Patent ID: 6637210
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: F02G,F25B,H01L

Abstract:
A thermoelectric system comprising:A plurality of thermoelectric elements forming at least one thermoelectric array with at least one first side and at least one second side exhibiting at least one temperature gradient between them during operation, the thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with a heat exchanger on at least the first or the second side, wherein at least a portion of the thermoelectric array is configured to be operated between at least first and second different current levels, wherein at least the first current level is below a current level that provides substantially maximal steady-state TE cooling or heating and wherein at least one thermoelectric element thermally couples to at least a first portion of material to or from which heat is to be transferred at a first point in time, and to at least a second portion of material to or from which heat is to be transferred at a second point in time.