| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 7608777 |
Thermoelectric power generator with intermediate loop |
October 27, 2009 |
| A thermoelectric power generator is disclosed for use to generate electrical power from heat, typically waste heat. An intermediate heat transfer loop forms a part of the system to permit added control and adjustability in the system. This allows the thermoelectric power generator to |
| 7587902 |
High power density thermoelectric systems |
September 15, 2009 |
| 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 t |
| 7426835 |
Thermoelectric personal environment appliance |
September 23, 2008 |
| A personal environment appliance is disclosed in which a person in a work area can individually control the ambient conditions of that persons localized work space environment. The control permits highly localized adjustment to suit individual preferences, thereby, reducing the impact |
| 7421845 |
Thermoelectrics utilizing convective heat flow |
September 9, 2008 |
| 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 s |
| 7273981 |
Thermoelectric power generation systems |
September 25, 2007 |
| Representative configurations for improved thermoelectric power generation systems to improve and increase thermal efficiency are disclosed. |
| 7246496 |
Thermoelectric based heating and cooling system for a hybrid-electric vehicle |
July 24, 2007 |
| A heating and cooling system including a first and second thermoelectric module each has a first surface and a second surface. In thermal communication with the first and second surfaces of the thermoelectric modules are separate heat exchangers. A thermal storage device is in therma |
| 7231772 |
Compact, high-efficiency thermoelectric systems |
June 19, 2007 |
| A number of compact, high-efficiency thermoelectric system utilizing the advantages of thermal isolation in the direction of a working medium flow or movement, in manufacturable systems, are described. Such configurations exhibit high system efficiency and power density. Several diff |
| 7178344 |
Thermoelectric heat exchanger |
February 20, 2007 |
| 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 generatin |
| 7111465 |
Thermoelectrics utilizing thermal isolation |
September 26, 2006 |
| 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 thermoe |
| 6959555 |
High power density thermoelectric systems |
November 1, 2005 |
| 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 t |
| 6948321 |
Efficiency thermoelectrics utilizing convective heat flow |
September 27, 2005 |
| 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 s |
| 6907739 |
Thermoelectric heat exchanger |
June 21, 2005 |
| 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 |
| 6812395 |
Thermoelectric heterostructure assemblies element |
November 2, 2004 |
| Improved thermoelectric assemblies are disclosed, wherein layers of heterostructure thermoelectric materials or thin layers of thermoelectric material form thermoelectric elements. The layers are bound together with agents that improve structural strengths, allow electrical current to pa |
| 6700052 |
Flexible thermoelectric circuit |
March 2, 2004 |
| A flexible thermoelectric circuit is disclosed. Thermoelectric circuits have traditionally been of the rigid or substantially rigid form. Several different embodiments of thermoelectric circuits are disclosed which permit flexion in one or more directions to permit applications where |
| 6672076 |
Efficiency thermoelectrics utilizing convective heat flow |
January 6, 2004 |
| 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 s |
| 6637210 |
Thermoelectric transient cooling and heating systems |
October 28, 2003 |
| An improved efficiency thermoelectric system operates the thermoelectric elements in the system in a non-steady state manner. The thermoelectric elements are powered for predefined periods of time to obtain increased efficiency. This benefit can be improved by also altering the resistanc |
| 6606866 |
Thermoelectric heat exchanger |
August 19, 2003 |
| 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 |
| 6598405 |
Thermoelectric power generation utilizing convective heat flow |
July 29, 2003 |
| An improved efficiency thermoelectric power generation system is disclosed wherein convection is actively facilitated through a thermoelectric array, and the thermoelectric array is used to generate electrical power. Thermal power is convected through the thermoelectric array or arrays t |
| 6539725 |
Efficiency thermoelectrics utilizing thermal isolation |
April 1, 2003 |
| 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 thermoelect |
| 6472203 |
Combination air sampling cassette and nutrient media dish |
October 29, 2002 |
| A combination air sampling cassette and nutrient media dish having base, orifice plate, and nutrient media dish assembly for the collection of airborne particles. The orifice plate includes a plurality of holes that brings the nutrient media dish into fluid communication with the ambient |
