Linear thermoelectric device driver
US6981381B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 3, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2321/0212
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Device driver circuits based on H-bridges can be implemented to provide linear control of the H-bridge, reduce power losses, and reduce certain component size/cost. The driver circuits can use two feedback loops to operate the H-bridge in different regions and to guarantee that current flows through an H-bridge load device, such as a thermoelectric cooler, in only one direction at a given time. The H-bridge driver circuits can remove the possibility of high currents bypassing the load device and thus going directly through the switches on either side of the H-bridge driver. The H-bridge driver circuits also ensure careful control of the current applied to the H-bridge load device. Such driver circuits are particularly useful for controlling the current applied to thermoelectric devices.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.