초록 ▼

A water cooler is provided with an improved chiller system of the type having a thermoelectric chiller module for maintaining a supply of water at a reduced and refreshing temperature level. The chiller system comprises the thermoelectric chiller module having a cold side thereof in thermal communic

A water cooler is provided with an improved chiller system of the type having a thermoelectric chiller module for maintaining a supply of water at a reduced and refreshing temperature level. The chiller system comprises the thermoelectric chiller module having a cold side thereof in thermal communication with a supply of water to be chilled, and a hot side thereof exposed within a manifold defining a heat transfer chamber filled with a heat exchange medium such as water. An impeller located centrally within the heat transfer chamber circulates the water directly against the hot side of the thermoelectric module, from which the water then flows radially outwardly through a plurality of hollow fin elements and is recirculated back to the impeller. In the preferred form, the impeller is coupled by a hermetically sealed magnetic coupling to an air flow fan disposed outside the manifold for providing a cooling air flow over exterior surfaces of the hollow fin elements.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A water chilling system for chilling a supply of water within a storage reservoir of a water cooler or the like, said system comprising:a thermoelectric heat transfer module having a hot side and a cold side, and means for transferring thermal energy from said cold side t

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A water chilling system for chilling a supply of water within a storage reservoir of a water cooler or the like, said system comprising:a thermoelectric heat transfer module having a hot side and a cold side, and means for transferring thermal energy from said cold side to said hot side;means for mounting said module with said cold side in thermal communication with a supply of water within a reservoir;a manifold mounted over said module and defining a heat transfer chamber having a fluid heat transfer medium therein in direct contact with said hot side of said module, said manifold further including a plurality of outwardly projecting fin elements; andmeans within said heat transfer chamber for circulating the fluid heat transfer medium along a closed loop path against said hot side of said module and further into heat exchange relation with said fin elements whereby heat energy from said module hot side is transferred by the fluid heat transfer medium to said fin elements.