Thermoelectric-based thermal management of electrical devices
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing a thermal management system for thermally managing an electrical device, the method comprising:
- connecting a heat transfer device that comprises an electrically conductive portion and an electrically insulating portion to a plurality of electrical conductors of an electrical device;
establishing substantial thermal communication between the heat transfer device and a main surface of a thermoelectric device; and
establishing substantial thermal communication between a liquid heat exchanger and a waste surface of the thermoelectric device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed embodiments include thermoelectric-based thermal management systems and methods configured to heat and/or cool an electrical device. Thermal management systems can include at least one electrical conductor in electrical and thermal communication with a temperature-sensitive region of the electrical device and at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one electrical conductor. Electric power can be directed to the thermoelectric device by the same electrical conductor or an external power supply, causing the thermoelectric device to provide controlled heating and/or cooling to the electrical device via the at least one electrical conductor.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a thermal management system for thermally managing an electrical device, the method comprising:
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connecting a heat transfer device that comprises an electrically conductive portion and an electrically insulating portion to a plurality of electrical conductors of an electrical device; establishing substantial thermal communication between the heat transfer device and a main surface of a thermoelectric device; and establishing substantial thermal communication between a liquid heat exchanger and a waste surface of the thermoelectric device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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3. A method for thermally managing an electrical device, the method comprising:
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using a heat transfer device that comprises an electrically conductive portion connected to an electrical conductor that is in thermal and electrical communication with an electrical device; operating a thermoelectric device in substantial thermal communication with the heat transfer device and in substantial thermal communication with a liquid heat exchanger; and heating or cooling the electrical device by adjusting a polarity of electric current provided to the thermoelectric device. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 10)
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11. A thermal management system for thermally managing an electrical device, the thermal management system comprising:
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a heat transfer device comprising an electrically conductive portion and an electrically insulating portion connected to a plurality of electrical conductors of an electrical device; a liquid heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy via a liquid working fluid; and a thermoelectric device comprising a main surface and a waste surface, wherein the main surface is in substantial thermal communication with the heat transfer device, and wherein the waste surface is in substantial thermal communication with the liquid heat exchanger. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification