Interior Of Enclosure Cooled; E.g., Refrigerator Patents (Class 62/3.6)
  • Publication number: 20100160018
    Abstract: A system includes a gaming machine, one or more heat generating components within the gaming machine, and a thermoelectric cooler apparatus located within the gaming machine to draw heat from the one or more heat generating components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Andrew Landsman
  • Publication number: 20100146991
    Abstract: This invention relates to providing energy efficient thermoelectric heat pump systems for iso-thermal transport and storage, of perishable goods, such as vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. Also this invention relates to providing energy efficient iso-thermal transport and storage systems, of perishable goods, which are compact, light weight. This invention further relates to providing on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, the ability of such iso-thermal transport and storage systems to maintain temperature sensitive goods at a constant-temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Tayfun Ilercil, Alp Ilercil
  • Publication number: 20100139290
    Abstract: The enclosure for surveillance hardware provided herein protects the hardware from external elements and from damage. The enclosure may be configured for a node of a peer to peer surveillance architecture or other devices, and for mobile or other applications. The enclosure may comprise a sealed component chamber and an adjacent support chamber. The sealed component chamber may enclose the components therein in an air or watertight manner. The support chamber may comprise an airflow system and thermal conductor which regulates the temperature in the component chamber. The enclosure may be formed from a multilayer material having various protective qualities. A controller may be provided to control operation of the airflow system and thermal conductor in response to changes in temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Raymond G. Leblond
  • Publication number: 20100132831
    Abstract: This household apparatus (1) comprises a vacuum draught head (60, 62) for each bottle (2, 3), each head delimiting a suction passageway suitable for being connected to a vacuum source (6). In order to make the use of this apparatus extremely easy and fast, while obtaining a storage via the vacuum that is of good quality and stable over time, means (110) for moving each head mechanically guide the head relative to a frame (10) of the apparatus and press each head in sealed contact against the neck (4, 5) of the bottle so that its suction passageway emerges in the neck when the bottle occupies a predetermined position that is fixed relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Cedric Waroux, Pierric Le Moullac, Paul Rivier, Didier Serre
  • Publication number: 20100115969
    Abstract: A portable cooling/heating unit for cooling/heating a product container. The unit includes a thermoelectric assembly, a housing, a front side fan, and a rear side fan. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device, a first heat sink, and a second heat sink. The housing maintains the first heat sink and front fan within a front side channel, and the second heat sink and rear fan within a rear side channel. The housing further forms a condensation passageway segment that facilitates fluid connection between the channels. During use, the unit is removably assembled to the container such that openings of the front side channel are fluidly within the container's interior region. Accumulated condensation is directed to the rear side channel and evaporated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL MILLS, INC.
    Inventors: George A. Tuszkiewicz, Mark Bedard
  • Publication number: 20100077770
    Abstract: The refrigerator includes a vegetable compartment (107) thermally insulated by a rear partition (111), and a mist generation department (139) for atomizing a mist into the vegetable compartment (107), and the mist generation department (139) includes a atomizing electrode (135) for atomizing the mist into the vegetable compartment (107), a voltage applicator (133) for applying a voltage to the atomizing electrode (135), and a cooling pin (134) coupled to the atomizing electrode (135), in which the atomizing electrode (135) is cooled to a temperature lower than the dew point by a outlet air-duct for freezer compartment (141), and the moisture in the air is cooled to condense dew on the atomizing electrode (135), and is atomized as a mist into the vegetable compartment (107), and dew can be condensed from moisture onto the atomizing electrode (135) stably and in a simple configuration, and the freshness of the food is enhanced while the reliability of the refrigerator is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toyoshi Kamisako, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kazuya Nakanishi, Tadashi Adachi, Kazuyuki Hamada, Kiyotaka Tabira, Yasuyuki Okamoto, Kenichi Okabe, Masashi Yuasa, Kenichi Kakita, Kiyoshi Mori, Tosiaki Mamemoto, Katsunori Horii
  • Publication number: 20100071385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoelectric motor (3) in which a material is interposed between the external plate (12) of a thermoelectric module and an external heat exchanger (4), to reduce heat resistance therebetween; the present invention further relates to a thermoelectric motor (3) in which the heat-carrying fluid flows directly over the internal plate (13) of a thermoelectric module, a temperature controlled garment with an inner metal layer and a convex heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: POLITECNICO DI MILANO
