Temperature control system for an electronic device which achieves a quick response by interposing a heater between the device and a heat sink

Abstract

A temperature control system comprises: an electric heater that has a first face which makes contact with an electronic device, and a second face which is opposite the first face; a heat sink, coupled to the second face of the heater, which absorbs heat from the electronic device through the heater's second face; and a temperature sensor, coupled to the electronic device which senses the device temperature T.sub.d. A control circuit is coupled to the device temperature sensor and to the heater; and it decreases the power to the heater when the sensed temperature of the electronic device is above the set point, and vice-versa. When the heater temperature T.sub.h is less than T.sub.d, then heat flows from the electronic device through the heater to the heat sink; and the rate of heat flow increases as T.sub.d -T.sub.h increases. When T.sub.h is more than T.sub.d, then heat flows to the electronic device from the heater; and the rate of heat flow increases as T.sub.h -T.sub.d increases.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.