Thermoelectrics utilizing thermal isolation
AssigneeBsst LLC
InventorLon E. Bell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved efficiency thermoelectric system and method of making such a thermoelectric system are disclosed. Significant thermal isolation between thermoelectric elements in at least one direction across a thermoelectric system provides increased efficiency over conventional thermoelectric arrays. Significant thermal isolation is also provided for at least one heat exchanger coupled to the thermoelectric elements. In one embodiment, the properties, such as resistance or current flow, of the thermoelectric elements may also be varied in at least one direction across a thermoelectric array. In addition, the mechanical configuration of the thermoelectric elements may be varied, in one embodiment, according to dynamic adjustment criteria.
Claims47
A thermoelectric system for use with at least one medium to be cooled or heated, comprising:
- a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming a thermoelectric array with a cooling side and a heating side, wherein at least one characteristic of at least some of the thermoelectric elements is varied in the direction of medium movement;
- at least one heat exchanger on at least the cooling and/or the heating side in thermal communication with at least one thermoelectric element;
- and
- a substrate between at least one thermoelectric element and the at least one heat exchanger, wherein the substrate is configured to substantially thermally isolate the at least one thermoelectric element from other of the plurality of thermoelectric elements while maintaining good thermal contact between the at least one thermoelectric element and the at least one heat exchanger.
A thermoelectric system for use with at least one medium to be cooled or heated, comprising:
- a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming a thermoelectric array with a cooling side and a heating side, wherein at least one characteristic of at least some of the thermoelectric elements is varied in the direction of medium movement;
- at least one heat exchanger on at least the cooling and/or the heating side in thermal communication with at least one thermoelectric element;
- and
- a substrate between at least one thermoelectric element and the at least one heat exchanger, wherein the substrate is configured to substantially thermally isolate the at least one thermoelectric element from other of the plurality of thermoelectric elements;
- wherein the substrate has at least one gap forming a row of thermoelectric elements.
A thermoelectric system for use with at least one medium to be cooled or heated, comprising:
- a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming a thermoelectric array with a cooling side and a heating side, wherein at least one characteristic of at least some of the thermoelectric elements is varied in the direction of medium movement;
- at least one heat exchanger on at least the cooling and/or the heating side in thermal communication with at least one thermoelectric element;
- and
- a substrate between at least one thermoelectric element and the at least one heat exchanger, wherein the substrate is configured to substantially thermally isolate the at least one thermoelectric element from other of the plurality of thermoelectric elements,
- wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of portions, at least some of the portions each in thermal communication with at least one thermoelectric element, at least some of the portions substantially thermally isolated from other of said portions in the direction of medium movement.
A thermoelectric system for use with at least one medium to be cooled or heated, comprising:
- a plurality of thermoelectric elements, wherein at least some of the thermoelectric elements are in thermal communication with a heat exchanger;
- and
- a substrate between at least some of the thermoelectric elements and the heat exchanger, wherein the substrate is configured to substantially thermally isolate at least one thermoelectric element from at least one other thermoelectric element while maintaining good thermal contact between the at least one thermoelectric element and the heat exchanger.
A thermoelectric system for use with at least one medium to be cooled or heated, comprising:
- a plurality of thermoelectric elements, wherein at least some of the thermoelectric elements are in thermal communication with a heat exchanger;
- and
- a substrate between at least some of the thermoelectric elements and the heat exchanger, wherein the substrate is configured to substantially thermally isolate at least one thermoelectric element from at least one other thermoelectric element,
- wherein the substrate has at least one gap that acts to substantially thermally isolate the thermoelectric element.
A method of making an improved thermoelectric system for use with at least one medium to be cooled or heated, comprising the steps of:
- forming a substrate between at least one of a plurality of thermoelectric elements and a heat exchanger, wherein the substrate is configured to substantially thermally isolate the at least one thermoelectric element from other of the plurality of thermoelectric elements in at least one direction of the system while maintaining good thermal contact between the at least one thermoelectric element and the heat exchanger;
- and
- exchanging heat from at least one side of the system in a manner that significantly maintains the thermal isolation.
A method of making an improved thermoelectric system for use with at least one medium to be cooled or heated, comprising the steps of:
- forming a substrate between at least one of a plurality of thermoelectric elements and a heat exchanger, wherein the substrate is configured to substantially thermally isolate the at least one thermoelectric element from other of the plurality of thermoelectric elements in at least one direction of the system;
- adding at least one gap in the substrate;
- and
- exchanging heat from at least one side of the system in a manner that significantly maintains the thermal isolation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.