Abstract: A thermoelectric device is provided. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric device includes a first portion of a thermoelement and a second portion of the thermoelement. The first portion of the thermoelement is thermally coupled to a hot plate. The second portion of a thermoelement is thermally coupled to a cold plate. One of the first and second portions of the thermoelement comprises a plurality of tips and the other one of the first and second portions of the thermoelement comprises a substantially planar surface. The tips and the substantially planar surface are arranged in proximity such that the first and second portions of the thermoelement are electrically coupled.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An improved efficiency thermoelectric power generation system is disclosed wherein convection is actively facilitated through a thermoelectric array, and the thermoelectric array is used to generate electrical power. Thermal power is convected through the thermoelectric array or arrays toward at least one side of the thermoelectric array, which leads to increased efficiency. Thermal power is applied to the array, creating a temperature gradient across the array. The thermoelectric system may also be combined with other power generation systems, forming a co-generation system.

Abstract: An improved thermoelectric power generation system utilizes rotary thermoelectric configurations to improve and increase thermal power throughput. These systems are further enhanced by the use of hetrostructure thermoelectric materials, very thin plated materials, and deposited thermoelectric materials, which operate at substantially higher power densities than typical of the previous bulk materials. Several configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: A modular thermoelectric cooling/heating unit is installed through an opening in a wall separating first and second temperature zones. This modular thermoelectric cooling/heating unit comprises a thermoelectric device including a cold surface, a hot surface, and a cooling/heating member between an electrical power supply and the cold and hot surfaces. A heat conducting block has a proximal end for thermally contacting with a first one of the cold and hot surfaces, and a distal end. A first heatsink thermally contacts with a second one of the cold and hot surfaces, a second heatsink thermally contacts with the distal end of the heat conducting block, and a thermally insulated housing covers at least a portion of the heat conducting block between the proximal and distal ends of this block.

Abstract: An improved efficiency thermoelectric system and method of making such a thermoelectric system are disclosed. Significant thermal isolation between thermoelectric elements in at least one direction across a thermoelectric system provides increased efficiency over conventional thermoelectric arrays. Significant thermal isolation is also provided for at least one heat exchanger coupled to the thermoelectric elements. In one embodiment, the properties, such as resistance or current flow, of the thermoelectric elements may also be varied in at least one direction across a thermoelectric array. In addition, the mechanical configuration of the thermoelectric elements may be varied, in one embodiment, according to dynamic adjustment criteria.

Abstract: A contained beverage cooling apparatus for cooling and keeping cool a beverage placed in the apparatus. The contained beverage cooling apparatus includes a housing. The housing has a bottom wall and a top wall. A peripheral side wall extends between and is integrally coupled to a periphery of the top and bottom walls. The housing has a front side and a back side. The top wall has a hole therein for receiving a cylindrical can or cup. The hole is positioned generally adjacent to the front side of the housing. A cooling means for cooling a beverage placed in the hole includes a duct. The duct has an open first end and an open second end. The duct is positioned in a spaced relationship with the top wall such that the second end extends away from the back side of the housing. A first heat sink is securely attached to an interior of the top wall. A second heat sink is securely mounted to an interior surface of the duct. A thermo-electric device is positioned between the duct and the top wall.

Abstract: A thermoelectric air conditioning apparatus is comprised of a housing having a plurality of air inlets and a plurality of air outlets; a plurality of thermoelectric elements; two heat exchangers; a temperature regulator, having first and second air inlets, a main air outlet and at least one exhaust outlet; two air circulation units and a control unit. Thermoelectric elements are energized, and cause a reduction of temperature on one side and an increase of temperature on the other side. One air flow is forced to flow through one of the housing air inlets, over a heat exchanger and to the first air outlet of the temperature regulator. Another air flow is forced to flow through one of the housing inlets, over the other heat exchanger and to the second air outlet of the temperature regulator.

Abstract: A heat exchanger 17 for an electronic heat pump 11 includes a thermally conductive base plate 18 having first and second surfaces, the first surface being flat and adapted to make intimate surface contact with a surface of the electronic heat pump and the second surface being obverse to the first surface and supporting an array of thermally conductive fins 21. The adjacent fins 21 define there between a plurality of micro channels.

