Thermoelectric apparatus for use with multiple power sources and method of operation
US5576512A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N10/17
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A thermoelectric apparatus (10) is provided that is compatible with multiple power sources (12) each providing a different voltage. The present apparatus (10) includes a thermoelectric assembly (14) having a plurality of thermoelectric devices (18 & 20) and control circuitry (16) coupled between the thermoelectric assembly (14) and a power source (12). The control circuitry (16) can sense the voltage provided by the power source (12) and electrically configure the thermoelectric devices (18 & 20) in the thermoelectric assembly (14) between parallel and serial electrical configuration in response to the sensed voltage. The control circuitry (16) also couples the thermoelectric devices (18 & 20) to the power source (12).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.