초록 ▼

A thermoelectric heat pump module of the type used in small cooling applications and appliances, such as a thermoelectric picnic cooler. The module comprises an array of thermoelectric elements with cold-side connectors directly bonded to a large, unitary cold sink for support, and hot-side connect

A thermoelectric heat pump module of the type used in small cooling applications and appliances, such as a thermoelectric picnic cooler. The module comprises an array of thermoelectric elements with cold-side connectors directly bonded to a large, unitary cold sink for support, and hot-side connectors each having an integrated heat exchange fin to form a small, lightweight, but efficient hot sink array directly bonded to the elements without thermal stress. The cold sink is larger than the hot sink array. The cold-side connectors and at least portions of the thermoelectric elements are sealed and supported with a layer of potting material built up from the surface of the cold sink, and optionally insulated with an additional layer of sealed foam, eliminating moisture vapor transmission, condensation, and corrosion in the module. In a preferred form, the elements and their finned hot-side connectors are arranged in an elongated, narrow-depth array designed to be placed perpendicular to a flow of cooling air, and allowing multiple modules to be used in a distributed pattern with a single air-mover such as a fan.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A thermoelectric heat pump module comprising: a plurality of spaced thermoelectric elements, the thermoelectric elements comprising first ends connected in pairs by electrically and thermally conductive cold-side connectors, the thermoelectric elements comprising second opposite ends co

I claim: 1. A thermoelectric heat pump module comprising: a plurality of spaced thermoelectric elements, the thermoelectric elements comprising first ends connected in pairs by electrically and thermally conductive cold-side connectors, the thermoelectric elements comprising second opposite ends connected in pairs by electrically and thermally conductive hot-side connector sinks comprising extended, spaced heat exchange portions forming a hot sink array, the cold-side connectors connected directly to and supported by a rigid, unitary cold sink, further comprising potting material extending from the cold sink to a point beyond the cold-side connectors, the potting material sealing and supporting the first ends of the thermoelectric elements and the cold-side connectors, wherein the cold-side connectors are connected to a support surface of the cold sink whose area is greater than an area bounded by the thermoelectric elements, and wherein the potting material is built up from the support surface around the cold-sink supported cold-side connectors to form an additional support for the thermoelectric elements and connectors. 2. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, further comprising a potting guide supported on the support surface of the cold sink and surrounding side surfaces of the potting material. 3. The thermoelectric module of claim 1, wherein a potting guide is supported on the support surface of the cold sink surrounding the potting material, the potting guide comprising a raised potting support surface located above the TE elements and supporting a layer of potting material. 4. A thermoelectric heat pump module comprising: a plurality of spaced thermoelectric elements, the thermoelectric elements comprising first ends connected in pairs by electrically and thermally conductive cold-side connectors, the thermoelectric elements comprising second opposite ends connected in pairs by electrically and thermally conductive hot-side connector sinks comprising extended, spaced heat exchange portions forming a hot sink array, the cold-side connectors connected directly to and supported by a rigid, unitary cold sink wherein the thermoelectric elements and their connector sinks are arranged in an elongated array of rows on the cold sink, the rows having a length greater than a width of the array. 5. The thermoelectric module of claim 4, wherein the elongated array is rectangular. 6. The thermoelectric module of claim 4, wherein the extended heat exchange portions of the connector sinks are parallel to one another. 7. The thermoelectric module of claim 6, wherein the extended heat exchange portions in one row are aligned with the extended heat exchange portions in an adjacent row. 8. The thermoelectric module of claim 6, wherein the extended heat exchange portions comprise fin members. 9. The thermoelectric module of claim 8, wherein the extended heat exchange portions comprise planar fin members. 10. A thermoelectric heat pump module comprising: a plurality of spaced thermoelectric elements, the thermoelectric elements comprising first ends connected in pairs by electrically and thermally conductive cold-side connectors, the thermoelectric elements comprising second opposite ends connected in pairs by electrically and thermally conductive hot-side connector sinks comprising extended, spaced heat exchange portions forming a hot sink array, the cold-side connectors connected directly to and supported by a rigid, unitary cold sink, wherein free ends of the hot sink array are connected by an electrically insulative cover. 11. A thermoelectric heat pump assembly for small cooling appliances, comprising: a fan for generating a flow of cooling air; a thermoelectric heat pump module comprising a plurality of spaced thermoelectric elements, the thermoelectric elements comprising first ends connected in pairs by electrically and thermally conductive cold-side connectors, the thermoelectric elements comprising second opposite ends connected in pairs by electrically and thermally conductive hot-side connector sinks comprising extended, spaced heat exchange portions comprising a hot sink array, the cold-side connectors connected directly to and supported by a rigid, unitary cold sink, the thermoelectric elements and their connector sinks arranged in an elongated array of rows on the cold sink, the rows having a length greater than a width of the array; the heat pump module being arranged relative to the fan to receive the flow of cooling air perpendicular to the elongated hot sink array. 12. The thermoelectric heat pump assembly of claim 11, wherein a second thermoelectric heat pump module is arranged relative to the fan to receive the flow of cooling air in a perpendicular fashion. 13. The thermoelectric heat pump assembly of claim 11, wherein one or more heat pump modules are arranged surrounding the fan.