Thermoelectric device controls and methods

A method of controlling a duty cycle or a power level of a thermoelectric device, the method comprising:

• determining a potential between a first surface of a thermoelectric device and a second surface of the thermoelectric device when the thermoelectric device is electrically deactivated or depowered;
• wherein the first surface is configured to heat and the second surface is configured to cool when the thermoelectric device is electrically activated or powered;
• correlating the potential with a temperature of the first surface of the thermoelectric device at least partially based on a voltage delivered across the thermoelectric device when the thermoelectric device is electrically activated or powered;
• and
• adjusting the duty cycle or the power level of the thermoelectric device based on a comparison of the temperature of the first surface of the thermoelectric device with a desired temperature.

A method of providing temperature control to a system, the method comprising:

• powering a thermoelectric device from a power source, the thermoelectric device comprising a first surface and a second surface, said thermoelectric device being configured to be selectively activated or deactivated;
• determining a potential between the first surface and the second surface when the thermoelectric device is deactivated;
• correlating the potential with a temperature of the first surface based at least in part on a voltage delivered across the thermoelectric device from the power source;
• comparing the temperature of the first surface with a desired temperature value;
• and
• adjusting the power received by the thermoelectric device based on the comparison, thereby changing an amount of heat exchanged between a fluid and at least one of the first surface and the second surface, wherein the fluid is provided to the system.