Abstract: A system for actively heating and cooling an object contains a thermoelectric device having a Peltier junction. The system is capable of reversing the direction of DC current flow through the Peltier junction so that the thermoelectric cooler/heater either heats or cools the object, as selected. The DC power supply is preferably operated in switch-mode. The thermoelectric device is disposed in a laser diode module or in heat-conductive contact with a laser housing mounting plate in a high-density laser source bank.

Abstract: A novel modular and miniature chiller is proposed that symbiotically combines absorption and thermoelectric cooling devices. The seemingly low efficiency of each cycle individually is overcome by an amalgamation with the other. This electro-adsorption chiller incorporates solely existing technologies. It can attain large cooling densities at high efficiency, yet is free of moving parts and comprises harmless materials. The governing physical processes are primarily surface rather than bulk effects, or involve electron rather than fluid flow. This insensitivity to scale creates promising applications in areas ranging from cooling personal computers and other micro-electronic appliances, to automotive and room air-conditioning.

Abstract: To counteract condense dew on a transparent cover film (3) covering each well (2) in an array of wells which forms a test plate (1) having a lower side formed by the bottoms of the wells (2) and an upper side formed by the upper edges of the wells (2) onto which edges the cover film (3) is sealingly attached, the test plate (1) is for a set time placed with its lower surface contacting a cooling plate (5), which is by a cooling element (8) kept at a set temperature below the room temperature, and with its upper surface in a distance from a heating plate (4) which is by a heating element (7) kept at a set temperature higher than the room temperature.

Abstract: An improved efficiency thermoelectric system operates the thermoelectric elements in the system in a non-steady state manner. The thermoelectric elements are powered for predefined periods of time to obtain increased efficiency. This benefit can be improved by also altering the resistance of the thermoelectric elements during the power-on period such that resistive heating is minimized.

Abstract: An arrangement for supplementing passive heat transfer from a hard disk drive housing to a surrounding environmental housing includes active heat transfer devices and an arrangement biasing the disk drive housing into heat conducting contact with the environmental housing. The environmental housing includes a heat conducting outer shell and an internal heat conducting plate spaced from the shell, with the active heat transfer devices positioned in the space. In one embodiment, lifting devices having relatively moveable wedge members are actuatable to lift the disk drive housing into firm contact with the heat conducting plate. In another embodiment, the hard disk drive is moved into heat conducting contact by the cooperation of pins on the disk drive housing and inclined surfaces in the environmental housing, along with wedge members on a door of the environmental housing. The active heat transfer devices can be Peltier effect devices or heat pipes.

Abstract: A temperature modification system for modifying the temperature of fluids includes at least one thermally conductive carbon foam element, the carbon foam element having at least one flow channel for the passage of fluids. At least one temperature modification device is provided, the temperature modification device thermally connected to the carbon foam element and adapted to modify the temperature of the carbon foam to modify the temperature of fluids flowing through the flow channels. Thermoelectric and/or thermoionic elements can preferably be used as the temperature modification device. A method for the reversible temperature modification of fluids includes the steps of providing a temperature modification system including at least one thermally conductive carbon foam element having flow channels and at least one temperature modification device, and flowing a fluid through the flow channels.

Abstract: An insulated beverage cooling container for cooling and insulating a beverage. The insulated beverage cooling container includes a container having a base wall. A peripheral side wall is integrally coupled to a periphery of the base wall and extends upwardly therefrom for defining an interior space and an upper peripheral edge. The container further includes a generally horizontally orientated first intermediate face mounted to the peripheral side wall above and in general parallel orientation with the base wall for defining a first compartment. A perimeter wall is integrally coupled to and extends downwardly away from the periphery of the base wall for defining a space and a lower peripheral edge. A second intermediate face is mounted to the perimeter wall below and in general parallel orientation with the base wall for defining a second compartment and a lower peripheral edge. The second intermediate face has a plurality of holes therethrough.

Abstract: A storage unit is provided for selectively heating and/or cooling items placed therein. The storage unit has a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment. A thermoelectric module is positioned in between the first and second storage compartments. The thermoelectric module regulates and maintains various desired temperatures within the storage compartments. Particularly, the thermoelectric module is capable of heating the first storage compartment and cooling the second storage compartment.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device containing at least one thermoelement formed by powder metallurgical techniques including, but not limited to: hot pressing, hot isostatic pressing, press and sinter and mechanical alloying.

