Oceaneering International, Inc.

Marlow Industries, Inc.

Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation

Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.

Marlow Industrie, Inc.

Lance Criscuolo

Michael D Gilley

Ralph D McGrath

John L Nelson

Brian V Park

Barry J Arch

Malcolm C Smith, Jr

A refrigerator is provided which combines the benefits of superinsulation materials with thermoelectric devices and phase change materials to provide an environmentally benign system that is energy efficient and can maintain relatively uniform temperatures for extended periods of time with relatively low electrical power requirements. The refrigerator includes a thermoelectric assembly having a thermoelectric device with a hot sink and a cold sink. The superinsulation materials include a plurality of vacuum panels. The refrigerator is formed from an enclosed structure having a door. The vacuum panels may be contained within the walls of the enclosed structure and the door. By mounting the thermoelectric assembly on the door, the manufacturer of the enclosed structure is simplified and the overall R rating of the refrigerator increased. Also an electrical motor and propellers may be mounted on the door to assist in the circulation of air to improve the efficiency of the cold sink and the hot sink. A propeller and/or impeller is preferably mounted within the refrigerator to assist in establishing the desired air circulation flow path.

Thermoelectric refrigerator

Apparatus including a power supply (202) and control system is provided for maintaining the temperature within an enclosed structure (40) using thermoelectric devices (92). The apparatus may be particularly beneficial for use with a refrigerator (20) having superinsulation materials (46) and phase change materials (112) which cooperate with the thermoelectric device (92) to substantially enhance the overall operating efficiency of the refrigerator (20). The electrical power supply (202) and control system allows increasing the maximum power capability of the thermoelectric device (92) in response to increased heat loads within the refrigerator (20). The electrical power supply (202) and control system may also be used to monitor the performance of the cooling system (70) associated with the refrigerator (20).

Control system for thermoelectric refrigerator

A superinsulation panel and thermoelectric assembly are provided to maintain the temperature within a refrigerator or other type of enclosed structure at a desired value. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device having a hot sink and a cold sink. The superinsulation panel is preferably disposed between the hot sink and the cold sink. A cold finger is positioned within the superinsulation panel to transfer heat energy from the cold sink to the thermoelectric device which in turn transfers the heat energy to the hot sink. A plurality of posts may also be disposed within the superinsulation panel for use in coupling the thermoelectric assembly with the superinsulation panel.

Superinsulation panel with thermoelectric device and method

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Lance Criscuolo