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6239results about "Machines using electric/magnetic effects" patented technology

Heated or cooled dishwasher safe dishware and drinkware

An actively heated mug or travel mug is provided. The mug or travel mug can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating system can include one or more heating elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug or travel mug can include a wireless power receiver that wirelessly receives power from a power source and control circuitry configured to charge one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating elements. The mug or travel mug also can have one or more sensors that sense a parameter of the liquid or sense a parameter of the heating system and communicates the sensed information to the control circuitry. The control circuitry can turn on, turn off, and / or operate the heating element to actively heat at least a portion of the body to maintain the liquid in a heated state generally at a user selected temperature setting based at least in part on the sensed parameter information. The mug or travel mug can also be paired with a remote device or mobile electronic device to send or receive communications or commands.
Owner:EMBER TECH INC

Heated or cooled dishwasher safe dishware and drinkware

Heated or cooled dishwasher safe dishware and drinkware are provided. The dishware and drinkware can be a plate or mug with a dishwasher safe body having a food or beverage receiving portion and a heating or cooling system. The heating or cooling system can have a heating or cooling element that heats or cools the receiving portion of the body. The heating or cooling system can optionally have a power storage element connected to the heating or cooling element, a charging module operatively connected to the power storage element, and / or a wireless power receiver operatively connected to the charging module and configured to transmit power thereto to charge the power storage device. The heating or cooling system is operable to actively heat or cool at least a portion of the body to maintain the solid or liquid food in a heated or cooled state for an extended period of time.
Owner:EMBER TECH INC

Variable temperature seat climate control system

A temperature climate control system comprises a variable temperature seat, at least one heat pump, at least one heat pump temperature sensor, and a controller. Each heat pump comprises a number of Peltier thermoelectric modules for temperature conditioning the air in a main heat exchanger and a main exchanger fan for passing the conditioned air from the main exchanger to the variable temperature seat. The Peltier modules and each main fan may be manually adjusted via a temperature switch and a fan switch, respectively. Additionally, the temperature climate control system may comprise a number of additional temperature sensors to monitor the temperature of the ambient air surrounding the occupant as well as the temperature of the conditioned air directed to the occupant. The controller is configured to automatically regulate the operation of the Peltier modules and / or each main fan according to a temperature climate control algorithm designed both to maximize occupant comfort during normal operation, and minimize possible equipment damage, occupant discomfort, or occupant injury in the event of a heat pump malfunction.
Owner:GENTHERM INC

Efficiency thermoelectrics utilizing thermal isolation

An improved efficiency thermoelectric system and method of making such a thermoelectric system are disclosed. Significant thermal isolation between thermoelectric elements in at least one direction across a thermoelectric system provides increased efficiency over conventional thermoelectric arrays. Significant thermal isolation is also provided for at least one heat exchanger coupled to the thermoelectric elements. In one embodiment, the properties, such as resistance or current flow, of the thermoelectric elements may also be varied in at least one direction across a thermoelectric array. In addition, the mechanical configuration of the thermoelectric elements may be varied, in one embodiment, according to dynamic adjustment criteria.
Owner:GENTHERM INC +1

System and apparatus for charging an electronic device using solar energy

A system and apparatus for charging an electronic device using solar energy are disclosed. In one form, a portable storage apparatus operable to charge a battery associated with an electronic device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first material configured to provide a storage space for storing articles. The storage space includes an interior portion and an exterior portion. The apparatus further includes a first flexible solar panel coupled to an exterior portion of the portable storage apparatus and integrated as a part of the first material. A second positional solar panel is also provided and coupled to an interior portion of the portable storage apparatus. The apparatus further includes a universal 12-volt charge port coupled to the first and second solar panels and operable to receive a charge conductor for charging the electronic device.
Owner:GRAY RANDOLPH DEAN

