Thermovonics Co., Ltd.

Eco 21, Inc.

Fumikazu Kiya

Hideo Watanabe

Motohiro Sakai

Yoshihiko Ogawa

Katsuhiro Tsuno

Mitsutoshi Ogasawara

Fumio Hisano

Hirohusa Tezuka

With an object to provide a thermoelectric converter excellent in performance, this invention provides a thermoelectric converter provided with a first thermal converter,a blocked second thermal conductor,connected to a predetermined position of the first conductor,a frame,made of a synthetic resin and surrounding the second conductor,a thermally-conductive substrate,with the frame,fixed at a basal end portion,thereof on the substrate and also with a group of thermoelectric elements,supported inside the substrate, and a heat-insulating layer,interposed between the first thermal conductor,and the thermally-conductive substrate,such that the frame,is surrounded at an outer periphery thereof by the heat-insulating layer. The second thermal conductor,and the thermally-conductive substrate,are opposing each other and are maintained in close contact with each other via the group of thermoelectric elements,. The second thermal conductor,and the frame,are provided with an engaging flange,which prevents the second thermal conductor,from undergoing a displacement toward the first thermal conductor,and an engaged portion,which is in engagement with the engaging flange.

Thermoelectric converter

One of a heat-absorbing-side thermal conductor and a heat-dissipating-side thermal conductor is substantially in a form of a single piece. Plural groups of thermoelectric elements are arranged relative to the single-piece thermal conductor. Corresponding to the plural groups of thermoelectric elements, the other one of the heat-absorbing-side thermal conductor and the heat-dissipating-side thermal conductor is arranged in a form divided into a like number of pieces.

Thermoelectric module

A storage box apparatus makes use of thermoelectric modules as devices for cooling or heating storage units, respectively. Each thermoelectric module is provided with a heat-dissipating-side base and a heat-absorbing-side base. A liquid heat transfer medium is spouted against a surface of the heat-dissipating-side base substantially at a right angle.

Storage box apparatus

An air-conditioning ventilator is provided with an air inlet passage and an air outlet passage for ventilation and also with a heat exchanger making use of a thermoelectric module for effecting an exchange of heat with air flowing through one of the passages. At least one of a heat-absorbing system and a heat-dissipating system of the heat exchanger is provided with a heat-transfer-medium-circulating system so that a heat transfer medium is forced to circulate in a liquid form for performing the exchange of heat.

Air-conditioning ventilator

A thermoelectric refrigerator is provided with a casing formed of a heat-insulating layer, thermal conductors arranged in the casing and having a heat transfer surface located facing a storage space in the casing, a Peltier device thermally connected with the thermal conductors, a device power supply for supplying electric power to the Peltier device, an interior fan for causing interior air to flow in the storage space, a fan power supply for supplying electric power to the interior fan, and a control unit for controlling a quantity of electric power to be supplied to the interior fan in accordance with a quantity of electric power to be supplied to the Peltier device.

Thermoelectric refrigerator

An electric refrigerator is provided with a casing formed of a heat-insulating layer and defining an opening; a heat-insulating door for openably closing the opening of the casing; a thermal conductor arranged in the casing and provided with a heat-conducting surface located opposite an interior space in the casing; a Peltier device thermally connected with the thermal conductor; and a device power supply for feeding electric power to the Peltier device. The electric refrigerator is also provided with a control unit for controlling the device power supply so that, after the heat-insulating door is closed subsequent to opening thereof, the device power supply supplies the Peltier device with electric power controlled in a range of from 1.3 to 2 times as much rated electric power required to maintain a preset interior temperature of the casing.

Thermoelectric refrigerator with control of power based upon sensed

A thermoelectric converter is composed of a number of p-type semiconductor chips and n-type semiconductor chips arranged side by side and electrically connected in series, a heat-absorbing-side heat conductor arranged on a heat-absorbing side of the p-type and n-type semiconductor chips, a heat-dissipating-side heat conductor arranged on a heat-dissipating side of the p-type and n-type semiconductor chips, and a device for feeding a current to the p-type and n-type semiconductor chips. The current feeding device feeds a current of a density in a current density range selected depending on a thickness of said p-type and n-type semiconductor chips.

Growing community of inventors

Noboribetsu, Japan

Fumikazu Kiya