Thermoelectric device controls and methods
First Claim
1. A thermoelectric system comprising:
- a thermoelectric device comprising a first surface and a second surface;
a power source configured to deliver a voltage across the thermoelectric device to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric device;
wherein the first surface is configured to heat and the second surface is configured to cool with the delivery of the voltage across the thermoelectric device; and
a processor configured to;
determine a potential between the first surface and the second surface when the thermoelectric device is deactivated;
correlate the potential to a temperature of the first surface based at least in part on the voltage delivered across the thermoelectric device; and
adjust the correlated temperature of the first surface based on an ambient temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to some embodiments, a thermoelectric system includes a thermoelectric device having a first surface and a second surface and a power source configured to deliver a voltage across the thermoelectric device to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric device, wherein the first surface is configured to heat and the second surface is configured to cool when the thermoelectric device is activated. The system further includes a processor configured to determine a potential between the first surface and the second surface when the thermoelectric device is deactivated, correlate the potential to a temperature of the first surface and adjust the correlated temperature of the first surface based on an ambient temperature.
727 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A thermoelectric system comprising:
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a thermoelectric device comprising a first surface and a second surface; a power source configured to deliver a voltage across the thermoelectric device to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric device; wherein the first surface is configured to heat and the second surface is configured to cool with the delivery of the voltage across the thermoelectric device; and a processor configured to; determine a potential between the first surface and the second surface when the thermoelectric device is deactivated; correlate the potential to a temperature of the first surface based at least in part on the voltage delivered across the thermoelectric device; and adjust the correlated temperature of the first surface based on an ambient temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of controlling a duty cycle or a power level of a thermoelectric device, the method comprising:
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determining a potential between a first surface of a thermoelectric device and a second surface of the thermoelectric device when the thermoelectric device is electrically deactivated or depowered; wherein the first surface is configured to heat and the second surface is configured to cool when the thermoelectric device is electrically activated or powered; correlating the potential with a temperature of the first surface of the thermoelectric device at least partially based on a voltage delivered across the thermoelectric device when the thermoelectric device is electrically activated or powered; and adjusting the duty cycle or the power level of the thermoelectric device based on a comparison of the temperature of the first surface of the thermoelectric device with a desired temperature. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method of providing temperature control to a system, the method comprising:
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powering a thermoelectric device from a power source, the thermoelectric device comprising a first surface and a second surface, said thermoelectric device being configured to be selectively activated or deactivated; determining a potential between the first surface and the second surface when the thermoelectric device is deactivated; correlating the potential with a temperature of the first surface based at least in part on a voltage delivered across the thermoelectric device from the power source; comparing the temperature of the first surface with a desired temperature value; and adjusting the power received by the thermoelectric device based on the comparison, thereby changing an amount of heat exchanged between a fluid and at least one of the first surface and the second surface, wherein the fluid is provided to the system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification