US5088098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermoelectric cooler control circuit
Assignee: Arris Technology Inc
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Filing: 1990-10-16
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Granted: 1992-02-11
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Expires: 2010-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A thermoelectric cooler temperature control circuit provides a periodic control signal having a substantially constant peak-to-peak magnitude and an average value dependent on a sensed temperature to be regulated. The control signal is coupled to control the heating or cooling of a thermoelectric cooler. In a preferred embodiment, complementary positive and negative going control signal pulse streams are provided. A switch selectively couples one of the complementary pulse streams to cool the thermolectric cooler or the other stream to heat the cooler. The control signal pulse streams can be pulse width modulated signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Mathias Muller
- 👤 Dean Stoneback
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/02; H01S5/024; H01S5/02407; H01S5/02415; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1919; G05D23/20; G05D23/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A temperature control circuit for a thermoelectric cooler comprising: temperature sensor means for providing an output signal related to a sensed temperature, said output signal having a first polarity when the sensed temperature is on one side of a threshold and a second polarity when the sensed temperature is on the other side of said threshold; means for obtaining an absolute value of said output signal; means responsive to the absolute value of said output signal for generating complementary positive and negative going control signal pulse streams, each having a substantially constant peak-to-peak magnitude and an average value that varies over a continuous range dependent on said sensed temperature; and means for selectively coupling said control signal pulse streams to said thermoelectric cooler to regulate the temperature thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A temperature control circuit for a thermoelectric cooler comprising: temperature sensor means for providing an output signal related to a sensed temperature, said output signal having a first polarity when the sensed temperature is on one side of a threshold and a second polarity when the sensed temperature is on the other side of said threshold; means for obtaining an absolute value of said output signal; means responsive to the absolute value of said output signal for generating complementary positive and negative going control signal pulse streams, each having a substantially constant peak-to-peak magnitude and an average value that varies over a continuous range dependent on said sensed temperature; and means for selectively coupling said control signal pulse streams to said thermoelectric cooler to regulate the temperature thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A circuit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said control signal pulse streams are pulse width modulated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for regulating the temperature of a laser comprising: a thermoelectric cooler; means for thermally coupling said cooler to a laser; temperature sensor means thermally coupled to said laser for providing an output signal related to the laser temperature, said output signal having a first polarity when the sensed temperature is on one side of a threshold and a second polarity when the sensed temperature is on the other side of said threshold; means for obtaining an absolute value of said output signal; means responsive to the absolute value of said output signal for generating complementary positive and negative going control signal pulse streams, each having a substantially constant peak-to-peak magnitude and an average value that varies over a continuous range dependent on said laser temperature; and means for selectively coupling said control signal pulse streams to said cooler to regulate the temperature of said laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for regulating the temperature of a laser comprising: a thermoelectric cooler; means for thermally coupling said cooler to a laser; temperature sensor means thermally coupled to said laser for providing an output signal related to the laser temperature, said output signal having a first polarity when the sensed temperature is on one side of a threshold and a second polarity when the sensed temperature is on the other side of said threshold; means for obtaining an absolute value of said output signal; means responsive to the absolute value of said output signal for generating complementary positive and negative going control signal pulse streams, each having a substantially constant peak-to-peak magnitude and an average value that varies over a continuous range dependent on said laser temperature; and means for selectively coupling said control signal pulse streams to said cooler to regulate the temperature of said laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein: said output signal at the first polarity actuates said coupling means to provide a cooling control signal to said cooler; and said output signal at the second polarity actuates said coupling means to provide a heating control signal to said cooler.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said control signal pulse streams are pulse width modulated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said control signal has a variable duty cycle dependent on said laser temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said control signal is pulse width modulated.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for driving a thermoelectric cooler comprising the steps of: sensing a temperature to be controlled by the cooler; generating a pair of complementary periodic control signal pulse streams, each having substantially constant peak-to-peak magnitudes and average values that vary over a continuous range dependent on said sensed temperature; and selectively coupling one or the other of said control signal pulse streams to said thermoelectric cooler to regulate the temperature of said cooler.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for driving a thermoelectric cooler comprising the steps of: sensing a temperature to be controlled by the cooler; generating a pair of complementary periodic control signal pulse streams, each having substantially constant peak-to-peak magnitudes and average values that vary over a continuous range dependent on said sensed temperature; and selectively coupling one or the other of said control signal pulse streams to said thermoelectric cooler to regulate the temperature of said cooler.
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) | 1995-02-10 | 1995-08-12 | 1996-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-10 | 1999-08-12 | 2000-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-10 | 2003-08-12 | 2004-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |