EP0342165A2 - Refrigerator incorporating thermoelectric modules with reverse thermoelectric effect - Google Patents

Refrigerator incorporating thermoelectric modules with reverse thermoelectric effect Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0342165A2
EP0342165A2 EP89830200A EP89830200A EP0342165A2 EP 0342165 A2 EP0342165 A2 EP 0342165A2 EP 89830200 A EP89830200 A EP 89830200A EP 89830200 A EP89830200 A EP 89830200A EP 0342165 A2 EP0342165 A2 EP 0342165A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigerator according
refrigerator
container
thermoelectric
modules
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP89830200A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0342165A3 (en
Inventor
Urbano Barbabella
Franco Polchi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0342165A2 publication Critical patent/EP0342165A2/en
Publication of EP0342165A3 publication Critical patent/EP0342165A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B21/00—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
    • F25B21/02—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2321/00—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
    • F25B2321/02—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effects; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effects
    • F25B2321/025—Removal of heat
    • F25B2321/0251—Removal of heat by a gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators

Definitions

  • thermoelectric modules having reverse thermoelectric effect also known as the Peltier effect, from the name of its discoverer.
  • the above modules make it possible to build both portable and static refrigerators, the latter version being suitable for use in homes or hotels, for example.
  • the power used to run the portable type refrigerator can be supplied directly by the generator of an automobile or water craft.
  • the power used to run the static type of refrigerator is supplied from the home or hotel electric circuit.
  • the device according to the invention differs from the refrigerators currently in use in that it uses no refrigerant fluid of any type whatsoever, and no cold-­accumulators requiring to be cooled by external devices. In all of its possible embodiments, the device is totally autonomous.
  • thermoelectric modules with reverse thermoelectric effect consists essentially of the following elements: - a container with a high level of thermic insulation; - access means from the outside to the inner area of the container; - Peltier-effect generating modules; - means for supplying the generating modules with direct current; - means for distributing the refrigeration units generated within the container; - means for dispersing the calories externally; - thermic insulation means between the aforesaid means for distribution and dispersion; - cooling means; and - optionally, electronic means for piloting the Peltier-effect generating modules.
  • the useful space inside the container is accessible through either a top lid or a side door.
  • the cooling means may be either aeriform or liquid.
  • the user can proportion the current according to need, and/or subordinate them to a temperature sensor located inside the refrigerator compartment so as to control and program the thermic conditions.
  • the refrigerator according to the invention may be either portable or static.
  • the unit is powered by a battery, for example that of a vehicle or water craft.
  • it is powered by the home or hotel electric system or other source of energy.
  • the refrigerator according to the invention offers a number of advantages, including noiseless operation (due to the absence of a compressor), low cost of manufacture, extremely simple construction design, high degree of operating reliability, small amount of maintenance required, and the absence of refrigerants, which may be toxic or pollute the environment. Moreover, the portable version, powered on board a vehicle or water craft, can be subsequently removed and used at a distance for a reasonably long period of time, owing to its high capacity to maintain the compartment cold.
  • both versions of the refrigerator comprise a container 8 built of material having a low thermic conductivity, which encloses a compartment 9 accessible through a top lid or a side door 11.
  • the frigorific generator faces onto one side, either vertical or horizontal, of the inner compartment. It comprises one or more Peltier-effect thermoelectric modules 1; a refrigeration-dissipating plate 2 facing onto the inside of the compartment; and a dissipating element 3 which dissipates the calories generated by the Peltier process, being suitably ventilated by a fan 4 which conveys outside air onto the dissipator through louvres 5.
  • thermoelectric modules are piloted by means of a special electronic circuit 6 connected directly to either a power outlet on the vehicle or water craft (in the case of the portable version) or, through a special electric circuit 10, to the home or hotel electric system (in the case of the static version).
  • thermoinsulating material 12 fitted between the two dissipator elements separates the hot area of the device from the cold area.

