Patent · US Expired

Thermoelectric closed-loop heat exchange system

US5269146A · kind A · utility

112Cited by
24References
18Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 13, 1991
Grant dateDec 14, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 13, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25D11/00
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention is a closed-loop cooling system in combination with a thermoelectric heat exchanger whereby heat exchange liquid provides quick and efficient heat exchange with a thermoelectric device and is heated or cooled by passing the heat exchange liquid through an air core heat exchanger by energy efficient pump means. In a cooling system, heated water from the heat exchanger is pumped through an air core heat exchanger and then recirculated through a labyrinthine cooling block in thermal communication with the thermoelectric device. The labyrinth within the cooling block is of low back pressure to minimize the amount of energy required to pump the liquid. The liquid-driven rapid heat exchange and the pumping assures circulation and the closed system assures that the liquid is not wasted or lost. The process is carried out without phase change. An apparatus incorporating the invention can be battery-operated and portable and may provide cooling solutions for specific applications where large temperature differentials may be maintained and/or precision temperature control is important in a portable environment. Where the speed of circulation is high and the internal bac…

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