US4310047A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature controller
Assignee: Pye Electronic Products Ltd
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Filing: 1980-01-14
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Granted: 1982-01-12
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Expires: 2000-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A device for maintaining the temperature of a body at a desired value comprises a thermo-electric heat pump sandwiched between a thermally conductive member and a heat sink. The heat sink is maintained at a substantially constant temperature above the ambient temperature by an electrical heating element. This arrangement reduces the effect of changes in ambient temperature and enables the heat pump to work across a substantially constant temperature differential.
Inventors
- 👤 John Branson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:43
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/20; G05D23/24; G05D23/1919; F; F25; F25B; F25B2321/00; F25B2321/02; F25B2321/021; F25B2321/0212; F28; F28F; F28F2270/00; F28F2275/00; F28F2275/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for maintaining the temperature of an object at a desired value, which comprises a thermally conductive member for containing the object, a heat sink, a thermo-electric heat pump sandwiched between the thermally conductive member and the heat sink for maintaining the thermally conductive member at a substantially constant temperature, and an electrical resistance heating element in thermal contact with the heat sink to maintain the heat sink at a substantially constant temperature above the ambient temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for maintaining the temperature of an object at a desired value, which comprises a thermally conductive member for containing the object, a heat sink, a thermo-electric heat pump sandwiched between the thermally conductive member and the heat sink for maintaining the thermally conductive member at a substantially constant temperature, and an electrical resistance heating element in thermal contact with the heat sink to maintain the heat sink at a substantially constant temperature above the ambient temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the heating element forms part of a first control circuit for controlling the current flowing through the heating element, said first control circuit including a first sensor in contact solely with the heat sink for sensing the temperature of said heat sink.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, which includes a second control circuit for controlling the current flowing through the thermo-electric heat pump, said second control circuit including a second sensor in contact with the thermally conductive member for sensing the temperature of said thermally coductive member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, in which the first sensor and the second sensor are thermistors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the thermally conductive member comprises an enclosure for the object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the heat sink is formed so as to at least partially surround the thermally conductive member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-01-11 | 1985-07-13 | 1986-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-01-11 | 1989-07-13 | 1990-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-01-11 | 1993-07-13 | 1994-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |