US3191391A - Thermoelectric cooling apparatus - Google Patents

Thermoelectric cooling apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3191391A
US3191391A US164079A US16407962A US3191391A US 3191391 A US3191391 A US 3191391A US 164079 A US164079 A US 164079A US 16407962 A US16407962 A US 16407962A US 3191391 A US3191391 A US 3191391A
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United States
Prior art keywords
block
heat
vacuum container
peltier
wall
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Expired - Lifetime
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US164079A
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English (en)
Inventor
Muller Heinz
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SEG Hausgeraete GmbH
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Siemens Elektrogaerate GmbH
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    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25BREFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B21/00Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
    • F25B21/02Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H10SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10NELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10N10/00Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects
    • H10N10/10Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects
    • H10N10/13Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25BREFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2321/00Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
    • F25B2321/02Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effects; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effects
    • F25B2321/023Mounting details thereof
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25BREFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2321/00Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
    • F25B2321/02Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effects; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effects
    • F25B2321/025Removal of heat
    • F25B2321/0252Removal of heat by liquids or two-phase fluids

Definitions

  • My invention relates to cooling apparatus, such as refrigerator cabinets, in which the cold-producing devices consist of batteries or blocks of thermocouples traversed, when in operation, by electric current to lower in each couple the temperature of one junction (cold junction) relative to the temperature of the other junction (hot junction).
  • Peltier blocks The efiiciency of such Peltier blocks is effected by detrimental heat losses due to direct heat exchange between the cold-junction side and the hot-junction side of the block.
  • the Peltier blocks each comprising a multiplicity of thermocouples and interconnecting metal conductors or bridge pieces, into a vacuum container.
  • Devices of this type encounter difficulties if the vacuum jacket of the vessel extends close to the Peltier block because then the cold-junction may be subjected to heating from the hot-junction side particularly since the distances between hot side and cold side in most cases are relatively short.
  • the heat exchange on the hot side and on the cold side of the Peltier block is elfected by means of respective circulation systems which contain a flowing heattransfer medium, preferably a liquid subjected to evaporation and condensation during its course of circulatory travel.
  • a flowing heattransfer medium preferably a liquid subjected to evaporation and condensation during its course of circulatory travel.
  • the arrangement is such that the heat exchangers of both systems, which are in direct heat exchange with the Peltier block, are located completely within the vacuum container together with the Peltier block, and only the circulation lines of the heat exchanging systems are in thermal contact with the wall of the vacuum container at those localities where they pass through the wall.
  • the Peltier block can be built into a large area vacuum vessel, so that the heat flow from the hot to the cold side of the Peltier block can be greatly minimized.
  • a heat flow takes place only from the pipes of the heat exchanger system inserted into the vacuum container on the hot side of the Peltier block, to the corresponding pipes appertaining to the heat exchanger system located in the vacuum space on the cold side of the block, It is particularly favorable that the path between these two localities where the pipes pass through the sheet metal of the vacuum housing is relatively long. It is, therefore, readily feasible and not detri mental, to directly weld the pipes of the circulatory exchange, or lines at the wall intersection points, directly to the metal of the vacuum container.
  • the vacuum container is preferably made of stainless steel, for example chrome-nickel steel. In this case the heat flow can be fur' ther reduced by using extremely thin sheets of steel since the. heat conductance of this material is small.
  • the pipes of the circulation lines can be inserted into the metallic wall of the vacuum vessel with the aid of an insulating intermediate layer, for example a molten glass plug or sleeve.
  • an insulating intermediate layer for example a molten glass plug or sleeve.
  • Another way of greatly reducing the heat flow is to construct the wall of the vacuum container from a non-metallic material, particularly a synthetic plastic particularly suitable for such purposes.
  • the dimensions of the vacuum container can be adapted to the thickness of the insulating wall and a mounting opening left vacant in that insulating wall so that the vacuum container constitutes a closure and cover for the mounting opening and the walls of the vacuum container form on both sides a continuation of the outer and inner surfaces on the insulating wall and preferably substantially flush with the latter surfaces.
  • the nipple for the connection of a pump, and the in-leads for the electric conductors to be connected to the Peltier block, in devices of the latter type, are preferably arranged on the external wall of the vacuum container facing the hot side of the apparatus.
  • FIG. 1 shows schematically and in section a Peltier apparatus together with part of an insulating wall structure in which the system is mounted;
  • FIG. 2 shows in perspective the Peltier block of the same apparatus
  • FIG. 3 shows a modified part of the Peltier apparatus of FIG. 1.
  • thermoelectrically different legs of a Peltier thermocouple which are interconnected by electrically and thermally conducting bridge pieces 2 consisting, for example of copper. Each leg is further connected with the leg of an adjacent couple by another bridge piece 2. In this manner a large number of thermocouples are combined into a single Peltier block which will be more fully described hereinafter.
  • the hot-junction side of the block is in contact with the pressure pot 3 serving as an evaporator.
  • the coldjunction side of the block is analogously in contact with the planar wall of another pressure pot 4 designed as a condenser.
  • Both pressure pots may consist of stainless steel or any other suitable material of sufiicient strength. This is so because both are inserted into a vacuum container and the heat exchange between the Peltier couples and the environment is effected by the evaporating and recondensing liquids contained in the two heat exchanging systems of which the evaporator 3 and the condenser 4 form parts.
  • the pressure pot 3 operating as evaporator is a component of the heat transfer system whose external air-cooled condenser is denoted by 5.
  • the appertaining circulatory linesof this system consisting of material well suitable for welding or hard-soldering, for example steel or copper, are denoted by 6 and 7.
  • Both heat transfer systems operate on the principle of evaporating and condensing a liquid coolant or refrigerant.
  • tensioning bolts 12 By means of tensioning bolts 12 the two pressure pots 3 and 4 are firmly stressed against each other and against the Peltier block to form a good heat conducting contact therewith.
  • the entire apparatus unit constituted by the two pressure pots 3, 4 and the intermediately located Peltier block is completely inserted into a vacuum chamber 13 which is enclosed by the walls 14, 15 and 16 of a vacuum container.
  • a direct heat contact between the Peltier block and the walls of the vacuum container in this embodiment exists only at the welding locations 17 where the circulating pipes 6 and 7 are welded into the upper wall 14, and at the corresponding welds 18 where the circulating pipes 10, 11 enter through the lower wall 16 of the vacuum container.
  • Denoted by 19 is the external sheet-metal structure, and by 20 the internal sheet-metal wall of a refrigerator cabinet.
  • the space between these two sheet-metal skins is filled with heat insulation 21 consisting for example of glass wool.
  • the cooler refrigerating chamber within the cabinet is located beneath the wall 20 to be cooled by the evaporator 8.
  • the dimensions of the vacuum container are adapted to the thickness of the cabinet wall structure and to the size of a mounting recess 22 so that the vacuum container forms a closure for the mounting recess 22 and its outer walls 14 and 16 are substantially flush with the outer and inner sheets 19 and 20 of the cabinet wall structure.
  • the pump nipple 23 and an in-lead 24 for the electric cable is located in the outer vacuum-container wall 14 facing the hot-junction side of the Peltier block.
  • the circulating pipes 6, 7 and 10, 11 instead of being welded to the vacuum containing walls 14 and 16, respectively, are inserted through insulating plugs or sleeves 25 of glass, for example, that are mounted in openings in the walls.
  • each leg 1 and 1a of each couple consist of semiconductor bodies of p-type and H- type material.
  • p-type material is a solid solution of bismuth telluride and antimony telluride.
  • n-type material is a solid solution of bismuth telluride and bismuth selenide.
  • the top and bottom sides of each leg 1 and 1a are made solderable by electroplating with copper or nickel or by vapor deposition of such metals, with or without simultaneous application of ultrasonics.
  • n-type and p-type semiconductor bodies are all serially connected by the currentconducting bridge pieces 2 so that all hot junctions face upwardly in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, and all cold junctions face downwardly.
  • terminal pieces 25 and 26 Connected to the first and last semiconductor body of the entire block are terminal pieces 25 and 26 to which respective electric leads are attached in order to pass current through the entire block.
  • Apparatus for thermoelectric cooling comprising a multiplicity of electrically interconnected thermocouples jointly forming a block having a cold-junction side and a hot-junction side, two heat transferring circulation systems each having a fluid-containing vessel joined in direct heat contact with said block at one of said respective sides for heat exchange with said block, a relatively thinwalled vacuum container in which said block and said two vessels are mounted in spaced relation to the container walls, each of said two circulation systems having fluid lines extending from one of said respective vessels through the container wall to the outside thereof, whereby any heat contact with said container is limited to the passages of said lines through said walls.
  • Apparatus for thermoelectric cooling comprising a multiplicity of electrically interconnected thermocouples jointly forming a block having a cold-junction side and a hot-junction side, two fluid circulation systems containing an evaporable and condensable coolant and each having an evaporator and a condenser and interconnecting fluid lines, the evaporator of one of said systems and the condenser of the other system being joined with said block in direct heat-conductive contact therewith on said two respective sides thereof for heat exchange with said block, a relatively thin-walled vacuum container, said block joined with said latter evaporator and said latter condenser being mounted in said vacuum container in spaced relation to the container walls, said other evaporator and said other condenser being disposed outside of said container, and said lines extending from within to without said container through said walls, whereby any heat contact with said container is limited to the passages of said lines through said walls.
  • thermoelectric cooling comprising a multiplicity of electrically interconnected thermocouples jointly forming a block having a cold-junction side and a hot-junction side, two heat transferring circulation systems each having a fluid-containing vessel joined in direct heat contact with said block at one of said respective sides for heat exchange with said block, a vacuum container having relatively thin metal walls, said block and said two vessels being disposed in said vacuum container in spaced relation to said walls, each of said two circulation systems having fluid lines extending from one of said respective vessels through the container wall to the outside thereof, and said lines being fusion-joined with said walls at the locality where the lines pass through the walls.
  • thermoelectric cooling apparatus comprising insulating inserts mounted in said walls and traversed by said lines.
  • thermoelectric cooling apparatus consisting of stainless chrome-nickel steel.
  • Apparatus for thermoelectric cooling comprising a cooling-chamber structure having a heat-insulated wall and having an opening in and through said wall, a relatively thin-walled vacuum container substantially matching said opening and being inserted therein, said container forming a closure for said opening, a Peltier block comprising a multiplicity of electrically interconnected thermocouples and having a cold-junction side and a hot-junction side, two heat transferring circulation systems each having a fluid-containing vessel joined in direct-heat contact with said block at one of said respective sides for heat exchange with said block, said block and said two vessels being disposed in said vacuum container in spaced relation from the container walls, and each of said two systems having fluid lines extending from one of said respective vessels through the container wall to the outside thereof.
  • thermoelectric cooling apparatus in thermoelectric cooling apparatus according to claim 6, said cold and hot sides of said block being paral- 5 6 lel to the surfaces of said heat-insulated wall, and'said References Cited by the Examiner vacuum container having its outer and inner surfaces UNITED STATES PATENTS substantially flush with the outer and inner surfaces respectively of said heat-insulated wall. 2,109,002 2/38 Warren 62.26? 8.
  • thermoelectric cooling apparatus in thermoelectric cooling apparatus according to 5 2,947,150 8/60 Roefler claim 6, said vacuum container having a pump-connection 3,054,840 9/62 Alsmg 62 '3 nipple and an electric-cable in-lead both located in the container wall that faces said hot-junction side of said WILLIAM Primary Exammer block.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
US164079A 1961-01-06 1962-01-03 Thermoelectric cooling apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3191391A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DES71976A DE1193072B (de) 1961-01-06 1961-01-06 Einrichtung zur elektrothermischen Kaelteerzeugung

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US3191391A true US3191391A (en) 1965-06-29

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US164079A Expired - Lifetime US3191391A (en) 1961-01-06 1962-01-03 Thermoelectric cooling apparatus

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US (1) US3191391A (de)
DE (1) DE1193072B (de)
FR (1) FR1310228A (de)
GB (1) GB949123A (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0003822A1 (de) * 1978-02-28 1979-09-05 Hellige GmbH Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung von Blutungszeit und Blutungsverhalten einer kleinen standardisierten Wunde
US4718249A (en) * 1984-04-16 1988-01-12 Hanson Wallace G Apparatus for heating and cooling
US6755026B2 (en) * 2002-10-24 2004-06-29 Tech Medical Devices Inc. Thermoelectric system to directly regulate the temperature of intravenous solutions and bodily fluids
US20060185825A1 (en) * 2003-07-23 2006-08-24 Wei Chen Loop type thermo syphone, heat radiation system, heat exchange system, and stirling cooling chamber
US20130291560A1 (en) * 2012-05-07 2013-11-07 Phononic Devices, Inc. Cartridge for multiple thermoelectric modules
US8893513B2 (en) 2012-05-07 2014-11-25 Phononic Device, Inc. Thermoelectric heat exchanger component including protective heat spreading lid and optimal thermal interface resistance
US9144180B2 (en) 2013-10-28 2015-09-22 Phononic Devices, Inc. Thermoelectric heat pump with a surround and spacer (SAS) structure
EP3051232A1 (de) * 2015-01-29 2016-08-03 Liebherr-Hausgeräte Lienz GmbH Wärmeisoliertes und temperiertes behältnis
US9593871B2 (en) 2014-07-21 2017-03-14 Phononic Devices, Inc. Systems and methods for operating a thermoelectric module to increase efficiency
US10458683B2 (en) 2014-07-21 2019-10-29 Phononic, Inc. Systems and methods for mitigating heat rejection limitations of a thermoelectric module

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2252815B (en) * 1991-02-14 1995-10-04 Dyson John Newlyn Improvements in or relating to cooling apparatus
ES2087028B1 (es) * 1994-08-05 1997-02-16 Metalquimia Sa Aguja para la inyeccion por pulverizacion de salmuera en piezas carnicas.
DE19651279B4 (de) * 1995-12-13 2004-09-16 Denso Corp., Kariya Klimaanlage für ein Fahrzeug