Efficiency thermoelectrics utilizing convective heat flow

An improved efficiency thermoelectric system is disclosed wherein convection is actively facilitated through a thermoelectric array. Thermoelectrics are commonly used for cooling and heating applications. Thermal power is convected through a thermoelectric array toward at least one side of the thermoelectric array, which leads to increased efficiency. Several different configurations are disclosed to provide convective thermal power transport, using a convective medium. In addition, a control system is disclosed which responds to one or more inputs to make adjustments to the thermoelectric system.
Owner:BSST INC +1

Cooling systems incorporating heat exchangers and thermoelectric layers

A method and system for cooling a heat source are presented. The system includes a fluid heat exchanger, a pump, a thermoelectric device having a cooling portion and a heating portion, and a heat rejector configured to be in thermal contact with at least a portion of the heating portion of the thermoelectric device. The pump is coupled with the fluid heat exchanger and configured to pass a fluid therethrough. The thermoelectric device is configured along with the heat exchanger in a cooling system to enhance the cooling efficiency of the system.
Owner:VERTIV CORP

Refrigerator with intermediate temperature icemaking compartment

An icemaking compartment is provided in the refrigerator compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. An icemaker is within the icemaking compartment. A cold air duct supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaker. The cold air duct is formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator. A fan controls the flow of air through the cold air duct. A return air duct is provided to direct a portion of the air from the icemaker back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaker directs another portion of air into the refrigerator compartment.
Owner:WHIRLPOOL CORP

Thin film thermoelectric devices for hot-spot thermal management in microprocessors and other electronics

A structure, system and method for controlling a temperature of a heat generating device in a solid medium, wherein heat is extracted from the medium into at least one heat extraction device, the heat extraction device dissipates heat into an environment apart from the medium by a heat sink thermally coupled to the heat extraction device; and heat from the medium is dissipated into the heat sink by a first thermal interface material thermally coupling the heat sink to the medium.
Owner:LAIRD THERMAL SYST INC

Operational control schemes for ventilated seat or bed assemblies

A climate controlled seat, bed or other assembly configured to receive a person includes a blower and two or more thermoelectric devices or other conditioning fluid modules. According to one embodiment of an operational scheme, a control system for the seat or bed is configured to continuously discharge air from the blower through the thermoelectric devices. In one arrangement, the thermoelectric devices are sequenced between an activated and a deactivated position. Consequently, the desired cooling and / or cooling effect can be maintained while reducing energy consumption of the climate control system.
Owner:SLEEP NUMBER CORP

High power density thermoelectric systems

A number of compact, high-efficiency and high-power density thermoelectric systems utilizing the advantages of thermal isolation are described. Such configurations exhibit high system efficiency and power density. Some configurations exhibit a substantial reduction in the amount of thermoelectric material required.
Owner:GENTHERM INC

Absorption refrigerator

An absorption refrigerator (1) including a cabinet having outer walls (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and at least one door (7, 8) encasing a low temperature storage compartment (9) and a higher temperature storage compartment (10), said compartments being essentially sealed from each other and separated by a partition wall (11), which partition wall is arranged inside the cabinet and generally perpendicular to a first wall (2) of said outer walls. The refrigerator further comprises an absorption refrigerating system including an evaporator tube (20), having a first section (21) for absorbing heat from the low temperature compartment and a second section (22) for absorbing heat from the higher temperature compartment, said second section being arranged downstream said first section. In order to reduce heat transfer into the cabinet through the outer walls, a major part of the first section is arranged generally in parallel with said partition wall.
Owner:DOMETIC APPLIANCES

Thermoelectric heat exchanger

Disclosed is a system for thermally conditioning and pumping a fluid. The system includes a thermoelectric heat exchanger having a thermoelectric device configured to pump heat. Heat exchangers are provided for transferring heat to and from the thermoelectric device and for generating a fluid flow across the thermoelectric device. The conditioned fluid may be placed in thermal communication with a variety of objects, such as a vehicle seat, or anywhere localized heating and cooling are desired. Thermal isolation may also be provided in the direction of flow to enhance efficiency.
Owner:GENTHERM INC

Heated or cooled dishware and drinkware

An actively heated mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container is provided. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating or cooling system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating or cooling system can include one or more heating or cooling elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a wireless power receiver that wirelessly receives power from a power source and control circuitry configured to charge one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating or cooling elements. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container also can have one or more sensors that sense a parameter of the liquid or sense a parameter of the heating or cooling system and communicates the sensed information to the control circuitry. The control circuitry can turn on, turn off, and / or operate the heating or cooling element to actively heat or cool at least a portion of the body to maintain the liquid in a heated or cooled state generally at a user selected temperature setting based at least in part on the sensed parameter information. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can also be paired with a remote device or mobile electronic device to send or receive communications or commands.
Owner:EMBER TECH INC

Instrument with microfluidic chip

This invention provides microfluidic devices that comprise a fluidics layer having microfluidic channels and one or more regulating layers that regulate the movement of fluid in the channels. The microfluidic devices can be used to mix one or more fluids. At least a portion of the fluidics layer can be isolated from the regulating layer, for example in the form of a shelf. Such isolated portions can be used as areas in which the temperature of liquids is controlled. Also provided are instruments including thermal control devices into which the microfluidic device is engaged so that the thermal control device controls temperature in the isolated portion, and a movable magnetic assembly including magnets with shields so that a focused magnetic field can be applied to or withdrawn from the isolated portion or any other portion of the microfluidic device. Also provided are methods of mixing fluids. The methods include stacking a plurality of alternating boluses of different liquids in a microfluidic channel, and moving the stacked boluses through the channel. In another method, the boluses are moved into a diaphragm valve having a volume able to accommodate several boluses, and then pumping the liquids out of the valve.
Owner:INTEGENX

Environmental system for rugged disk drive

A hard disk system having a disk housing shock mounted in an environmental housing employs a device to transfer heat from the disk housing while avoiding any mechanical connection that would impose significant rigidity between the disk housing and the environment housing so as to defeat the shock mounting. In one embodiment, a Peltier effect heat pump has a cold side in contact with the disk housing and a hot side in contact with heat-conducting spring fingers contacting the environmental housing. In another embodiment, a fan is positioned in a space between the outside of the disk housing and the inside of the environmental housing to circulate air around the disk housing, while a Peltier effect heat pump moves heat to the environmental housing. In yet another embodiment, the fan is positioned in the space between the disk housing and the environmental housing, and the Peltier effect heat pump has a cold side in contact with an exterior surface of the environmental housing and a hot side in contact with a heat sink. In still another embodiment, a flexible heat pipe comprising a shell containing a low vapor-point liquid is positioned in the space between the outside of the disk housing and the inside of the environmental housing with respective ends in contact with each of the housings.
Owner:PHOENIX GROUP

Module for cooling semiconductor device

A module for cooling a heat generating element comprising a heat receiving plate thermally connected to at least one heat generating element; a heat transfer device one end portion of which is thermally connected to the heat receiving plate and other end portion of which is thermally connected to a heat dissipating plate; a thermoelectric cooler one face of which is thermally connected to one face of the heat dissipating plate; a first heat sink thermally connected to other face of the heat dissipating plate; and a second heat sink thermally connected to other face of said thermoelectric cooler.
Owner:FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO LTD

Efficiency thermoelectrics utilizing thermal isolation

An improved efficiency thermoelectric system and method of making such a thermoelectric system are disclosed. Significant thermal isolation between thermoelectric elements in at least one direction across a thermoelectric system provides increased efficiency over conventional thermoelectric arrays. Significant thermal isolation is also provided for at least one heat exchanger coupled to the thermoelectric elements. In one embodiment, the properties, such as resistance or current flow, of the thermoelectric elements may also be varied in at least one direction across a thermoelectric array. In addition, the mechanical configuration of the thermoelectric elements may be varied, in one embodiment, according to dynamic adjustment criteria.
Owner:GENTHERM INC +1

