Thermoelectric transient cooling and heating systems
AssigneeBsst LLC
InventorLon E. Bell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved efficiency thermoelectric system operates the thermoelectric elements in the system in a non-steady state manner. The thermoelectric elements are powered for predefined periods of time to obtain increased efficiency. This benefit can be improved by also altering the resistance of the thermoelectric elements during the power-on period such that resistive heating is minimized.
Claims38
A thermoelectric system comprising:
- A plurality of thermoelectric elements forming at least one thermoelectric array with at least one first side and at least one second side exhibiting at least one temperature gradient between them during operation, the thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with a heat exchanger on at least the first or the second side, wherein at least a portion of the thermoelectric array is configured to be operated between at least first and second different current levels, wherein at least the first current level is below a current level that provides substantially maximal steady-state TE cooling or heating and wherein at least one thermoelectric element thermally couples to at least a first portion of material to or from which heat is to be transferred at a first point in time, and to at least a second portion of material to or from which heat is to be transferred at a second point in time.
A method of improving efficiency in a thermoelectric system having a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming at least one thermoelectric array having at least one first side and at least one second side exhibiting at least one temperature gradient between them during operation, the method comprising the steps of
- applying power to at least some of the thermoelectric elements in the at least one thermoelectric array in a non-steady state manner to operate the at least some of the thermoelectric elements between at least first and second different current levels, wherein at least the first current level is below a current level that provides substantially maximum steady-state TE cooling or heating;and
- thermally coupling at least one thermoelectric element to at least a first portion of material to or from which heat is to be transferred at a first point in time, and to at least a second portion of material to or from which heat is to be transferred at a second point in time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.