Thermoelectric apparatus for use with multiple power sources and method of operation
First Claim
1. A thermoelectric apparatus compatible with multiple power sources, each source providing a different voltage, the apparatus comprising:
- a thermoelectric assembly having a plurality of thermoelectric devices; and
control circuitry coupled between the thermoelectric assembly and a power source providing a voltage, the control circuitry operable to sense the voltage provided by the power source and to electrically configure the thermoelectric devices in the thermoelectric assembly between parallel and serial electrical configuration in response to the sensed voltage from the power source and to couple the thermoelectric devices to the power source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermoelectric apparatus (10) is provided that is compatible with multiple power sources (12) each providing a different voltage. The present apparatus (10) includes a thermoelectric assembly (14) having a plurality of thermoelectric devices (18 & 20) and control circuitry (16) coupled between the thermoelectric assembly (14) and a power source (12). The control circuitry (16) can sense the voltage provided by the power source (12) and electrically configure the thermoelectric devices (18 & 20) in the thermoelectric assembly (14) between parallel and serial electrical configuration in response to the sensed voltage. The control circuitry (16) also couples the thermoelectric devices (18 & 20) to the power source (12).
163 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A thermoelectric apparatus compatible with multiple power sources, each source providing a different voltage, the apparatus comprising:
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a thermoelectric assembly having a plurality of thermoelectric devices; and control circuitry coupled between the thermoelectric assembly and a power source providing a voltage, the control circuitry operable to sense the voltage provided by the power source and to electrically configure the thermoelectric devices in the thermoelectric assembly between parallel and serial electrical configuration in response to the sensed voltage from the power source and to couple the thermoelectric devices to the power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A thermoelectric apparatus compatible with both 12 volt and 24 volt power sources, the apparatus comprising:
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a thermoelectric assembly having first and second thermoelectric devices; and control circuitry coupled between the thermoelectric assembly and the power source, the control circuitry is operable to sense whether the power source provides 12 volts or 24 volts and to electrically configure the thermoelectric devices in the thermoelectric assembly in parallel when the power source provides 12 volts and to couple the thermoelectric devices in parallel to the power source and to electrically configure the thermoelectric devices in the thermoelectric assembly in series when the power source provides 24 volts and to couple the thermoelectric devices in series to the power source. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A thermoelectric system compatible with multiple power sources for heating and cooling a load, each power source providing a different voltage, the device comprising:
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a container for housing the load; a thermoelectric assembly having a plurality of thermoelectric devices; and control circuitry coupled between the thermoelectric assembly and a power source providing a voltage, the control circuitry is operable to sense the voltage provided by the power source and to electrically configure the thermoelectric devices in the thermoelectric assembly between parallel and serial electrical configuration responsive to the sensed voltage from the power source and to couple the thermoelectric devices to the power source. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification