Electronically controlled container for storing temperature sensitive material

Claim 2

A container for temperature sensitive material comprising: (a) a chamber for storing temperature sensitive material; (b) a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature in said chamber; (c) a cooling device for cooling said chamber; (d) a first operational amplifier, which operates as a waveform shaper for controlling the operation of said cooling device; and (e) a second operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said first operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber.

Claim 3

A container for temperature sensitive material as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first operational amplifier and said second operational amplifier are connected in series as dual operational amplifiers.

Claim 4

A container for temperature sensitive material as claimed in claim 2 wherein a circuit applies a reference voltage to one input of said second operational amplifier and applies a comparison voltage to another input of said second operational amplifier in response to said temperature sensor for said second operational amplifier to compare said comparison voltage and said reference voltage in the controlling of the operation of said first operational amplifier.

Claim 5

A container for temperature sensitive material comprising: (a) a chamber for storing temperature sensitive material; (b) a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature in said chamber; (c) a cooling device for cooling said chamber; (d) a first operational amplifier for controlling the operation of said cooling device; (e) a second operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said first operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber; said first operational amplifier and said second operational amplifier being connected in series as dual operational amplifiers; and (f) a circuit applying a reference voltage to one input of said second operational amplifier and applying a comparison voltage to another input of said second operational amplifier in response to said temperature sensor for said second operational amplifier to compare said comparison voltage and said reference voltage in the controlling of the operation of said first operational amplifier, said circuit applying a reference voltage to one input of said first operational amplifier and the output of said second operational amplifier applying a comparison voltage to another input of said first operational amplifier, said first operational amplifier comparing the reference voltage and the comparison voltage applied thereto for controlling the operation of said cooling device.

Claim 6

A container for temperature sensitive material comprising: (a) a chamber for storing temperature sensitive material; (b) a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature in said chamber; (c) a cooling device for cooling said chamber; (d) a first operational amplifier for controlling the operation of said cooling device; (e) a second operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said first operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber; said first operational amplifier and said second operational amplifier being connected in series as dual operational amplifiers; and (f) a circuit applying a reference voltage to one input of said second operational amplifier and applying a comparison voltage to another input of said second operational amplifier in response to said temperature sensor for said second operational amplifier to compare said comparison voltage and said reference voltage in the controlling of the operation of said first operational amplifier, said circuit applying a reference voltage to one input of said first operational amplifier and the output of said second operational amplifier applying a comparison voltage to another input of said first operational amplifier, said first operational amplifier comparing the reference voltage and the comparison voltage applied thereto for controlling the operation of said cooling device.

Claim 7

A container for temperature sensitive material as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a fan for the intake of air into said container, and circuit means interconnecting said first operational amplifier and said fan for operating said fan during the operation of said cooling device.

Claim 8

A container for temperature sensitive material as claimed in claim 4 and comprising a fan for the intake of air into said container, said circuit interconnecting said first operational amplifier and said fan for operating said fan during the operation of said cooling device.

Claim 9

A container for temperature sensitive material as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cooling device is a Peltier heat pump.

Claim 10

A container for temperature sensitive material as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cooling device is a Peltier heat pump.

Claim 11

A container for temperature sensitive material as claimed in claim 1 and comprising: (a) a heating device for heating said chamber; (b) a third operational amplifier, which operates as a waveform shaper for controlling the-operation of said heating device; and (c) a fourth operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said third operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber.

Claim 12

A container for temperature sensitive material as claimed in claim 2 and comprising: (a) a heating device for heating said chamber; (b) a third operational amplifier, which operates as a waveform shaper for controlling the operation of said heating device; and (c) a fourth operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said third operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber, said third operational amplifier and said fourth operational amplifier being connected in series as dual operational amplifiers.

Claim 13

A container for temperature sensitive material comprising: (a) a chamber for storing temperature sensitive material; (b) a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature in said chamber; (c) a cooling device for cooling said chamber; (d) a first operational amplifier for controlling the operation of said cooling device; (e) a second operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said first operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber, said first operational amplifier and said second operational amplifier being connected in series as dual operational amplifiers; (f) a circuit applying a reference voltage to one input of said second operational amplifier and applying a comparison voltage to another input of said second operational amplifier in response to said temperature sensor for said second operational amplifier to compare said comparison voltage and said reference voltage in the controlling of the operation of said first operational amplifier; (g) a heating device for heating said chamber; (h) a third operational amplifier for controlling the operation of said heating device; and (i) a fourth operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said third operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber, said third operational amplifier and said fourth operational amplifier being connected in series as dual operational amplifiers, (j) said circuit applying a reference voltage to one input of said fourth operational amplifier different in magnitude to the reference voltage applied to said second operational amplifier, said circuit applying a comparison voltage to another input of said fourth operational amplifier in response to said temperature sensor for said fourth operational amplifier to compare said comparision voltage and said reference voltage applied to said fourth operational amplifier for the controlling of the operation of said third operational amplifier.

Claim 14

A container for temperature sensitive material comprising: (a) a chamber for storing temperature sensitive material; (b) a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature in said chamber; (c) a cooling device for cooling said chamber; (d) a first operational amplifier for controlling the operation of said cooling device; (e) a second operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said first operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber, said first operational amplifier and said second operational amplifier being connected in series as dual operational amplifiers; (f) a circuit applying a reference voltage to one input of said second operational amplifier and applying a comparison voltage to another input of said second operational amplifier in response to said temperature sensor for said second operational amplifier to compare said comparison voltage and said reference voltage in the controlling of the operation of said first operational amplifier; (g) a heating device for heating said chamber; (h) a third operational amplifier for controlling the operation of said heating device; and (i) a fourth operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said third operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber, said third operational amplifier and said fourth operational amplifier being connected in series as dual operational amplifiers, (j) said circuit applying a reference voltage to one input of said fourth operational amplifier different in magnitude to the reference voltage applied to said second operational amplifier, said circuit applying a comparison voltage to another input of said fourth operational amplifier in response to said temperature sensor for said fourth operational amplifier to compare said comparision voltage and said reference voltage applied to said fourth operational amplifier for the controlling of the operation of said third operational amplifier.

Claim 15

A container for temperature sensitive material as claimed in claim 6 and comprising: (a) a heating device for heating said chamber; (b) a third operational amplifier for controlling the operation of said heating device; and (c) a fourth operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said third operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber, said third operational amplifier and said fourth operational amplifier being connected in series as dual operational amplifiers; (d) said circuit applying a reference voltage to one input of said fourth operational amplifier different in magnitude to the reference voltage applied to said second operational amplifier, said circuit applying a comparison voltage to another input of said fourth operational amplifier in response to said temperature sensor for said fourth operational amplifier to compare said comparision voltage and said reference voltage applied to said fourth operational amplifier for the controlling of the operation of said third operational amplifier; and (e) a fan for the intake of air into said chamber, said circuit interconnecting said third operational amplifier and said fan for discontinuing the operation of said fan during the operation of said heating device.

Claim 16

A container for temperature sensitive material comprising: (a) a chamber for storing temperature sensitive material; (b) a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature in said chamber; (c) a cooling device for cooling said chamber; (d) a heating device for heating said chamber; (e) a fan for the intake of air into said container; and (f) a circuit responsive to said temperature sensor for operating said cooling device and said fan while the temperature in said chamber is above a preselected temperature range and for operating said heating device and discontinuing the operation of said fan while the temperature in said chamber is below a preselected range, said cooling device cycling on and off while said temperature in said chamber is within a predetermined range of said preselected temperature range, said circuit comprises means for providing a hysteresis action for operating said fan during the on and off cycle of said cooling device.

Claim 17

A container for temperature sensitive material comprising: (a) a chamber for storing temperature sensitive material; (b) a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature in said chamber; (c) a cooling device for cooling said chamber; (d) a heating device for heating said chamber; (e) a fan for the intake of air into said container; and (f) a circuit responsive to said temperature sensor for operating said cooling device and said fan while the temperature in said chamber is above a preselected temperature range and for operating said heating device and discontinuing the operation of said fan while the temperature in said chamber is below a preselected range, said cooling device cycling on and off while said temperature in said chamber is within a predetermined range of said preselected temperature range, said circuit comprises means for providing a hysteresis action for operating said fan during the on and off cycle of said cooling device.

Claim 18

A container for temperature sensitive material as claimed in claim 13 wherein said circuit comprises first dual operational amplifiers connected in cascade and responsive to said temperature sensor for operating said cooling device and for operating said fan; and second dual operational amplifiers connected in cascade and responsive to said temperature sensor for operating said heating device and discontinuing the operation of said fan.