    Inventors: Fabio Inzoli, Paolo Cappellari
  • Publication number: 20100058777
    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: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventor: Roland Walter
  • Patent number: 7669435
    Abstract: In an aspect of the invention, an apparatus for providing chilling in a localized area comprises a chiller compartment and an independent cooling source thermally coupled to the chiller compartment by a thermally conductive interface. The cooling source provides a separate controllable temperature to the chiller compartment, which is adapted to be removably positioned in a selected temperature controlled environment. In another aspect a refrigerator comprises a freezer unit, a fresh food unit and a chiller compartment adapted to be removably positioned in either the freezer unit or the fresh food unit as a secondary chilling compartment. In another aspect a method of chilling comprises cooling a modular chiller compartment using an independent cooling source, chiller compartment being removably positioned within a temperature controlled environment and the cooling source and the chiller compartment being thermally coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Anand Ganesh Joshi
  • Publication number: 20100024439
    Abstract: A cooling device is in the form of a refrigerator or a point-of-sale display cabinet that is open on one side and is used to store and present perishable goods. The device is fitted with a unit for lowering the interior temperature in relation to the ambient temperature. The inner wall is constructed in two stages, the outer layer consisting of a thermal insulation layer having a heat conductivity <1 Watt/K, and the inner layer consisting of an at least partially coated mixture consisting of a phase transition material and graphite, which covers at least part of the inner wall and is used as a cold accumulator layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: SGL CARBON AG
    Inventors: Robert Finke, Dirk Heuer
  • Publication number: 20100018221
    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: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Flinner, Georg Hausmann, Stefan Holzer, Fritz Hagele, Jorg Stelzer
  • Publication number: 20100000229
    Abstract: A thermoelectric refrigerator apparatus (20) comprising a thermoelectric device (1) having an upper face (1a) and a lower face (1b), a sealed cavity (22) for containment of a heat transfer liquid (8) in direct thermal contact with the upper face (1a) of the thermoelectric device (1)5 the cavity (22) being configured to allow convective flow (21) of the heat transfer liquid (8) from the upper face (1a) of the thermoelectric device (1) to an upper surface (12) of the cavity comprising a heat dissipation area (12) so as to transport heat from the lower face (1b) to an external environment via the heat dissipation area (12), wherein the thermoelectric device (1) is at least partially encapsulated by an encapsulating medium (2) providing a fluid seal around a perimeter edge (7) of the thermoelectric device (1) between the upper and lower faces (1a, 1b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Patrick Arthur Tindale, Stuart Peter Redshaw
  • Publication number: 20100000230
    Abstract: An enclosure cooling system for cooling the interior of an enclosure having therein a first shelf adjacent to an evaporator coil in a cyclic refrigeration system and a second shelf positioned on the opposite side. A thermoelectric cooling module is affixed and thermally coupled to the second shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Abbas A. Alahyari, Trevor E. Bailey, Rolf A. Segerstrom
  • Publication number: 20090288800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling and heating cabinet device of a rear seat side for a vehicle using a thermoelectric module that is mounted between rear seats of a vehicle, having cooling and heating functions and further having an arm-resting function irrespective of its activation as the cooling and heating device, and that makes the exhaust fan activated by the control of the controller of the air conditioning system, thereby achieving the air-refreshing function as well as the cooling or heating mode function of the cooling and heating cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Sungho Kang, Yongsang Kim, Yooncheol Park, Sangchul Byun, Yongeun Seo
  • Publication number: 20090288424
    Abstract: The enclosure for surveillance hardware provided herein protects the hardware from external elements and from damage. The enclosure may be configured for a node of a peer to peer surveillance architecture. The enclosure may comprise a sealed component chamber and an adjacent support chamber. The sealed component chamber may enclose the components therein in an air or watertight manner. The support chamber may comprise an airflow system and thermal conductor which regulates the temperature in the component chamber. The enclosure may be formed from a multilayer material having various protective qualities. A controller may be provided to control operation of the airflow system and thermal conductor in response to changes in temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Raymond G. Leblond
  • Publication number: 20090277187
