A portable, potable water generator for producing high-purity liquid water by condensation of dew from ambient air is described. The generator employs filtration subsystems (38) to remove particulates and aerosols from the incoming air. An enclosed heat absorber (22) cools the filtered air below its dew point and collects (25) droplets of condensate into a closed system (26). The collected liquid dew is further continually treated in a bacteriostat loop (29, 31) to destroy adventitious living organisms and to filter out undesirable and dangerous contaminants. All the subsystems are failsafe-interlocked to disable the generator immediately and prevent delivery of water if any one of them stops functioning within predetermined safe limits. Hybrid embodiments of the water generator attached to or integrated with refrigeration-type appliances such as water coolers, refrigerators, freezers, icemakers and air-conditioners are illustrated.

Portable/potable water recovery and dispensing apparatus

Solid-state thermoelectric devices can directly convert electricity into cooling or enable heat pumping through the Peltier effect. The commercialization of thermoelectric cooling technology has been built on the Bi2Te3 alloys, which have had no rival for the past six decades around room temperature. With the discovery and development of more promising materials, it is possible to reshape thermoelectric cooling technology. Here we review the current status of, and future outlook for, thermoelectric cooling materials. Thermoelectric materials can generate electricity from waste heat but can also use electricity for cooling. This Perspective discusses coefficients of performance for these systems and the state-of-the-art for materials, and suggests strategies for the discovery of improved thermoelectric materials.

Thermoelectric cooling materials.

A system for cooling a data center includes a plurality of cooling racks, with each cooling rack including a housing and cooling system components supported by the housing. The system further includes a fluid communication system coupled to the cooling system components of the plurality of racks. The fluid communication system is configured to provide chilled coolant to and exhaust heated coolant from coolant system components of each cooling rack. The system also includes at least one controller coupled to each cooling rack of the plurality of cooling racks to control the operation of each cooling rack. The plurality of cooling racks and the fluid communication system are configured to be modular to allow placement of cooling racks in different locations in a row of equipment racks within the data center. Methods of cooling a data center are further disclosed.

Cooling system and method

Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight. Computer-based methods are disclosed for process monitoring and control, and for data display and analysis.

Parallel reactor with internal sensing and method of using same

An apparatus and method for carrying out and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions is disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.

Parallel reactor with internal sensing

A modular thermoelectric assembly (30) is provided to maintain the temperature within a container or enclosed structure at a desired level. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device (32) with a hot sink (40) and a cold sink (50). A layer of insulating material (42) is disposed between the hot sink and the cold sink. The hot sink and the insulating material are used to install the thermoelectric assembly into an appropriately sized opening extending through the exterior of the container or enclosed structure. A thermoelectric device, contained within the layer of insulating material, functions as a heat pump to transfer heat between the cold sink and the hot sink. An electrical motor (60), rotating shaft (62) and propellers (64, 66) are carried by the assembly to assist in the circulation of air to improve the efficiency of the cold sink and the hot sink.

Modular thermoelectric assembly

A temperature control device includes a thermoelectric device and a first sink The thermoelectric device includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements electrically interconnected with one another by a plurality of electrical interconnects which are coupled between an interior surface of a first plate and an interior surface of a second plate The first sink has a flat bottom and a plurality of generally parallel fins extending out of the flat bottom Also, the flat bottom is coupled to an exterior surface of the first plate by a coupling media that includes a resilient and thermally-conductive pad

Temperature control device

A distribution system is adapted for use with a mattress and a personal comfort system with an air conditioning system operable for outputting a conditioned air flow. The distribution system includes at least top and bottom layers of fabric material and a spacer structure disposed between the bottom and top layers. The spacer structure defines an internal volume within the distribution layer and is configured to enable the received conditioned air flow to flow therethrough. This flow of conditioned air has a cooling or heating effect on a body on the mattress. A system and method for controlling ventilation in a bed (mattress) includes an user-controlled air conditioning control system for generating and supplying a conditioned air flow to a distribution layer/system located on or near the mattress. The distribution layer/system includes a spacer structure surrounded by fabric material(s) and configured to receive the conditioned air flow and provide a cooling or heating effect to a body adjacent the mattress.

System and method for thermoelectric personal comfort controlled bedding

A module for controlling the temperature within an enclosed structure is provided. The module comprises a thermoelectric assembly, a platform, and a panel. The thermoelectric assembly comprises a thermoelectric device with a first heat sink disposed on one side of the device and a second heat sink disposed on the other side of the device. The thermoelectric assembly further comprises an electric motor attached to one of the heat sinks with a rotating shaft extending longitudinally through the electrical motor and both heat sinks. A propeller may be attached to each end of the rotating shaft adjacent to the first heat sink and the second heat sink respectively. The platform may be removably engaged with the enclosed structure. A first fastener may be used to attach the thermoelectric assembly to the platform. A first opening may be provided in the platform adjacent to one of the propellers. The panel preferably attaches to the platform for use in mounting and sealing the thermoelectric module within the enclosed structure.

Compact thermoelectric refrigerator and module

A liquid cooling system (10) includes a container (12) for storing a liquid (13) and a cooling element (14) disposed within the container (12) for cooling the liquid (13). The system (10) also includes a heat exchanging system (16) for cooling the cooling element (14) and a control device (38) disposed proximate the cooling element(14) for controlling solidification of the liquid (13) within the container (12). The control device (38) includes a first insulating region disposed between a portion of the cooling element (14) and a portion of the liquid (13). The first insulating region is formed from at least one thermally insulating material.

Leonard Recine

Papers

Modular thermoelectric assembly

Temperature control device

System and method for thermoelectric personal comfort controlled bedding

Compact thermoelectric refrigerator and module

Liquid cooling system with solid material formation control and method of manufacture