Thermoelectric; E.g., Peltier Effect Patents (Class 62/3.2)
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Patent number: 7047757Abstract: A vacuum laser constant temperature device is adopted for a housing that has a heat dissipation module arranged therein. The device has a metallic partition adjacent to the heat dissipation module to enclose a airtight vacancy formed with the housing, a thermoelectric cooling chip with a heating portion connecting to a side of the metallic partition and a cooling portion, a semiconductor laser lighting module arranged in the airtight vacancy and connecting to the cooling portion of the thermoelectric cooling chip, and a heat insulation layer arranged both on an opposite side of the metallic partition and in the airtight vacancy. Heat generated by the semiconductor laser lighting module can be transferred to the heat dissipation module via the thermoelectric cooling chip and the metallic partition. The thermoelectric cooling chip makes an output power of the semiconductor laser lighting module keep constant within various environments without the condensation thereon.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Eins OE-Tech Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sheng-Pin Su, Chun-Kun Yu
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Patent number: 7047762Abstract: A device for storage of an opened food container such as a wine container. The device includes a housing for receiving the opened food container in a substantially vertical orientation. A poppet valve assembly is provided for insertion in an opening in the opened food container and biased to enable it to accommodate opened food containers of varying sizes. The device includes a pressurized source of heaver-than-air inert gas located within the housing, a regulator for reducing the pressure of the inert gas from a first pressure at the pressurized source of the heavier-than-air inert gas to second pressure at the poppet valve assembly. The poppet valve assembly also includes a spring-loaded check ball, low-pass port, shuttle and orifice to control pressure and flow path of the heavier-than-air inert gas and to direct the heavier-than-air inert gas to the opened food container thus displacing any air that may have been present therein through an exhaust port.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Inventors: Gregory J. Luzaich, Teddy R. Bryant
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Patent number: 7024864Abstract: An adjustable bipolar current source for a load, such as a thermoelectric cooler, includes a voltage-controlled power supply having a unipolar output, and an H-bridge. At least one of the two active elements on a first side and at least one of the two active elements on a second side of the H-bridge comprises an active conductive element responsive to a control signal to set a magnitude of current flow through the active conductive element. Control logic provides the control signals to the active elements on the first and second sides to set the polarity of the current to the load. Logic coupled to the voltage-controlled power supply maintains a supply voltage sufficient to maintain a voltage drop across the active conductive elements within a linear range of operation of the conductive elements. The output of the voltage-controlled power supply is clamped at or near a minimum stable level.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Inventor: Anthony J. Alfrey
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Patent number: 7003962Abstract: A thermoelectric transducer comprising an emitter (1) for emitting electrons according to the action of heat or an electric field, a collector (2) disposed so as to face the emitter (1) and collect electrons emitted from the emitter (1), and an electron transport layer (3) held between the emitter (1) and the collector (2) to serve as a region for transferring the electrons emitted from the emitter (1), the electron transport layer (3) being a porous body having a mixed structure of a vapor phase and a solid phase, the entire solid phase which composes the porous body being composed of an insulating material, and the electrons emitted from the emitter traveling in the vapor phase by applying an electric potential to the collector (2) that is higher than that applied to the emitter (1).Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Deguchi, Akira Taomoto, Toyokazu Ozaki, Motoshi Shibata
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Patent number: 7000417Abstract: A super cooler device including a thermo electric cooler on a digital micro mirror device.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Production Resource Group, Inc.Inventors: Nigel Evans, William E. Hewlett
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Patent number: 7000416Abstract: a cooling apparatus 110 comprises a primary refrigerant circulating circuit which allows a primary refrigerant CW1 whose temperature is adjusted by a heat exchanger 138 to circulate through an electrode to adjust a temperature of the electrode, a secondary refrigerant circulating circuit which supplies a secondary refrigerant CW2 to the heat exchanger to adjust the temperature of the primary refrigerant, and a freezing circuit 140 which has a first heat exchanger 141 interposed in the secondary refrigerant circulating circuit and which adjust a temperature of the secondary refrigerant by a tertiary refrigerant. The temperature of the primary refrigerant is adjusted by the secondary refrigerant without adjusting the temperature using the freezing circuit. When a temperature of the primary refrigerant is set higher than that of the secondary refrigerant, the temperature of the primary refrigerant can be adjusted only by the secondary refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Takaaki Hirooka, Masao Furuya
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Patent number: 7000407Abstract: A refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment, a refrigerator door coupled to the refrigerator compartment, the refrigerator door has an inner surface. The refrigerator further includes a bin for storing items therein mounted to the inner surface of the refrigerator door and at least one thermoelectric module operationally coupled to the bin, such that the bin is temperature controlled independent of the refrigerator compartment.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Debra Ann Miozza, Martin Zentner, Anand Ganesh Joshi, Sanjay Manohar Anikhindi, Venkataramana Rachakonda, Venkata Ramakrishna Ramayanam, John Kenneth Hooker, Omar Haidar
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Patent number: 6995931Abstract: A temperature controlled optoelectronic device includes an optoelectronic transducer having an active area, an electronic cooling device, on which the optoelectronic transducer is mounted, and a temperature sensor installed in the electronic cooling device. The temperature sensor and the electronic cooling device control a temperature of the optoelectronic transducer. A surface of an electronic cooling device directly contacts a base of the optoelectronic transducer for efficient thermal coupling. When the temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the optoelectronic transducer is directly attached to a substrate of the electronic cooling device, e.g., to an inside surface of a plate on which the optoelectronic transducer is mounted, the temperature of the optoelectronic transducer can be accurately sensed and adjusted to a precise target temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: In-duk Hwang, Gil-won Yoon, Kye-jin Jeon
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Patent number: 6988546Abstract: The sample temperature regulator is provided with a heating block (3) having a sample container holder (6) and a temperature-controllable heater (7) and with a cooling block (4) having a cooling mechanism (11). These two blocks are combined with each other through a connecting plate (15) made of a material having a thermal conductivity lower than those of these blocks. This constitution can reduce heat transfer between the heating block and the cooling block and allows them to have wide temperature regulating ranges, as well as increased heating capacity and cooling capacity, respectively. Further, this constitution makes the structure of the temperature regulator simple and compact, so that the regulator has increased durability and can be offered at a low price.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2000Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Eyela-Chino Inc.Inventor: Yuta Ohki
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Patent number: 6985000Abstract: A solid state thermal control device contains a substrate and a plurality of solid state thermal elements on the substrate. The thermal elements are adapted to provide thermal control to a device under test (DUT). Each solid state thermal element contains at least one solid state heater and an active control circuit adapted to control a thermal output of the heater. Optionally, the each thermal element may also include a solid state temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Delta Design, Inc.Inventors: Jan Feder, Rick Beyerle, Stephen Byers, Thomas Jones
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Patent number: 6981380Abstract: Apparatus and methods in accordance with the present invention utilize thermoelectric cooling (TEC) technology to provide enhanced power distribution and/or dissipation from a microelectronic die and/or microelectronic packages. Individual TEC devices are thermally interconnected with the microelectronic die in a number of placement configurations, including between the microelectronic die and the heat sink, on the integrated heat spreader (IHS) inner surface, and on the IHS outer surface. TEC devices comprise p- and n-type semiconducting material created using similar process as the microcircuits. The TEC devices are located in various regions within or on the microelectronic die, including directly below the microcircuits, on the backside of the microelectronic die, and on a separate substrate of microelectronic die material fabricated apart from the microelectronic die and subsequently thermally coupled to the backside of the microelectronic die.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Gregory M. Chrysler, Paul A. Koning, Saikumar Jayaraman, Makarem A. Hussein
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Patent number: 6981381Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corp.Inventors: Ching Wang, Robert M. Bartel, Hans W. Klein
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Patent number: 6965515Abstract: A base station for a wireless communications system having a tower-mounted amplifier system with a low-noise amplifier transistor and a thermoelectric cooler that reduces the operating temperature of the low-noise amplifier transistor. The amplifier system has additional heat-generating components, such as filters, and additional electrical components mounted on a substrate to which the low-noise amplifier transistor is mounted. These heat-generating components are thermally isolated from the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler. As a result, the cooling capacity and electrical power requirement for the thermoelectric cooler is significantly reduced because only the low-noise amplifier transistor is cooled.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Andrew CorporationInventors: James L. Alford, Mike Thomas
