Abstract: Ternary tellurium compounds and ternary selenium compounds may be used in fabricating thermoelectric devices with a thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of 1.5 or greater. Examples of such compounds include Tl2SnTe5, Tl2GeTe5, K2SnTe5 and Rb2SnTe5. These compounds have similar types of crystal lattice structures which include a first substructure with a (Sn, Ge) Te5 composition and a second substructure with chains of selected cation atoms. The second substructure includes selected cation atoms which interact with selected anion atoms to maintain a desired separation between the chains of the first substructure. The cation atoms which maintain the desired separation between the chains occupy relatively large electropositive sites in the resulting crystal lattice structure which results in a relatively low value for the lattice component of thermal conductivity (&kgr;g).

Abstract: A thermoelectric refrigerator with a heat transfer system having a thermoelectric device and a heat exchanger with an evaporating surface and a condensing surface. A working fluid is sealed within the heat exchanger. The thermoelectric device includes a thermally conductive hot plate and a thermally conductive cold plate with thermoelectric elements disposed therebetween. The thermoelectric elements are preferably electrically coupled in series and thermally coupled in parallel. The evaporating surface of the heat exchanger is thermally coupled with the hot plate. A fluid flow path is provided to allow working fluid in its vapor phase to flow from the evaporating surface to the condensing surface and working fluid in its liquid phase to flow from the condensing surface to the evaporating surface. The configuration of the heat exchanger will optimize heat transfer by the working fluid from the thermoelectric device.

Abstract: A liquid cooling system (10) includes a container (12) for storing a liquid (13) and a cooling element (14) disposed within the container (12) for cooling the liquid (13). The system (10) also includes a heat exchanging system (16) for cooling the cooling element (14) and a control device (38) disposed proximate the cooling element(14) for controlling solidification of the liquid (13) within the container (12). The control device (38) includes a first insulating region disposed between a portion of the cooling element (14) and a portion of the liquid (13). The first insulating region is formed from at least one thermally insulating material.

Abstract: A thermoelectric heat transfer system having a thermoelectric device and a heat exchanger with an evaporating surface and a condensing surface. A working fluid is sealed within the heat exchanger. The thermoelectric device includes a thermally conductive hot plate and a thermally conductive cold plate with thermoelectric elements disposed therebetween and the thermoelectric elements are electrically coupled in series and thermally coupled in parallel. The evaporating surface of the heat exchanger is thermally coupled with the hot plate. A fluid flow path to allow working fluid in its vapor phase to flow from the evaporating surface to the condensing surface and working fluid in its liquid phase to flow from the condensing surface to the evaporating surface.

Abstract: Fault tolerant thermoelectric device circuit (18) is provided including a plurality of thermoelectric elements (19, 20, 21, and 22) and a plurality of secondary by-pass circuits (24, 25, 26, and 27) coupled in parallel with a number of the thermoelectric elements. The secondary by-pass circuits provide by-pass paths to failed thermoelectric elements, thereby allowing the remaining elements to continue operating. Primary by-pass circuit (30) is also provided to provide a by-pass path to all of the thermoelectric elements as required.

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).

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided which combines the benefits of superinsulation materials with thermoelectric devices and phase change materials to provide an environmentally benign system that is energy efficient and can maintain relatively uniform temperatures for extended periods of time with relatively low electrical power requirements. The refrigerator includes a thermoelectric assembly having a thermoelectric device with a hot sink and a cold sink. The superinsulation materials include a plurality of vacuum panels. The refrigerator is formed from an enclosed structure having a door. The vacuum panels may be contained within the walls of the enclosed structure and the door. By mounting the thermoelectric assembly on the door, the manufacturer of the enclosed structure is simplified and the overall R rating of the refrigerator increased. Also an electrical motor and propellers may be mounted on the door to assist in the circulation of air to improve the efficiency of the cold sink and the hot sink.

Abstract: A module for controlling the temperature within an enclosed structure is provided. The module comprises a thermoelectric assembly, a platform, and a panel. The thermoelectric assembly comprises a thermoelectric device with a first heat sink disposed on one side of the device and a second heat sink disposed on the other side of the device. The thermoelectric assembly further comprises an electric motor attached to one of the heat sinks with a rotating shaft extending longitudinally through the electrical motor and both heat sinks. A propeller may be attached to each end of the rotating shaft adjacent to the first heat sink and the second heat sink respectively. The platform may be removably engaged with the enclosed structure. A first fastener may be used to attach the thermoelectric assembly to the platform. A first opening may be provided in the platform adjacent to one of the propellers.

Abstract: A superinsulation panel and thermoelectric assembly are provided to maintain the temperature within a refrigerator or other type of enclosed structure at a desired value. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device having a hot sink and a cold sink. The superinsulation panel is preferably disposed between the hot sink and the cold sink. A cold finger is positioned within the superinsulation panel to transfer heat energy from the cold sink to the thermoelectric device which in turn transfers the heat energy to the hot sink. A plurality of posts may also be disposed within the superinsulation panel for use in coupling the thermoelectric assembly with the superinsulation panel.

Abstract: A thermoelectric system which operates on AC input power without requiring external rectification or conditioning is provided. The thermoelectric system includes a thermoelectric device with an integrated rectifier circuit. The thermoelectric device includes a thermoelectric array which may function satisfactorily with 120 volt AC, 240 volt AC or any other desired input power. A control circuit is also provided to allow switching the associated rectifier circuit of the thermoelectric system from full-wave rectification to half-wave rectification. The thermoelectric system may use the control circuit to maintain the temperature of either the hot plate or the cold plate associated with the thermoelectric device at a desired value.

Abstract: A modular thermoelectric assembly is provided to maintain the temperature within a container or enclosed structure holding water or other liquids at a desired value. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device with a hot sink and a cold sink. A layer of insulating material is disposed between the hot sink and the cold sink. The hot sink and the insulating material are used to install the thermoelectric assembly into an appropriately sized opening extending through the exterior of the container or enclosed structure. A thermoelectric device, contained within the layer of insulating material, functions as a heat pump to transfer heat between the cold sink and the hot sink. An electrical motor, rotating shaft and propeller are carried by the assembly to assist in the circulation of air to improve the efficiency of the cold sink and the hot sink. Another propeller and/or impeller may be carried by the rotating shaft to assist with circulation of liquids in the container or enclosed structure.

Abstract: A modular thermoelectric assembly is provided to maintain the temperature within a container or enclosed structure at a desired level. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device with a hot sink and a cold sink. A layer of insulating material is disposed between the hot sink and the cold sink. The hot sink and the insulating material are used to install the thermoelectric assembly into an appropriately sized opening extending through the exterior of the container or enclosed structure. A thermoelectric device, contained within the layer of insulating material, functions as a heat pump to transfer heat between the cold sink and the hot sink. An electrical motor, rotating shaft and propellers are carried by the assembly to assist in the circulation of air to improve the efficiency of the cold sink and the hot sink.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device has hot and cold sides. The hot and cold sides include a plate of insulation material having "peanut" or rectangularly shaped tabs forming hot and cold side tab patterns. The tabs have circular or polygonal shaped pockets adjacent opposing ends of the tabs. Legs of p-type and n-type semiconductor material are attached in opposing end pockets of the tabs. Spade connectors are attached to end tabs of the cold side plate for connection to a dc source of power. The legs are vibrated into the pockets of one side (either the hot or cold side) and the tabs of the other side are positioned to opposing ends of the tabs of the other side (either the cold or hot side).

Abstract: An apparatus for generating cold and hot for application selectively by contact on an object having a paint or coating whose color changes in response to cold and hot temperatures. The apparatus is easy to hold and handle with one hand while holding an object for application, e.g., a doll or toy car, in the other hand. The apparatus includes a battery powered thermoelectric device having a cold sink shaped to form a cold applicator for cooling the paint sufficiently to change its color, and a heat sink shaped to form a heat applicator for changing back the color. For a doll, the cold sink applicator is used to change, for example, the natural color of the lips and cheeks to a make-up color, and a heat sink shaped to form a comb for combing the doll's hair and a heat applicator for returning the natural color of the doll's lips and cheeks through heat application.

Abstract: A transport apparatus, for hauling data storage media requiring environmental protection to and from a permanent storage site, includes a portable transport module and a transport cart. The transport module includes an insulated housing having guides for receiving shelves adapted to hold motion picture films, audio and video tapes, and photography film and provide ready access to and protection against movement during transit. A thermoelectric heat pump assembly heats or cools the interior of the insulated housing. A temperature sensor and a humidity sensor in the housing produce temperature and humidity measurement signals. Connectors are provided to connect power to the thermoelectric heat pump assembly and to output the temperature and humidity measuring signals. An ancillary power supply and control system are included to operate the transport module when separated from the transport cart.

Abstract: A noiseless refrigerator is provided for use in single room sleeping quarters. The refrigerator has a housing having a freezing compartment, a cooling compartment, a storage compartment and a vented compartment. The freezing compartment has a bottom having a plurality of recesses formed therein for removably receiving a plurality of ice cube trays and a back side affixed to an "L" shaped plate support member attached to the inside of a refrigerator wall. The "L" shaped plate freezer compartment support member is in thermal contact with a plurality of blocks of high thermal conductivity material passing through the refrigerator walls to the vented compartment. A plurality of thermoelectric heat pumps are mounted in the vented compartment and have their hot plates attached to a heat sink for ventilation.

Abstract: Alternating current is applied to a bi-directional triode thyristor (triac) and a zero voltage switch, the zero voltage switch controls the operation of the triac to selectively heat a heater element, the thermal energy of the heater element drives a first thermoelectric heat pump (module), acting as a dc power generator, to produce power to drive a second thermoelectric heat pump acting as a cooling or heating source, towards a preselected temperature, a thermally sensitive resistor (thermistor) senses the temperature and generates a resistance corresponding to the temperature, the thermistor is connected to the zero voltage switch in series with a temperature set point resistor (potentiometer) and source of power to form a voltage divider input to the zero voltage switch, whereby when the resistance of the thermistor substantially equals that of the temperature set point resistor the zero voltage switch inhibits the trigger pulses to the triac to cut off ac current to the heater element.