Magnetic coupling for heat flow management in thermoelectric modules and devices thereof
AssigneeLEDdynamics, Inc.
InventorsShane Michael Clarke, Daniel Miller Poitrast, Jason Michael Orzell, Anthony John Siano
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Abstract
A device for coupling to a heat source, the device includes thermoelectric elements and a coupling magnet. The thermoelectric elements harvest heat to generate electric current. The coupling magnet provides a coupling force between the thermoelectric elements and the heat source. The coupling magnet regulates thermal flow between the thermoelectric elements and the heat source as a function of temperature of the coupling magnet. The device acts to protect the thermoelectric elements and other associated components from heat damage that might otherwise occur if the heat source generates too much heat.
Claims30
A device for coupling to a heat source, comprising:
- a) a thermoelectric module;
- b) a coupling magnet mounted with said thermoelectric module, said coupling magnet providing a magnetic coupling force between said thermoelectric module and the heat source;
- c) a bias element adapted to operate between the heat source and said coupling magnet, wherein said bias element creates an opposing force against said magnetic coupling force that reduces the coupling force between said thermoelectric module and the heat source;
- d) wherein said coupling magnet is coupled to move towards and away from the heat source in response to changes in said magnetic coupling force;
- wherein this motion self-regulates to limit input temperature to said thermoelectric module from the heat source as a function of temperature of said coupling magnet.
A device for coupling to a heat source, comprising:
- a) a thermoelectric module;
- b) a coupling magnet mounted with said thermoelectric module, said coupling magnet providing a magnetic coupling force between said thermoelectric module and the heat source;
- c) guides configured to move said coupling magnet towards and way from said heat source along said guides in response to changes in said magnetic coupling force;
- and
- d) wherein this motion self-regulates to limit input temperature to said thermoelectric module from the heat source as a function of temperature of said coupling magnet.
A device for coupling to a heat source, comprising:
- a) a thermoelectric module;
- b) a coupling magnet mounted with said thermoelectric module, said coupling magnet providing a magnetic coupling force between said thermoelectric module and the heat source;
- c) a hinge connecting the heat source and said coupling magnet;
- d) wherein said coupling magnet is coupled to rotate towards and away from said heat source in response to changes in said magnetic coupling force;
- wherein said this motion self-regulates to limit input temperature to said thermoelectric module from the heat source as a function of temperature of said coupling magnet.
A device for coupling to a heat source, comprising:
- a) a thermoelectric module;
- b) a coupling magnet mounted with said thermoelectric module, said coupling magnet providing a magnetic coupling force between said thermoelectric module and the heat source;
- c) a holding magnet integrated with the heat source, said holding magnet attracts said coupling magnet, wherein said holding magnet has a stronger force than said magnetic coupling force of said coupling magnet under the same temperature;
- d) wherein said coupling magnet is coupled to move towards and away from said heat source in response to changes in said magnetic coupling force;
- wherein said this motion self-regulates to limit input temperature to said thermoelectric module from the heat source as a function of temperature of said coupling magnet and holding magnet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.