Patent US5450727A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5450727A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermoelectric cooler controller, thermal reference source and detector
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1994-05-27
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Granted: 1995-09-19
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Expires: 2014-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A thermoelectric cooler controller, a thermal reference source employing the controller, a thermal reference source, and a thermal calibration system. The controller controls the temperature of a thermoelectric cooler. The controller includes a temperature sensor coupled to the thermoelectric cooler that provides a temperature feedback signal. An error amplifier compares a temperature command (TEMP CMD) with a feedback signal and generates a positive polarity output current command signal (VCMD). A current driver is coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current equal to one-half the current command signal. An H-bridge circuit is coupled between the current driver and the thermoelectric cooler for switching the direction of current flow in the thermoelectric cooler, thus heating and cooling it. A comparator is coupled to the error amplifier and the H-bridge circuit, for controlling the current supplied by the H-bridge circuit to the thermoelectric cooler. The thermal reference source comprises the thermoelectric cooler and the above-described controller. The detector system includes a detector, and the thermal reference source and controller. The thermal calibration system comprises the detector, the thermoelectric cooler for providing heat output to the detector, and the thermal reference source and controller.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Ramirez
- 👤 Joe A. Ortiz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:51
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B21/00; F25B21/02; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1919; G05D23/20; F25B2321/00; F25B2321/02; F25B2321/021; F25B2321/0212
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A temperature controller for controlling the temperature of a device, said controller comprising: a temperature sensor coupled to the device that provides a temperature feedback signal; an error amplifier for comparing a temperature command (TEMP CMD) with a feedback signal from the temperature sensor and for generating a positive polarity output current command signal (VCMD); a current driver coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current equal to one-half the current command signal; an H-bridge circuit coupled between the current driver and the device for switching the direction of current flow in the device, as required to heat and cool it; and a comparator coupled to the error amplifier and the H-bridge circuit, for controlling the current supplied by the H-bridge circuit to the device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A temperature controller for controlling the temperature of a device, said controller comprising: a temperature sensor coupled to the device that provides a temperature feedback signal; an error amplifier for comparing a temperature command (TEMP CMD) with a feedback signal from the temperature sensor and for generating a positive polarity output current command signal (VCMD); a current driver coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current equal to one-half the current command signal; an H-bridge circuit coupled between the current driver and the device for switching the direction of current flow in the device, as required to heat and cool it; and a comparator coupled to the error amplifier and the H-bridge circuit, for controlling the current supplied by the H-bridge circuit to the device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the current driver comprises: a MOSFET switch; a pulsewidth modulation circuit coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current proportional to the error amplifier output voltage; and a current sense circuit coupled between the output filter inductor and the output of the H-bridge circuit to provide current feedback.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the current driver further comprises a buffer and level shift circuit coupled between the current sense circuit and the pulsewidth modulation circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a filter coupled between the output of the MOSFET switch and the H-bridge circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the error amplifier comprises: an absolute value circuit for determining the absolute value of the error signal; a current command clamp circuit coupled to the output of the absolute value circuit; and a buffer and level shift circuit coupled to the current command clamp circuit for generating the positive polarity current command signal (VCMD).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a buffer and level shift circuit coupled between the temperature sensor and the error amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the H-bridge circuit is comprised of two pair of MOSFET switches that are coupled between the output of the current drive circuit and inputs of the device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
A controller for controlling the temperature of a thermal reference source, said controller comprising: a thermoelectric cooler comprising a thermal reference source for providing heat output; a temperature sensor coupled to the thermoelectric cooler that provides a temperature feedback signal; an error amplifier that compares a temperature command (TEMP CMD) with a feedback signal and generates a positive polarity output current command signal (VCMD); a current driver coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current equal to one-half the current command signal; an H-bridge circuit coupled between the current driver and the thermoelectric cooler for switching the direction of current flow in the thermoelectric cooler, thus heating and cooling it; and a comparator coupled to the error amplifier and the H-bridge circuit, for controlling the current supplied by the H-bridge circuit to the thermoelectric cooler.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
137 words
A controller for controlling the temperature of a thermal reference source, said controller comprising: a thermoelectric cooler comprising a thermal reference source for providing heat output; a temperature sensor coupled to the thermoelectric cooler that provides a temperature feedback signal; an error amplifier that compares a temperature command (TEMP CMD) with a feedback signal and generates a positive polarity output current command signal (VCMD); a current driver coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current equal to one-half the current command signal; an H-bridge circuit coupled between the current driver and the thermoelectric cooler for switching the direction of current flow in the thermoelectric cooler, thus heating and cooling it; and a comparator coupled to the error amplifier and the H-bridge circuit, for controlling the current supplied by the H-bridge circuit to the thermoelectric cooler.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The controller of claim 8 wherein the current driver comprises: a MOSFET switch; a pulsewidth modulation circuit coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current proportional to the error amplifier output voltage; and a current sense circuit coupled between the output filter inductor and the output of the H-bridge circuit to provide current feedback.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The controller of claim 9 further comprising a buffer and level shift circuit coupled between the temperature sensor and the error amplifier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a filter coupled between the output of the MOSFET switch and the H-bridge circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
The controller of claim 8 wherein the error amplifier comprises: an absolute value circuit for determining the absolute value of the error signal; a current command clamp circuit coupled to the output of the absolute value circuit; and a buffer and level shift circuit coupled to the current command clamp circuit for generating the positive polarity current command signal (VCMD).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The controller of claim 8 wherein the H-bridge circuit is comprised of two pairs of MOSFET switches that are coupled between the output of the current drive circuit and inputs of the thermoelectric cooler.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The controller 10 of claim 12 further comprising a buffer and level shift circuit coupled between the temperature sensor and the error amplifier.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
123 words
A thermal reference source comprising: a thermoelectric cooler for providing heat output; a temperature sensor coupled to the thermoelectric cooler that provides a temperature feedback signal; an error amplifier that compares a temperature command (TEMP CMD) with a feedback signal and generates a positive polarity output current command signal (VCMD); a current driver coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current equal to one-half the current command signal; an H-bridge circuit coupled between the current driver and the thermoelectric cooler for switching the direction of current flow in the thermoelectric cooler, thus heating and cooling it; and a comparator coupled to the error amplifier and the H-bridge circuit, for controlling the current supplied by the H-bridge circuit to the thermoelectric cooler.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
123 words
A thermal reference source comprising: a thermoelectric cooler for providing heat output; a temperature sensor coupled to the thermoelectric cooler that provides a temperature feedback signal; an error amplifier that compares a temperature command (TEMP CMD) with a feedback signal and generates a positive polarity output current command signal (VCMD); a current driver coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current equal to one-half the current command signal; an H-bridge circuit coupled between the current driver and the thermoelectric cooler for switching the direction of current flow in the thermoelectric cooler, thus heating and cooling it; and a comparator coupled to the error amplifier and the H-bridge circuit, for controlling the current supplied by the H-bridge circuit to the thermoelectric cooler.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
The thermal reference source of claim 15 wherein the current driver comprises: a MOSFET switch; a pulsewidth modulation circuit coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current proportional to the error amplifier output voltage; and a current sense circuit coupled between the output filter inductor and the output of the H-bridge circuit to provide current feedback.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The thermal reference source of claim 16 wherein the current driver further comprises a buffer and level shift circuit coupled between the current sense circuit and the pulsewidth modulation circuit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The thermal reference source of claim 16 further comprising a filter coupled between the output of the MOSFET switch and the H-bridge circuit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
62 words
The thermal reference source of claim 15 wherein the error amplifier comprises: an absolute value circuit for determining the absolute value of the error signal; a current command clamp circuit coupled to the output of the absolute value circuit; and a buffer and level shift circuit coupled to the current command clamp circuit for generating the positive polarity current command signal (VCMD).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The thermal reference source of claim 19 further comprising a buffer and level shift circuit coupled between the temperature sensor and the error amplifier.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The thermal reference source of claim 15 wherein the H-bridge circuit is comprised of two pair of MOSFET switches that are coupled between the output of the current drive circuit and inputs of the thermoelectric cooler.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
128 words
A thermal calibration system comprising: a detector; a thermoelectric cooler for providing heat output to the detector; a temperature sensor coupled to the thermoelectric cooler that provides a temperature feedback signal; an error amplifier that compares a temperature command (TEMP CMD) with a feedback signal and generates a positive polarity output current command signal (VCMD); a current driver coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current equal to one-half the current command signal; an H-bridge circuit coupled between the current driver and the thermoelectric cooler for switching the direction of current flow in the thermoelectric cooler, thus heating and cooling it; and a comparator coupled to the error amplifier and the H-bridge circuit, for controlling the current supplied by the H-bridge circuit to the thermoelectric cooler.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
128 words
A thermal calibration system comprising: a detector; a thermoelectric cooler for providing heat output to the detector; a temperature sensor coupled to the thermoelectric cooler that provides a temperature feedback signal; an error amplifier that compares a temperature command (TEMP CMD) with a feedback signal and generates a positive polarity output current command signal (VCMD); a current driver coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current equal to one-half the current command signal; an H-bridge circuit coupled between the current driver and the thermoelectric cooler for switching the direction of current flow in the thermoelectric cooler, thus heating and cooling it; and a comparator coupled to the error amplifier and the H-bridge circuit, for controlling the current supplied by the H-bridge circuit to the thermoelectric cooler.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 22 wherein the current driver comprises: a MOSFET switch; a pulsewidth modulation circuit coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current proportional to the error amplifier output voltage; and a current sense circuit coupled between the output filter inductor and the output of the H-bridge circuit to provide current feedback.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the current driver further comprises a buffer and level shift circuit coupled between the current sense circuit and the pulsewidth modulation circuit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 23 further comprising a filter coupled between the output of the MOSFET switch and the H-bridge circuit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 22 wherein the error amplifier comprises: an absolute value circuit for determining the absolute value of the error signal; a current command clamp circuit coupled to the output of the absolute value circuit; and a buffer and level shift circuit coupled to the current command clamp circuit for generating the positive polarity current command signal (VCMD).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 26 further comprising a buffer and level shift circuit coupled between the temperature sensor and the error amplifier.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 22 wherein the H-bridge circuit is comprised of two pairs of MOSFET switches that are coupled between the output of the current drive circuit and inputs of the thermoelectric 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) | 1998-09-18 | 1999-03-20 | 1999-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-18 | 2003-03-20 | 2003-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-18 | 2007-03-20 | 2007-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |