초록 ▼

A thermoelectric cooling apparatus which includes a Peltier device or a thermoelectric element coupled to a hot source and a cold sink. The hot source dissipates heat produced by the thermoelectric element. The cold sink is coupled to a mass to be cooled. A means for supplying power to the thermoele

A thermoelectric cooling apparatus which includes a Peltier device or a thermoelectric element coupled to a hot source and a cold sink. The hot source dissipates heat produced by the thermoelectric element. The cold sink is coupled to a mass to be cooled. A means for supplying power to the thermoelectric element is provided and a means for selectively thermally coupling the thermoelectric element to the hot source is provided. Selectively thermally switching the thermoelectric element to the hot source allows heat to be dissipated to the hot source when the thermoelectric element possesses excess heat. Dissipating the excess heat when the excess heat is present allows higher efficiencies to be attained in thermoelectric cooling.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A thermoelectric cooling apparatus, comprising:a hot source;a cold sink;a thermoelectric element coupled between said hot source and said cold sink by first and second couplings, respectively; andmeans for selectively thermally coupling said thermoelectric element to said

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A thermoelectric cooling apparatus, comprising:a hot source;a cold sink;a thermoelectric element coupled between said hot source and said cold sink by first and second couplings, respectively; andmeans for selectively thermally coupling said thermoelectric element to said hot source by a third coupling to selectively control a thermal impedance from said thermoelectric element to said hot source such that high efficiency cooling can be attained.