Abstract: Air condition for individual cooling/heating including a front compartment and a rear compartment separated by a partition plate made of an insulating material for forced inlet and outlet of external air therethrough respectively, at least two heat exchanger parts each in upper parts of the front and rear compartments and lower parts of front and rear compartments for making heat exchange with external air passing through the front compartment and the rear compartment respectively, first drawing means and second drawing means mounted in an upper portion or a lower portion of the front compartment or the rear compartment respectively for forced circulation of the external air through respective compartments, and driving means for driving the first and second drawing means, each of the heat exchanger parts includes thermoelectric modules each connected to a power source for absorbing heat at a heat absorptive part and discharging the heat from a heat dissipative part provided opposite to the heat absorptive par

Abstract: The internal temperature of a small, temperature-sensitive device, such as a microdrive, can be controlled using a thermoelectric unit to permit the temperature-sensitive device to be used in a wider range of installations. In particular, a thermoelectric unit is provided at the housing of the temperature-sensitive device. A Peltier thermoelectric module is advantageously used to thereby provide an environmental shell that operates in either a heating or a cooling mode.

Abstract: A thermal cycler for controlled heating and cooling of biological samples uses eight Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs), positioned between a metal sample plate and a heat sink (2). By altering the polarity of the applied current through the TEC, the temperature of the sample plate can be raised or lowered. When uniform heating and cooling of the sample plate is required, all eight TECs are connected in series and in the same polarity. To produce temperature gradients across the sample plate, the relative polarity of individual TECs is changed or they are bypassed altogether.

Abstract: A single ended filly encapsulated water cooling cartridge for thermoelectrically cooling fluids has a vertically mounted cylindrical water flow pipe with a plurality of flat sides and acting as a cold plate communicating with an inlet of the water cooling cartridge, a like plurality of heat sinks circumferentiary positioned around the water flow pipe with longitudinal fins extending radially outwardly from each heat sink, a cylindrical shell enveloping the heat sinks and the water flow pipe and forming an annulus air passageway therein, an axial forced air fan mounted on the top of the water cooling cartridge to induce air flow along the heat sinks, thermoelectric elements acting as heat pumps positioned between the heat sink and the water flow pipe, and a temperature control thermostat.

Abstract: A temperature controller 51 is disclosed, which comprises a temperature control element 53 disposed on the bottom of a case 52, a light-waveguide element 11 and a metal plate 55 intervening between the elements 53 and 11. The metal groove 55 has a groove, in which a temperature sensor 36 is buried together with a highly heat conductive material. The detected temperature output of the temperature sensor 36 is inputted to a temperature control circuit 58 for controlling the temperature of the temperature control element 53. The temperature sensor 36 inclusive of its lead lines are buried in the metal plate 55 such as to cover a long distance. Thus, the temperature control is less subject to the influence of the ambient temperature and can thus be made with high accuracy.

Abstract: Described herein is a temperature control system for cooling magnetic elements (14) in MRI apparatus (10). The control system comprises a wax (16) in contact with the elements (14) which is substantially maintained at its phase transition temperature between a solid state and a liquid state, but in a substantially solid state. A sensor (18) is immersed in the wax (16) and operates to provide a signal on the change of state of the wax (16). The sensor (18) is connected to a controller (20) which controls the operation of a heating element (26) also immersed in the wax (16) to control the temperature thereof. When the MRI apparatus is operational, heat is generated by the magnetic elements (14) is used to change the wax (16) to a liquid, this change being detected by the sensor (18) which sends signals to the controller (20) to turn off the heating element (26).

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a fluid by use of a thermoelectric device comprises at least one temperature control unit, which is composed of a first heat-transfer member having at least one channel, through which the fluid flows, a pair of thermo-modules each incorporating the thermoelectric device, which are placed on opposite surfaces of the first heat-transfer member, and a pair of second heat-transfer members, each of which has a flange on its periphery and is placed on the thermo-module. The temperature control unit is stably held between a pair of holding frames each having an aperture such that each of the holding frames is pressed against the flange of the second heat-transfer member through a sealing material having elasticity, and a part of the second heat-transfer member is exposed through the aperture. This apparatus is capable of cooling the fluid without chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used as a coolant for conventional refrigerators.