    Abstract: A portable refrigeration unit is described. The unit has a body and a lid. The body has an outer housing and an insulated interior container that is thermally insulated from the outer housing. The insulated interior container has a bottom surface and at least one sidewall forming a cavity for receiving an article to be stored therein The lid has an outer surface and an inner surface and the lid is insulated. There is at least one solar collector on at least a portion of the outer surface of the lid. This solar collector provides electrical power to one or more cooling units and to one or more rechargeable batteries. The cooling units include an interior and an exterior heat sink, and an interior and exterior fan and an interior and exterior vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Ryan McGann
  • Publication number: 20090249795
    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: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: Lei Chen
  • Patent number: 7596956
    Abstract: A cooling module mountable within a cabinet to provide cooling of the interior thereof has a cold end of its cooling system exposed to an exterior of the module at a top or bottom wall of its casing. A fan is mounted within the cabinet to discharge warm air heated by a hot end of the cooling system through discharge openings provided in an end panel of the casing. Cabinet walls may be provided in the form of one or more laminate sheets having an insulating layer and an exterior cladding. The one or more sheets may be bent or assembled as needed to form the cabinet structure. Shipping the cabinet to an end user or intermediary in flat panel form reduces the necessary volume of packaging to ease handling and reduce shipping costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Harvey D. Lilke
  • Publication number: 20090241554
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a Peltier device capable of retaining a certain temperature at a high accuracy by using a conductive glass consisting primarily of vanadate as an electrode, excellent in handleability, easy in temperature regulation, excellent in stability of cooling performance, capable of securely preventing an electrode from corrosion resulting from chemicals or dew condensation etc., and excellent in reliability and durability of the electrode. The Peltier device has a heat absorbing portion and a heat emitting portion, in which at least the electrode of the heat absorbing portion is formed with the conductive glass consisting primarily of vanadate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: KITAKYUSHU FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Tetsuaki Nishida, Kenichi Kobayashi, Akira Morishige, Kazumi Manabe
  • Publication number: 20090188260
    Abstract: A cryogenic container with a built-in refrigerator according to the present invention comprises the refrigerator having a first heat absorbing part and a first heat dissipating part, a vacuum vessel for containing and thermally insulating an object to be cooled while holding the object at a cryogenic temperature through the first heat absorbing part of the refrigerator, and a pre-cooling unit having a second heat absorbing part and a second heat dissipating part for cooling the first heat dissipating part, wherein the first heat dissipating part and the second heat absorbing part are arranged inside the vacuum vessel, and a part of a heat dissipating unit including the second heat dissipating part is exposed outside the vacuum vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Norihide SAHO, Hisashi Isogami, Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7555907
    Abstract: A refrigerating storage, includes a refrigerating compartment; a plurality of air inlets and air outlets formed in an inner wall of the refrigerating compartment; a duct for providing an air passage between the air inlets and the air outlets; a thermoelectric element, installed in the duct, for cooling down the air in the duct; and a blowing unit for drawing the air in the refrigerating compartment into the duct via the air inlets, and discharging the air cooled by the thermoelectric element into the refrigerating compartment via the air outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Woo Jong Bang
  • Publication number: 20090158751
    Abstract: A thermoelectric display case (10) is provided with at least one cooling tube (30) having at least one thermoelectric module (40) that cools containers (20) stored in the cooling tube (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Xiaomei Yu, Abbas A. Alahyari
  • Publication number: 20090145138
    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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Sylvain Ethier, Gaetan Beaupre, Mark Bedard
  • Publication number: 20090139244
    Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein are directed to devices for cooling. In certain examples, a thermoelectric device comprising a substrate and a superlattice coupled to the substrate is disclosed. In some examples, the superlattice includes a first semi-conducting material and a second semi-conducting material coupled to the first semi-conducting material to provide an interface between the first and second semi-conducting materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Ullo, Tsutomu Yamate, Jiro Takeda
  • Publication number: 20090133409
    Abstract: A refrigeration system has a compartment and a first cooling device. The first cooling device cools the compartment and generates a magnetic field. The refrigeration system also has a second device. The second device uses the generated magnetic field for additional cooling to the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Lei Chen, Mark R. Jaworowski, Xiaomei Yu
  • Publication number: 20090113898
    Abstract: The appliance provides chilled water, heated water, or both chilled and heated water simultaneously. The primary intended use is in military vehicles, but the appliance may be used in any environment where heated and/or chilled liquid is desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Rocky Research
    Inventor: Lance D. Kirol
  • Publication number: 20090084113
    Abstract: The invention concerns a portable cooling device for personal care products comprising a thermoelectric element (1) and means for thermally contacting (2) a dose of product to be cooled with the thermoelectric element. The inventive device is adapted to be used for applying a personal care product, such as cosmetic products, requiring to be rapidly and greatly cooled immediately before being applied to the skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: THERMAGEN, SA
    Inventors: Pierre Jeuch, Lionel Frantz, Fadi Khairallah
  • Patent number: 7508671
    Abstract: A computer system and its method of cooling are provided. A vapor chamber serves as a heat spreader for heat from the microelectronic die. A thermoelectric module serves to cool the vapor chamber and maintain proper functioning of the vapor chamber, thus keeping the microelectronic die cooled. A controller receives input from five temperature sensors, and utilizes the input to control current to the thermoelectric module and voltage/current to a motor that drives a fan and provides additional cooling. A current sensor allows the controller to monitor and limit power provided to the thermoelectric module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ioan Sauciuc, Gregory M. Chrysler, Ravi V. Mahajan
  • Publication number: 20090064686
    Abstract: A food refrigeration appliance having a refrigerated cabinet, a thaw/chill compartment, and a controller for selectively operating the thaw/chill compartment. The compartment is located within the refrigerated cabinet and is heated or cooled by a magneto-caloric element present within the compartment. The controller is electrically coupled to the magneto-caloric element for selective operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BEHROOZ MOHEBBI, RON ANDERSON, BRUCE KOPF, XIAOYONG FU, JON FREESMEIER, LOU MONTUORO
  • Publication number: 20090031733
    Abstract: A refrigeration system is provided. The refrigeration system includes at least one thermal blocking thermotunneling device. The thermal blocking thermotunneling device comprises a first and a second surface separated by a nanoscale gap of less than about 20 nm, such that tunneling of electrons causes a unidirectional transfer of heat from the first surface to the second surface. Further, the at least one thermal blocking thermotunneling device has a thermal back path of less than about 70 percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stanton Earl Weaver, JR., Mehmet Arik, James William Bray, Ahmed Elasser, Robert John Wojnarowski, Mark Wayne Wilson, Jason Knud Klindtworth, Surajit Atha
  • Patent number: 7481065
    Abstract: An expandable cooler is provided. The cooler includes an insulating portion defining a storage cavity and an expandable portion defining a second storage cavity. The expandable portion is adapted to move between an open and a closed position. The expandable portion may be fixedly attached to the insulated portion. In a further embodiment, a telescoping handle is attached to the cooler. A hook is provided on the telescoping handle and is adapted to be received in a corresponding slot in the expandable portion. The expandable portion may be moved between the open and closed position via the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Vector Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Krieger
  • Publication number: 20090001861
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus in the form of a refrigeration and storage apparatus employs a cooling unit, such as a thermoelectric module. Forced cool air is circulated in a storage compartment containing retail merchandise. An air duct extends from an intake on one side of a door on the front of storage compartment to the rear of the apparatus where air passes by hot side sink and air is then exhausted on a opposite side of the door. The refrigeration and storage apparatus can be mounted in a cabinet or on a shelf and can be surrounded by other item without obstruction of the air duct intake and exhaust and without heating adjacent items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Hart Welker, Gregory Scott Isaacs
  • Patent number: 7467520
    Abstract: A cooling unit (1) for a service trolley for use in an aircraft or train. The cooling unit (1) includes a drawer. The drawer contains a layer of heat-insulating material (29) and one or more Peltier elements (42) located in the layer (29) with a warm side (43) facing the one side of the heat-insulating layer (29) and a cold side (44) facing the other side of the heat-insulating layer (29). First fans (32) are provided on the cold side (44) of the heat-insulating layer (29) and second fans (33) are provided on the warm side (43) of the heat-insulating layer (29). The invention furthermore relates to a service trolley provided with a cooling unit (1) according to the invention as well as to a rack (60) for a multiplicity of cooling units (1) according to the invention. Finally, the invention relates to an aircraft or train containing a cooling unit or service trolley according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Driessen Aerospace Group N.V.
