Interior Of Enclosure Cooled; E.g., Refrigerator Patents (Class 62/3.6)
  • Publication number: 20120247127
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration appliance system in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling including multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: STEVEN JOHN KUEHL
  • Publication number: 20120240597
    Abstract: A temperature control apparatus for sample storage includes: a well block comprising at least one accommodation groove accommodating at least one container for containing at least one sample therein, respectively; and a temperature control unit controlling a respective temperature of the at least one sample to be uniform, wherein the temperature control unit includes: a heat source portion generating heat or cold; and a heat transfer object transferring the heat or the cold of the heat source portion to the well block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-Kwang HONG, Sung-Hun LEE
  • Patent number: 8272225
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling cassette magazines containing tissue samples is described. The apparatus comprises a housing, a cooling device, and a transport apparatus for transporting one or more cassette magazines within the housing. The cassette magazines are introduced into the apparatus via an input chute and can be removed via an output chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Walter
  • Patent number: 8261557
    Abstract: A heat transfer device exploits the properties of photonic crystal solids with resonant defect cavities to execute a thermodynamic cycle to accomplish the conversion between heat flow and useful energy. In a heat pump or refrigerator configuration, an actuator cyclically performs work on the photonic crystal to cycle the photonic crystal between a first state to permit the crystal to collect thermal energy from a cold region to heat the crystal and a second state to permit the photonic crystal to radiate electromagnetic energy to a hot region to cool the photonic crystal. A mechanism cycles the emission band of the photonic crystal for more efficient collection of heat energy and radiation of electromagnetic energy in the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Delmar L. Barker, William R. Owens
  • Patent number: 8245524
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration appliance system in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling including multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Steven John Kuehl
  • Publication number: 20120186273
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a produce chamber having an outer housing with a first panel, a second panel, and a base plate inter-dispersed between both panels. A door is placed between both panels to deposit and remove produce. Positioned within the first panel is a refrigeration system, which includes both ammonium absorption (AAF) system and a Peltier thermoelectric plate (TE) system. The AAF system includes a contact plate which communicates with a series of ducts having a first and second channel. The first channel circulates ammonia, while the second draws and then cools outside air for introduction into the produce chamber. The TE system is positioned proximate the contact plate to afford additional cooling, which has a plurality of parallel thermoelectric plates. A digital controller operates both the AAAF and TEC systems. Such controller also operates a scrubber, which includes zeolite powder, to remove ethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Vincent Arrigo, Glenn Akhavein, Richard T. Herbst, JR., Robert Brady
  • Publication number: 20120159968
    Abstract: A temperature and humidity controlled housing for storing and preserving wine bottles. The housing defines a storage compartment having front and rear temperature control chambers and wherein the rear chamber is also humidity controlled. A division wall having passages provided with a flexible sealing component receives bottles on supports associated with each of the passages and a cubic chamber structure in the rear chamber. The bottle necks engage the seals which, together with the division wall, substantially seal the front chamber from the rear chamber while the spout end portion of the wine bottles is supported in the rear humidified chamber. The housing may be used in a modular assembly. The method of use is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Guy Doucet, Laurent Senee
  • Publication number: 20120137706
    Abstract: An automated system and associated method for storing medical items comprises a medication cabinet having at least one refrigerated drawer having a thermo-electric cooling (TEC) device and a non-refrigerated drawer. The refrigerated drawer design is such that cooling gradients throughout the drawer are minimized. Faraday cages are provided about each drawer to support separate RFID readers to monitor the medical items in each drawer. An automatic RFID data detection system determines the temperature requirements of medical items in the refrigerated drawer and controls the TEC device to maintain the required temperature. A temperature logging system for the refrigerated drawer is provided. A separate RFID reader determines if a temperature-controlled item has been placed in a non-refrigerated drawer and if so, an alert is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MEPS REAL-TIME, INC.
    Inventors: Shariq Hussain, Paul M. Elizondo, Timothy Golde, Jimmy Caputo
  • Publication number: 20120131931
    Abstract: A device is disclosed which is designed to separate water, hydrocarbons and gases, based on the electric characteristics of the materials; the device utilises the different capacitance of water and hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas
    Inventors: Consuelo Goberna Selma, José Prieto Barranco, David Yañez Villareal
  • Patent number: 8186844
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes an appliance housing and a liner within the housing, defining an interior storage chamber at least partially enclosed by the liner, and providing a storage chamber rear wall, a first storage chamber sidewall, and a second storage chamber sidewall. The first storage chamber sidewall has a plurality of openings through the first storage chamber sidewall. The second storage chamber sidewall has another plurality of openings through the second storage chamber sidewall. A plurality of lighting devices illuminates the interior storage chamber. Each of the lighting devices is mounted within a respective one of the openings and emits light toward the storage chamber rear wall providing a showcase lighting effect. Each of the lighting devices includes a cover located in the interior storage chamber and a device housing located within the respective one of the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Hall
  • Publication number: 20120102972
    Abstract: A thermally conductive cup and holder for maintaining a temperature of a cold or hot beverage in the cup includes a thermally conductive cup or mug having an open or closed top, a closed bottom and an upper and lower portion between the top and bottom. The lower portion and bottom of the cup are made of a thermally conductive material such as aluminum while the upper portion includes a ceramic layer or coating. The cup holder includes a heat conductive liner engaging the bottom and lower portion of the cup and an on/off switch and a polarity switch to select heat or refrigeration. A thermal electric device maintains a hot or cold beverage at a pre-selected temperature and is connected to a computer or other source of electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Qasem A. Al-Qaffas
  • Publication number: 20120091212
    Abstract: An actuator device including: a case housing an expandable material, a moving part that can move in translation as a result of the expansion and/or contraction of the expandable material, and a heater to heat the expandable material. The device also includes: a position sensor which measures the current position of the aforementioned moving part; and a positioner to position the moving part, including a controller acting on the above-mentioned heater according to the current measured position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Bernard Guilhamat, Sebastien Dauve, Jonathan Fernandez, Florent Marquet
  • Publication number: 20120060514
    Abstract: A tube picking mechanism is designed for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g. ?80° C. or ?135° C.) or cryogenic (e.g., about ?140° C. to ?196° C.) storage and retrieval system that stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are normally stored within an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer compartment. The tube picking mechanism includes a tube picking chamber that is maintained at about ?80° C., about ?135° C. or at cryogenic temperatures in cryogenic applications. Active electrical and mechanical components are maintained in a compartment above and separate from the refrigerated, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Julian Warhurst, Bruce Zandi, Alexander Carbone, Frank Hunt, Robert Cloutier, James O'Toole, Elizabeth Alexander
  • Publication number: 20120047911
    Abstract: A controller for a thermoelectric cooling system comprises a sensor input that receives input from a sensor that measures a performance parameter of a thermoelectric cooling system. The thermoelectric cooling system comprises a plurality of thermoelectric devices electrically coupled in a combination of in series and in parallel with one another and electrically driven by a common driver. The controller also comprises a voltage control signal output, a processor, and a non-transitory memory having stored thereon a program executable by the processor to perform a method of controlling the thermoelectric cooling system. The method comprises receiving sensor data from the sensor input, determining a parameter of the voltage control signal based on the input sensor data, and transmitting a voltage control signal having the parameter to the driver to control heat transfer by the plurality of thermoelectric devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishal Bhavsar, Qiao Lu, William Godecker
  • Patent number: 8108082
