Apparatus for generating refrigeration

A cooling method, comprising,

• providing a cooling apparatus that comprises:
• a cooling accumulator configured to accumulate cooling energy,
• a cooler thermally connected to the cooling accumulator and configured to cool the cooling accumulator,
• a cooling gate configured to selectively block or allow transmission of cooling energy accumulated in the cooling accumulator to the target, the cooling gate comprising a first plate and a second plate, the first plate is arranged between the second plate and the cooling accumulator, and the second plate is closer to the target than the first plate when cooling energy is provided to the target, and
• a controller;
• performing, by the controller, an accumulating operation, wherein the accumulating operation comprises controlling the cooler to generate cooling energy to cool the cooling accumulator and controlling the cooling gate as a first state such that cooling energy is maintained in the cooling accumulator, wherein the first plate has a heated surface and the second plate has a cool surface at the first state;
• and
• performing, by the controller, a cooling energy transferring operation, wherein the cooling energy transferring operation comprises controlling the cooling gate as a second state such that cooling energy accumulated in the cooling accumulator is transferred from the cooling accumulator to the target, wherein the second state is different from the first state.

An apparatus for providing cooling energy to a target comprising,

• a substrate on which cooling is configured to be performed;
• a cooling accumulator configured to accumulate cooling energy;
• a plurality of coolers thermally connected to the cooling accumulator and configured to cool the cooling accumulator;
• a plurality of cooling gates configured to selectively block or allow transmission of cooling energy to the substrate, each of the plurality of cooling gates comprising a first plate and a second plate, the first plate arranged between the second plate and the cooling accumulator, and the second plate closer to the target than the first plate when cooling energy is provided to the target;
• a cooling operator including an opening which exposes a portion of the substrate, and configured to thermally transfer cooling energy transmitted through the plurality of cooling gates to the substrate;
• and,
• a controller configured to:
• perform an accumulating operation, wherein the accumulating operation comprises controlling the plurality of coolers to generate cooling energy to cool the cooling accumulator and controlling the plurality of cooling gates as a first state such that cooling energy is maintained in the cooling accumulator, wherein the first plate has a heated surface and the second plate has a cool surface at the first state;
• and
• perform a cooling energy transferring operation, wherein the cooling energy transferring operation comprises controlling the plurality of cooling gates as a second state such that cooling energy accumulated in the cooling accumulator is transferred from the cooling accumulator to the target, wherein the second state is different from the first state.