembling characteristic is provided. The portable cooler and warmer includes: a body to form an insulating space inside the portable cooler and warmer; a door to be disposed on a side of the body; a thermoelectric module to generate a temperature difference between the insulating space and an outside of the body; and an air blower to circulate air inside the insulating space to exchange heat with the thermoelectric module, wherein the air which has exchanged heat with the thermoelectric module is discharged in a direction parallel with the door. | 07-26-2012 |
20120204577 | Flexible modular hierarchical adaptively controlled electronic-system cooling and energy harvesting for IC chip packaging, printed circuit boards, subsystems, cages, racks, IT rooms, and data centers using quantum and classical thermoelectric materials - A system for adaptive cooling and heat gathering, the method comprising a thermoelectric device capable of acting as a thermoelectric cooler in a heat pump mode and as a thermoelectric generator in a heat engine operating mode, a control system received provided input signals and providing a control output; and switching electronics controlled by the control output and connected to the thermoelectric device, wherein the control system controls the operating mode of the thermoelectric device responsive to provided input signals. | 08-16-2012 |
20120210732 | Arrangement For Air Conditioning Rooms And Heat Pump Unit For Use In The Arrangement - The invention relates to an arrangement for air-conditioning rooms and to a heat pump for use in such an arrangement. The arrangement comprises a central heating device, to which multiple lines containing a heat-exchanging fluid are connected. The arrangement additionally comprises multiple decentralized, electrically operated heat pump units, which are energetically connected to the central heating device via the mentioned lines. The respective heat pump unit has a plurality of heat pump modules, which absorb thermal energy from the fluid for heating or deliver thermal energy to the fluid for cooling and/or dehumidifying. The mentioned heat pump modules preferably comprise Peltier elements acting as heat pump elements. | 08-23-2012 |
20120247126 | VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER - A vehicle air conditioner includes a thermoelectric conversion module, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a first air-conditioning heat exchanger, a second air-conditioning heat exchanger, a radiator, a first circuit connecting the first heat exchanger and the first air-conditioning heat exchanger and a second circuit connecting the second heat exchanger, the second air-conditioning heat exchanger and the radiator. The second circuit includes a bypass passage that bypasses the second air-conditioning heat exchanger and a first switching device switching selectively between a first position where heat exchange medium flows through the bypass passage without allowing the heat exchange medium to flow through the second air-conditioning heat exchanger and a second position where the heat exchange medium flows through the second air-conditioning heat exchanger. | 10-04-2012 |
20120266609 | CAN HEATING AND COOLING DEVICE - An exemplary can heating and cooling device includes a container made of thermally conductive material, a heat spreader with a heat spreading portion and a heat exchanging portion, and a heat exchanger with a thermoelectric cooling chip and a heat sink. The container includes an outer side wall with a planar thermal contacting section of the container. The heat spreading portion of the heat spreader contacts the outer side wall of the container. The heat exchanging portion of the heat spreader contacts the planar thermal contacting section of the container. The thermoelectric cooling chip includes a first surface thermally connected with the heat exchanging portion of the heat spreader, and a second surface thermally connected with the heat sink. | 10-25-2012 |
20120312029 | THERMOELECTRIC HEAT EXCHANGER - A thermoelectric heat exchanger for heating or cooling a medium, that includes at least one first tube for carrying a first medium and at least one second tube for carrying the first medium. The second tube being arranged substantially parallel to the first tube. The thermoelectric heat exchanger also has a casing element that is interposed between the first and the second tube, the casing element comprising a first casing part that is connectable to the first tube and at least one second casing part that forms a fluid channel for a second medium. A thermoelectric element for heating or cooling the first or second medium is interposed between the first and second casing part, the thermoelectric element being closed relative to the first and/or the second medium in a fluid-tight manner via the casing element. | 12-13-2012 |
20130008181 | INTEGRATION OF DISTRIBUTED THERMOELECTRIC HEATING AND COOLING - A thermoelectric device comprising an elongated panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements comprising compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application. | 01-10-2013 |
20130019611 | Personal Temperature Control System - A personal temperature control system includes an article having flexible tubing through it for circulating a heat transfer fluid and an article coupling affixed to distal ends of the flexible tubing. The article coupling releasably couples to a heat exchanger having a thermoelectric cooling/heating unit having one or more TEC plates, an aluminum heat sink, a fan and a controller in electrical communication with the TEC plates, a heat exchanger coupling adapted to releasably connect to the article coupling, an outlet line fluidly connecting the thermoelectric cooling/heating unit and the heat exchanger coupling, a return line fluidly connecting the thermoelectric cooling/heating unit and the heat exchanger coupling, a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the outlet and return lines, the fluid reservoir forming a housing for the TEC plates, a pump in fluid communication with at least one of the outlet and return lines, and a power supply in electrical communication with the controller and the pump. | 01-24-2013 |
20130061604 | STORAGE DEVICE - A storage device adapted to contain a food item such a butter comprises a closeable container, a means for maintaining a predetermined temperature with the container irrespective of ambient temperature and an internal power source adapted to power the means for maintaining a predetermined temperature. The closeable container is located on a recharging unit by way of spherical feet which are received in part-spherical cups on the recharging unit. | 03-14-2013 |
20130125563 | CONDENSATE WATER REMOVING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONERS - A condensate water removing apparatus for vehicle air conditioners which quickly removes condensate water generated from a thermoelement assembly. The apparatus includes: a thermoelement assembly installed in an air channel that guides air sucked and blown by a blower fan for heating or cooling; a partition plate placed to come into contact with the thermoelement assembly so that it guides air when sucked air passes through the thermoelement assembly so as to become cooling or heating air, the partition plate partitioning the air channel into an air supply channel and an air discharge channel; and a moisture absorbing material covering the thermoelement assembly and extending from the air supply channel to the air discharge channel so that the moisture absorbing material absorbs condensate water generated from the air supply channel and guides the condensate water to the air discharge channel, thereby removing the condensate water in the air discharge channel. | 05-23-2013 |
20130133338 | USE OF ENERGY HARVESTED BY ADAPTIVE COOLING AND ENERGY HARVESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - Arrangements for the use of energy harvested by adaptive cooling and energy harvesting arrangements for use in information technology and other heat-producing equipment are disclosed. The arrangements provide for cooling and energy harvesting subsystems, each of which can operate in isolation and can be interconnected with additional subsystems in peer and hierarchical relationships. Each subsystem comprises at least one thermoelectric device capable of acting as a thermoelectric cooler and as a thermoelectric generator, a control system, and electronics controlled to selectively configure the thermoelectric device in at least in a thermoelectric cooler operating mode and in a thermoelectric generation operating mode. The thermoelectric device can incorporate quantum-process and quantum-well materials for higher heat transfer and thermoelectric generation efficiencies. The arrangement is configured so that the harvested energy is used for a function by the article of heat-producing equipment, including charging a backup battery, or for cooling operations. | 05-30-2013 |
20130152604 | FLUID TEMPERATURE ADJUSTING DEVICE - A fluid temperature adjusting device includes: a heater configured to heat a fluid passing through a fluid passageway; a peltier module including a plurality of peltier elements, the peltier module configured to heat or cool the fluid passing through the fluid passageway; and a controller configured to supply thermal energy from both the heater and the peltier module to the fluid and switch magnitudes of an operation amount of the heater and an operation amount of the peltier module when heating the fluid so that the fluid is kept at a target temperature. | 06-20-2013 |
20130152605 | FLUID TEMPERATURE ADJUSTING DEVICE - A fluid temperature adjusting device includes: a heater configured to heat a fluid passing through a fluid passageway; a peltier module including a plurality of peltier elements, the peltier module being configured to heat or cool the fluid passing through the fluid passageway; and a controller configured to divide a total thermal energy for keeping the fluid at a target temperature into a thermal energy to be supplied from the heater and a thermal energy to be supplied from the peltier module to give the total thermal energy from both the heater and the peltier module to the fluid. | 06-20-2013 |
20130174578 | Heating and Cooling Unit with Semiconductor Device and Heat Pipe - Aspects of the invention support simultaneous operation of a cooling side and a heating side of an apparatus to change the temperatures of a cooling serving surface and a heating serving surface, respectively. A cooling semiconductor device (which may comprise one or more Peltier devices) transfers heat from its top to its bottom while a heating semiconductor device (which may similarly comprise one or more Peltier devices) transfers heat from its bottom to its top. A heat pipe transfers waste heat from the cooling semiconductor device's bottom to the heating semiconductor device's bottom and waste cold from the heating semiconductor device's bottom to the cooling semiconductor device's bottom. | 07-11-2013 |
20130174579 | HVAC SYSTEM FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE - A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a hybrid vehicle is disclosed, the HVAC system including at least one thermoelectric device for providing supplemental heating and cooling for air supplied to a passenger compartment of the vehicle to maximize an efficiency of operation of the hybrid vehicle during operation of the HVAC system. | 07-11-2013 |
20130174580 | Household System with Multiple Peltier Systems - A household system ( | 07-11-2013 |
20130192271 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEMS WITH THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES - Temperature control systems and methods can be designed for controlling the interior climate of a vehicle or other the climate of another desired region. The temperature control system for a vehicle can have a thermoelectric system providing heating and/or cooling, including supplemental heating and/or cooling. The thermoelectric system can transfer thermal energy between a working fluid, such as liquid coolant, and comfort air upon application of electric current of a selected polarity. The thermoelectric system can supplement or replace the heat provided from an internal combustion engine or other primary heat source. The thermoelectric system can also supplement or replace cold energy provided from a compressor-based refrigeration system or other primary cold energy source. | 08-01-2013 |
20130192272 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEMS WITH THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES - Temperature control systems and methods can be designed for controlling the interior climate of a vehicle or other the climate of another desired region. The temperature control system for a vehicle can have a thermoelectric system providing heating and/or cooling, including supplemental heating and/or cooling. The thermoelectric system can transfer thermal energy between a working fluid, such as liquid coolant, and comfort air upon application of electric current of a selected polarity. The thermoelectric system can supplement or replace the heat provided from an internal combustion engine or other primary heat source. The thermoelectric system can also supplement or replace cold energy provided from a compressor-based refrigeration system or other primary cold energy source. | 08-01-2013 |
20130213058 | THERMOELECTRIC-BASED THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Disclosed is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a vehicle that operates in a heating mode, a cooling mode or a demisting mode. In some embodiments, the system includes a first circuit having first pump for circulating a first medium therein, a second circuit having a second pump for circulating a second medium therein and a thermoelectric module having a first surface in thermal contact with the first medium and a second surface in thermal contact with the second medium. | 08-22-2013 |
20130239590 | VEHICLE AIR COMFORT SYSTEM AND METHOD - Vehicle air comfort systems and methods. The systems and methods may comprise: (1) a plurality of flow tunnels for passage of a heat-transfer fluid; (2) a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the flow tunnels for thermally conditioning the heat-transfer fluid in the flow tunnels; (3) an air inlet for receiving unconditioned air; (4) a thermal exchange assembly for facilitating thermal exchange between the thermally conditioned heat-transfer fluid and the unconditioned air to result in conditioning of the air; and (5) an air outlet for outputting the conditioned air into the vehicle. | 09-19-2013 |
20130269368 | THERMAL PLATE WITH PLANAR THERMAL ZONES FOR SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING - A thermal plate for a substrate support assembly in a semiconductor plasma processing apparatus, includes multiple independently controllable planar thermal zones arranged in a scalable multiplexing layout, and electronics to independently control and power the planar heater zones. Each planar thermal zone uses at least one Peltier device as a thermoelectric element. A substrate support assembly in which the thermal plate is incorporated has an electrostatic clamping electrode layer and a temperature controlled base plate. Methods for manufacturing the thermal plate include bonding together ceramic or polymer sheets having planar thermal zones, positive, negative and common lines and vias. | 10-17-2013 |
20130276464 | MEASUREMENT METHOD, MEASUREMENT APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A measurement method, a measurement apparatus, and a computer program product for measuring a thermoelectric module are provided. A temperature is provided to the thermoelectric module. A current is applied to the thermoelectric module to turn both sides of the thermoelectric module into a hot side and a cold side. The temperature of the hot side is higher than that of the cold side. A terminal voltage of the thermoelectric module, a hot side temperature of the hot side, and a cold side temperature of the cold side are measured at different time points. A thermoelectric relationship between the terminal voltages and differences between the hot side temperatures and the corresponding cold side temperatures is obtained according to the terminal voltages, the hot side temperatures, and the cold side temperatures. At least one first parameter of the thermoelectric module is estimated according to the thermoelectric relationship. | 10-24-2013 |
20130291560 | CARTRIDGE FOR MULTIPLE THERMOELECTRIC MODULES - Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s). | 11-07-2013 |
20130291561 | PARALLEL THERMOELECTRIC HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEMS - Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s). | 11-07-2013 |
20130291562 | PHYSICALLY SEPARATED HOT SIDE AND COLD SIDE HEAT SINKS IN A THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATION SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s). | 11-07-2013 |
20130291563 | TWO-PHASE HEAT EXCHANGER MOUNTING - Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s). | 11-07-2013 |
20130305743 | THERMOELECTRIC MODULE WITH A HEAT CONDUCTING LAYER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A THERMOELECTRIC MODULE - A thermoelectric module includes a cold side, a hot side and thermoelectric elements disposed between the two sides. At least one heat conducting layer is disposed between the thermoelectric elements and at least the cold side or the hot side and the heat conducting layer can be compressed. A method for producing a thermoelectric module having at least one heat conducting layer is also provided. | 11-21-2013 |
20130312426 | DRINKING DISPENSER AND THERMOELECTRIC HEAT PUMP APPARATUS THEREOF - A drinking dispenser has a warm water container; a hot water container coupled to the warm water container; a water supplying apparatus separately coupled to the warm water container and the hot water container; and a thermoelectric heat pump apparatus, configured with a pump that is arranged coupling to the water container and a thermoelectric module in respective coupled to the water container and the pump. | 11-28-2013 |
20130319014 | Room Air Conditioner Having a Liquid-To-Air Heat Exchanging Device With Peltier Elements - A room air conditioner with a liquid-to-air heat exchanging device for the exchange of heat between a liquid and air has a first flow channel ( | 12-05-2013 |
20130327063 | CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HYBRID VEHICLES USING THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES - The present disclosure provides a system for controlling the climate of a vehicle. The system includes a thermoelectric module and a heat exchanger. The thermoelectric module includes thermoelectric elements powered by electric energy. The thermoelectric elements emit or absorb heat energy based on the polarity of the electrical energy provided. The thermoelectric module and the heat exchanger heat or cool the air flow provided to the cabin of the vehicle. | 12-12-2013 |
20140026594 | Integrated Dehumidification Method and System Combining Boundary Layer Control with Mainstream Disturbance Enhanced Heat Exchange - An integrated dehumidification method and system that combines boundary layer control with mainstream disturbance enhanced heat exchange; a boundary layer flow control device is arranged on the flow boundary layer; and a mainstream disturbance device is arranged on the main runner to realize adequate heat exchange. An integrated dehumidification system that combines boundary layer control with mainstream disturbance enhanced heat exchange, wherein numerous boundary layer flow control devices are longitudinally arranged parallel near the vane on the refrigerating terminal adjacent to all the wall surfaces; a mainstream disturbance device is arranged on the main flow runner; the vane on the heating terminal is in the same arrangement. It achieves integrated, smooth and efficient heat exchange, presenting a novel method and system for enhanced heat transfer. The multi-channel dehumidification can improve the treatment efficiency greatly. | 01-30-2014 |
