High performance thermoelectric systems
First Claim
1. A high performance thermoelectric system comprising:
- a. A thermoelectric module, b. A heat sink, c. A thermal ballast, d. A thermal load, and e. A thermal conduit. Said thermoelectric module, said thermal ballast, and said thermal load being in simultaneous thermal communication through said thermal conduit, said thermal ballast configured to rapidly absorb heat from said load through said thermal conduit, said thermoelectric module configured to simultaneously pump additional heat from said thermal load through said thermal conduit, said thermoelectric module further configured to pump said heat from said thermal ballast through said thermal conduit at a slower rate over time, said thermoelectric module in thermal communication with said heat sink to disperse said heat and said additional heat into the ambient air.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A high performance thermoelectric system is taught which is capable of rapidly cooling a thermal load with a thermoelectric module. A thermal ballast is in simultaneous thermal communication with both the thermoelectric module and the thermal load, and compensates for the difference between the characteristics of the thermoelectric module and the demands of the thermal load, allowing a thermoelectric module to handle significantly larger thermal loads than would normally be possible, albeit for a reduced period of time. Also taught is a means to implement a demand cooler for drinking water. Also taught is a means to implement a high performance cooler for removable fluid containers, adaptable to the rapid cooling of wine bottles and the like.
115 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A high performance thermoelectric system comprising:
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a. A thermoelectric module, b. A heat sink, c. A thermal ballast, d. A thermal load, and e. A thermal conduit. Said thermoelectric module, said thermal ballast, and said thermal load being in simultaneous thermal communication through said thermal conduit, said thermal ballast configured to rapidly absorb heat from said load through said thermal conduit, said thermoelectric module configured to simultaneously pump additional heat from said thermal load through said thermal conduit, said thermoelectric module further configured to pump said heat from said thermal ballast through said thermal conduit at a slower rate over time, said thermoelectric module in thermal communication with said heat sink to disperse said heat and said additional heat into the ambient air. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A flow through demand cooler for fluids comprising:
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a. A thermoelectric module, b. A heat sink, c. A thermal ballast, d. A fluid heat exchanger, and e. A thermal conduit. Said thermoelectric module, said thermal ballast, and said fluid heat exchanger being in simultaneous thermal communication through said thermal conduit, said thermal ballast configured to rapidly absorb heat from said fluid heat exchanger through said thermal conduit, said thermoelectric module configured to simultaneously pump additional heat from said fluid heat exchanger through said thermal conduit, said thermoelectric module further configured to pump said heat from said thermal ballast through said thermal conduit at a slower rate over time, said thermoelectric module in thermal communication with said heat sink to disperse said heat and said additional heat into the ambient air. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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19. A high performance cooler for removable fluid containers comprising;
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a. A thermoelectric module, b. A heat sink, c. A thermal ballast, d. A removable fluid container, and e. A thermal conduit. Said thermoelectric module, said thermal ballast, and said removable fluid container being in simultaneous thermal communication through said thermal conduit, said thermal ballast configured to rapidly absorb heat from said removable fluid container through said thermal conduit, said thermoelectric module configured to simultaneously pump additional heat from said removable fluid container through said thermal conduit, said thermoelectric module further configured to pump said heat from said thermal ballast through said thermal conduit at a slower rate over time, said thermoelectric module in thermal communication with said heat sink to disperse said heat and said additional heat into the ambient air.
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Specification