Thermotek, Inc.

Harry C Powell

Roger S DeVilbiss

Tony M Quisenberry

A current control circuit for improved power application and control of thermoelectric devices to maintain the temperature of thermoelectric devices at a set point. The circuit includes at least one thermoelectric device, an inductor device, a current sensor and a switch device operatively connected in a series connection across a pair of terminals to allow current to flow therethrough when the switch device is activated to the 'on' condition; a temperature sensor operatively positioned to monitor the temperature associated with the at least one thermoelectric device; a comparator device receives an input from the current sensor and provides an output to the switch device; a programmable control device receives an input from the temperature sensor and provides an output to the comparator device, the value of the output is determined by the difference between the sensed temperature of the at least one thermoelectric device and the desired set point temperature of the at least one thermoelectric device. The comparator device activates and deactivates the switch device, determined by the output of the programmable control device, to allow current to flow through the at least one thermoelectric device to achieve the set point temperature.

Current control circuit for improved power application and control of

A control system for a thermoelectric device to maintain the temperature in a storage compartment at a set point. The system includes input terminals for receiving a DC voltage and output terminals for connecting to the thermoelectric device. First and second switches are provided and coupled to the terminals for connection when enabled by the application of the DC voltage. The system further includes a first diode network connected between the first and second switches and enabling the second switch when the first diode network is enabled; a coupling device operatively connected to the first diode network to enable the first diode network when the coupling device is enabled; a sensor device providing an output indicative of the temperature in the storage compartment; a programmable control device receiving the output from the sensor device and providing an output to the coupling device to enable the coupling device, the output from the programmable control device being determined by the amount of deviation of the sensed temperature in the storage compartment from the set point temperature.

Temperature controller for low voltage thermoelectric cooling or warming

A power control circuit for improved temperature control of thermoelectric devices to maintain the temperature of thermoelectric devices at a set point. The circuit includes a rectifying device to provide rectified alternating current when receiving an input from an electrical power source; a flyback power supply to supply a DC voltage to the thermoelectric device; a switching device to modulate the rectified alternating current across the primary of the flyback transformer; sensor circuitry to monitor the temperature of the thermoelectric device; and a programmable control device to receive an output from the sensor circuitry and provide a control signal to the switching device, the control signal being determined by the difference between the sensed temperature of the thermoelectric device and the desired set point to allow the DC voltage to the thermoelectric device to bring the temperature of the thermoelectric device to the set point and maintain the temperature of the thermoelectric device at the set point.

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Shipman, VA, United States of America

Harry C Powell