    Inventors: Laurentius Petrus Joseph Van Loon, Joost Cornelis Geluk
  • Publication number: 20080282705
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a chilled beverage storage device constituted by a cold area and a hot area; the cold area comprises a first structure (2) arranged towards at least one cold generating module (4, 5) and provided with at least one holding arrangement (1) adapted to hold, in direct contact, one or more beverage containers to be kept chilled; one or more reservoirs (7) containing a phase change material in thermal exchange with the cold generating module (4, 5) are arranged around the holding arrangement (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATIONN.V.
    Inventors: Xavier Hue, Magnus Jonzon
  • Patent number: 7451603
    Abstract: A portable cooled merchandising unit including a product container assembly and a thermoelectric assembly. The product container assembly includes an interior floor and at least one interior panel extending from the floor and defining a portion of an interior region. An opening to the interior region is defined opposite the floor. A first airflow path is defined along at least a portion of the panel and fluidly connected to 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. Further, a fan is positioned to circulate air from the thermoelectric device, through the airflow path, and to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Tuszkiewicz, Galen Hersey, Thomas Meehan, Mark Bedard
  • Patent number: 7448222
    Abstract: Apparatus for thermoelectric cooling of an insulated enclosure having a plurality of thermoelectric cooling units, with their cold sides exposed to the enclosure interior, where they are affixed to an array of individual, self-sufficient interior heat pipes through a conductive metal connecting member. Their hot sides are exposed to the ambient exterior and similarly affixed to an array of individual, self-sufficient exterior heat pipes, each set of heat pipes having a stack of fins affixed; interior fins to collect heat and exterior fins to disburse heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald M. Bormann
  • Publication number: 20080264069
    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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Clay Robinson Dorsey
  • Publication number: 20080250794
    Abstract: A personal environment appliance is disclosed in which a person in a localized area can individually control the ambient conditions of the person's localized area. The control permits highly localized adjustment to suit individual preferences, thereby, reducing the impact of individual environmental preferences on the individuals. In addition to environment conditions, a variety of accessories may be provided such as beverage heaters and/or coolers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Lon E. Bell
  • Publication number: 20080178605
    Abstract: A portable compact refrigerator especially designed for infant milk bottles, pacifiers, baby food jars and the like. The refrigerator houses a bottle and food jar warmer that has an LCD indicator for both the bottle and jar warmer, a safety lock, a start button and a timer. The refrigerator has a main compartment and a door attached to the main compartment. The door houses a medicine cabinet with a roll up cover that sounds an alarm when opened. The roll up cover has a lock that can be either a key lock, cyfer lock, or combination. The shelves on the door hold pacifiers, baby food jars and baby bottles. The door creates an air-tight seal when closed. Wheels attached to the bottom of the refrigerator allow for the portability of the compact refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Sheryl A. Wesley, Dana L. Holness
  • Publication number: 20080173023
    Abstract: A refrigerator with thermal-electric semiconductor comprises: a power supply, a thermal-electric semiconductor, a cooling water box, a cyclic water box, and a low temperature heat transfer unit; the cooling water box being a hollow box with cooling water therein; the water inlet tube and water outlet tube of the cooling water box being connected to the cyclic water box; a cold surface of the thermal-electric semiconductor being adhered to one side of the low temperature heat transfer unit; another side of the low temperature heat transfer unit entering into a body of a refrigerator; the low temperature heat transfer unit separating the refrigerator into a freezer and a freezing compartment; the low temperature heat transfer unit being with a temperature sensor and a temperature control circuit for controlling temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Shao-Hung Wu
  • Publication number: 20080163628
    Abstract: A cooling module mountable within a cabinet to provide cooling of the interior thereof has a cold end of its cooling system exposed to an exterior of the module at a top or bottom wall of its casing. A fan is mounted within the cabinet to discharge warm air heated by a hot end of the cooling system through discharge openings provided in an end panel of the casing. Cabinet walls may be provided in the form of one or more laminate sheets having an insulating layer and an exterior cladding. The one or more sheets may be bent or assembled as needed to form the cabinet structure. Shipping the cabinet to an end user or intermediary in flat panel form reduces the necessary volume of packaging to ease handling and reduce shipping costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Harvey D. Lilke
  • Publication number: 20080155993
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes 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 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: STEVEN JOHN KUEHL
  • Publication number: 20080155992
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a thermoelectric cooler having a first set of one or more metal electrodes, a second set of one or more metal electrodes, and one or more doped semiconductor members. Each member physically joins a corresponding one electrode of the first set to a corresponding one electrode of the second set. Each member has a cross-sectional area that increases along a path from the one metal electrode of the first set to the one metal electrode of the second set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Scott Hodes, Christopher D.W. Jones, Shankar Krishnan, Oana Malis
  • Publication number: 20080092553
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the refrigerated storage and dispensing of substance samples, in particular a sample dispenser that is used in chromatography. Said device comprises a holder (7) for receiving one or more substance samples (3), at least one section of the holder (7) comprising at least one cavity (13) that is traversed by a liquid coolant (29), said cavity or cavities (13) being connected to a feed connection for supplying the coolant (29) and a return connection for evacuating the coolant (29). The device also comprises a liquid refrigeration unit (21), the feed connection of which is connected to the feed connection of the cavity or cavities (13) and the return connection of which is connected to the return connection of the cavity or cavities (13), a pump (23) for transporting the coolant (29) through the cavity or cavities (13) and a Peltier refrigeration unit (27) for cooling the coolant (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Hermann Hochgraeber, Adolf Satzinger, Gerhard Martens
  • Patent number: 7308796
    Abstract: The fruit refrigerator has a cold plate which is cooled by a thermal electric unit secured underneath. Power is supplied to the thermal electric unit and to a cooling fan which blows air over the thermal electric unit. The cold plate has a depressed center, and liquid drains down through a wick. The cold plate has a transparent cover. A circulating fan on the cold plate prevents stratification within the domed cover and helps equalize cooling of fruit on the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Jacob P. Eager
  • Patent number: 7305836
    Abstract: A cryogenic container includes an inner vessel for containing a cryogenic fluid, and an outer vessel for insulating the cryogenic fluid from the environment. The inner vessel includes a superconductive layer formed of a material having superconducting properties at the temperature of the cryogenic fluid. The superconductive layer forms a magnetic field around the cryogenic container, that repels electromagnetic energy, including thermal energy from the environment, keeping the cryogenic fluid at low temperatures. The cryogenic container has a portability and a volume that permits its' use in applications from handheld electronics to vehicles such as alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs). A SMES storage system includes the cryogenic container, and a SMES magnet suspended within the cryogenic fluid. The SMES storage system can also include a recharger and a cryocooler configured to recharge the cryogenic container with the cryogenic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Eden Innovations Ltd.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Egan
  • Publication number: 20070256383
    Abstract: A door frame system includes bench guides and a support jaw having a support recess formed in an inclined inside getting narrower upwardly, namely, in the upper space portion of a frame, a fixed bench fit to the bench guide recess, a pressure bench and a compression rail combined to the frame, the pressure bench moving horizontally by a tightening bolt so as to compress and fasten a glass pane, and a brush assembly combined to a lower space portion of the frame. With the tightening bolt in a locking position, the compression rail is lifted up along an inclined guide surface and horizontally moves the closely contacting pressure bench, whereby the frame and the glass pane can be firmly combined without being pushed out from each other and a door of a precise standard can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventor: Min Sig Kim
  • Patent number: 7287385
    Abstract: A system for conditioning a flow of inlet fluid such as air by modifying its temperature and by removing particulate matter and carbon monoxide. The system includes Peltier effect thermal electric coolers sandwiched to form air passages to both cool air for use in a space and to expel waste heat. The system includes catalytic alumina pellets impregnated with heavy metals that will remove harmful carbon monoxide from the flow of conditioned air at ambient temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: Charles H. Aldrich
  • Patent number: 7278270
    Abstract: A thermoelectric unit for a thermoelectric insulated container. The thermoelectric unit is configured to be inserted in a small opening in the insulated container. A cold side heat sink is mounted on the portion of the thermoelectric unit that extends inside of the insulated container, and a hot side heat sink is mounted on a portion of the thermoelectric unit that extends outside. The thermoelectric unit is arranged so that a thermoelectric module for the thermoelectric unit, the cold side heat sink, and the hot side heat sink are aligned linearly. A hot side fan and motor unit is mounted on the outside of the hot side heat sink and a cold side fan and motor unit is mounted on the outside of the cold side heat sink. The hot and cold side fan and motor units may also be mounted linearly with the hot and cold side heat sinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Yiyun Culp, Mark Charles Kitchens, John Chiu, Regis Marie-Jean Wandres
  • Patent number: RE41295
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Tellurex Corporation
    Inventor: Charles J. Cauchy