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Patent number: 6963131Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated circuit system with at least one integrated circuit, a cooling body to dissipate the heat generated by the integrated circuit and a latent heat storage module having a latent heat storage medium. The latent heat storage module is thermally connected to the cooling body in order to temporarily store the heat generated by the integrated circuit and to convey it to the cooling body. The integrated circuit has at least one semiconductor component which is assembled on a substrate and the substrate is in direct thermal contact with the latent heat storage module.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbHInventors: Michael Frisch, Ralf Ehler
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Patent number: 6959555Abstract: A number of compact, high-efficiency and high-power density thermoelectric systems utilizing the advantages of thermal isolation are described. Such configurations exhibit high system efficiency and power density. Some configurations exhibit a substantial reduction in the amount of thermoelectric material required.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: BSST LLCInventor: Lon E. Bell
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Patent number: 6957542Abstract: A fuel tank body has a double-layer structure composed of an inner tank shell and an outer tank shell, so that an inter-tank-shell space is formed therebetween. Because heat of fuel in the fuel tank body is discharged into the inter-tank-shell space, the temperature of fuel in the fuel tank body is prevented from rising. If the pressure in a canister becomes negative due to a negative pressure in an intake system of an engine, more specifically, a negative pressure in a surge tank leading to an air cleaner, high-temperature air in the inter-tank-shell space between the inner tank shell and the outer tank shell flows into the canister. On the other hand, low-temperature air flows from the air cleaner into the inter-tank-shell space which has become negative in pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuyuki Kido, Masahide Kobayashi, Takashi Ishikawa
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Patent number: 6948321Abstract: An improved efficiency thermoelectric system is disclosed wherein convection is actively facilitated through a thermoelectric array. Thermoelectrics are commonly used for cooling and heating applications. Thermal power is convected through a thermoelectric array toward at least one side of the thermoelectric array, which leads to increased efficiency. Several different configurations are disclosed to provide convective thermal power transport, using a convective medium. In addition, a control system is disclosed which responds to one or more inputs to make adjustments to the thermoelectric system.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: BSST LLCInventor: Lon E. Bell
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Patent number: 6945054Abstract: A cooling device for cooling a microelectronic complex including a plurality of discrete functional modules. The cooling device includes a plurality of independent cooling modules, each cooling module in a thermal exchange relationship with a respective one of the plurality of discrete functional modules. During operation of the microelectronic complex, a cooling requirement of each discrete functional module is dynamically assessed, and the amount of cooling provided by each cooling module is adjusted on the basis of the assessed cooling requirements. Thus, the discrete functional modules are cooled independently from one another.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Inventor: Richard S. Norman
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Patent number: 6941761Abstract: A compressor having a housing with a compression mechanism mounted therein. A suction fluid passageway is located in the housing through which the compression mechanism receives refrigerant fluid. A thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with refrigerant fluid substantially at suction pressure in the suction fluid passageway. The thermoelectric device receives thermal energy from the suction fluid passageway and refrigerant fluid therein with the thermal energy being transferred from the compressor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Tecumseh Products CompanyInventors: George W. Gatecliff, William T. Horton
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Patent number: 6921858Abstract: Apparatus providing at least one thermoelectric device for pressurizing a liquefied gas container and methods employing same are disclosed. A thermoelectric device including a heating surface and a cooling surface is used for pressurizing a container by vaporizing liquefied gas within the container by transferring heat energy from a portion of the liquefied gas in contact with the cooling surface to another portion of the liquefied gas in contact with the heating surface of the thermoelectric device to convert some of the liquefied gas to a vapor state. Liquefied gas vapor and/or liquid phase may be supplied by disclosed apparatus and methods. The apparatus may also be used as a vapor pump or a liquid pump, or fluid pump. Methods of operation are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLCInventor: Dennis N. Bingham
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Patent number: 6893540Abstract: An apparatus for and method of distillation uses a high temperature thermoelectric device to heat a liquid, such as water to vapor (steam) and cool the vapor to a purified, distilled liquid. Distillation system has no moving parts, thereby increasing reliability while reducing noise and maintenance. Liquid in a container has a heating section on the container extending into it to boil it into a vapor that is fed to a condenser section disposed on the container adjacent to the heating section. A thermoelectric section provided with a Peltier effect device is interposed between the heating section and condenser section. The Peltier effect device has one side in contiguous contact with the condenser to transfer heat from it and another side is in contiguous contact with the heating section to transfer heat to it to boil the liquid into the vapor and feed the vapor through the condenser that condenses it into distilled liquid.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2001Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Brian Stout, Robert Peebles
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Patent number: 6889513Abstract: A temperature control system for maintaining a nitrous oxide pressurized bottle at a preselected temperature and pressure for injecting nitrous oxide into an engine is disclosed. The system includes a generally box shaped insulated container having a hinged cover. The nitrous oxide pressurized oxide bottle having an outer surface is disposed within the container and fixed in the bottom thereof. The system also includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the nitrous oxide bottle and a thermoelectric air conditioner for heating and cooling the pressurized bottle to maintain a preselected temperature and pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2004Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Clark Distribution Inc.Inventor: Dennis S. Clark
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Patent number: 6880346Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoelectric cooling apparatus for cooling an electronic device such as a CPU, or a computer chip. The apparatus cools the electronic device by two stages. In the first stage, a heat absorbing block collects the heat produced by the electronic device and the apparatus pre-cools the electronic device by dissipating a portion of the collected heat in a distant location through a front heat conductive device and a front radiator. Thereby the heat of the electronic device is reduced to a degree that a TEC can efficiently handle. In the second stage, a TEC of the apparatus dissipate the residual of the heat produced by the electronic device through at least a back heat pipe and a back radiator.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Giga-Byte Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hsiang-Chieh Tseng, Yi-Song Liu, Chia-Min Chou, Chia-Feng Yeh
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Patent number: 6880345Abstract: A cooling system for an electronic component is provided. The cooling system includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements for placement above a plurality of different areas of the electronic component. The cooling system has a plurality of conductors connected to the thermoelectric elements for providing current to the thermoelectric elements, such that the thermoelectric elements pump heat away from the respective areas. The cooling system has a control apparatus connected to the conductors for controlling current provided to the thermoelectric elements relative to one another based on heat generated at the different areas.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Javier M. Leija, Christopher D. Lucero
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Patent number: 6872916Abstract: Biometric object image capturing systems and methods prevent undesirable interruptions of total internal reflection of a prism that result in improper biometric images. A thermal assembly comprising a plurality of thermal elements is placed adjacent to the image capturing device. The thermal elements upon supply of a current are capable of either heating or cooling the image capturing device or a platen of the image capturing device. If cooling of the biometric object receiving surface is required, the thermal elements can be controlled to decrease temperature of an area where a biometric object is placed, or an area adjacent to where the biometric object is placed. If heating of the biometric object receiving surface is required, the thermal elements can be controlled to increase temperature of an area where a biometric object is placed, or an area adjacent to where the biometric object is placed, to remove and prevent accumulation of moisture.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Cross Match Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John F. Carver, George W. McClurg, Joseph F. Arnold
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Patent number: 6870089Abstract: A system and apparatus for charging an electronic device using solar energy are disclosed. In one form, a portable storage apparatus operable to charge a battery associated with an electronic device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first material configured to provide a storage space for storing articles. The storage space includes an interior portion and an exterior portion. The apparatus further includes a first flexible solar panel coupled to an exterior portion of the portable storage apparatus and integrated as a part of the first material. A second positional solar panel is also provided and coupled to an interior portion of the portable storage apparatus. The apparatus further includes a universal 12-volt charge port coupled to the first and second solar panels and operable to receive a charge conductor for charging the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Inventor: Randolph Dean Gray
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Patent number: 6854275Abstract: An automated storage library including: an enclosure having a cartridge storage area in an interior of the enclosure; a plurality of media cartridges disposed in the cartridge storage area; and a cooling unit operatively connected to the enclosure for cooling at least the cartridge storage area of the enclosure. Preferably, the enclosure has an exterior wall and the cooling unit is at least partially disposed in the exterior wall. More preferably, the cooling unit is a thermoelectric cooler having a hot side disposed on an exterior of the enclosure and a cold side disposed in the interior of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Jeremy Thomas Evans
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Patent number: 6845622Abstract: A heat-transfer device has a sealed vapor chamber with a phase-change fluid therein, and a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) element with a cooled side in thermal contact with the vapor chamber and a heated side in contact with heat-dissipation fins. The TEC element decreases the temperature of the vapor chamber and increases the temperature of the fins for improved efficiency. The vapor chamber is defined between concentrically positioned tubes, and a tunnel region is located within the inner tube. Additional TEC elements within the tunnel region further dissipate heat. In two-phase natural convection embodiments, TEC elements may further cool liquid returning to the heat source. Parallel heat dissipation paths may also be provided. In a two-phase forced convection embodiment, a TEC element may further cool liquid returning to the heat source, and additional TEC elements may be provided on the condenser. In some embodiments, active feedback controls the amount of energy transferred by a TEC element.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Ioan Sauciuc, Gregory M. Chrysler
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Patent number: 6840305Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus for use in measuring a rheological property of a test sample includes a receptacle for receiving the test sample and a heat conveying member in heat transfer relation to the receptacle. The heat conveying member has internal passages extending substantially equidistantly from one another through at least a portion of the heat conveying member to provide for counter-flow circulation of a fluid. The heat transfer apparatus may include heat exchanging elements in heat transfer relation to the receptacle responsive to electric current to transfer heat to or from the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2001Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Cannon Instrument CompanyInventors: Wanlie Zheng, Larry Russell Hayward
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Patent number: 6840056Abstract: In a cooling system for cooling first and second heat-generating members, the first heat-generating member is cooled by a refrigerator, and cold produced by the refrigerator is stored in a cold storage unit, so that both the first and second heat-generating members can be continuously cooled by only using a single adsorption unit. Therefore, production cost of the cooling system can be reduced. Further, because the second heat-generating member is cooled through the cold storage unit, a temperature change in the adsorption unit immediately after a switching between an adsorbing mode and a desorbing mode can be absorbed in the cold storage unit. Accordingly, the heat-generating members can be stably cooled while the component number of the cooling system can be decreased.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Masaaki Tanaka
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Patent number: 6837058Abstract: A tablet air cooling dock. In one embodiment, the dock includes a cooling unit a tablet cradle to receive and support a tablet computer. The cradle includes a passageway to receive air from the cooling unit and to provide the air to a vent of the tablet computer. In one embodiment, the tablet cradle is pivotally mounted to provide multiple viewing positions of the tablet computer.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Shawn S. McEuen, Brian Wilk, Himanshu Pokharna
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Patent number: 6837057Abstract: A docking station is provided with a thermoelectric module to generate cool air of a first temperature to be fed into a docked computer.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Himanshu Pokharna, Eric DiStefano
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Publication number: 20040261422Abstract: A tablet air cooling dock. In one embodiment, the dock includes a cooling unit a tablet cradle to receive and support a tablet computer. The cradle includes a passageway to receive air from the cooling unit and to provide the air to a vent of the tablet computer. In one embodiment, the tablet cradle is provitally mounted to provide multiple viewing positions of the tablet computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Shawn S. McEuen, Brian Wilk, Himanshu Pokhama
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Publication number: 20040261421Abstract: A tablet air cooling dock. In one embodiment, the dock includes a cooling unit a tablet cradle to receive and support a tablet computer. The cradle includes a passageway to receive air from the cooling unit and to provide the air to a vent of the tablet computer. In one embodiment, the tablet cradle is pivotally mounted to provide multiple viewing positions of the tablet computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Shawn S. McEuen, Brian Wilk, Himanshu Pokharna