20140060086 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEMS WITH THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES - Temperature control systems and methods can be designed for controlling the interior climate of a vehicle or other the climate of another desired region. The temperature control system for a vehicle can have a thermoelectric system providing heating and/or cooling, including supplemental heating and/or cooling. The thermoelectric system can transfer thermal energy between a working fluid, such as liquid coolant, and comfort air upon application of electric current of a selected polarity. The thermoelectric system can supplement or replace the heat provided from an internal combustion engine or other primary heat source. The thermoelectric system can also supplement or replace cold energy provided from a compressor-based refrigeration system or other primary cold energy source. | 03-06-2014 |
20140069112 | COOLING AND HEATING CUP HOLDER - A cooling and heating cup holder may include a holder body being open in a top thereof and defining a space therein so as to receive a cup, a blower fluid-connected to first and second sides of the holder body, wherein the blower supplies air to the first side of the holder body and draws the air off from the second side of the holder body to circulate the air around the holder body, and a flow guide having a spiral shape provided along an inner circumferential surface of the holder body, wherein a first end of the flow guide may be fluid-connected to the first side of the holder body and a second end of the flow guide may be fluid-connected to the second side of the holder body so that the flow guide guides the air in the holder body to flow spirally outside an outer circumferential surface of the cup held in the holder body. | 03-13-2014 |
20140069113 | BATTERY SYSTEM - Disclosed herein is a battery system including: an airtight housing through which air is blocked; a battery pack unit disposed in the airtight housing; a suction opening and a discharging opening disposed in the airtight housing; an airtight cooling device spaced apart from the airtight housing and from a vehicle seat, wherein the cooling device is connected to the suction opening and the discharging opening through a suction duct and a discharging duct, a blowing fan disposed in the airtight housing, wherein the blowing fan is configured to circulate the air in the airtight housing; and a thermoelectric element disposed on an air circulating flow path of the airtight cooling device, wherein the thermoelectric element is configured to cool or heat the circulated air. | 03-13-2014 |
20140069114 | COOLING AND HEATING CUP HOLDER - A cooling and heating cup holder includes a holder body having a container shape, formed of a thermally conductive material, having a substantially uniform thickness, and having a contact portion pressed from an inner side to integrally protrude outward from one side surface thereof and having a contact surface forming a predetermined plane; a Peltier element including an operation surface and a heat radiating portion having an opposite row opposite to the operation surface and installed such that the operation surface is directly attached to the contact surface at an outer side of the holder body to transfer heat to the contact surface; and an air conditioner including a heat radiating duct in which the heat radiating portion of the Peltier element is buried and a blowing fan for blowing out air at one side of the heat radiating duct. | 03-13-2014 |
20140075962 | ARRANGEMENT OF A THERMOELECTRIC HEAT PUMP - An arrangement of a thermoelectric heat pump in at least one first fluid circuit, one second fluid circuit and one third fluid circuit is provided for a motor vehicle. The arrangement has a first heat exchanger provided for exchange of heat between a fluid of the first fluid circuit and a fluid of a third fluid circuit, and a second heat exchanger is provided for the exchange of heat between a fluid of the second fluid circuit and the fluid of the third fluid circuit. In each case one thermoelectric element is arranged between the heat exchange regions of the first heat exchanger and between the heat exchange regions of the second heat exchanger. | 03-20-2014 |
20140102116 | MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE FOR INDUCING SEPARATIONS BY FREEZING AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A microfluidic device is provided for inducing the separation of constituent elements from a microfluidic sample by introducing phase changes in the microfluidic sample while contained in a microfluidic channel in the device. At least a portion of the microfluidic sample is frozen to cause fractional exclusion of the constituent element from the frozen portion of the microfluidic sample. Different portions of the microfluidic sample may be frozen in different sectors and at different times in order to cause movement in a desired direction of the separated constituent element. Portions of the microfluidic sample may be frozen in a sequential order of adjacent sectors within the microfluidic channel in order to cause sequential movement of the excluded constituent element toward one portion of the microfluidic channel. The frozen portion of the microfluidic sample is then thawed, wherein the separated constituent element remains substantially separated from the thawed, purified microfluidic sample. | 04-17-2014 |
20140130517 | COOLING AND HEATING CUP HOLDER - A cup holder, which cools and heats a cup, includes an inner holder, an outer holder, a thermoelectric device and a blower. The inner holder, made of metal, holds the cup therein and has a protrusion on a side portion thereof. An open portion of the protrusion defines a flow hole. The outer holder surrounds a side surface of the inner holder at a predetermined interval, such that a circulation space is formed between the outer holder and the inner holder. The thermoelectric device, disposed in the circulation space, includes first and second sections. The first section closely adjoins the protrusion of the inner holder. The second section extends through the outer holder and is exposed outward. The blower is disposed inside the circulation space adjacent to the flow hole, and enables air inside the inner holder and air inside the circulation space to circulate and transfer heat. | 05-15-2014 |
20140130518 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE AND TEMPERATURE ELEMENT - A temperature element may be provided with: a combination of a p type semiconductor and an n type semiconductor disposed separated from each other; a metal well, which has a mounting part on which a container for DNA samples is directly mounted and which is connected to both the p type semiconductor and the n type semiconductor individually; an electrode and heat dissipating plate that is connected to the p type semiconductor and to which a voltage is applied by a temperature control section; and an electrode and heat dissipating plate that is connected to the n type semiconductor and to which a voltage is applied by the temperature control section. The shape of the metal well is formed into substantially the same shape as the outside shape of the container for DNA samples. | 05-15-2014 |
20140150456 | REFRIGERATOR WITH ICEMAKER CHILLED BY THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE COOLED BY FRESH FOOD COMPARTMENT AIR - An icemaker is mounted remotely from a freezer compartment. The icemaker includes an ice mold. A thermoelectric device is provided and includes a warm side and an opposite cold side. A flow pathway is connected in communication between the cold side of the thermoelectric device and the icemaker. In one aspect, a fan is operatively positioned to move air from the fresh food compartment across the warm side of the thermoelectric device and a pump moves fluid from the cold side of the thermoelectric device to the icemaker. Cold air, such as from a refrigerator compartment, may be used to dissipate heat from the warm side of the thermoelectric device for providing cold fluid to and for cooling the ice mold of the icemaker. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150457 | REFRIGERATOR WITH ICEMAKER CHILLED BY THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE COOLED BY FRESH FOOD COMPARTMENT AIR - An icemaker is mounted remotely from a freezer compartment. The icemaker includes an ice mold. A thermoelectric device is provided and includes a warm side and an opposite cold side. A flow pathway is connected in communication between the cold side of the thermoelectric device and the icemaker. In one aspect, a fan is operatively positioned to move air from the fresh food compartment across the warm side of the thermoelectric device and a pump moves fluid from the cold side of the thermoelectric device to the icemaker. Cold air, such as from a refrigerator compartment, may be used to dissipate heat from the warm side of the thermoelectric device for providing cold fluid to and for cooling the ice mold of the icemaker. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150458 | FRESH ICE - A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, an ice maker disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, an ice storage bucket, a heater thermally coupled to the ice storage bucket to melt ice stored in the ice storage bucket, and a drain positioned to capture water from the ice melted by the heater. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150459 | CONVERTIBLE ICE STORAGE - A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, an ice maker disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, an ice storage bucket and a drain positioned to capture water from the ice as it is melted. Ice may melt due to air from the refrigeration compartment or elsewhere, the ambient temperature within the ice storage bucket, or a heater thermally coupled to the ice storage bucket to melt ice stored in the ice storage bucket. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150460 | APPARATUS WITH ICE MAKER - An apparatus that has a housing with an icemaker disposed within the housing is disclosed. The icemaker includes an ice mold. A thermoelectric device is provided having a warm side and an opposite cold side. The cold side is thermally coupled to the icemaker. A flow pathway is configured in communication with the warm side of the thermoelectric device. A heat carrier is communicated through the flow pathway. The heat carrier transfers heat from the warm side of the thermoelectric device to support operations of the apparatus. The apparatus may be configured as a refrigerator wherein the refrigerator is configured to transfer the heat carrier from the warm side of the thermoelectric device to a compartment of the refrigerator. | 06-05-2014 |