Abstract: A compact self-contained thermoelectric cooler (TEC) is provided by utilizing a DC to DC active power supply to provide compact size. The compactness and flatness of the DC to DC active power supply allows the unit to be completely self-contained. The compactness and flatness of the DC to DC active power supply allow the power supply assembly to be located on the hot side of the TEC. A non-planar barrier between the hot side and cold side of the TEC also provides compactness and allows the TEC to be completely self-contained. A mounting frame is disposed between the hot and cold side. The mounting frame includes a power pack cutout allowing a non-planar barrier between the hot and cold side. Electrical components of the power supply are mounted to a power pack heat sink. The power pack heat sink is attached to the mounting frame with electrical components protruding through the power pack cutout.

Abstract: A thermoelectric food service container having a doubled walled plastic molded container with foam disposed between the walls, and a door for access to container. A thermoelectric unit is connected to the container through access openings, and has P and N type semi-conductors connected for the flow of current between them from a power supply. Controls control the flow of current to the P and N type semi-conductors and a fan circulates air within the container over food containers in spaced relationship on support racks within the container.

Abstract: A thermoelectric stirrer for cooling a substance includes a housing formed of thermoelectric material for absorbing heat from the substance and includes a conduit 38 between an input port 18 and an output port 20. A fan 36 is positioned adjacent the input port and is adapted to draw air into the conduit. The air carries heat absorbed by the housing through the output port. A switch 26 is provided for selectively controlling power to the stirrer. A clip 22 is provided to engage the rim of a container and another clip 58 is provided to secure the stirrer to the clothing of a user.

Abstract: An advanced thermal container has a thermally insulated open receptacle, a thermally insulated closure member, a data monitoring system incorporated into the container that can send and receive information via wireless communication, and a sealing system to minimize heat transfer and air exchange between the interior and exterior of the container. Hard plastic casing enclosing foam-encased vacuum insulation panels is used to construct the insulated receptacle and closure member. The closure member and receptacle each have an elongated portion with shoulders above and below the elongated portion. When the container is closed, a lower seal and an upper seal are compressed between the mating lower and upper shoulders, respectively. The onboard data monitoring system records important parameters concerning the internal and external environments of the container, particularly temperature information, as well as other significant events such as the number of times the container was opened during transit.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a thermally isolated element formed above a substrate such that the thermally isolated element is isolated from the substrate by a cavity, a thermal-to-electrical transducer for converting heat to an electrical signal, an electrical-to-thermal transducer for converting an electrical signal to heat, a functional material whose physical property changes at a particular temperature, and a circuit, formed on the substrate, for controlling the electrical-to-thermal transducer in accordance with a signal received from the thermal-to-electrical transducer. The thermal-to-electrical transducer, the electrical-to-thermal transducer, and the functional material are formed in the thermally isolated element.

Abstract: A device for cold and warm fomentations is disclosed. The device has a fomentation head and a heat exchange element control unit. The fomentation head includes a semiconductor heat exchange element. A coolant tank is mounted on the top surface of the heat exchange element. A heat conducting plate is fixed to the bottom surface of the heat exchange element. A far infrared radiation ceramic or metal-coated layer is positioned on the bottom surface of the heat conducting plate. The heat exchange element control unit includes a direct current electric source. A power polarity converting switch circuit is connected to the heat exchange element in parallel with the electric source. A program circuit is connected to the power polarity converting switch circuit at its output terminal. A rush current restricting element is connected to the heat exchange element.

Abstract: A thermal barrier enclosure system, comprising one or more thermal barriers, providing active temperature control without an active heat pump, and enabling rapid recharge and thermal isolation of the onboard thermal storage material or payload. The thermal barrier enclosure system is used to control the temperature in a shipping container or a refrigerator. Thermal control is achieved with one or more thermal control barriers comprised of an insulation barrier, a temperature sensitive device, and a thermal conduit through which energy flows. The combination of the temperature sensitive device and thermal conduit forms a thermal regulator that varies the thermal energy flow as the regulator is operated from its open to its closed position, and vise versa. By positioning one or more thermal control barriers in a thermal enclosure, tight-tolerance temperature control can be achieved even when the external temperature may vary above or below the control volume temperature.

Abstract: A thermoelectric heat pump fluid circuit apparatus (10) for alternately delivering hot and cold fluids to an end device (12) such as a therapeutic wrap or pad. The apparatus includes a heat pump (14), a fluid circuit (16) coupled with the heat pump and having a fluid contained therein, a pump (18) interposed in the fluid circuit for circulating the fluid therein, and a valve (20) interposed in the fluid circuit for selectively delivering fluid from the fluid circuit to a device coupled with the apparatus.

Abstract: A new device is provided for controlling and maintaining the ambient air temperature within a remote telecommunications battery enclosure. A thermoelectric device located in intimate contact with heat exchangers and fans configured such that at least one heat exchanger is positioned within or spaced in thermal communication with the interior of the battery enclosure, and at least one heat exchanger is positioned outside of or spaced in thermal communication with a thermal dissipation arrangement exterior to the battery enclosure. The system further has a sensor or microprocessor connected to the thermoelectric device and configured to control the system to heat or cool the battery enclosure by responsively reversing polarity of the thermoelectric device as indicated by ambient air temperature or battery temperature to maintain the air temperature within predetermined limitations. A hydrogen vent is provided to maintain sub lower explosive levels of hydrogen gas within the battery enclosure.

Abstract: A temperature controlled mobile vehicle compartment for providing a convenient article storage having a heat exchanger thermally connected to a thermoelectric device controlling thermal energy flow to and from the compartment. An air duct assembly cooperates with the thermoelectric device to vent the heat from the device outside the compartment and segregates the inflow air from the outflow air which received the thermal energy.

Abstract: A cooler of an optical fiber draw tower, situated below a melting furnace for melting a preform for an optical fiber, for cooling the optical fiber drawn from the preform melted in the melting furnace, includes at least one heat exchanger installed with a predetermined length surrounding the optical fiber drawn from the melting furnace, for cooling the drawn optical fiber. The heat exchanger is formed of a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) for taking electrical energy through one heat absorbing surface to emit heat to the other heat emitting surface and has a tubular shape in which the heat absorbing surface of the TEC surrounds the optical fiber drawn from the melting furnace along the drawing direction by a predetermined length, and the drawn optical fiber is cooled as it passes through the tubular TEC. Also, the cooler further includes an auxiliary cooler attached to the heat emitting surface of the TEC, for cooling the emitted heat.

Abstract: A food heating and cooling device including a tray, at least one main dish plate in the tray, at least one secondary dish plate in the tray, a cover associated with the tray for maintaining the food hot or cold, an inducer for heating, reheating or maintaining heat and powered by an electronic generator circuit which induces currents in an armature located on or under the plates, a thermoelectric exchanger for maintaining the food cold or cool by extracting residual heat from the plates and compensates for thermal insulation leaks from the tray and cover, and rechargeable batteries connected to the inducer and the thermoelectric exchanger.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing system and method, which uses heat energy typically wasted in most common semiconductor processing systems, to generate power. The present invention includes a heat management system, which uses the waste heat and/or the excess heat generated by a thermal-processing chamber, to generate a current from a first thermoelectric device. The current from the first thermoelectric device is then delivered to a second thermoelectric device. The second thermoelectric device, driven by the current from the first thermoelectric device, can be used to remove heat from a cooling chamber or else add heat to another processing chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus, method, and signal for sub-ambient cooling using thermoelectric dynamics in conjunction with configurations and activation schemes to maximize the mean time between failure (MTBF) of thermoelectric coolers. In one form, a signal is provided which periodically alters the state of the Peltier devices from an active state to a passive state. During the active state the Peltier device provides maximum cooling and during the passive state the Peltier device minimizes thermal leakage while reducing cooling. Preferable implementations provide multiple signals to thermoelectric arrays such that, for a predetermined time, a first set of the arrays are in the active state while a second set of the arrays are in the passive state to thereby minimize failures and maximize the MTBF of the thermoelectric arrays.

Abstract: Thermoelectric cooler for providing sub-ambient cooling and method of fabricating same. In one form, sub-micron thermoelectric coolers are formed using doped thin films as thermoelectric elements. The thin film thermoelectric elements are created on thermally and electrical isolating materials using an electrochemical deposition process with a junction formed between the thermoelectric elements. The sub-micron thermoelectric coolers can then be used to locally cool nanoscopic geometric regions such as regions of an integrated circuit or can be configured in an array for large scale microscopic cooling applications.