    Abstract: A cooling system and method for an outdoor electronics enclosure includes an air conditioner controlled to operate during off-peak hours, so as to pre-cool batteries. The cooled batteries keep the enclosure cool during peak hours so that it is not necessary to run the air conditioner when electricity prices are at their peak. A clock or light sensor determines the time of day. A controller has stored data indicating the peak hours when electricity costs more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Joseph Yeh, Walter Hendrix
  • Patent number: 8089765
    Abstract: A liquid submersion cooled computer that includes a seamless, extruded main body used to form a liquid-tight case holding a cooling liquid that submerges components of the computer. By forming the main body as a seamless extrusion, the number of possible leakage paths from the resulting liquid-tight case is reduced. No seams are provided on the main body, and there are no openings through the walls of the main body, so liquid cannot leakage through the main body. Any leakage paths are limited to joints between the main body and end walls which are sealingly attached to the main body to form the liquid-tight case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hardcore Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Daniel Attlesey
  • Publication number: 20110289939
    Abstract: Example personal beverage warmers and coolers for vehicle seats are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to regulate the temperature of a beverage near a seat of a vehicle, the apparatus includes: a base including a thermally conductive material that conducts heat in a direction that is at least one of to or from a container seated thereon, a thermoelectric device thermally coupled with the base and to be energized to exchange heat with the base, and a heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermoelectric device and a liquid medium to exchange heat therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Qiao Lu
  • Patent number: 8061148
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to containers and more specifically, to a portable temperature-controlled container. The temperature-controlled container is used for maintaining articles at a controlled temperature. The container includes a housing unit defining a storage chamber for receiving the articles, a cooling system mounted to the housing unit, wherein the cooling system includes a cold side assembly system in heat transfer communication with the interior of the chamber, a hot side assembly system in heat transfer communication with the outside of the storage chamber and a thermoelectric module supplied with an electrical power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: SG Productions
    Inventors: Sylvain S E Ethier, Gaetan Beaupre, Mark Bedard
  • Patent number: 8056347
    Abstract: An auxiliary cooling device is used in another main cooling device, such as a refrigerator. The auxiliary cooling device includes a thermoelectric element, such as a Peltier element, which includes a heat source and a heat sink. The heat sink is used to directly or indirectly cool an item, such as a bottle of liquid. The heat source, which is insulated from the heat sink, is in close thermal contact with a heat exchange fluid in a container. The heat exchange fluid is used as a thermal buffer for the waste heat generated by the cooling process. That waste heat may be transmitted into the main storage chamber of the main cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Flinner, Georg Hausmann, Stefan Holzer, Fritz Hägele, Jörg Stelzer
  • Publication number: 20110259019
    Abstract: An environment control apparatus for cultivating plants includes a casing having a bottom with first and second holes. A thermoelectric cooling module is mounted in the first hole and includes first and second sides. The first side faces the casing. A temperature control pipe includes two ends connected to a heat reservoir. The temperature control pipe includes a heat exchanging section in contact with the second side of the thermoelectric cooling module. A first power device is mounted on the temperature control pipe. An auxiliary heat pipe includes two ends connected to the heat reservoir. The auxiliary heat pipe includes a heat dissipating section located in the second hole. A processor is coupled to the thermoelectric cooling module and the first power device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Chung-Liang CHANG
  • Publication number: 20110252813
    Abstract: A point-of-use food holding cabinet keeps food products cold using a conventional refrigeration device or a semiconductor solid state heat sink. In one embodiment, one compartment can be kept cold or refrigerated while an adjacent compartment can be kept warm or hot. Solid state heat pumps such as Peltier devices absorb heat on one side and emit heat on the other. By configuring the solid state heat sinks appropriately, one compartment or shelf of a holding cabinet can be refrigerated while an adjacent compartment can be kept warm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: PRINCE CASTLE, INC.
    Inventor: Loren Veltrop
  • Publication number: 20110225981
    Abstract: A compact merchandiser cooler is provided for chilling food and/or beverage containers. The compact merchandiser cooler utilizes thermoelectric cooling technology and is configured to be positioned within the line of sight of customers that are either approaching or present at a point of purchase so as to effectively promote impulse purchases. The compact merchandiser cooler includes a base assembly, a housing assembly, and a lid. The housing assembly may include a number of thermoelectrically cooled sleeves that are arranged in a substantially horizontal array to allow customers easy access to containers received within the sleeves. Additionally, to further attract consumer notice, the compact merchandiser cooler may be customized with branding information related to the food and/or beverage containers to be chilled within the compact merchandiser cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: SG BEVERAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: NICK G. GLAROS, BRET MOORE
  • Publication number: 20110203296
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the temperature of an electrical device is described. The system includes a heat sink system in conjunction with a thermoelectric assembly. The systems and methods are particularly suitable in NEMA-4 electrical enclosures used in electrical submersible pump applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Tomasz M. Orlowski
  • Publication number: 20110197598
    Abstract: A heat-dissipating device (1) includes a casing (10) and a thermal insulation plate (20) provided within the casing (10). The thermal insulating plate (20) divides the interior of the casing (10) into a first accommodating space (101) and a second accommodating space (102). A hot air outlet (121) and a first air inlet (122) of the casing (10) are in communication with the first accommodating space (101). A cold air outlet (110) and a second air inlet (123) of the casing (10) are in communication with the second accommodating space (102). A thermoelectric cooling chip (30) is disposed in a through-hole (200) of the thermal insulation plate (20) and has a hot-end surface (31) facing the first accommodating space (101) and a cold-end surface (32) facing the second accommodating space (102). A heat-dissipating module (40) is received in the first accommodating space (101). A cold-airflow supplying module (50) is received in the second accommodating space (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Chih-Hung CHENG, Ken Hsu, Chen-Hsiang Lin, Kuo-Len Lin
  • Patent number: 7997086
    Abstract: This trash cooling unit system includes a Thermoelectric cooling system (TEC) which requires no harmful Freon or refrigerant liquids. It has a temperature controller to maintain a constant temperature. This system will operate on DC 24V at 12 Amps and move up to 40 watts of heat. Also, it has an AC adapter. The capacity of the trash unit is: width: approx. 10½,? Depth: approx. 9½,? Height: approx. 22?. The interior enclosure has a temperature of about 45° F. in a 80° F., 80% relative humidity ambient. This corresponds to approximately 17 watts of passive heat load from air convection and conduction through 2? of Polystyrene which prevents any condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Clay Robinson Dorsey
  • Publication number: 20110171350
    Abstract: A coffee machine (1) is described, comprising a boiler (23), a pump (21), and an infusion unit (27) for producing coffee, which is further provided with an auxiliary circuit (31), which can be connected to the output of the infusion unit (27), for the production of cold coffee.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Gianni REMO
  • Patent number: 7975492
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case (10) is provided with an open face (25) and an air flow (30) across the open face (25), which is cooled by a primary refrigeration system (20) and a thermoelectric heat pump (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Abbas A. Alahyari
  • Publication number: 20110164652
    Abstract: A calorimeter for use in measuring a sample is provided. The calorimeter may include a sample chamber for housing the sample therein. A separate reference chamber may not be present in the calorimeter. The calorimeter may also have a sample thermoelectric cooler in which heat from the sample chamber is transferred to the sample thermoelectric cooler. A reference thermoelectric cooler for use in detecting thermal noise may also be present, and outputs from the sample thermoelectric cooler and the reference thermoelectric cooler may be used in a control equation to determine the heat output of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Lee A. ReFalo, George E. Weeks
  • Patent number: 7971440
    Abstract: A voltage regulator is configured to receive an input voltage from a power supply, measure a temperature associated with a heat transfer medium, produce an output voltage to drive a thermo-electric cooler, and vary the output voltage in accordance with changes in the measured temperature. Varying the output voltage results in: 1) extracting of heat from the heat transfer medium when the measured temperature is above a threshold value, or 2) supplying of heat to the heat transfer medium when the measured temperature is below a threshold value. The voltage regulator can cap upper and lower bounds of the output voltage to prevent the thermo-electric cooler from reaching its saturation point. The voltage regulator can be configured to produce an output voltage having reduced voltage ripple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary K. Chan, Hai Ho, Joseph Jacques
  • Patent number: 7954331
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods provide for the cooling of a system on an aircraft or other platform. According to embodiments described herein, a first coolant is routed through a heat-producing system to absorb heat and maintain the system at a desired temperature. The first coolant is routed through a thermoelectric chiller for cooling before returning to absorb further heat from the system. Thermoelectric cooler modules within the chiller transfer heat from cold plates containing the first coolant to hot plates containing a second coolant. The second coolant absorbs the transferred heat and is routed to a radiator, where the heat is discharged into an ambient air stream. The second coolant is routed back to the hot plates to absorb further heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Alan Z. Ullman
  • Patent number: 7946120
    Abstract: A thermoelectric system includes a first plurality of thermoelectric elements and a second plurality of thermoelectric elements. The thermoelectric system further includes a plurality of heat transfer devices. Each heat transfer device has a first side in thermal communication with two or more thermoelectric elements of the first plurality of thermoelectric elements and a second side in thermal communication with one or more thermoelectric elements of the second plurality of thermoelectric elements, so as to form a stack of thermoelectric elements and heat transfer devices. The two or more thermoelectric elements of the first plurality of thermoelectric elements are in parallel electrical communication with one another, and the two or more thermoelectric elements of the first plurality of thermoelectric elements are in series electrical communication with the one or more thermoelectric elements of the second plurality of thermoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: BSST, LLC
    Inventors: Lon E. Bell, Robert Diller, Douglas Crane
  • Patent number: 7937953
    Abstract: A thermoelectric heat pump (10) is provided including a thermoelectric array (30) having alternating P-type and N-type semiconductors (33, 34) and one or more water transport membranes (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Chung-Yi Tsai
  • Patent number: 7934385
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit (40) having a defroster (30) has a refrigeration compartment (44), an evaporator coil (26) having an amount of crystallized water being aggregated thereon from air and a thermo-electric module (32, 46, 48, 50) having a semiconductor material. The thermo-electric module (32, 46, 48, 50) provides heating from a first location of the thermoelectric module (32, 46, 48, 50) and cooling from a second location of the thermo-electric module (32, 46, 48, 50) based on a Peltier effect when a current from a power supply is traversed through the thermo-electric module (32, 46, 48, 50). The heating from a first location heats the evaporator coil (26) to defrost the aggregated amount of crystallized water thereon. The cooling from the second location is communicated to the refrigeration compartment (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Lei Chen
  • Publication number: 20110083446
    Abstract: A high efficiency thermoelectric cooling system and method is described. The cooling system comprises a thermoelectric module having a semi-conductor body sandwiched in contact between a pair of thermally conductive plates. A power supply having converter circuit means provides a smooth continuous variable output direct current supply to the semi-conductor body to attenuate thermal stress in the conductive plates due to temperature differential fluctuation across the plates. One of the plates is a cold plate and the other a hot plate caused by current flow in the semi-conductor body transferring heat from the cold plate to the hot plate. A cold heat sink is associated with the cold plate to absorb heat from the insulted enclosure to cool the enclosure. A heat convection assembly including a hot heat sink evacuates heat from the hot plate to effectively manage the temperature differential across the plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Claude Pinet
  • Publication number: 20110048034
    Abstract: Processing equipment for an object to be processed is provided with a process container, the internal of which can be evacuated, a gas introducing means for introducing a prescribed gas into the process container, a supporting table provided in the process container, a ring-shaped supporting part provided on the supporting table for supporting the object to be processed, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements provided on an upper plane of the supporting table on an inner side of the supporting part, an element storing space evacuating means for evacuating inside the element storing space formed by a lower plane of the object to be treated, which is supported by the supporting part, an upper plane of the supporting table and the supporting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Masatake YONEDA, Shigeru KASAI, Masahiro SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20110011100
    Abstract: A unitary thermoelectric heating and cooling device for foodstuffs is described. In one embodiment, the device includes at least one detachable container to place food stuffs and a sturdy platform which holds the detachable container, comprising at least one thermoelectric module, wherein said module selectively heats or cools food stuffs in the detachable container depending upon desired temperature set, independent to ambient temperature. Further, the device includes a temperature adjusting slider, wherein desired temperature is set and depending on the set temperature, the direction of flow of current in the module is automated through DPDT switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Shaam SUNDHAR
  • Publication number: 20110011099
    Abstract: A compact, countertop cooler for use in dispensing cold, energy-shot beverages at point-of-purchase retail locations. The cooler comprises a housing operative to store and selectively dispense individual containers of beverages through a gravity feed system. Preferably, the cooler will include an outwardly-facing window to facilitate the consumer's ability to see the contents and further, will preferably include a ratchet-type dispensing system to selectively dispense each beverage container individually so as to serve as an anti-theft mechanism, and further dispense at least one and preferably two containers of dissimilar size. The housing will further include a cooling system to provide cooling for the beverages and further, may be provided with decorative indicia to facilitate advertising and the display of product information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: NATHAN LINDER
  • Patent number: 7861538
    Abstract: A refrigerator apparatus includes a housing with an interior chamber, thermoelectric devices that are thermally coupled to the interior chamber, and dual redundant electronics configured to generate and apply input power to the thermoelectric devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Welle, Siegfried W. Janson
  • Publication number: 20100307168
    Abstract: One or more piezoelectric devices cool or heat a thermally-conductive basin. The basin is sized, shaped and arranged to receive two or more food serving trays. In a preferred embodiment, the food serving trays are sized, shaped and arranged to provide an air gap between the tray and the thermally-conductive basin so that the tray is cooled by convection and radiation but not conduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: PRINCE CASTLE, INC.
    Inventors: KOREY V. KOHL, ROBERT A. IVERSON, LOREN VELTROP, CHRISTOPHER B. LYONS, JR., DONALD VAN ERDEN
  • Patent number: 7836704
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal exchange device using heat pipes to effectively discharge heat from inside of an open-air communication system. The present invention provides a plurality of heat pipes directly inserted between the plates of the thermo-electric cooling unit for accommodating a plurality of fins thereon. According to the structure suggested by the invention, since the heat pipes can be placed laterally with the thermo-electric cooling unit, the size of the overall communication system can be reduced with the same discharge capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Dong Gyu Lee
  • Publication number: 20100288467
    Abstract: Enclosures for use in hazardous areas include heat exchangers for active thermal management. The enclosures are coupled to a device having heat transfer capabilities. Equipment within the enclosures produces heat within the enclosure. The heat exchanger removes heat produced from the equipment and manages the internal temperature of the enclosures to a level suitable for hazardous locations. The enclosures can be actively cooled or heated using the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Manahan, Marc Raymond Kozlowski
  • Publication number: 20100281884
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a thermal management unit including a housing, at least one fan, a plurality of thermoelectric modules, at least one heat sink assembly coupled to the plurality of thermoelectric modules, and controller providing power to the plurality of thermoelectric modules. The thermal management unit also includes a printed circuit board incorporating the plurality of thermoelectric modules and electrically connecting the plurality of thermoelectric modules to the controller. The printed circuit board separates an ambient side of the thermal management unit and an enclosure side of the thermal management unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: John Myron Rawski, Larry Allen Larson, Jason William Dickmann, Pedro Ramon Guitart, Joseph David Ricke, William James Hanson, Alan Frank Wells
  • Patent number: 7827806
