Efficient thermoelectric controller
US6205790A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 28, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 28, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2321/0212
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The temperature of a thermo-electric cooler that is used to cool a laser is effectively controlled using a monitor which accurately and continuously measures the temperature of the thermo-electric cooler and using apparatus that determines the difference between the measured temperature and a desired thermo-electric cooler temperature. A discriminator circuit causes the thermo-electric cooler to enter (a) a heating cycle when such difference is below a first reference level or (b) a cooling cycle when such difference reaches a reaches a second reference level. Power consumption within the associated cooling/heating system is also accurately controlled using a pulse width modulated power supply to provide the voltage signal that drives the thermoelectric cooler.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.