Thermo-electric heat pump systems

A thermal protection system, relating to thermally protecting temperature-sensitive goods, comprising:

• a vessel configured to contain the temperature sensitive goods;
• a stack of at least four thermoelectric unit layers in thermal conduction with the vessel and capable of active use of the Peltier effect, each thermoelectric unit layer having a cold side and a hot side;
• an energy source operably connected to each thermoelectric unit layer, wherein the energy source is suitable to provide a current, the stack of at least four thermoelectric unit layers being configured so that each individual thermoelectric unit layer has a ratio of input current to maximum available current (I/Imax) of 0.18 or less at a steady-state, when a change in temperature (ΔT) of the stack of at least four thermoelectric unit layers at opposing ends of the stack of at least four thermoelectric unit layers is about 20° C. and heat removal Q is about 0 Watts;
• a heat sink thermally connected to the stack of at least four thermoelectric unit layers;
• a microcontroller operatively associated with the energy source to direct current from the energy source to the stack of at least four thermoelectric unit layers;
• and
• a plurality of relays configured to electrically connect the at least four thermoelectric unit layers according to at least a first and second mode, wherein at least two of the at least four thermoelectric unit layers are electrically connected in series in the first mode.

A thermal protection system, relating to thermally protecting temperature-sensitive goods, comprising:

• a vessel configured to contain the temperature sensitive goods;
• a stack of at least four thermoelectric unit layers in thermal conduction with the vessel and capable of active use of the Peltier effect, each thermoelectric unit layer having a cold side and a hot side;
• an energy source operably connected to each thermoelectric unit layer, wherein the energy source is suitable to provide a current such that a ratio of input current to a maximum available current (I/Imax) of each individual thermoelectric unit layer is 0.35 or less at steady-state;
• a microcontroller operatively associated with the energy source to direct current from the energy source to the stack of at least four thermoelectric unit layers;
• and
• a plurality of relays configured to electrically connect the at least four thermoelectric unit layers according to at least a first and second mode, wherein at least two of the at least four thermoelectric unit layers are electrically connected in series in the first mode.