Patent ID: 8209989
Filing Date: 2012-07-03
Classification: F25B,F25D,H01L

Abstract:
1. A device, comprising: a die having an integrated circuit; a plurality of temperature sensors, each sensor being thermally coupled to an associated portion of the integrated circuit of the die and adapted to provide an output as a function of the temperature of the associated integrated circuit portion; a plurality of thermoelectric coolers disposed over the die, each thermoelectric cooler being thermally coupled to an associated integrated circuit portion associated with a sensor; wherein said integrated circuit includes a controller adapted to control as a function of sensor output associated with an integrated circuit portion, operation of at least one of the plurality of thermoelectric coolers, wherein each cooler cools at least the associated portion of said integrated circuit when operated; wherein said controller is adapted to compare output of a first sensor associated with a first portion of said integrated circuit, to a predetermined threshold and activate a first thermoelectric cooler associated with the first portion of said integrated circuit if the predetermined threshold is exceeded and also activate at least one second and adjacent thermoelectric cooler associated with a second and adjacent integrated circuit portion notwithstanding that the output of a second sensor associated with the second and adjacent integrated circuit portion does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and maintain as inactive, a third thermoelectric cooler associated with a third portion of said integrated circuit if the sensor output of the third sensor does not exceed the predetermined threshold.