THERMO-ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS

摘要

The invention is directed to an energy efficient thermoelectric heat pump assembly. The thermoelectric heat pump assembly preferably comprises two to nine thermoelectric unit layers capable of active use of the Peltier effect; and at least one capacitance spacer block suitable for storing heat and providing a delayed thermal reaction time of the assembly. The capacitance spacer block is thermally connected between the thermoelectric unit layers. The present invention further relates to a thermoelectric transport and storage devices for transporting or storing temperature sensitive goods, for example, vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. Preferably the transport or storage devices are configured and provide on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, at a constant-temperature, with an acceptable temperature variation band.

主权项

1. A thermal protection system, relating to thermally protecting temperature-sensitive goods, comprising:
a vessel configured to contain the temperature sensitive goods; a stack of at least two thermoelectric unit layers capable of active use of the Peltier effect in thermal conduction with the vessel, each thermoelectric unit layer having a cold side and a hot side; a capacitance spacer block that stores heat and provides a thermal buffer to delay transfer of heat between the stack of at least two thermoelectric unit layers, wherein a first side of the capacitance spacer block is thermally connected to the hot side of a first thermoelectric unit layer and a second side of the capacitance spacer block opposite the first side of the capacitance spacer block is thermally connected to the cold side of a second thermoelectric unit layer, thereby forming a sandwich layer that pumps heat from the first thermoelectric unit layer to the second thermoelectric layer; an energy source operably connected to each of the at least two thermoelectric unit layers, wherein the energy source is suitable to provide a current, the stack of the at least two thermoelectric unit layers being configured so that each individual thermoelectric unit layer has a ratio of input current to maximum available current (I/Imax) of 0.35 or less at a steady-state when heat removal (Q) is about 0 Watts; and a heat sink associated with a fan assembly and thermally connected at an end of the stack of at least two thermoelectric unit layers opposite the vessel.