초록 ▼

A compact thermoelectric refrigeration drive assembly comprises at least one thermoelectric heat transfer device (Peltier Effect device) whose active surfaces are in contact with a respective one of a collector member and a transfer member. When operating, a dc current is applied to the heat transfe

A compact thermoelectric refrigeration drive assembly comprises at least one thermoelectric heat transfer device (Peltier Effect device) whose active surfaces are in contact with a respective one of a collector member and a transfer member. When operating, a dc current is applied to the heat transfer device to transfer heat from the collector member to the transfer member. This results in the collector member, which is intended to be located in an insulated chamber, being cooled and the transfer member, which is spaced away from the collector member, being heated. Waste heat is removed from the transfer member via a closed looped fluid cooling system, the transfer member forming at least a portion of one side of a vessel for the cooling fluid and thereby transferring heat to the fluid. The construction and design of the assembly advantageously results in a compact refrigerator drive assembly which can be employed in a variety of environments.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A thermoelectric refrigeration drive assembly, comprising:at least one thermoelectric heat transfer device having first and second active surfaces;a collector member in thermal contact with said first active surface of said at least one thermoelectric heat transfer device;a heat exc

[ I claim:] [1.] A thermoelectric refrigeration drive assembly, comprising:at least one thermoelectric heat transfer device having first and second active surfaces;a collector member in thermal contact with said first active surface of said at least one thermoelectric heat transfer device;a heat exchanger for rejecting heat from a cooling fluid;a storage tank for storing a supply of cooling fluid for said heat exchanger, said storage tank being sized to contain a supply of cooling fluid in excess of that required to fill said heat exchanger;a transfer member comprising at least a portion of said storage tank and being in thermal contact with said second active surface of each said at least one heat transfer device and thermally contacting said cooling fluid in said storage tank;insulation means to inhibit heat transfer between said collector member and said transfer member other than through said thermoelectric heat transfer device and wherein upon application of a suitable dc current to said thermoelectric heat transfer device heat energy is transferred from said collector member and its surroundings through said at least one heat transfer device to said cooling fluid through said transfer member and from said cooling fluid to said heat exchanger.