Claim 19

A container for temperature sensitive material comprising: (a) a chamber for storing temperature sensitive material; (b) a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature in said chamber; (c) a cooling device for cooling said chamber; (d) a heating device for heating said chamber; (e) a fan for the intake of air into said container; and (f) a circuit responsive to said temperature sensor for operating said cooling device and said fan while the temperature in said chamber is above a preselected temperature range and for operating said heating device and discontinuing the operation of said fan while the temperature in said chamber is below a preselected range, said cooling device cycling on and off while said temperature in said chamber is within a predetermined range of said preselected temperature ranges, said circuit comprises means for providing a hysteresis action for operating said fan during the on and off cycle of said cooling device, said circuit comprising first dual operational amplifiers connected in cascade and responsive to said temperature sensor for operating said cooling device and for operating said fan, and second dual operational amplifiers connected in cascade and responsive to said temperature sensor for operating said heating device and discontinuing the operation of said fan, the lead operational amplifier of said first dual operational amplifiers being a comparator operational amplifier and the succeeding operational amplifier of said first dual operational amplifiers being a waveform-shaper operational amplifier, the lead operational amplifier of said second dual operational amplifiers being a comparator operational amplifier and the succeeding operational amplifier of said second dual operational amplifiers being a waveform-shaper operational amplifier.

Claim 20

A container for temperature sensitive material comprising: (a) a chamber for storing temperature sensitive material; (b) a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature in said chamber; (c) a cooling device for cooling said chamber; (d) a heating device for heating said chamber; (e) a fan for the intake of air into said container; and (f) a circuit responsive to said temperature sensor for operating said cooling device and said fan while the temperature in said chamber is above a preselected temperature range and for operating said heating device and discontinuing the operation of said fan while the temperature in said chamber is below a preselected range, said cooling device cycling on and off while said temperature in said chamber is within a predetermined range of said preselected temperature ranges, said circuit comprises means for providing a hysteresis action for operating said fan during the on and off cycle of said cooling device, said circuit comprising first dual operational amplifiers connected in cascade and responsive to said temperature sensor for operating said cooling device and for operating said fan, and second dual operational amplifiers connected in cascade and responsive to said temperature sensor for operating said heating device and discontinuing the operation of said fan, the lead operational amplifier of said first dual operational amplifiers being a comparator operational amplifier and the succeeding operational amplifier of said first dual operational amplifiers being a waveform-shaper operational amplifier, the lead operational amplifier of said second dual operational amplifiers being a comparator operational amplifier and the succeeding operational amplifier of said second dual operational amplifiers being a waveform-shaper operational amplifier.

Claim 21

A container for temperature sensitive material comprising: (a) a chamber for storing temperature sensitive material; (b) a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature in said chamber; (c) a cooling device for cooling said chamber; (d) a first operational amplifier for controlling the operation of said cooling device; (e) a second operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said first operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber; (f) a heating device for heating said chamber; (g) a third operational amplifier for controlling the operation of said heating device; and (h) a fourth operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said third operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber; (i) a source of power at a first preselected voltage; (j) a fan for the intake of air into said container; (k) a first voltage regulator connected to said source of power for providing operating power at a second preselected voltage to said first operational amplifier, said second operational amplifier, said third operational amplifier, said fourth operational amplifier and said fan; and (l) a second voltage regulator connected to said source of power for applying a reference voltage to said first operational amplifier, said second operational amplifier, said third operational amplifier and said fourth operational amplifier, (m) said cooling device and said heating device being connected to said source of power for the application of said first preselected voltage thereto.

Claim 22

A container for temperature sensitive material comprising: (a) a chamber for storing temperature sensitive material; (b) a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature in said chamber; (c) a cooling device for cooling said chamber; (d) a first operational amplifier for controlling the operation of said cooling device; (e) a second operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said first operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber; (f) a heating device for heating said chamber; (g) a third operational amplifier for controlling the operation of said heating device; and (h) a fourth operational amplifier responsive to said temperature sensor to control the operation of said third operational amplifier for controlling the temperature in said chamber; (i) a source of power at a first preselected voltage; (j) a fan for the intake of air into said container; (k) a first voltage regulator connected to said source of power for providing operating power at a second preselected voltage to said first operational amplifier, said second operational amplifier, said third operational amplifier, said fourth operational amplifier and said fan; and (l) a second voltage regulator connected to said source of power for applying a reference voltage to said first operational amplifier, said second operational amplifier, said third operational amplifier and said fourth operational amplifier, (m) said cooling device and said heating device being connected to said source of power for the application of said first preselected voltage thereto.

Claim 23

A container for temperature sensitive material as claimed in claim 16 and comprising: (a) a resistor interconnecting said source of power and said first voltage regulator; and (b) means connected across said resistor and connected to said first voltage regulator for increasing current flow to said first operational amplifier, said second operational amplifier, said third operational amplifier, said fourth operational amplifier and said fan in response to a reduction in current flow thereto.