Patent · US Expired

Compact thermoelectric refrigerator

US4326383A · kind A · utility

64Cited by
8References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 4, 1980
Grant dateApr 27, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 4, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25D2400/12
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A compact thermoelectric refrigerator includes a storage compartment, the lower portion of which is lined with a thin, high-conductivity aluminum liner which functions as an internal heat exchanger. The storage compartment is separated by means of a dividing wall from a compartment containing a thermoelectric module, a low profile, high density external heat exchanger including an extruded high thermal conductivity aluminum base and a plurality of closely spaced high thermal conductivity fins attached to the base by means of thermal epoxy, and a centrifugal fan disposed above the external heat exchanger and driven by a fan motor disposed in a recess in a wall of the thermoelectric refrigerator. Outside air is drawn by the centrifugal fan through an air intake grill located in the upper portion of an end panel and is forced through the fins of the external heat exchanger and out of an air outlet grill located along the lower edge of the end panel. The thermoelectric module is in thermal contact with the lower portion of the side of the aluminum liner, and conducts heat away from the aluminum liner to the external heat exchanger. The thickness and conductivity of the aluminum liner a…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.