Thermoelectric device with evaporating/condensing heat exchanger

A thermoelectric heat transfer system comprising:

• a thermoelectric device having a hot plate and a cold plate with a plurality of thermoelectric elements disposed therebetween;
• the thermoelectric elements electrically coupled in series with each other and thermally coupled in parallel with respect to the hot plate and the cold plate;
• an electrical circuit providing electrical power to the thermoelectric elements to transfer heat energy between the hot plate and the cold plate depending upon the direction of electrical current flow through the thermoelectric elements;
• a heat load thermally coupled with the cold plate;
• a heat exchanger containing a working fluid;
• the heat exchanger having a first, sealed chamber with a first surface for evaporating the working fluid and a second, sealed chamber with a second surface for condensing the working fluid located remote from the first, evaporating surface;
• the second, sealed chamber having a plurality of hollow tubes with an enhanced heat transfer surface formed on the interior of each hollow tube:
• each hollow tube coupled with a manifold to form a portion of the second, sealed chamber;
• a plurality of convection cooling fins disposed on the exterior of the hollow tubes whereby the fins transfer heat from the hollow tubes to an environment surrounding the second, sealed chamber;
• the first, evaporating surface comprising an enhanced heat transfer surface to promote boiling of the working fluid on the first, evaporating surface;
• and
• the first surface of the heat exchanger thermally coupled with the hot plate of the thermoelectric device to allow heat transfer from the thermoelectric device through the enhanced heat transfer surface of the first, evaporating surface to the working fluid.

A method for increasing the heat transfer efficiency of a thermoelectric device having a plurality of thermoelectric elements disposed between a first thermally conductive plate and a second thermally conductive plate with the thermoelectric elements electrically coupled in series with respect to each other and thermally coupled in parallel with respect to the thermally conductive plates, comprising the steps of:

• forming a heat exchanger having a first, sealed chamber and a second, sealed chamber;
• forming a fluid flow path between the first chamber and the second chamber;
• forming a first evaporating surface having an enhanced heat transfer surface as a part of the first chamber;
• forming the second chamber from a plurality of hollow tubes with an enhanced heat transfer surface disposed on the interior of each hollow tube;
• coupling each hollow tube with a manifold to form a portion of the second, sealed chamber;
• attaching a plurality of convection cooling fins to the exterior of the hollow tubes whereby the fins transfer heat from the hollow tubes to the environment surrounding the second, sealed chamber;
• placing a working fluid within the heat exchanger and sealing the heat exchanger to prevent undesired escape of the working fluid;
• thermally coupling the first evaporating surface with the first thermally conductive plate to allow heat transfer from the thermoelectric device to the enhanced heat transfer surface of the first, evaporating surface;
• providing electrical power to the thermoelectric elements to transfer heat energy from the second thermally conductive plate to the first thermally conductive plate;
• transferring heat energy from the first thermally conductive plate to the first evaporating surface to evaporate the working fluid;
• communicating the evaporated working fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber through the fluid flow path;
• condensing the evaporated working fluid on the second condensing surface in the second chamber;
• and
• returning the condensed working fluid to the first chamber through the fluid flow path.