Patent · US Expired

Method of and apparatus for the controlled cooling of a product

US4474015A · kind A · utility

35Cited by
0References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 19, 1982
Grant dateOct 2, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 19, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25B2321/021
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

For the controlled cooling of specimens which are at least partially of liquid form, especially biological specimens, it is important that crystallization at the freezing point takes place locally, without supercooling, and preferably with absorption of the latent heat of fusion. At a temperature which is a predetermined amount above a given critical temperature for the specimen, e.g. its freezing point, a Peltier effect module is energized to effect supplementary cooling at a local area, for example one end of the specimen. The Peltier effect module and the specimen in its container supported in a sample holder are relatively movable. Preferably, the module is displaced, this being initiated by the insertion and removal of the sample holder, preferably by direct mechanical engagement.

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