Heated or cooled dishware and drinkware

An actively heated mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container is provided. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating or cooling system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating or cooling system can include one or more heating or cooling elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a wireless power receiver that wirelessly receives power from a power source and control circuitry configured to charge one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating or cooling elements. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container also can have one or more sensors that sense a parameter of the liquid or sense a parameter of the heating or cooling system and communicates the sensed information to the control circuitry. The control circuitry can turn on, turn off, and / or operate the heating or cooling element to actively heat or cool at least a portion of the body to maintain the liquid in a heated or cooled state generally at a user selected temperature setting based at least in part on the sensed parameter information. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can also be paired with a remote device or mobile electronic device to send or receive communications or commands.
Owner:EMBER TECH INC

Heat exchanger for an electronic heat pump

A heat exchanger 17 for an electronic heat pump 11 includes a thermally conductive base plate 18 having first and second surfaces, the first surface being flat and adapted to make intimate surface contact with a surface of the electronic heat pump and the second surface being obverse to the first surface and supporting an array of thermally conductive fins 21. The adjacent fins 21 define there between a plurality of micro channels.
Owner:HYDROCOOL

System and method for distributed thermoelectric heating and cooling

A thermoelectric system and method provides distributed localized heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling. The thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies. Each thermoelectric assembly comprises a plurality of thermoelectric elements, and each thermoelectric assembly is in thermal communication with a first working fluid and in thermal communication with a region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly. Each thermoelectric assembly is selectively operable either to heat the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the first working fluid to the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly or to cool the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly to the first working fluid. Each thermoelectric assembly is operable independently from operation of other thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies.
Owner:GENTHERM INC

Method and device for continuous generation of cold and heat by means of the magneto-calorific effect

The device (10) for continuous generation of cold and heat by the magneto-calorific effect, comprises a chamber (11), divided into two adjacent compartments (12, 13), separated by a wall (14). The chamber (11) contains a rotating element (15) made from at least one magneto-calorific material, a first circuit (17a) with a first heat exchange fluid circulating therein and a second circuit (17b) with a second heat exchange fluid circulating therein. The chamber (11) is connected to magnetic device (16) for generating a magnetic field in the region of the compartment (12) in which the rotating element (15) is located. When the above is set in rotation the part thereof located in the first compartment (12) is magnetized upon undergoing an increase in temperature. On passing into the second compartment (13), the part is demagnetized upon undergoing a cooling. The heat and the cold thus generated are transmitted by the heat exchange fluids respectively to user circuits for heat (19) and cold (22) for recovery and use for ulterior purposes.
Owner:HAUTE ECOLE DINGIE & DE GESTION DU CANTON DE VAUD

Refrigeration systems and methods for connection with a vehicle's liquid cooling system

An exemplary refrigeration system for cooling food or beverages may use a liquid cooling system of a vehicle. The refrigeration system may include a compartment in which the food or beverages may be placed and removed, a chilled liquid coolant system having a connection through which liquid coolant is received from the liquid cooling system of the vehicle, and a heat exchanger operationally coupled with the chilled liquid coolant system and the compartment to transfer heat from the compartment into the liquid coolant. The refrigeration system may also include a second chilled coolant system through which a second coolant flows and a second heat exchanger operationally coupled with the second chilled coolant system and the compartment to transfer heat from the compartment. The chilled liquid coolant system and the second chilled coolant system may operate together as a cascade cooling system.
Owner:BE AEROSPACE INCORPORATED

Heat exchanger tube having integrated thermoelectric devices

A heat exchanger for a vehicle is shown, wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes having integrated thermoelectric devices disposed thereon to facilitate heat transfer between the tubes and an atmosphere surrounding the tubes.
Owner:GENTHERM INC

Variable rate and clarity ice making apparatus

The icemaker presented here may use a microcontroller, and solid state refrigeration and heat transfer elements to create ice cube qualities ranging from “clear ice” to “fast ice” in a smooth, user selectable continuum. In one embodiment, this may be accomplished by fitting a standard, high production volume icemaker mold with (1) thermoelectric coolers operated in a controlled fashion to heat or cool the mold, (2) a mold temperature sensor (such as a thermistor), and (3) a microcontroller to monitor the process and to adjust the growth rate of ice forming in the mold by adjusting heat transfer rates to optimize particular cooling phases.
Owner:ADAMSKI JOSEPH R
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