Thermoelectric cooling with plural dynamic switching to isolate heat transport mechanisms

A thermoelectric cooling apparatus operable in an ambient, comprising:

• a first thermal sink means for dissipating thermal energy at a temperature above the ambient;
• a second thermal sink means for absorbing thermal energy at a temperature below the ambient;
• a thermoelectric element situated to be coupled to the first thermal sink and to the second thermal sink for the transport of thermal energy therebetween;
• first means for selectively switching the thermal conductance of the coupling between the thermoelectric element and the first thermal sink;
• second means for selectively switching the thermal conductance of the coupling between the thermoelectric element and the second thermal sink;
• and
• means for selectively enabling the thermoelectric element in relative synchronism with the second means for selectively switching.

A method of operating a thermoelectric cooling apparatus have a first thermal sink operable at a first nominal temperature, a second thermal sink operable at a second nominal temperature relatively greater than the first nominal temperature, and a thermoelectric element situated to be coupled to the first and second thermal sinks, comprising the steps of:

• selectively switching the transmission of thermal energy between the thermoelectric element and the first thermal sink;
• selectively switching the transmission of thermal energy between the thermoelectric element and the second thermal sink;
• and
• selectively enabling a voltage across the thermoelectric element.

A method of operating a thermoelectric cooling apparatus having a first thermal sink for dissipating thermal energy at a temperature above an ambient, a second thermal sink for absorbing thermal energy at a temperature below the ambient, and a thermoelectric element situated to be coupled between the first and second thermal sinks to transport thermal energy therebetween, comprising the steps of:

• selectively switching the thermal conductance of the coupling between the thermoelectric element and the first thermal sink;
• selectively switching the thermal conductance of the coupling between the thermoelectric element and the second thermal sink;
• and
• selectively enabling the thermoelectric element in relative functional synchronism with the selective switching steps.