Solid state rapid thermocycling
US8720209B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 2011 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24H1/10
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The rapid thermal cycling of a material is targeted. A solid state heat exchanger with a first well and second well is coupled to a power module. A thermoelectric element is coupled to the first well, the second well, and the power module, is configured to transfer thermal energy from the first well to the second well when current from the power module flows through the thermoelectric element in a first direction, and is configured to transfer thermal energy from the second well to the first well when current from the power module flows through the thermoelectric element in a second direction. A controller may be coupled to the thermoelectric elements, and may switch the direction of current flowing through the thermoelectric element in response to a determination by sensors coupled to the wells that the amount of thermal energy in the wells falls below or exceeds a pre-determined threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.