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Patent number: 6829900Abstract: A gas-flow heat exchanger comprising a set of parallel, spaced, heat-conductive areas providing between them a stack of pockets each containing parallel baffles which define a platen of passageways guiding the gas-flow path through the pocket between inlet and outlet openings. The openings being arranged in four parallel lines at the sides of the stack, two of the lines respectively containing the inlet and outlet openings associated with the gas flow paths of alternative pockets. The remaining two lines respectively containing the inlet and outlet openings associated with the remaining pockets. Each pocket containing a removable frame formed with the openings provided at the ends of the gas flow path through it and supporting within the frame the parallel baffles which divide the gas-flow path into the platen of passageways. All of the passageways provide a substantially equal dwell time to gas passing therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Air-Change Pty LimitedInventor: John Francis Urch
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Publication number: 20040244383Abstract: A cooling device has a cooling area with a predefined periphery, and a cooling circuit surrounding the cooling area. The cooling circuit includes a medium and a plurality of N conductors in parallel alignment and located within the medium, the medium being a plurality of N+1 segments, with each segment being separated from other segments by a member of the plurality of conductors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2002Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventor: Richard Strnad
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Publication number: 20040244384Abstract: There is provided a heating medium circulating apparatus which is small and which does not require a very large installation space. In a heating medium circulating apparatus wherein a temperature controlling object being an object to be temperature-controlled, a main heat exchanger 88 for carrying out main heat exchange with a heating medium, and a circulating pump 84 are provided in a heating medium circulating system 78, a sub-heat exchanger 96 using a thermoelectric element 100 is provided in the heating medium circulating system downstream of the main heat exchanger to control the temperature of the heating medium. Thus, the apparatus itself is small, and the installation space is not very large.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventor: Koichi Yamazaki
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Patent number: 6826916Abstract: A Peltier module comprising: thermoelectric elements in which plural p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements are alternately arranged, metal electrodes placed in both ends of the thermoelectric elements in order to connect the thermoelectric elements in series, and metal substrates on at least a part of which surfaces an insulating thin film is formed, the metal substrates being oppositely placed so as to be connected to the metal electrodes and sandwich the metal electrodes and the thermoelectric elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mamoru Shimada, Naoki Kimura, Hajime Noda, Yoshio Nakamura
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Patent number: 6828499Abstract: A condensation panel to be used for harvesting water from atmospheric moisture during those times of the diurnal cycle when relative humidity is at or near 100% utilizes very localized cooling to optimize condensation on a surface whose materials promote the condensation and collection of the water. The panel is passive in the sense that it can be deployed and left in an unmaintained condition for considerable periods of time. At least one time each day, almost certainly in the morning, water harvested by the process of assisted condensation can be collected for use.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems, L.L.C.Inventor: Michael David Max
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Patent number: 6823678Abstract: An air conditioner system to provide cooling or heating to a flexible material-based device includes a ventilated portion located within a flexible material body, a thermoelectric module with heat exchanges on opposite sides, an air stream source, and a power source. The ventilated portion has two chambers formed between a flexible material inner layer, an intermediate layer and a flexible material outer layer with a plurality of air vents in each of the flexible material inner and outer layers. Each of the heat exchangers is in fluid communication with one of the chambers. The air stream source provides an air flow through the heat exchangers into the chambers and out through the plurality of vent holes. The power source provides power to at least the thermoelectric module.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Ferrotec (USA) CorporationInventor: Zhixin Li
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Patent number: 6825681Abstract: A solid state thermal control device contains a substrate and a plurality of solid state thermal elements on the substrate. The thermal elements are adapted to provide thermal control to a device under test (DUT). Each solid state thermal element contains at least one solid state heater and an active control circuit adapted to control a thermal output of the heater. Optionally, the each thermal element may also include a solid state temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Delta Design, Inc.Inventors: Jan Feder, Rick Beyerle, Stephen Byers, Thomas Jones
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Publication number: 20040231339Abstract: A refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment, a refrigerator door coupled to the refrigerator compartment, the refrigerator door has an inner surface. The refrigerator further includes a bin for storing items therein mounted to the inner surface of the refrigerator door and at least one thermoelectric module operationally coupled to the bin, such that the bin is temperature controlled independent of the refrigerator compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Debra Ann Miozza, Martin Zentner, Anand Ganesh Joshi, Sanjay Manohar Anikhindi, Venkataramana Rachakonda, Venkata Ramakrishna Ramayanam, John Kenneth Hooker, Omar Haidar
