Patents Assigned to Thermotek, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5989285
    Abstract: A temperature controlled blanket and a temperature controlled bedding system have provision of both recirculating temperature controlled fluid and temperature controlled gas to enhance performance for convectively heating or cooling a patient. Counter flow or co-flow heat exchanging principles between the temperature controlled liquid and the temperature controlled gas achieves temperature uniformity across different sections of the blanket and the bedding system. Drapes in the temperature controlled bedding system provide a gas envelope around a person using the bedding system. In a further embodiment of the bedding system, the air portion of the bedding system is provided for use with a patient bed which supplies the fluid portion of the overall bedding system. In a further embodiment of the bedding system, the fluid portion of the bedding system is provided for use with a patient bed which supplies the air portion of the overall bedding system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Thermotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger S. DeVilbiss, Tony M. Quisenberry, Sathya Rajasubramanian
  • Patent number: 5890371
    Abstract: A system for conditioning the air within an enclosure which houses heat producing equipment. The system includes a passive heat removal system, for precooling the air, and a thermoelectric temperature control system used in conjunction with the passive heat removal system to achieve additional cooling, temperature control and heating. The passive heat removal system includes a heat pipe system. A power control system includes a programmable control means which receives signals, from a temperature sensor, which are indicative of the temperature of the air in the enclosure. Based upon these signals, the power control system controls the activation of thermoelectric devices in the thermoelectric temperature control system and controls the activation of fans to remove a desired amount of heat from the air in the enclosure and discharge the unwanted heat to the outside air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Thermotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Sathya Rajasubramanian, Roger S. DeVilbiss, Thomas C. Dedmon, Tony M. Quisenberry, Ronald Borman, Allen D. Boger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5711155
    Abstract: An improved thermoelectric temperature control system for selectively heating or cooling a temperature control fluid to be provided through an exit conduit to an external thermal load and returned to the system through an inlet conduit. The system having at least a first liquid heat exchanger, a thermoelectric module in thermal conductivity with the liquid heat exchanger, a heat sink in thermal conductivity with the thermoelectric module, a pump and connecting conduits to move the temperature control fluid from the inlet conduit through the pump and liquid heat exchanger to the exit conduit and power and control electronics to activate the pump and thermoelectric module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Thermotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger S. DeVilbiss, Tony M. Quisenberry, Sathya Rajasubramanian, Thomas C. Dedmon
  • Patent number: 5689957
    Abstract: A control system for a thermoelectric device to maintain the temperature in a storage compartment at a set point. The system includes input terminals for receiving a DC voltage and output terminals for connecting to the thermoelectric device. First and second switches are provided and coupled to the terminals for connection when enabled by the application of the DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Thermotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger S. DeVilbiss, Harry C. Powell
  • Patent number: 5690849
    Abstract: A current control circuit for improved power application and control of thermoelectric devices to maintain the temperature of thermoelectric devices at a set point. The circuit includes at least one thermoelectric device, an inductor device, a current sensor and a switch device operatively connected in a series connection across a pair of terminals to allow current to flow therethrough when the switch device is activated to the "on" condition; a temperature sensor operatively positioned to monitor the temperature associated with the at least one thermoelectric device; a comparator device receives an input from the current sensor and provides an output to the switch device; a programmable control device receives an input from the temperature sensor and provides an output to the comparator device, the value of the output is determined by the difference between the sensed temperature of the at least one thermoelectric device and the desired set point temperature of the at least one thermoelectric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Thermotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger S. DeVilbiss, Tony M. Quisenberry, Harry C. Powell
  • Patent number: 5682748
    Abstract: A power control circuit for improved temperature control of thermoelectric devices to maintain the temperature of thermoelectric devices at a set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Thermotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger S. DeVilbiss, Tony M. Quisenberry, Harry C. Powell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5627578
    Abstract: A method and device for raised letter or graphics printing, by means of a sprayed wet ink deposition on a print substrate. Subsequent dispensed thermographic powder thereon, with adherence of the powder only to the wet ink and heating thereafter, to a fixing temperature of the powder, results in the raised lettering or graphics. A standard portable ink jet printer of the bubble jet type, controlled, with graphics software control, by a personal computer, provides the requisite non-contacting ink deposition. The dispensing cartridge(s) of the ink jet printer is (are) provided with non-contact-drying ink formulations (with two or more separate colors, if desired) for the portion of graphics or printing which is to be in raised form. A thermographic powder dispenser and heating member is connected to the output of the ink jet printer, or integrated therewith for completion of the raised printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Thermotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Weintraub
  • Patent number: 5046321
    Abstract: A thermodynamic constant volume vapor compression heat pump system including method and apparatus wherein a closed fluid loop having first, intermediate and second treatment stations, is employed. A liquid refrigerant fluid under low pumping pressure is introduced to a first treatment station following initial expansion, accelerating propulsion, and atomization thereof, precedent to evaporation of the refrigerant fluid through a divisive containment of the accelerated refrigerant fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Thermotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Sherwood F. Webster
  • Patent number: 4866947
    Abstract: A thermodynamic constant volume vapor compression heat pump system including method and apparatus wherein a closed fluid loop having first, intermediate and second treatment stations, is employed. A liquid refrigerant fluid under low pumping pressure is introduced to a first treatment station following initial expansion, accelerating propulsion, and atomization thereof, precedent to evaporation of the refrigerant fluid through a divisive containment of the accelerated refrigerant fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Thermotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Sherwood F. Webster