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2109002A (en) * 1936-07-03 1938-02-22 Stanton C Stimmel Refrigerator
US2947150A (en) * 1958-02-21 1960-08-02 Whirlpool Co Refrigerating apparatus having improved heat transferring means
US3054840A (en) * 1958-05-06 1962-09-18 Westinghouse Electric Corp Thermopile

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1067454B (de) * 1959-10-22 LICENTIA Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH, Hamburg Elektrothermisches System insbesondere Halbleitersystem

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2109002A (en) * 1936-07-03 1938-02-22 Stanton C Stimmel Refrigerator
US2947150A (en) * 1958-02-21 1960-08-02 Whirlpool Co Refrigerating apparatus having improved heat transferring means
US3054840A (en) * 1958-05-06 1962-09-18 Westinghouse Electric Corp Thermopile

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0003822A1 (de) * 1978-02-28 1979-09-05 Hellige GmbH Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung von Blutungszeit und Blutungsverhalten einer kleinen standardisierten Wunde
US4718249A (en) * 1984-04-16 1988-01-12 Hanson Wallace G Apparatus for heating and cooling
US6755026B2 (en) * 2002-10-24 2004-06-29 Tech Medical Devices Inc. Thermoelectric system to directly regulate the temperature of intravenous solutions and bodily fluids
US20060185825A1 (en) * 2003-07-23 2006-08-24 Wei Chen Loop type thermo syphone, heat radiation system, heat exchange system, and stirling cooling chamber
US7487643B2 (en) * 2003-07-23 2009-02-10 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Loop type thermo syphone, heat radiation system, heat exchange system, and stirling cooling chamber
US20130291561A1 (en) * 2012-05-07 2013-11-07 Phononic Devices, Inc. Parallel thermoelectric heat exchange systems
US8991194B2 (en) * 2012-05-07 2015-03-31 Phononic Devices, Inc. Parallel thermoelectric heat exchange systems
US20130291562A1 (en) * 2012-05-07 2013-11-07 Phononic Devices, Inc. Physically separated hot side and cold side heat sinks in a thermoelectric refrigeration system
US20130291557A1 (en) * 2012-05-07 2013-11-07 Phononic Devices, Inc. Thermoelectric refrigeration system control scheme for high efficiency performance
US20130291563A1 (en) * 2012-05-07 2013-11-07 Phononic Devices, Inc. Two-phase heat exchanger mounting
US20130291560A1 (en) * 2012-05-07 2013-11-07 Phononic Devices, Inc. Cartridge for multiple thermoelectric modules
US8893513B2 (en) 2012-05-07 2014-11-25 Phononic Device, Inc. Thermoelectric heat exchanger component including protective heat spreading lid and optimal thermal interface resistance
CN107504716A (zh) * 2012-05-07 2017-12-22 弗诺尼克设备公司 涉及热电热交换系统的系统和方法
US9103572B2 (en) * 2012-05-07 2015-08-11 Phononic Devices, Inc. Physically separated hot side and cold side heat sinks in a thermoelectric refrigeration system
US20130291556A1 (en) * 2012-05-07 2013-11-07 Phononic Devices, Inc. Systems and methods to mitigate heat leak back in a thermoelectric refrigeration system
US9234682B2 (en) * 2012-05-07 2016-01-12 Phononic Devices, Inc. Two-phase heat exchanger mounting
US9310111B2 (en) * 2012-05-07 2016-04-12 Phononic Devices, Inc. Systems and methods to mitigate heat leak back in a thermoelectric refrigeration system
US9341394B2 (en) 2012-05-07 2016-05-17 Phononic Devices, Inc. Thermoelectric heat exchange system comprising cascaded cold side heat sinks
US10012417B2 (en) * 2012-05-07 2018-07-03 Phononic, Inc. Thermoelectric refrigeration system control scheme for high efficiency performance
US9144180B2 (en) 2013-10-28 2015-09-22 Phononic Devices, Inc. Thermoelectric heat pump with a surround and spacer (SAS) structure
US9593871B2 (en) 2014-07-21 2017-03-14 Phononic Devices, Inc. Systems and methods for operating a thermoelectric module to increase efficiency
US10458683B2 (en) 2014-07-21 2019-10-29 Phononic, Inc. Systems and methods for mitigating heat rejection limitations of a thermoelectric module
EP3051232A1 (de) * 2015-01-29 2016-08-03 Liebherr-Hausgeräte Lienz GmbH Wärmeisoliertes und temperiertes behältnis

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1193072B (de) 1965-05-20
FR1310228A (de) 1963-03-06
GB949123A (en) 1964-02-12

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