Abstract

The cold side of the module(s) (1) is coupled to a dissipator element (2) facing directly onto the refrigerator compartment (9). The hot side faces onto a ventilated dissipator element (3) that dispels the calories generated by the reverse thermoelectric process. Appropriate thermic insulation (12) between the hot side and the cold side optimizes the use of the refrigeration units produced. The thermoelectric module (1) is powered by direct low-voltage current flowing in one direction only and such as to generate on the cold side the amount of refrigeration units necessary to suitably cool a refrigeration compartment which is capable of performing its traditional function without limits. The refrigerator according to the invention can be subordinated, by means of an electronic circuit (6), to the signal transmitted by a temperature sensor located inside the refrigerator compartment which enables the user to set up a temperature-control program, and to select precisely defined operating conditions.

Description

  • The present invention refers to a device incorporating thermoelectric modules having reverse thermoelectric effect (also known as the Peltier effect, from the name of its discoverer). Inserted in an appropriate electronic circuit, the above modules make it possible to build both portable and static refrigerators, the latter version being suitable for use in homes or hotels, for example. The power used to run the portable type refrigerator can be supplied directly by the generator of an automobile or water craft. On the contrary, the power used to run the static type of refrigerator is supplied from the home or hotel electric circuit.
  • The device according to the invention differs from the refrigerators currently in use in that it uses no refrigerant fluid of any type whatsoever, and no cold-­accumulators requiring to be cooled by external devices. In all of its possible embodiments, the device is totally autonomous.
  • The refrigerator according to the present invention, incorporating thermoelectric modules with reverse thermoelectric effect, consists essentially of the following elements:
    - a container with a high level of thermic insulation;
    - access means from the outside to the inner area of the container;
    - Peltier-effect generating modules;
    - means for supplying the generating modules with direct current;
    - means for distributing the refrigeration units generated within the container;
    - means for dispersing the calories externally;
    - thermic insulation means between the aforesaid means for distribution and dispersion;
    - cooling means; and
    - optionally, electronic means for piloting the Peltier-effect generating modules.
  • The useful space inside the container is accessible through either a top lid or a side door.
  • The cooling means may be either aeriform or liquid.
  • If the Peltier-effect generating modules are piloted, the user can proportion the current according to need, and/or subordinate them to a temperature sensor located inside the refrigerator compartment so as to control and program the thermic conditions.
  • The refrigerator according to the invention may be either portable or static. In the former case, the unit is powered by a battery, for example that of a vehicle or water craft. In the latter case, it is powered by the home or hotel electric system or other source of energy.
  • The refrigerator according to the invention offers a number of advantages, including noiseless operation (due to the absence of a compressor), low cost of manufacture, extremely simple construction design, high degree of operating reliability, small amount of maintenance required, and the absence of refrigerants, which may be toxic or pollute the environment. Moreover, the portable version, powered on board a vehicle or water craft, can be subsequently removed and used at a distance for a reasonably long period of time, owing to its high capacity to maintain the compartment cold.
  • The invention has been described hereinbefore in general terms. To better illustrate its purposes, characteristics, operation and advantages, it will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the enclosed figures, in which:
    • figure 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section view of the device according to the present invention, in the portable version, fitted with a top lid; and
    • figure 2 shows a longitudinal cross-section view of the device of the invention, in the static version, fitted with a side door.
  • As can be seen from the figures, both versions of the refrigerator comprise a container 8 built of material having a low thermic conductivity, which encloses a compartment 9 accessible through a top lid or a side door 11.
  • The frigorific generator faces onto one side, either vertical or horizontal, of the inner compartment. It comprises one or more Peltier-effect thermoelectric modules 1; a refrigeration-dissipating plate 2 facing onto the inside of the compartment; and a dissipating element 3 which dissipates the calories generated by the Peltier process, being suitably ventilated by a fan 4 which conveys outside air onto the dissipator through louvres 5.
  • The thermoelectric modules are piloted by means of a special electronic circuit 6 connected directly to either a power outlet on the vehicle or water craft (in the case of the portable version) or, through a special electric circuit 10, to the home or hotel electric system (in the case of the static version).
  • A layer of thermoinsulating material 12 fitted between the two dissipator elements separates the hot area of the device from the cold area.