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Patent number: 6817191Abstract: To provide a temperature control device and a temperature control method, which are capable of applying temperature control with high accuracy to an object of temperature control and facilitating removal of the object of temperature control to reduce cost at the time of replacement, and an ink-jet recording apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: SII Printek Inc.Inventor: Toshiaki Watanabe
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Publication number: 20040216467Abstract: A device for storage of an opened food container such as a wine container. The device includes a housing for receiving the opened food container in a substantially vertical orientation. A poppet valve assembly is provided for insertion in an opening in the opened food container and biased to enable it to accommodate opened food containers of varying sizes. The device includes a pressurized source of heaver-than-air inert gas located within the housing, a regulator for reducing the pressure of the inert gas from a first pressure at the pressurized source of the heavier-than-air inert gas to second pressure at the poppet valve assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventors: Gregory J. Luziach, Teddy R. Bryant
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Patent number: 6805774Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus is provided for treating an impure liquid to produce purified liquid. The process includes electrically activating a thermoelectric module (24) to provide a first module heated surface (26) and a module cooler surface (28); feeding the impure liquid to the first module heated surface (26) to produce vapor of the liquid; and transferring the vapor to the module cooler surface (28), to effect heat transfer to the module cooler surface (28). The process further includes (a) directing a first portion of the vapor adjacent to or onto the module cooler surface (28) to effect heat transfer to the module cooler surface to produce a first condensed liquid; (b) directing a second portion of the vapor to condenser means (18) having a second cooler surface (46) remote from the module cooler surface (28) to effect heat transfer to the second cooler surface (46) to produce a second condensed liquid; and (c) collecting the first and second condensed liquids.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Inventor: Youssef Hanna Dableh
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Publication number: 20040200226Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes an optical system for guiding light to an object, a holding member for holding the object, a first refrigerator located near a holding side of the holding member without contacting the holding side, and a second refrigerator located near a backside of the holding member without contacting the backside.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventor: Shinichi Hara
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Publication number: 20040194470Abstract: Disclosed is a container warmer that utilizes the same compartment for heating and cooling. In optional embodiments, the unit may include a programmable timer operably connected to the heating and cooling units such that the timer may regulate activity of the units. In other embodiments, the invention may include a baby bottle warmer in which the baby bottle is placed in a water bath in a compartment, the water bath being heated or cooled by heating or cooling units, and optionally operably connected to a programmable timer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Shashank S. Upadhye, Shilpa M. Upadhye, Adam S. Thomas, James A. Weir
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Publication number: 20040194489Abstract: A thermal jacket adapted to accommodate and cool a storage battery placed in the engine compartment of an automobile and exposed to heat at elevated temperatures emanating from the engine. The walls of the rectangular jacket are formed of rigid, foam-plastic material which thermally isolate the battery from the engine. Embedded in a wall of the jacket is a heat exchanger in which there is circulated a refrigerant fluid derived from the air conditioner installed in the vehicle. The heat exchanger acts to cool the battery to maintain the temperature of the electrolyte therein at a level at which the battery operates at optimal efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventor: Jacob Pode
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Patent number: 6799282Abstract: In a power generating mechanism, a heat sink is mounted on a CPU of a notebook PC to diffuse heat generated by the CPU. A Seebeck element module is mounted in the heat sink to cause a large difference in temperature based on heat emitted from the heat sink and ventilation carried out by a fan unit. Electromotive force obtained from the Seebeck element module is used to drive selected components of the notebook PC.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2001Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kazuhiko Maeda, Hideto Horikoshi
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Patent number: 6798659Abstract: A CPU cooling structure is constructed having a thermoelectric cooling panel installed in a heat sink and controlled by a control circuit to cool the CPU to which the heat sink is fastened.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Inventor: Wilson Chen