Patent · US Expired

Compact thermoelectric refrigeration drive assembly

US5784890A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
15References
15Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 3, 1996
Grant dateJul 28, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 3, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S165/343
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A compact thermoelectric refrigeration drive assembly comprises at least one thermoelectric heat transfer device (Peltier Effect device) whose active surfaces are in contact with a respective one of a collector member and a transfer member. When operating, a dc current is applied to the heat transfer device to transfer heat from the collector member to the transfer member. This results in the collector member, which is intended to be located in an insulated chamber, being cooled and the transfer member, which is spaced away from the collector member, being heated. Waste heat is removed from the transfer member via a closed looped fluid cooling system, the transfer member forming at least a portion of one side of a vessel for the cooling fluid and thereby transferring heat to the fluid. The construction and design of the assembly advantageously results in a compact refrigerator drive assembly which can be employed in a variety of environments.

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