Patent · US Expired

Control system for thermoelectric refrigerator

US5505046A · kind A · utility

74Cited by
56References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 12, 1994
Grant dateApr 9, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 12, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25D2201/14
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Apparatus including a power supply (202) and control system is provided for maintaining the temperature within an enclosed structure (40) using thermoelectric devices (92). The apparatus may be particularly beneficial for use with a refrigerator (20) having superinsulation materials (46) and phase change materials (112) which cooperate with the thermoelectric device (92) to substantially enhance the overall operating efficiency of the refrigerator (20). The electrical power supply (202) and control system allows increasing the maximum power capability of the thermoelectric device (92) in response to increased heat loads within the refrigerator (20). The electrical power supply (202) and control system may also be used to monitor the performance of the cooling system (70) associated with the refrigerator (20).

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