Claims (9)

1. A refrigerator incorporating thermoelectric modules with reverse thermoelectric effect, essentially comprising the following elements:
- a container with a high level of thermic insulation;
- access means from the outside to the inner area of the container;
- Peltier-effect generating modules;
- means for supplying the generating modules with direct current;
- means for distributing the refrigeration units generated within the container;
- means for dispersing the calories externally;
- thermic insulation means between the aforesaid means for distribution and dispersion;
- cooling means; and
- optionally, electronic means for piloting the Peltier-effect generating modules.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, in which the internal space of the container is accessible through a top lid.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, in which the internal space of the container is accessible through a side door.
4. The refrigerator according to the preceding claims, in which the means of cooling are aeriform and/or liquid.
5. The refrigerator according to the preceding claims, in which the means for piloting the Peltier-­effect generating modules are subordinated to a temperature sensor located inside the refrigerator compartment.
6. The refrigerator according to the preceding claims, characterized by the fact of being of the portable type.
7. The refrigerator according to claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact of being of the static type.
8. Use of the refrigerator according to the preceding claims by means of connection to a battery.
9. Use of the refrigerator according to the preceding claims by means of connection to a home or hotel electric system.
EP89830200A 1988-05-13 1989-05-10 Refrigerator incorporating thermoelectric modules with reverse thermoelectric effect Withdrawn EP0342165A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT8847960A IT1234999B (en) 1988-05-13 1988-05-13 THERMOELECTRIC MODULE REFRIGERATORS WITH REVERSE THERMAL ELECTRIC EFFECT
IT4796088 1988-05-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0342165A2 true EP0342165A2 (en) 1989-11-15
EP0342165A3 EP0342165A3 (en) 1990-04-25

Family

ID=11263619

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89830200A Withdrawn EP0342165A3 (en) 1988-05-13 1989-05-10 Refrigerator incorporating thermoelectric modules with reverse thermoelectric effect

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0342165A3 (en)
CN (1) CN1039099A (en)
IT (1) IT1234999B (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5398510A (en) * 1994-01-12 1995-03-21 Marlow Industries, Inc. Superinsulation panel with thermoelectric device and method
US5501076A (en) * 1993-04-14 1996-03-26 Marlow Industries, Inc. Compact thermoelectric refrigerator and module
US5505046A (en) * 1994-01-12 1996-04-09 Marlow Industrie, Inc. Control system for thermoelectric refrigerator
US5522216A (en) * 1994-01-12 1996-06-04 Marlow Industries, Inc. Thermoelectric refrigerator
US5576512A (en) * 1994-08-05 1996-11-19 Marlow Industries, Inc. Thermoelectric apparatus for use with multiple power sources and method of operation
US5605047A (en) * 1994-01-12 1997-02-25 Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. Enclosure for thermoelectric refrigerator and method
WO1997026490A1 (en) * 1996-01-18 1997-07-24 Angel Eloy Cuadrado Recio Package cooler-heater
EP0843137A1 (en) * 1996-11-18 1998-05-20 Thermovonics Co., Ltd Thermoelectric refrigerator
DE10149425A1 (en) * 2001-10-06 2003-04-24 Martin Braun Small container for drinks or food items has double walled insulated housing and Peltier heating unit with metal heat conducting plate

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103225938A (en) * 2013-05-09 2013-07-31 宁波无极电器有限公司 Electronic refrigerator