Abstract: An electrical system is disclosed which includes a supply voltage and electronic circuitry which requires an operational voltage that is less than the supply voltage. A thermoelectric heat pump is interposed between the supply voltage and the electronic circuitry to produce heating or cooling using the excess power which would otherwise be dissipated in a regulator. A voltage regulator is provided between the output of the thermoelectric heat pump and the electronic circuitry to provide the operational voltage to the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing integrated bake and chill thermal cycling applied to a material substrate is provided. The apparatus is a module comprising an integrated bake and chill plate with one or more fluid channels in a generally spiraling arrangement. The fluid channels have inlets and outlets near the center and perimeter of the integrated bake and chill plate. Additionally, the fluid channels can have microchannels through portions thereof. The module can also comprise one or more thermoelectric devices, a thermally conductive plate on which the substrate directly or indirectly rests, a printed circuit board, and a variable power source. The integrated bake and chill plate, the thermally conductive plate and the thermoelectric devices are all in thermal contact with each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling temperatures at a semiconductor circuit (22) by an array (32) of thermoelectric cooler cells (34) which are disposed proximate the semiconductor circuit (22). At least one thermoelectric cooler (38) is located at the individual thermoelectric cooler cells (34) for removing and adding heat from cell areas associated with the thermoelectric coolers. A memory device (50) is associated with the cooler cells (34) and stores operational settings for the cooler cells. A controller (28) is coupled with the thermoelectric cooler cells (34) to individually control the operational settings for the cooler cells in the array (32).

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for thermally conditioning and pumping a fluid having use as a ventilation system for vehicle seats and other applications. The system includes a thermoelectric heat exchanger having a thermoelectric element configured to pump heat from one body to another body. A pair of heat exchanger elements comprising rotor units are coupled to the thermoelectric element for both transferring heat to and from the thermoelectric element and generating a fluid flow across the thermoelectric element. The conditioned fluid may be placed in thermal communication with a variety of objects, one of which is a vehicle seat to provide localized heating and cooling of a person sitting on the seat.

Abstract: Thermoelectric cooler for providing sub-ambient cooling to an object and method of fabricating same. In one form, the thermally conducting but electrically insulating substrate interfaces used in conventional thermoelectric coolers are replaced by ultra-thin semiconductor substrates having a plurality of doped regions. Diodes formed in the semiconductor substrates are maintained in a reverse biased state to provide the desired electrical isolation necessary for operating the thermoelectric coolers. The reverse biased state is maintained by either the inherent properties resulting from forming the diode in the semiconductor material or through application of a bias voltage to the semiconductor substrates though a layer of conductive material deposited on the outermost surfaces of the substrates.

Abstract: An electric element (Peltier element composite) is disposed in a boundary between an outside air introduction passage and an inside air introduction air passage (114). The Peltier element composite absorbs heat from the inside air in the inside air introduction passage to cool and dehumidify the inside air and radiates heat to outside air in the outside air introduction passage. The inside air and outside air are blown out from a defroster air outlet through a second air passage. In this way, it is possible to increase an amount of introduced inside air and to improve the heating performance while maintaining the defrosting performance.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer processing apparatus, and more specifically, an apparatus containing a pedestal assembly having a thermally controlled platen for providing a controllable, uniform temperature distribution across the diameter of a semiconductor wafer. The thermally controlled platen heats and cools the semiconductor wafer placed upon the platen so the workpiece may be maintained uniformly at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A transportable cart assembly is described which controls various environmental conditions within an enclosure while transporting items such as semiconductor wafers or flat panel displays. A fan and filter unit is used to control the spread of small particles within the cart and a heating and cooling unit, such as a thermoelectric heater, is used to control the temperature within the enclosure. The fan and filter unit works in conjunction with the heating and cooling unit in a single-pass flow or recirculating cycle to maintain the temperatures within the enclosure at predetermined levels. The cart also has lighting and an ionization unit to control electrostatic discharge. The cart assembly is powered by an external power supply through a retractable power cord or through its on-board power supply.