Thermoelectric heat pump for chemiluminescence detectors

• US 3,998,592 A
• Filed: 12/24/1975
• Issued: 12/21/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Loral Aerospace Corp. (MHR Holdings LLC (New York))
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Pyle, William I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US05/644,224
• Time in Patent Office: 363 Days
• Field of Search: 23/254 E, 23/254 R, 23/232 E, 23/232 R, 250/361 C
• US Class Current: 422/52
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/02 using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/76 Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence

Abstract

A chemiluminescence detector is comprised of a gaseous reaction chamber having a light transmitting element mounted to define one wall of the reaction space. A light responsive device, for example a photomultiplier, is arranged to receive light generated by a chemiluminescent reaction within the reaction chamber and transmitted through the light transmitting element. A thermoelectric heat pump means is situated in proximity to the reaction chamber and to the photomultiplier. The heat pump means is arranged to provide for cooling of the photomultiplier by extracting heat therefrom while simultaneously heating the reaction chamber. The thermoelectric heat pump is comprised of at least one mounting gasket means arranged to have a first surface in contact with the housing of the reaction chamber and a second surface in contact with a portion of the housing of the light sensing means. The thermoelectric heat pump includes a plurality of electrically serially connected thermoelectric coolers embedded within the gasket means and arranged to have one surface of each in thermal contact with the light sensing means and the opposite surface of each in contact with the reaction chamber housing. The thermoelectric coolers are arranged to extract thermal energy (heat) from the housing of the light sensing element, thereby lowering its temperature, and to apply this thermal energy to the housing of the reaction chamber thereby elevating its temperature and promoting the chemiluminescent reaction.

Claims

1. In a chemiluminescence detection instrument of the type having a reaction chamber housing body and a viewing window cooperative therewith to define a reaction space and a light sensing instrument portion including a light sensing instrument positioned to receive any chemiluminescence produced in the reaction space and transmitted through the viewing window, the improvement comprising:

thermoelectric heat pump means having at least one cooled surface and at least one heated surface situated intermediate the reaction chamber housing body and the light sensing instrument portion and having said cooled surface in thermal energy exchange contact with the light sensing instrument portion and said heated surface in thermal energy exchange contact with the reaction chamber housing body.

2. The improved chemiluminescence detection instrument according to claim 1 wherein said thermoelectric heat pump means is comprised of a plurality of thermoelectric coolers, each of which has a heated surface and a cooled surface, connected in electrical series relation.

3. The improved chemiluminescence detection instrument according to claim 2 wherein said thermoelectric coolers and associated electrical interconnections are embedded within means defining an annular gasket.