US4639883A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermoelectric cooling system and method
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1984-11-28
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Granted: 1987-01-27
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Expires: 2004-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A temperature-controlled thermoelectric cooling system regulates the flow of electric current into the thermoelectric cooler in order to maintain a desired cold-side temperature without directly measuring the temperature of the device affixed to the cold side of the cooler. The system includes an apparatus for periodically interrupting the current flowing to the cooler, and during these interruptions measuring the open circuit voltage across the cooler induced by the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides. Computational means use this voltage measurement in conjunction with the temperature of the hot side of the cooler to determine the cold side temperature. From the cold side temperature determination, a controller regulates the current flow to the cooler to maintain a desired cold side temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore D. Michaelis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:54
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1919; F; F25; F25B; F25B21/00; F25B21/02; F25B2321/00; F25B2321/02; F25B2321/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for determining the temperature of the cold side of a thermoelectric cooler, said cooler having terminals adapted to receive electric current therethrough, said apparatus comprising: means for interrupting said electric current to said thermoelectric cooler; means for detecting the voltage induced across said terminals during said interruption; means for sensing the temperature of the hot side of said thermoelectric cooler; and means responsive to said sensing means and said detecting means for computing the temperature of said cold side of said thermoelectric cooler.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for determining the temperature of the cold side of a thermoelectric cooler, said cooler having terminals adapted to receive electric current therethrough, said apparatus comprising: means for interrupting said electric current to said thermoelectric cooler; means for detecting the voltage induced across said terminals during said interruption; means for sensing the temperature of the hot side of said thermoelectric cooler; and means responsive to said sensing means and said detecting means for computing the temperature of said cold side of said thermoelectric cooler.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 in which said computing means computes the temperature of said cold side according to T.sub.C =T.sub.H -V.sub.oc /α, where T C is the temperature of said cold side, T H is the temperature of said hot side, V oc is the voltage detected across said terminals, and α is the Seebeck coefficient of said cooler.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 in which said computing means computes the temperature of said cold side using a Seebeck coefficient which is a function of T C , and wherein said computing means iteratively computes a value of T C using a Seebeck coefficient which is a function of the immediately preceding computed value of T C .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 in which said computing means iteratively computes values of T C until the difference between a computed value of T C and the immediately preceding computed value of T C is less than a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means for interrupting interrupts said electric current for ten microseconds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 in which said detecting means comprising a sample and hold circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 in which said sensing means includes a thermocouple.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
177 words
A thermoelectric cooling system including: means for providing electric current; a thermoelectric cooler having a cold side and a hot side and having terminals for receiving said electric current therethrough, said electric current being applied to said terminals such that said current flows through said thermoelectric cooler in a direction so as to maintain said cold side at a temperature lower than said hot side, said thermoelectric cooler being adapted to be affixed at its cold side to a workpiece; means for sensing the temperature at said hot side of said thermoelectric cooler; means for periodically interrupting said electric current supplied to said thermoelectric cooler; means for detecting the voltage across said terminals during said interruptions, said voltage being induced by the difference in temperature between hot side and said cold side; means responsive to said sensing means and to said detecting means for computing the temperature of said cold side of said thermoelectric cooler; and means coupled to said source of electric current and responsive to said computing means for controlling said flow of electric current.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
177 words
A thermoelectric cooling system including: means for providing electric current; a thermoelectric cooler having a cold side and a hot side and having terminals for receiving said electric current therethrough, said electric current being applied to said terminals such that said current flows through said thermoelectric cooler in a direction so as to maintain said cold side at a temperature lower than said hot side, said thermoelectric cooler being adapted to be affixed at its cold side to a workpiece; means for sensing the temperature at said hot side of said thermoelectric cooler; means for periodically interrupting said electric current supplied to said thermoelectric cooler; means for detecting the voltage across said terminals during said interruptions, said voltage being induced by the difference in temperature between hot side and said cold side; means responsive to said sensing means and to said detecting means for computing the temperature of said cold side of said thermoelectric cooler; and means coupled to said source of electric current and responsive to said computing means for controlling said flow of electric current.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system according to claim 8 in which said computing means computes the temperature of said cold side according to T.sub.C =T.sub.H -V.sub.oc /α, where T C is the temperature of said cold side, T H is the temperature of said hot side, V oc is the voltage detected across said terminals, and α is the Seebeck coefficient of said cooler.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system according to claim 9 in which said computing means computes the temperature of said cold side using a Seebeck coefficient which is a function of T C , and wherein said computing means iteratively computes a value of T C using a Seebeck coefficient which is a function of the immediately preceding computed value of T C .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 10 in which said computing means iteratively computes values of T C until the difference between a computed value of T C and the immediately preceding computed value of T C is less than a predetermined value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 8 in which said means for interrupting interrupts said electric current for ten microseconds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 8 in which said detecting means comprises a sample and hold circuit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 8 in which said sensing means includes a thermocouple.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for determining the temperature of the cold side of a thermoelectric cooler having electric current supplied through terminals thereof, said method comprising the steps of: a. interrupting said electric current to said thermoelectric cooler; b. detecting the voltage induced across said terminals during said interruption; c. sensing the temperature of the hot side of said thermoelectric cooler; and d. computing the temperature of said cold side of said thermoelectric cooler from said detected voltage and said sensed hot side temperature.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for determining the temperature of the cold side of a thermoelectric cooler having electric current supplied through terminals thereof, said method comprising the steps of: a. interrupting said electric current to said thermoelectric cooler; b. detecting the voltage induced across said terminals during said interruption; c. sensing the temperature of the hot side of said thermoelectric cooler; and d. computing the temperature of said cold side of said thermoelectric cooler from said detected voltage and said sensed hot side temperature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 15 in which the temperature of said cold side is computed during said computing step according to T.sub.C =T.sub.H -V.sub.oc /α, where T C is the temperature of said cold side, T H is the temperature of said hot side, V oc is the voltage detected across said terminals, and α is the Seebeck coefficient of said cooler.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method according to claim 16 in which the temperature of said cold side is computed during said computing step using a Seebeck coefficient which is a function of T C , and wherein said computing step iteratively computes a value of T C using a Seebeck coefficient which is a function of the immediately preceding computed value of T C .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 17 in which said computing step iteratively computes values of T C until the difference between a computed value of T C and the immediately preceding computed value of T C is less than a predetermined value.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for controlling the temperature of the cold side of a thermoelectric cooler comprising the steps of: a. supplying electric current through terminals of said thermoelectric cooler; b. periodically interrupting said electric current to said thermoelectric cooler; c. detecting the voltage induced across said terminals during said interruption; d. sensing the temperature of the hot side of said thermoelectric cooler; e. computing the temperature of said cold side of said thermoelectric cooler from said detected voltage and said sensed hot side temperature; f. comparing said computed cold side temperature with a reference temperature; and g. controlling said electric current supplied to said thermoelectric cooler in response to said comparison.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for controlling the temperature of the cold side of a thermoelectric cooler comprising the steps of: a. supplying electric current through terminals of said thermoelectric cooler; b. periodically interrupting said electric current to said thermoelectric cooler; c. detecting the voltage induced across said terminals during said interruption; d. sensing the temperature of the hot side of said thermoelectric cooler; e. computing the temperature of said cold side of said thermoelectric cooler from said detected voltage and said sensed hot side temperature; f. comparing said computed cold side temperature with a reference temperature; and g. controlling said electric current supplied to said thermoelectric cooler in response to said comparison.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 19 in which the temperature of said cold side is computed during said computing step according to T.sub.C =T.sub.H -V.sub.oc /α, where T C is the temperature of said cold side, T H is the temperature of said hot side, V oc is the voltage detected across said terminals, and α is the Seebeck coefficient of said cooler.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method according to claim 20 in which the temperature of said cold side is computed during said computing step using a Seebeck coefficient which is a function of T C , and wherein said computing step iteratively computes a value of T C using a Seebeck coefficient which is a function of the immediately preceding computed value of T C .
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 21 in which said computing step iteratively computes values of T C until the difference between a computed value of T C and the immediately preceding computed value of T C is less than a predetermined value.
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) | 1990-01-26 | 1990-07-28 | 1991-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-26 | 1994-07-28 | 1995-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-26 | 1998-07-28 | 1999-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |