Thermoelectric cooling apparatus and method for maximizing energy transport
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorUttam Shyamalindu Ghoshal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for sub-ambient cooling using thermoelectric dynamics in conjunction with novel configuration schemes to maximize energy transport to thereby increase the efficiency of thermoelectric cooling. In one form, a junction maximizes energy transport being positioned between and coupled to thermoelectric elements having minimal spacing to provide efficient thermoelectric cooling. Preferable implementations provide thermoelectric elements configured such that thermal energy is transferred away from the junction and dissipated by thermal sinks coupled to thermoelectric elements
Claims40
A thermoelectric cooling apparatus comprising:
- a first thermoelectric element;
- a second thermoelectric element;
- and
- a junction positioned between and coupled to said first and second thermoelectric elements wherein said junction conducts electrical current between said first and second thermoelectric elements and has a preferential thermal conductivity in a direction different from the direction of electric current.
A thermoelectric cooling apparatus comprising:
- a first thermoelectric element;
- a second thermoelectric element;
- and
- a junction positioned between and coupled to said first and second thermoelectric elements;
- wherein
- said thermoelectric apparatus is enabled to transport energy between said junction and said first and second thermoelectric elements.
A thermoelectric cooling apparatus comprising:
- a first thermoelectric element;
- a second thermoelectric element;
- a third thermoelectric element coupled to said second thermoelectric element;
- and
- a junction positioned between and coupled to said first and second thermoelectric elements wherein said junction conducts electrical current between said first and second thermoelectric elements and has a preferential thermal conductivity in a direction different from the direction of electric current.
A thermoelectric cooling apparatus comprising:
- a first thermoelectric element;
- a second thermoelectric element;
- a third thermoelectric element coupled to said second thermoelectric element;
- and
- a junction positioned between and coupled to said first and second thermoelectric elements;
- wherein
- said junction includes at least one carbon nanotube.
A method of operating a thermoelectric cooling apparatus having a first thermoelectric element, a second thermoelectric element, and a junction positioned between and coupled to the first and second thermoelectric elements, wherein said junction conducts electrical current between said first and second thermoelectric elements and has a preferential thermal conductivity in a direction different from the direction of electric current, comprising the steps of:
- enabling a voltage across the first thermoelectric element, the second thermoelectric element, and the junction;
- and
- transporting energy between the junction and the first and second thermoelectric elements in response to the voltage.
A method of operating a thermoelectric cooling apparatus having a first thermoelectric element, a second thermoelectric element, and a junction positioned between and coupled to the first and second thermoelectric elements, comprising the steps of:
- enabling a voltage across the first thermoelectric element, the second thermoelectric element, and the junction;
- transporting energy between the junction and the first and second thermoelectric elements in response to the voltage;
- and
- providing at least one carbon nanotube coupled to the junction.
A method of operating a thermoelectric cooling apparatus having a first thermoelectric element, a second thermoelectric element, a third thermoelectric element coupled to the second thermoelectric element, and a junction positioned between and coupled to the first and second thermoelectric elements, comprising the steps of:
- enabling a voltage across the first thermoelectric element, the second thermoelectric element, the third thermoelectric element, and the junction;
- and
- transporting energy between the junction and the first thermoelectric element, the second thermoelectric element and the third thermoelectric element in response to the voltage.
A method of operating a thermoelectric cooling apparatus having a first thermoelectric element, a second thermoelectric element, a third thermoelectric element coupled to the second thermoelectric element, and a junction positioned between and coupled to the first and second thermoelectric elements, comprising the steps of:
- enabling a voltage across the first thermoelectric element, the second thermoelectric element, the third thermoelectric element, and the junction;
- transporting energy between the junction and the first thermoelectric element, the second thermoelectric element and the third thermoelectric element in response to the voltage;
- and
- providing at least one carbon nanotube coupled to the junction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.