    Abstract: A portable cooled merchandising unit including a product container assembly and a thermoelectric assembly. The product container assembly includes an exterior frame and an interior container forming a floor and side panels defining an interior region. Openings to the interior region are defined opposite the floor. Airflow paths are defined at an exterior of the panels and are fluidly connected to the interior region via the opening. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device connected to a heat sink that is fluidly connected to the airflow path away from the opening. A fan is positioned to circulate air from the thermoelectric device and into the interior region via the airflow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Tuszkiewicz, Galen Hersey, Thomas P. Meehan, Mark Bedard
  • Patent number: 7779639
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a hybrid vehicle is disclosed, the HVAC system including at least one thermoelectric device for providing supplemental heating and cooling for air supplied to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the HVAC system has at least a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit can be configured to remove heat from an electric side of a hybrid vehicle. The second circuit can be configured to remove heat from a fuel-fed side of a hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: BSST LLC
    Inventor: Lakhi Nandlal Goenka
  • Publication number: 20100200555
    Abstract: A refrigerator-oven combination for an aircraft galley food service system includes a housing with a thermally insulated compartment, a heating device for heating the compartment in a heating mode, and a refrigeration device for cooling the compartment in a refrigeration mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: BE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: William Godecker, Farzin Kohanloo
  • Publication number: 20100186423
    Abstract: A temperature controlled food storage unit is provided with a Peltier device (18) to effectuate the temperature of food place in a thermally conductive container or basin (24). Air from a fan (52) is passed through an air duct (50) and over a heat sink (22), which is thermally coupled to one side of the Peltier device (18). A hand-operated damper (54, 64) is used to control the air flow through the air duct (50) and over the heat sink (22) thereby controlling heat exchange between the Peltier device (18) and ambient air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: PRINCE CASTLE INC.
    Inventors: LOREN VELTROP, DONALD VAN ERDEN
  • Patent number: 7764497
    Abstract: A transit container, such as a rack-mount style container, includes a temperature control system for maintaining a desired temperature within the container such that any cargo within the container remains operational at selected times and possibly in selected locations. The temperature control system includes support or mounting brackets, a temperature control assembly, shock isolation devices for shock attenuation of the temperature control assembly, exhaust assemblies that include exhaust fans and exhaust/intake louvers, and a mounting plate attachable to a lid of the transit container. The temperature control assembly and the aforementioned components may be arranged to have a low-height profile or envelope, which in turn permits the temperature control system to be located in a cavity or chamber of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Environmental Container Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Patent number: 7751191
    Abstract: A cooling system that promotes cooling of a device including a heat source therein is provided, the cooling system includes: a cooling unit that absorbs, upstream from the heat source, heat from intake air that the device takes in from an outside to cool the heat source and dissipates the heat to an outside of a flow path of the intake air; and a fluid control unit that lets fluid flow toward the cooling unit so as to discharge the heat absorbed by the cooling unit from the intake air to an outside of the cooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kohichi Kakikawa, Yohichi Matsui, Hiroyuki Takenoshita
  • Patent number: 7748223
    Abstract: A constant temperature liquid bath using a thermo-module in which even if an article whose temperature is to be controlled exists in the bath, the temperature of the liquid is efficiently adjusted to a constant value. The liquid bath includes an outer bath storing the liquid, an inner bath disposed in the outer bath through a gap, and including holes in its sidewall through which the liquid flows into the inner bath from the outer bath and an opening at a central portion of its bottom, and an agitator that causes the liquid to flow upward from the opening of the bottom of the inner bath between sidewalls of the inner and outer baths by a rotor blade disposed on a central portion of a bottom between the outer bath and the inner bath. The thermo-module is mounted on an outer surface of the sidewall of the outer bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Minoura
  • Publication number: 20100158660
    Abstract: A heating and cooling system is connected to a mobile food carrying cart comprising at least one shelf and one or more thermoelectric devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Rakesh Radhakrishnan