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Apparatus and method for deep thermoelectric refrigeration

  • US 5,385,022 A
  • Filed: 09/09/1993
  • Issued: 01/31/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A compensated thermoelectric cooling unit comprising a plurality of thermally parallel cooling hierarchies each including at least one thermoelectric couple, said unit having a primary cooling hierarchy and at least one auxiliary cooling hierarchy thermally connected in parallel therewith;

  • each said thermoelectric couple including a p-leg and an n-leg connected at respective first ends to form respective cold junctions, and electrically connected at respective second ends to produce Peltier cooling at the cold junctions and to produce Joule heating between the first and second ends;

    each said auxiliary cooling hierarchy having at least one thermal connector thermally connecting at least one respective cold junction of an auxiliary cooling hierarchy to at least one leg of at least one thermoelectric couple of the immediately preceding cooling hierarchy, said thermal connector thermally connecting to said at least one leg at a discrete position intermediate between the first and second ends thereof, and located where Joule heat traveling towards said first end may be substantially removed through said thermal connector only;

    at least one said auxiliary cooling hierarchy having p-legs and n-legs sized to substantially remove Joule heat which is traveling towards said first ends of the immediately preceding cooling hierarchy;

    whereby the auxiliary cooling hierarchies are thermally connected in parallel and remove a portion of at least the Joule heat from said primary thermoelectric couple for thermoelectric cooling thereof.

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