20140165598 | MOLDED CLEAR ICE SPHERES - An ice maker adapted to make clear ice spheres includes a mold apparatus having a first mold portion and a second mold portion. The first and second mold portions further include mold cavity segments which define mold cavities when the mold apparatus is assembled in an ice forming position. A cooling source is in thermal communication with the first mold portion of the mold apparatus, such that water injected into the mold cavities is solidified in a directional manner from the first mold portion to the second mold portion to create a clear ice structure. Water is circulated, typically continuously, within the mold cavities to ensure clear ice is formed by injecting and simultaneously ejecting water from the mold cavities during ice formation. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165599 | THERMOELECTRIC ICE MAKER - An ice maker has a mold with a first piece and a second piece. A cavity within the mold includes a first reservoir in the first piece and a second reservoir in the second piece that align to substantially enclose the cavity. A fluid intake aperture in the first piece extends to the cavity for injecting water therein. A thermoelectric device has a cold side thermally coupled to the exterior surface of the second piece. The thermoelectric device transfers heat from the cold side to a hot side to provide a first temperature to the mold. A removable cooling source is thermally coupled to the hot side of the thermoelectric device. The cooling source is configured to reduce the temperature of the hot side to allow the cold side to provide a second temperature that is cooler than the first temperature to freeze the water in the cavity. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165600 | CLEAR ICE MAKER AND METHOD FOR FORMING CLEAR ICE - A clear ice maker having an ice tray with a thermally conductive cold plate, where the cold plate has a top surface and a bottom surface, with a thermoelectric cooling device thermally coupled to the bottom surface. Water is dispensed onto the top surface, and the bottom surface is cooled such that a portion of the water adjacent the top surface is frozen, to form a layer of ice. Then the ice tray is oscillated about a transverse axis of the ice tray, such that the water freezes in successive layers from the top surface of the cold plate upwards. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165601 | CLEAR ICE MAKER - An ice making tray has an array of individual ice cube compartments. A mechanical oscillating mechanism is coupled to the tray and rotates the tray from a horizontal plane in opposite directions along an axis through an angle φ of about 20° to 40°, such that water in the tray moves between ice cube compartments. The frequency of oscillation (ω) is harmonically related to the frequency of movement of water in the tray and is about equal to or about twice the frequency of movement of water in the tray. In a preferred embodiment, the floor of the tray is a thermally conductive material in contact with a thermoelectric plate used to freeze the water as well as being subsequently heated to release the formed ice cubes. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165602 | CLEAR ICE MAKER AND METHOD FOR FORMING CLEAR ICE - An ice maker, including sensors to measure usage parameters and transmit the same to a controller. The controller is operably connected to a plurality of ice forming systems, and directs the systems to operate in a high energy mode or a low energy mode, based on the usage parameter. The usage parameters may include an ice level, a change in the ice level over time, the amount of time that a dispenser is actuated, the time of day, or historical usage patterns. The ice forming systems may include one or more of a thermoelectric device coupled to a bottom surface of an ice forming plate, a forced air system to circulate cold air, a forced air system to circulate warm air, and a temperature control system to maintain a temperature gradient between a first chamber above the ice forming plate and a second chamber below the ice forming plate. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165603 | COOLING SYSTEM FOR ICE MAKER - An ice maker having an ice tray horizontally suspended within a housing and a drive body rotatably coupled to a transverse axis of the ice tray and configured to oscillate the ice tray about the transverse axis. The cold side of a thermoelectric device is thermally coupled with a bottom surface of the ice tray, and a hot side opposes the cold side. A barrier extends around the periphery of the ice tray within the housing, and separates the housing into a first chamber and a second air chamber. A heat sink is thermally coupled with the hot side of the thermoelectric device and extends into the second air chamber. An intake duct member is coupled with the housing proximate the second air chamber, and is configured to dispense a cold air flow over the heat sink. The barrier restricts the cold air flow from entering the first chamber. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165604 | ICE MAKER WITH ROCKING COLD PLATE - An ice maker assembly includes an ice forming plate and a cooling source thermally engaged to a bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The cooling source is configured to freeze water coming into contact with a top surface of the ice forming plate. A containment wall surrounds the top surface of the ice forming plate to define an ice tray that is configured to retain water. An electrical drive body is rotatably coupled to the ice tray and is configured to oscillate the ice-forming plate in a rocking cycle about a transverse axis of the ice tray. A median wall divides the ice tray along the transverse axis into a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The rocking cycle causes water to repeatedly move over the median wall to form layers of an ice piece within each reservoir of the ice tray. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165605 | CLEAR ICE MAKER WITH VARIED THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY - A clear ice maker assembly for an appliance includes an ice tray rotatably coupled with a housing and horizontally suspended within an interior volume of the housing. The ice tray includes a metallic ice forming plate with a bottom surface, a substantially planar top surface and an edge portion. A containment wall extends upward from the top surface along the edge portion. A grid having at least one dividing wall extends across the top surface between the containment walls. A fluid line extends into the housing and supplies water to the top surface of the ice tray to be retained by the containment wall and the grid. A cooling source is thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The containment wall and the grid have a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the ice forming plate. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165606 | AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE - An air-conditioning apparatus for a vehicle, which includes an evaporator core and a heater core disposed on a ventilation channel overlapping each other, and thermoelectric device having a heat generating surface and a heat absorbing surface. A cooling line including a first cooling channel through which cooling water circulates around the heat absorbing surface and the evaporator core and a second cooling channel through which the cooling water circulates around the heat absorbing surface and an engine, and a heating line including a first heating channel through which the cooling water circulates around the heat generating surface and the heater core and a second heating channel through which the cooling water circulates around the engine and the heater core are also included. A controller controls concurrent circulation through the second cooling channel and the first heating channel or circulation through the second heating channel in a heating mode. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165607 | HEATED OR COOLED DISHWASHER SAFE DISHWARE AND DRINKWARE - An actively heated mug or travel mug is provided. The mug or travel mug can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating system can include one or more heating elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug or travel mug can include a wireless power receiver that wirelessly receives power from a power source and control circuitry configured to charge one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating elements. The mug or travel mug also can have one or more sensors that sense a parameter of the liquid or sense a parameter of the heating system and communicates the sensed information to the control circuitry. The control circuitry can turn on, turn off, and/or operate the heating element to actively heat at least a portion of the body to maintain the liquid in a heated state generally at a user selected temperature setting based at least in part on the sensed parameter information. The mug or travel mug can also be paired with a remote device or mobile electronic device to send or receive communications or commands. | 06-19-2014 |
20140182310 | THERMO-ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - This invention relates to providing energy efficient thermo-electric heat pump systems for iso-thermal transport and storage, of perishable goods, such as vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. Also this invention relates to providing energy efficient iso-thermal transport and storage systems, of perishable goods, which are compact, light weight. This invention further relates to providing on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, the ability of such iso-thermal transport and storage systems to maintain temperature sensitive goods at a constant-temperature. | 07-03-2014 |
20140190185 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING OVERHEATING OR EXCESSIVE BACKPRESSURE IN THERMOELECTRIC SYSTEMS - A thermoelectric assembly and a method of operating a thermoelectric assembly are provided. The thermoelectric assembly includes at least one thermoelectric subassembly configured to be in thermal communication with a heat source and configured to be in thermal communication with a heat sink. The at least one thermoelectric subassembly includes at least one thermoelectric element including a hot side at a first temperature and a cold side at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The thermoelectric assembly further includes a controller in operative communication with the at least one thermoelectric subassembly. The controller is configured to adjust the first temperature by adjusting an electrical current of the at least one thermoelectric subassembly. | 07-10-2014 |
20140208772 | COOLING/HEATING DEVICE - A device is provided for cooling or heating vessels and containers for carrying out chemical or physical reactions. The device includes the following components in a vertical direction from top to bottom: a heat-conductive cooling or heating plate; at least one Peltier element equipped with electrical connections; optionally at least one heat-conductive separator plate between two Peltier elements respectively; a heat-conductive thermoblock, through which one or more fluid channels pass, for dissipation and supply of heat from and to the at least one Peltier element; and an external control unit for the at least one Peltier element. The components rest on top of one another and are therefore in direct planar contact with one another. | 07-31-2014 |
20140208773 | THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE WITH MAKE-BEFORE-BREAK HIGH FREQUENCY CONVERTER - An improved circular multi-element semiconductor thermoelectric hybrid utilizes a make-before-break high frequency switching output component to provide nominal alternating current voltage outputs. Overall efficiency of heat conversion is improved by coupling a chiller to the thermoelectric generator where exhaust heat produces chilled liquid or air that is conveyed to the cold side of the thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric generator is used in a variety of transportation vehicles including manufactured vehicles, retrofitted vehicles and vehicle power combinations. | 07-31-2014 |
20140230454 | PORTABLE TEMPERATURE-REGULATING APPARATUS FOR MEDICAMENTS - The invention relates to a portable apparatus for regulating the temperature of medicaments in solid or liquid form. A temperature-regulating apparatus according to the invention comprises a housing with at least one accommodating chamber, with at least one temperature-regulating device for regulating the temperature of the accommodating chamber, in particular a thermoelectric temperature-regulating device, with at least one inputting means capable of registering an insertion of a medicament container into the accommodating chamber or an immediately imminent insertion, and of controlling the temperature-regulation of the accommodating chamber depending thereon. | 08-21-2014 |
20140230455 | LAYER ASSEMBLY FOR HEAT EXCHANGER - There is disclosed herein a layer assembly for a heat exchanger, the layer assembly comprising: at least one heat pump module, the module comprising a thermo-electric cooler (TEC) attached to an island formed from a flow-permissive material; a flow-permissive layer provided with an island-reciprocating recess for substantially corresponding to and accommodating the island; a thermal storage layer comprising a heat transfer matrix material charged with a phase-change material, and provided with a TEC-reciprocating recess for substantially corresponding to and accommodating the TEC, wherein the TEC is attached to the thermal storage layer at a surface of the TEC-reciprocating recess, and the flow-permissive layer and the thermal storage layer are arranged such that the island of flow-permissive material extends into the island-reciprocating recess and a separation exists between the island and the flow-permissive layer. | 08-21-2014 |
20140250918 | THERMALLY-CONDITIONED BEVERAGE HOLDER - A cooling system comprises a container that is conductively coupled or convectively coupled to a thermoelectric device to selectively cool and/or heat the container. A climate controlled container system for a vehicle includes a container or cavity and a conduction element configured to cool the cavity. In some embodiments, the cooling system comprises a housing, a housing inlet, a fluid passage and one or more thermoelectric devices and fluid transfer devices positioned within the housing. | 09-11-2014 |
20140260330 | Thermoelectric Assembly - A thermoelectric assembly is disclosed, the assembly having a cold side and a hot side, where each of the hot side and cold side comprises a fan sink. Thermoelectric modules may be between the hot side and cold side and arranged in one circuit or multiple parallel circuits, and in direct thermal contact with both the hot side and the cold side. Each of the hot side and cold side has an air intake direction and an exhaust direction. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260331 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF COOLING THE SKIN - According to some embodiments, a thermal conditioning system for selectively cooling skin of a subject comprises at least one thermal conditioning device comprising a first side and second side, the second side being generally opposite of the first side. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a heat sink positioned along the second side of the at least one thermal conditioning device, wherein the first side of the at least one thermal conditioning device is configured to be placed in contact with or in close proximity to a skin surface of the subject to selectively cool or heat the skin surface. | 09-18-2014 |
20140298824 | Aircraft cooling system and method for operating an aircraft cooling system - An aircraft cooling system including a cooler having a cold transfer circuit, in which a cold transfer medium circulates. The cooler supplies cooling energy to an aircraft device to be cooled. The aircraft cooling system further includes a heat transfer arrangement having a heat transfer circuit, in which a heat transfer medium circulates and which is thermally coupled to the cold transfer circuit of the cooler via a heat exchanger, in order to absorb waste heat generated by the cooler and transfer it to a cabin air extraction system. The heat transfer arrangement further includes at least one heat pump which brings about an increase of the heat energy transfer from the cold transfer medium circulating in the cold transfer circuit of the cooler to the heat transfer medium circulating in the heat transfer circuit, at least in certain operating phases of the aircraft cooling system. | 10-09-2014 |
20140298825 | THERMOELECTRIC COOLER/HEATER INTEGRATED IN PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD - A circuit board is provided that includes at least one Peltier heat pump device with at least one pair of semiconductor members arranged thermally in parallel and electrically in series. The at least one pair of semiconductor members is at least partially embedded in the circuit board. | 10-09-2014 |
20140318153 | THERMO-ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - The disclosure is directed to an energy efficient thermal protection assembly. The thermal protection assembly can comprise three or more thermoelectric unit layers capable of active use of the Peltier effect; and at least one capacitance spacer block suitable for storing heat and providing a delayed thermal reaction time of the assembly. The capacitance spacer block is thermally connected between the thermoelectric unit layers. The present disclosure further relates to a thermoelectric transport and storage devices for transporting or storing temperature sensitive goods, for example, vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. The transport or storage device can be configured and provide on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, at a constant-temperature, with an acceptable temperature variation band. | 10-30-2014 |
20140331688 | THERMOELECTRIC-BASED THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF ELECTRICAL DEVICES - Disclosed embodiments include thermoelectric-based thermal management systems and methods configured to heat and/or cool an electrical device. Thermal management systems can include at least one electrical conductor in electrical and thermal communication with a temperature-sensitive region of the electrical device and at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one electrical conductor. Electric power can be directed to the thermoelectric device by the same electrical conductor or an external power supply, causing the thermoelectric device to provide controlled heating and/or cooling to the electrical device via the at least one electrical conductor. | 11-13-2014 |
20140352326 | COOLING AND HEATING CUP HOLDER - A cooling and heating cup holder includes: a pair of holder bodies; a pair of thermoelectric elements having first and second surfaces for heat absorption and heat generation, the first surfaces being installed on the holder bodies; a pair of heat exchange pins provided so as to exchange heat with the second surfaces of the respective thermoelectric elements; a blower disposed at one side of the heat exchange pins and heat-radiating the heat exchange pins; and an extension heat pipe thermally connecting the second surfaces of the respective thermoelectric elements to each other or thermally connecting the respective heat exchange pins to each other. | 12-04-2014 |
20140352327 | STORAGE ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - A storage assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having an outlet formed at a rear end thereof, a cooling and heating cup holder installed in the housing and having a thermoelectric element attached to a side end surface thereof, a convenience device disposed to be adjacent to a side of the thermoelectric element in the housing and including a storage tray or an electrical control switch, a heat exchange pin and a blower disposed at the outlet side of the rear end of the housing, and a heat pipe having one end connected to the thermoelectric element and the other end extended to turn aside or traverse the convenience device and connected to the heat exchange pin. | 12-04-2014 |