| 4541731 |
Temperature sensitive transducer with a resonant bimetal disk |
September 17, 1985 |
| A temperature sensing transducer has a mechanically vibrating member whose rigidity varies with temperature, changing the resonant frequency. An output signal is generated having a frequency controlled by the vibrating member. The rigidity is caused to vary with temperature by making the |
| 4477715 |
PTC thermistor controlled electric diesel fuel heater |
October 16, 1984 |
| An electric heater for heating diesel fuel includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A flat disk-shaped PTC thermistor is centrally mounted in the housing and is arranged so that the inlet directs fuel against one side of the thermistor to divert the flow of fuel outwardly ar |
| 4466393 |
Thermal switch-operated glow plug control device for diesel engines |
August 21, 1984 |
| A glow plug control circuit uses two normally closed thermally actuated switches in series with a power relay and a timer switch across the battery when the ignition switch is turned on; the power relay connects the glow plugs to the battery. At least one of the two switches cycles on |
| 4434414 |
Snap-acting thermal relay |
February 28, 1984 |
| A thermally operated snap-acting switch uses a switch arm and tension spring for rotating the switch arm. A thermal-responsive element moves the pivot of theswitch arm relative to the centerline of the spring to actuate the switch. Heater means activates the thermal-responsive element fo |
| 4424422 |
Thermostatically controlled electric diesel fuel heater |
January 3, 1984 |
| A thermostatically controlled electric fuel heater for raising the temperature of diesel fuel flowing from a fuel tank to a fuel filter to prevent precipitation of wax crystals in the fuel filter and consequent filter clogging at low ambient temperatures includes a heat conductive tu |
| 4404949 |
Heated diesel fuel filter |
September 20, 1983 |
| A diesel fuel filter in which wax crystals that tend to clog the filter at low ambient temperatures are directly heated to melt the crystals, allowing them to pass through the filter. A low energy heating element is positioned adjacent the filter element in the region where wax normally |
| 4337389 |
Glow plug control device for diesel engines |
June 29, 1982 |
| A thermal device for controlling the temperature of glow plugs in a diesel engine in which current is applied to the glow plugs from the battery through a relay, the relay in turn being actuated by a thermally controlled switch controlled by a heater. The heater applies heat to the t |
| 4255629 |
Crash and rollover cutoff switch |
March 10, 1981 |
| A crash-sensing switch assembly for breaking an electrical circuit has a weight pivotally supported on a horizontal surface with the center of gravity above the surface. The weight is free to move away from the surface if the assembly is inverted. Movement of the weight away from the |
| 4184136 |
Fast acting thermal relay |
January 15, 1980 |
| A snap-action thermal relay in which a thin sheet of spring material having a central opening is mounted at one point along one edge and is crimped along an adjacent edge to distort the sheet into a slightly convex bowed shape. A heater element in the form of a thin band of metal is anch |
| 4167276 |
Self-contained air bag system |
September 11, 1979 |
| The air bag safety system is a self-contained, modular apparatus including: an inflatable bag, an inflating unit connected to the bag, and a sensor. The inflating unit provides gas for inflating the bag. The sensor is disposed adjacent to the apparatus and is responsive to a predetermine |
| 4116132 |
Inertial sensors |
September 26, 1978 |
| The sensor includes a linearly movable mass including two sections and spring means urging one of the sections into operative engagement with means including an actuating element. The sensor also includes means releasably securing the two sections together and means releasing the sec |
| 4092926 |
Mechanical rolamite impact sensor |
June 6, 1978 |
| A mechanical sensor, operable without any source of electrical energy, includes: a rolamite means, a support means for the rolamite means, a trigger means, a hammer means, a primer means and a biasing means. The rolamite means is responsive to acceleration or deceleration above a pre |
| 4088976 |
Thermally operated bimetal actuator |
May 9, 1978 |
| A thermally operated actuator useful as a relay, flasher, circuit breaker, or the like, in which a bimetal element is movable by heating and cooling in response to an electrical resistance heater and/or current passing through the bimetal element. In one form of the invention ambient |
| 4011536 |
Liquid sensor |
March 8, 1977 |
| A sensor which utilizes the difference in thermal characteristic between two fluids to detect the presence of one fluid or the other. A continuously heated thermal expansion element activates a switch. When the element is brought in thermally conductive contact with a liquid, the hea |