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2991628A (en) * 1959-09-15 1961-07-11 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerating apparatus
US3052100A (en) * 1960-08-22 1962-09-04 Gen Electric Refrigeration system
US3168816A (en) * 1963-12-30 1965-02-09 Gordon D Petrie Thermoelectric refrigerator structure
US3177671A (en) * 1963-06-12 1965-04-13 Arvin Ind Inc Thermoelectric device
US3194023A (en) * 1963-03-20 1965-07-13 Gustav H Sudmeier Thermo-electric refrigerator unit
US3199302A (en) * 1962-05-29 1965-08-10 Borg Warner Thermoelectric devices
US4007600A (en) * 1975-02-10 1977-02-15 Simms Larry L Icebox conversion unit
US4301658A (en) * 1979-12-11 1981-11-24 Koolatron Industries, Ltd. Control circuitry for thermoelectric cooler
US4328676A (en) * 1981-03-25 1982-05-11 Koolatron Industries, Ltd. Thermoelectric environmental chamber
EP0278884A1 (en) * 1987-02-10 1988-08-17 Richard . Joly Device for cooling and maintaining at a controlled temperature work tops, liquid storage tanks or preserving containers

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2991628A (en) * 1959-09-15 1961-07-11 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerating apparatus
US3052100A (en) * 1960-08-22 1962-09-04 Gen Electric Refrigeration system
US3199302A (en) * 1962-05-29 1965-08-10 Borg Warner Thermoelectric devices
US3194023A (en) * 1963-03-20 1965-07-13 Gustav H Sudmeier Thermo-electric refrigerator unit
US3177671A (en) * 1963-06-12 1965-04-13 Arvin Ind Inc Thermoelectric device
US3168816A (en) * 1963-12-30 1965-02-09 Gordon D Petrie Thermoelectric refrigerator structure
US4007600A (en) * 1975-02-10 1977-02-15 Simms Larry L Icebox conversion unit
US4301658A (en) * 1979-12-11 1981-11-24 Koolatron Industries, Ltd. Control circuitry for thermoelectric cooler
US4328676A (en) * 1981-03-25 1982-05-11 Koolatron Industries, Ltd. Thermoelectric environmental chamber
EP0278884A1 (en) * 1987-02-10 1988-08-17 Richard . Joly Device for cooling and maintaining at a controlled temperature work tops, liquid storage tanks or preserving containers

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5501076A (en) * 1993-04-14 1996-03-26 Marlow Industries, Inc. Compact thermoelectric refrigerator and module
US5398510A (en) * 1994-01-12 1995-03-21 Marlow Industries, Inc. Superinsulation panel with thermoelectric device and method
US5505046A (en) * 1994-01-12 1996-04-09 Marlow Industrie, Inc. Control system for thermoelectric refrigerator
US5522216A (en) * 1994-01-12 1996-06-04 Marlow Industries, Inc. Thermoelectric refrigerator
US5605047A (en) * 1994-01-12 1997-02-25 Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. Enclosure for thermoelectric refrigerator and method
US5576512A (en) * 1994-08-05 1996-11-19 Marlow Industries, Inc. Thermoelectric apparatus for use with multiple power sources and method of operation
WO1997026490A1 (en) * 1996-01-18 1997-07-24 Angel Eloy Cuadrado Recio Package cooler-heater
ES2128227A1 (en) * 1996-01-18 1999-05-01 Recio Angel Eloy Cuadrado Package cooler-heater
EP0843137A1 (en) * 1996-11-18 1998-05-20 Thermovonics Co., Ltd Thermoelectric refrigerator
AU743606B2 (en) * 1996-11-18 2002-01-31 Thermovonics Co., Ltd. Thermoelectric refrigerator
DE10149425A1 (en) * 2001-10-06 2003-04-24 Martin Braun Small container for drinks or food items has double walled insulated housing and Peltier heating unit with metal heat conducting plate
DE10149425B4 (en) * 2001-10-06 2006-04-27 Martin Braun Portable small container adjustable internal temperature

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0342165A3 (en) 1990-04-25
IT1234999B (en) 1992-06-16
IT8847960A0 (en) 1988-05-13
CN1039099A (en) 1990-01-24

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