20140352328 | VEHICLE AIR COMFORT SYSTEM AND METHOD - Vehicle air comfort systems and methods. The systems and methods may comprise: (1) a plurality of flow tunnels for passage of a heat-transfer fluid; (2) a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the flow tunnels for thermally conditioning the heat-transfer fluid in the flow tunnels; (3) an air inlet for receiving unconditioned air; (4) a thermal exchange assembly for facilitating thermal exchange between the thermally conditioned heat-transfer fluid and the unconditioned air to result in conditioning of the air; and (5) an air outlet for outputting the conditioned air into the vehicle. | 12-04-2014 |
20140360207 | THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF BATTERY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A thermal management system of a battery for an electric vehicle is provided. The thermal management system controls a temperature of an electric vehicle battery by utilizing a heat pipe connected to a battery module and an insulating pack case and a thermoelectric module connected to the heat pipe and the pack case. The heat pipe performs bidirectional heat exchange and the thermoelectric module heats and cools the heat pipe through current direction change. | 12-11-2014 |
20140360208 | On-Demand Beverage Cooler - A beverage cooler ( | 12-11-2014 |
20140366559 | Heating and Cooling Unit with Semiconductor Device and Heat Pipe - Aspects of the invention support simultaneous operation of a cooling side and a heating side of an apparatus to change the temperatures of a cooling serving surface and a heating serving surface, respectively. A cooling semiconductor device (which may comprise one or more Peltier devices) transfers heat from its top to its bottom while a heating semiconductor device (which may similarly comprise one or more Peltier devices) transfers heat from its bottom to its top. A heat pipe transfers waste heat from the cooling semiconductor device's bottom to the heating semiconductor device's bottom and waste cold from the heating semiconductor device's bottom to the cooling semiconductor device's bottom. | 12-18-2014 |
20140373557 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE - A temperature control device for temperature control of a component is provided, whereby the component is in an electrical and/or an electronic component, having a tube and a housing element, whereby a first fluid can flow through the tube and a second fluid can flow around the temperature control device. The housing element is formed by a cup-like cover, which is connected to the tube and forms a receiving area for the component in which the component is taken up. | 12-25-2014 |
20150013346 | CONDENSATION AND HUMIDITY SENSORS FOR THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES - According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate controlled seating assembly includes a thermal module. The thermal module comprises at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel and a thermoelectric device (e.g., Peltier circuit) positioned upstream of the outlet channel. In one embodiment, the seating assembly includes a sensor positioned within an interior of the thermal module and configured to detect the presence of a liquid, such as water, condensation or other fluids, on or near said sensor. In certain arrangements, the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a liquid by measuring an electrical resistance or capacitance across a portion of the sensor. A climate control system can include a separator gasket located within a housing of a fluid module and at least partially between the cold passage and the hot passage. In some embodiments, the separator gasket comprises one or more wicking materials. The separator gasket can be configured to transport liquids from the cold passage to the hot passage. | 01-15-2015 |
20150013347 | MODULAR THERMOELECTRIC SUBMERGED HIGH VOLUME LIQUID TEMPERATURE CONTROLLING SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a liquid temperature controlling system and, more particularly, to a modular liquid temperature controlling system that is structured and/or configured to cool a volume of liquid stored in a container through direct contact with a portion of the system which utilizes at least one thermoelectric device. | 01-15-2015 |
20150020532 | ACTIVE, MICRO-WELL THERMAL CONTROL SUBSYSTEM - Devices and systems for active thermal control of sample holding devices for bDNA testing, polymerase chain reaction testing, chemiluminescent immuno-assay testing, and so forth. The thermal control subsystem includes a fluidic circuit, first and second heater assemblies, a centrifugal pump, and a heat exchange device. The first and second heater assemblies include a heat removal device and a controllable thermo-electric device. One or both of the heater assemblies can include a heat spreader. A controller actively controls the pump, the heat removal device, and the thermo-electric devices, to thermally-control sample-containing vessels retained in the holding device. | 01-22-2015 |
20150027134 | PERSONAL FORCED AIR CLIMATE CONTROL DEVICE - The invention involves a personal climate control system for heating and cooling the body of a user, and method for providing personal comfort in the form of body heating or cooling to a user of the device. The personal climate control system includes a heat exchanger assembly and a robe assembly coupled together with a tubing assembly. A heat exchanger assembly is utilized to provide conditioned air under pressure to a tortuous path of internal tubing embedded within a piece of clothing worn by the user. | 01-29-2015 |
20150089961 | Temperature-Controlled Storage Module - A temperature-controlled storage module is disclosed. In one embodiment, a storage module is provided comprising a memory, a temperature sensor, a thermoelectric cooler, and a controller. The controller compares a temperature reading from the temperature sensor to a target temperature. If the temperature reading differs from the target temperature, the controller activates the thermoelectric cooler. For example, if the temperature reading is higher than the target temperature, the thermoelectric cooler can be activated to cool the memory. This allows the memory (e.g., NAND die(s)) to operate in a narrow range of temperatures providing better system tradeoffs on memory (e.g., NAND) characteristics. | 04-02-2015 |
20150101355 | AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY OF VEHICLE - Air conditioning system and method for a high-voltage battery of a vehicle are provided. The system includes a first heat exchanger that is disposed within a battery housing and a first blower that supplies air to the first heat exchanger. A peltier element is combined with the first heat exchanger and a first surface of the peltier element comes into contact with the first heat exchanger. A second heat exchanger is disposed in an air extraction unit of a trunk room and a second blower supplies air to the second heat exchanger, to discharge air inside the trunk room to an exterior after performing heat exchange. A cooling line operates as a coolant circulating line, and a first end of the cooling line comes into contact with a second surface of the peltier element and a second end performs heat exchange between the second end and the second heat exchanger. | 04-16-2015 |
20150107268 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING SYSTEM - Provided is a temperature control system configured to mix a low temperature heating medium and a high temperature heating medium to supply the heating mediums at a temperature according to a process recipe to an electrostatic chuck (ESC) configured to maintain a temperature and support a wafer in a chamber in which a semiconductor wafer processing process is performed, and a heating medium obtained by mixing a heating medium cooled through a thermoelectric element and a heating medium heated through a heater to a desired target temperature according to a first ratio and a second ratio is provided to a load and recovered from the load, and the heating medium is distributed to the thermoelectric element and the heater according to the first ratio and the second ratio, which are ratios upon the mixing, optimizing power consumption for cooling or heating. | 04-23-2015 |
20150107269 | HEATING AND COOLING CUP HOLDER - A heating and cooling cup holder includes: a holder body to store a beverage container, a shape enclosing the beverage container, and a blowing hole to which wind is introduced; a heat exchanger having a front coupled to an outer side of the holder body to cover the blowing hole and an inlet to thereby allow the wind introduced into the inlet to be heat-exchanged and then discharged into the holder body through the blowing hole; a Peltier element having a front coupled to a rear surface of the heat exchanger and a heat pipe having a front of one end portion coupled to a rear surface of the Peltier element and the other end portion extended to a side direction; and a radiating module coupled to one end portion of the heat pipe and a radiating fan arranged at a rear of the radiating module. | 04-23-2015 |
20150107270 | HEATING AND COOLING CUP HOLDER - A heating and cooling cup holder may include a holder body having an opened upper end and a blast hole formed in a side surface of the holder body into which wind is introduced, a heat exchanging body having a front surface coupled to an outer side surface of the holder body to cover the blast hole and having an inlet formed in one side surface of the heat exchanging body to allow the wind introduced through the inlet to be heat-exchanged, a first peltier element having a front surface coupled to a rear surface of the heat exchanging body, a heat dissipating module coupled to a rear surface of the first peltier element, a second peltier element having an upper surface coupled to a lower surface of the holder body, and a heat pipe heat-exchangeably connecting a lower surface of the second peltier element to the heat dissipating module. | 04-23-2015 |
20150107271 | HEATING AND COOLING CUP HOLDER - A heating and cooling cup holder may include an inner holder having an air hole, a heat exchanging unit covering the air hole and having an intake port at a first side so that air flowing inside through the intake port exchanges heat through heat transfer fins in the heat exchanging unit and flows into the inner holder through the air hole, a peltier element having a front coupled to a rear of the heat exchanging unit, a heat dissipation module including a heat sink and a heat dissipating fan coupled to the rear of the peltier element, an outer holder surrounding the side of the inner holder and defining a ventilation space together with the inner holder therebetween, and a blower disposed in the ventilation space and having a discharge port connected to the intake port of the heat exchanging unit. | 04-23-2015 |
20150114008 | HEAT EXCHANGER - A heat exchanger is provided, in particular for a motor vehicle, with at least one thermoelectric element to generate a heat flow, wherein the thermoelectric element is arranged on a carrier element, wherein several carrier elements arranged on top of one another along a stacking spindle form a carrier element stack, in which a first fluid channel for a first fluid and a second fluid channel for a second fluid, fluidically separated from the first, are constructed. | 04-30-2015 |
20150121899 | TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS - A drive circuit of a temperature adjustment apparatus drives a Peltier element at a desired output amount. A state detector detects an electrical state of the Peltier element. A control circuit calculates a desired output amount based at least on the electrical state of the Peltier element, determines a control quantity for driving the Peltier element at the desired output amount, and controls the drive circuit at the control quantity. | 05-07-2015 |
20150121900 | WARM-COOL BEAUTY TREATMENT DEVICE - A warm-cool beauty treatment device, comprising: a Peltier element of a plate shape having a first surface configured to generate heat, and a second surface configured to absorb heat; a heat sink including—a first section touching the first surface, and a second section connecting the first section thermally; a first plate connected to the first surface thermally via the heat sink; a second plate connected to the second surface thermally; a blower configured to produce air flow to release the heat of the second section; and a power supply configured to supply electric power to the Peltier element and the blower. | 05-07-2015 |
20150128614 | THERMOELECTRIC HEAT PUMP - The present disclosure is related to an apparatus for transporting heat using a thermoelectric converter. The apparatus may include a thermoelectric converter, such as a thin-film. The apparatus may include a heating loop in thermal communication with a hot side of the thermoelectric converter and a cooling loop in thermal communication with a cold side of the thermoelectric converter. The thermoelectric converter may include a stack of alternating thermoelement and constricted contact layers. The thermoelectric converter may have a counter-flow fluid loop that moves a fluid against the temperature gradient of the thermoelectric converter. The apparatus may be configured to provide heating or cooling of a fluid, such as air or water. The apparatus may include a thermal storage medium configured as a thermal battery. | 05-14-2015 |
20150329136 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE FOR A STEERING DEVICE - A temperature control device for temperature control of a steering device, characterized in that the temperature control device has at least one heat-conducting device, at least one thermoelectric device, and at least one fluid transport apparatus. | 11-19-2015 |
20150330677 | HEAT CONVERSION DEVICE - Provided is a heat conversion device including a thermoelectric element. In the structure of a heat exchanger to which the thermoelectric module is applied, a pair of heat absorbing modules and a heat emitting module are disposed in a horizontal direction so that a desired air volume and wind speed can be maintained without resistance to an air flow path, a heat conversion effect for air can be implemented, a drying and dehumidifying effect can be implemented, and a heat conversion function having high efficiency can be implemented even under low power consumption. | 11-19-2015 |
20150362202 | AIR CONDITIONING DEVICE - An air conditioner disclosed herein includes a cooling/heating module including a thermoelastic material and an actuator applying tension to the thermoelastic material and a switching control section selectively applying or removing tension to/from the thermoelastic material. | 12-17-2015 |
20150369523 | ELECTROTHERMAL TRANSDUCER, AND TEMPERATURE CONTROLLING DEVICE - The present invention relates to an electrothermal converter, which has at least one cold side and one warm side. Provision is made that all the components of the converter cope with the thermal loads appearing when the converter is operated and/or in particular maintains its mechanical stability. | 12-24-2015 |
20150377526 | THERMOELECTRIC COOLER (TEC) CIRCUIT - A thermoelectric cooler (TEC) circuit is provided that includes a power supply, a TEC, and an H-bridge. The H-bridge, which is coupled to the power supply and ground, controls a direction of current through the TEC. The H-bridge comprises at least two low-resistance switches in integrated circuit (IC) form. The IC switches are each controlled by a digital control signal referenced to ground and each have an ON resistance of about 25 mΩ or less. | 12-31-2015 |
20160003501 | TED HEAT EXCHANGER - A thermo-electric device heat exchanger may include a plate part including a plurality of cooling tubes and a plurality of heat radiation tubes alternately disposed with respect to each other, a cooling inflowing tank and a cooling discharging tank connected to an inlet and an outlet of a cooling tube in the plurality of cooling tubes, a heat radiation inflowing tank and a heat radiation discharging tank connected to an inlet and an outlet of a heat radiation tube in the plurality of radiation tubes, and a thermoelectric element having a cooling surface and a heat radiation surface and disposed between the cooling tube and the heat radiation tube. The cooling surface may be attached to the cooling tube and the heat radiation surface may be attached to the heat radiation tube. | 01-07-2016 |
20160003503 | Mobile Thermoelectric Vaccine Cooler with a Planar Heat Pipe - A portable medical refrigerator is provided that includes a cooling chamber having a housing, insulation and a cavity, where the insulation dissipates heat from the cooling chamber and insulates the cooling chamber, where the insulation includes a material and thickness disposed to hold the cooling chamber at a desired temperature, where the thickness of the insulation is according to an amount of heat entering the cooling chamber from the ambient surroundings, a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) device having a heat sink fan, and a planar heat pipe, where a first end of the planar heat pipe is connected to the cooling chamber and a second end of the planar heat pipe is connected to the TEC, where the TEC is disposed away from the cooling chamber, where the first end of the planar heat pipe is disposed to draw heat from the insulation to enable attainment of the desired temperature. | 01-07-2016 |
20160018138 | Beverage Cooler and Heater Assembly - According to some embodiments, a beverage heating and cooling assembly is provided which includes a collar and beverage retainer assembly for connection to retain the assembly below a mounting substrate. The beverage retainer assembly may include a housing with an active heating or cooling system, such as a thermoelectric engine, which is positioned within or adjacent to the housing and beneath the mounting substrate or similar planar structure. The assembly allows for a clean installation of an active thermal system for beverages in order to keep the beverages cold or warm as desired. | 01-21-2016 |
20160018139 | INTEGRATION OF THERMOSIPHON TUBING INTO ACCEPT HEAT EXCHANGER - Embodiments described herein relate to a thermoelectric cooling system comprising a sealed condensing and evaporating system for the purpose of accepting heat into a heat pumping system. In some embodiments, the sealed condensing and evaporating system includes a heat sink and one or more thermosiphons. Each thermosiphon includes a first portion integrated with the heat sink and a second portion configured to thermally couple to a cold side heat exchange element of a heat exchanger. | 01-21-2016 |
20160018140 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING A THERMOELECTRIC MODULE TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY - Systems and methods for operating a thermoelectric module to increase efficiency are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operating a thermoelectric module includes determining a first amount of power that would maximize a coefficient of performance of the thermoelectric module based on one or more system parameters and providing the first amount of power to the thermoelectric module. The method also includes determining that at least one of the one or more system parameters has changed, determining a second amount of power that would maximize the coefficient of performance of the thermoelectric module based on the one or more system parameters, and providing the second amount of power to the thermoelectric module. In some embodiments, adjusting the amount of power provided based on the one or more system parameters increases the efficiency of the thermoelectric module. | 01-21-2016 |
20160018141 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MITIGATING HEAT REJECTION LIMITATIONS OF A THERMOELECTRIC MODULE - Systems and methods for mitigating heat rejection limitations of a thermoelectric module are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operating a thermoelectric module includes providing a first amount of power to the thermoelectric module and determining that a temperature of a hot side of the thermoelectric module is above a first threshold. The method also includes, in response to determining that the temperature of the hot side is above the first threshold, providing a second amount of power to the thermoelectric module that is less than the first amount of power. The method also includes determining that the temperature of the hot side of the thermoelectric module is below a second threshold and providing a third amount of power to the thermoelectric module. In some embodiments, this mitigates heat rejection limitations of the thermoelectric module, especially when the hot side of the thermoelectric module is passively cooled. | 01-21-2016 |
20160025388 | REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCES WITH MOVABLE INDIVIDUALLY TEMPERATURE CONTROL BINS - Refrigerator appliance with movable individually temperature controlled bins are provided. One example refrigerator appliance includes one or more transmitter coils and one or more bins. Each of the one or more bins includes a temperature sensor positioned to read a temperature in a bin storage volume. Each of the one or more bins includes a receiver coil. The receiver coil receives power from one of the one or more transmitter coils through inductive power transfer. Each of the one or more bins includes a thermoelectric heat pump. The thermoelectric heat pump receives power from the receiver coil. The operation of the thermoelectric heat pump is controlled based on the temperature in the bin storage volume read by the temperature sensor, such that the temperature in the bin storage volume is maintained at a setpoint temperature associated with such bin. | 01-28-2016 |
20160025390 | REFRIGERATOR WITH ICEMAKER CHILLED BY THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE COOLED BY FRESH FOOD COMPARTMENT AIR - An icemaker is mounted remotely from a freezer compartment. The icemaker includes an ice mold. A thermoelectric device is provided and includes a warm side and an opposite cold side. A flow pathway is connected in communication between the cold side of the thermoelectric device and the icemaker. In one aspect, a fan is operatively positioned to move air from the fresh food compartment across the warm side of the thermoelectric device and a pump moves fluid from the cold side of the thermoelectric device to the icemaker. Cold air, such as from a refrigerator compartment, may be used to dissipate heat from the warm side of the thermoelectric device for providing cold fluid to and for cooling the ice mold of the icemaker. | 01-28-2016 |
20160039321 | HEATING AND/OR COOLING DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT - A motor vehicle seat element successively including: a pad; a heating and/or cooling device including at least one heat and/or cold generation element and at least one heat and/or cold diffusion layer; and a cover. | 02-11-2016 |
20160052362 | VEHICLE HEADREST THERMAL CONDITIONER - A seat thermal conditioning device includes a seat portion having a vent configured to provide conditioned air to a seat occupant neck area. A thermoelectric module is arranged in the seat portion. The thermoelectric module is configured to both heat and cool an air supply to provide the conditioned air. | 02-25-2016 |
20160053653 | WASTE HEAT EXCHANGER - A waste heat exchanger may include an inner tube, an outer tube, a fin assembly and a plurality of heat electric modules The inner tube has a plurality of holes. Disposed inside the inner tube is a plurality of inlet channels and a plurality of outlet channels. The plurality of inlet channels and the plurality of outlet channels are disposed to correspond to each other. The plurality of inlet channels and the plurality of outlet channels are connected to the plurality of holes. A fluid flows through the plurality of inlets and the plurality of holes to get into the outlet channels. The outer tube is disposed outside the inner tube. The conductive assembly is positioned between the inner tube and the outer tube. The conductive assembly is disposed on an outside surface of the inner tube and an inside surface of the outer tube. | 02-25-2016 |
20160082806 | AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An air-conditioning system for a vehicle may include an air-conditioning duct and a thermoelectric module. The air-conditioning duct may have a first side communicating with an interior of the vehicle and a second side divided into a first line and a second line, the first line communicating with a roof surface to allow air to flow and the second line communicating with an outdoor space of the vehicle. The thermoelectric module may be divided into an air-conditioning side and a heat-dissipating side, the air-conditioning side being disposed at a side of the first line and the heat-dissipating side being disposed at a side of the second line. | 03-24-2016 |
20160089953 | EXPANDABLE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES - An expandable refrigeration system for vehicles includes a generally rigid frame member having a plurality of walls that define a first hollow interior space. An expandable cooler body that includes a plurality of expandable wall sections is connected to the rigid frame member. The expandable body section is positioned within the first hollow interior space when the system is collapsed, and extends outward therefrom when the system is in the expanded configuration. A refrigeration unit is secured to the rigid frame member and controls a temperature of the expandable body section. A transitional wall member selectively operates as a lid for the cooler body and to secure the cooler body within the frame member. | 03-31-2016 |
20160097570 | Cooled bread and pastry container - A bread and pastry container is provided with a thermoelectric panel to set up convective currents which at their colder portions promote the condensation of humidity with the drier current portion then drawn through the container by the draft created around the hot side of the thermoelectric panel. A set of photovoltaic cells may be mounted on the container to provide the power for the thermoelectric panel. | 04-07-2016 |
20160107558 | BEVERAGE HOLDER FOR VEHICLES - The invention relates to a temperature-controlled beverage holder ( | 04-21-2016 |
20160107876 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING BEVERAGE LIQUID WITH FINNED ICE BANK - A beverage making machine may be arranged to cool a precursor liquid in a tank using a cooling liquid in a cooling container disposed around the tank. The cooling liquid may be freezable to form ice, e.g., to provide the system with improved cooling capacity and/or speed. A plurality of fins may extend between the tank and the cooling container, with each of the plurality of fins being physically attached to the cooling container or the tank and being arranged to conduct heat from the tank and/or from the cooling liquid. The plurality of fins may include first portions attached to the tank and extending outwardly, and second portions attached to the cooling container and extending inwardly. Side surfaces of corresponding first and second portions may be in contact with each other to aid in transferring heat via the fin portions. | 04-21-2016 |
20160109166 | COOLING SYSTEM FOR ICE MAKER - An ice maker having an ice tray horizontally suspended within a housing and a drive body rotatably coupled to a transverse axis of the ice tray and configured to oscillate the ice tray about the transverse axis. The cold side of a thermoelectric device is thermally coupled with a bottom surface of the ice tray, and a hot side opposes the cold side. A barrier extends around the periphery of the ice tray within the housing, and separates the housing into a first chamber and a second air chamber. A heat sink is thermally coupled with the hot side of the thermoelectric device and extends into the second air chamber. An intake duct member is coupled with the housing proximate the second air chamber, and is configured to dispense a cold air flow over the heat sink. The barrier restricts the cold air flow from entering the first chamber. | 04-21-2016 |
20160109171 | DEVICE FOR COOLING OR FROSTING A CONTAINER - The invention relates to a device ( | 04-21-2016 |
20160131401 | AMBIENT WATER CONDENSING APPARATUS - An ambient water condensing apparatus that extracts water vapor from ambient air utilizing a thermoelectric device, a superhydrophobic and/or superhydrophilic radiating condensing surface and a heat sink for providing point of source irrigation or drinking water using conventional and/or sustainable energy supplies. The thermoelectric device is thermally coupled intermediate of the condensing surface and the heat sink, and in particular a cold side of the thermoelectric device is thermally connected to the condensing surface and a hot side of the thermoelectric device is thermally connected to the heat sink. The water condensing apparatus may also include at least one fan element that cools the heat sink and introduces additional air to the condensing surface. The thermoelectric device and the fan element may be powered by any suitable electrical energy source, such as by solar energy, wind energy or grid power. | 05-12-2016 |
20160137110 | CLIMATE CONTROL ASSEMBLY - A climate controlled seat assembly includes a thermoelectric device having a main side and a waste side for generating a conditioned fluid stream and a waste fluid stream respectively, a fluid distribution system for distributing the conditioned fluid stream towards an occupant seated on the climate controlled seat assembly and for gathering and pulling fluid from around the occupant and directed this gathered fluid away from the occupant. | 05-19-2016 |
20160137114 | COOLING AND HEATING CUP HOLDER - A cooling and heating cup holder includes a holder body having a container shape, formed of a thermally conductive material, having a substantially uniform thickness, and having a contact portion pressed from an inner side to integrally protrude outward from one side surface thereof and having a contact surface forming a predetermined plane; a Peltier element including an operation surface and a heat radiating portion having an opposite row opposite to the operation surface and installed such that the operation surface is directly attached to the contact surface at an outer side of the holder body to transfer heat to the contact surface; and an air conditioner including a heat radiating duct in which the heat radiating portion of the Peltier element is buried and a blowing fan for blowing out air at one side of the heat radiating duct. | 05-19-2016 |
20160178252 | TEMPERATURE MAINTAINING CASE | 06-23-2016 |
20160195313 | SOLAR COOLING SYSTEM | 07-07-2016 |
20160377330 | Temperature Control Unit for a Gaseous or Liquid Medium - For a temperature control unit for gaseous or liquid medium with a highly dynamic temperature regulation of the medium, the temperature control unit ( | 12-29-2016 |
20180023887 | HEATING AND COOLING CUP HOLDER | 01-25-2018 |