Refrigeration – Using electrical or magnetic effect – Thermoelectric; e.g. – peltier effect
Patent
1992-07-23
1994-02-01
Sollecito, John M.
Refrigeration
Using electrical or magnetic effect
Thermoelectric; e.g., peltier effect
165 803, 62 33, F25B 2102
Patent
active
052823644
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The subject invention concerns a device in thermoelectric coolers, primarily of the kind comprising at least one thermoelectric block, usually of the Peltier type, and heat exchanging means which at least at one side of the block consist of metallic convector elements over which sweep a current of forced air provided by a fan.
Devices of this kind are known, for instance from U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,945. However, in accordance with this prior-art construction the current of forced air generated by a fan is initially made to enter in a direction at right angles to the heat-absorbing/dissipating surface of the thermal element and is then deflected to assume a direction in parallel with said surface. As a result, in this prior device comparatively large heat-absorbing/dissipating surfaces in facing relationship will exist externally of the thermal element as seen alongside its planes, and consequently comparatively large heat losses occur, unless some particularly efficient insulation is positioned in the gap between these surfaces not occupied by the thermoelectric element. In addition, the convector part over which the air current sweeps is comparatively complex because large recesses must be lathed or cut therein in order to accommodate certain equipment, such as the fan motor and the fan impeller.
The main purpose of the invention is to eliminate these disadvantages and to provide a device of considerably simplified structure wherein additionally the heat leakage from the hot to the cold side is small while at the same time the device is comparatively compact and requires but little space in relation to its intended cooling and heating capacity. This capacity may be increased, e.g. by increasing the number of thermoelectric blocks used in the device.
This purpose is achieved in a device in accordance with the invention which is essentially characterized in that the convector element is formed by squarely cut, extruded profile members having portions extending longitudinally, i.e. alongside the thermoelectric blocks so as to form respectively fins and channels, and in that said fan is an axial fan having an impeller spanning the major portion of the convector element cross-sectional area, said convector profile member being provided with means to retain the fan unit in position.
Preferably, the profile member forming the convector element is housed in a space delimiting a tunnel which, in addition to housing the convector element, also accommodates the fan unit. In this manner a rectilinear current of air is provided which very efficiently sweeps over the surfaces of the convector profile member and provides efficient heat transfer while at the same time the heat losses between the cold and hot sides of the device are reduced to a minimum on account of the reduced necessity of extension externally of the heat-conducting surfaces of the thermoelectric block.
Preferably, the profile member forming the convector element has at least one longitudinal channel housing the associated control and/or drive units. This reduces the external dimensions of the device to a minimum while at the same time the various units are well protected against unintentional manipulation.
In accordance with one preferred embodiment the fan may have a motor body which projects axially from the fan impeller unit and which is supported in and is retained by said channel formed in the convector profile member. This arrangement reduces the mounting equipment to a minimum while at the same time provides a well integrated unit without unnecessary mounting components.
Preferably, the fan may furthermore be a module having a cross-sectional extension equalling the corresponding extension of the profile member forming said convector element. Owing to this arrangement the convector element and the fan unit fit perfectly into the channelling system in which these units are positioned.
Preferably, the fan module as well as the convector profile member has a cross-sectional extension equalling the internal cross-sectional extension of the tunnel.
Furt
REFERENCES:
patent: 3220471 (1965-11-01), Coe
patent: 4007600 (1977-02-01), Simms
patent: 4472945 (1984-09-01), Cech et al.
patent: 4759190 (1988-07-01), Trachtenberg
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