Thermal block assemblies and instruments providing low thermal non-uniformity for rapid thermal cycling
First Claim
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1. A thermal block assembly for thermal cycling comprising:
- a sample block having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface having a sample block footprint wherein the first surface is adapted for receiving a sample support device;
a heat sink comprising a base having a first surface having a first surface footprint, a second surface, and a plurality of fins pendent the second surface, wherein a space between each fin provides flow paths for air passing from an inlet side of the plurality of fins to an outlet side of the plurality of fins wherein the height of the plurality of fins varies to provide flow paths along the heat sink parallel to the second surface of the heat sink and longest near the base of the heat sink; and
a plurality of thermal electric devices adjoined in the X-Y plane, positioned between the sample block and the heat sink;
wherein the height of the plurality of fins varies along at least a portion of the heat sink that spans an active footprint of the plurality of thermal electric devices.
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Abstract
The present teachings disclose various embodiments of a thermal block assembly having low thermal non-uniformity throughout the thermal block assembly. Accordingly, various embodiments of thermal block assemblies having such low thermal non-uniformity provide for desired performance of bioanalysis instrumentation utilizing such thermal block assemblies.
38 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A thermal block assembly for thermal cycling comprising:
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a sample block having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface having a sample block footprint wherein the first surface is adapted for receiving a sample support device; a heat sink comprising a base having a first surface having a first surface footprint, a second surface, and a plurality of fins pendent the second surface, wherein a space between each fin provides flow paths for air passing from an inlet side of the plurality of fins to an outlet side of the plurality of fins wherein the height of the plurality of fins varies to provide flow paths along the heat sink parallel to the second surface of the heat sink and longest near the base of the heat sink; and a plurality of thermal electric devices adjoined in the X-Y plane, positioned between the sample block and the heat sink; wherein the height of the plurality of fins varies along at least a portion of the heat sink that spans an active footprint of the plurality of thermal electric devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus comprising:
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a control system; and a thermal block assembly comprising; a sample block having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface having a sample block footprint wherein the first surface is adapted for receiving a sample support device; a heat sink comprising a base having a first surface, a first surface footprint, a second surface and a plurality of fins pendent the second surface, wherein a space between each fin provides flow paths for air passing from an inlet side of the plurality of fins to an outlet side the plurality of fins, wherein the height of the plurality of fins varies to provide flow paths along the heat sink parallel to the second surface of the heat sink and longest near the base of the heat sink; and a plurality of thermal electric devices adjoined in the X-Y plane, positioned between the sample block and the heat sink; wherein the height of the plurality of fins varies along at least a portion of the heat sink that spans an active footprint of the plurality of thermal electric devices. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification