Heat exchanger for thermoelectric applications

Abstract

A thermoelectric system ( 10 ) for pumping heat having at least one foam heat exchanger ( 45 ) is provided that enhances heat transfer away from the system ( 10 ) to increase overall system efficiency and performance of the system.

1 . A system for enhancing the efficiency of a thermoelectric heat pumping system comprising:
 an array of thermoelectric elements having a temperature at a first surface of said array and a temperature at a second surface of said array opposite said first surface and   a foam heat exchanger adjacent a first surface of said array and a foam heat exchanger adjacent a second surface of said array   wherein fluid flowing through said foam heat exchanger adjacent said first surface and fluid flowing through said foam heat exchanger adjacent a second surface of said array reduce a difference between said temperature at a first surface of said array and said temperature at a second surface of said array thereby enhancing the efficiency of said system.   
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a current flowing through said array of thermoelectric elements to generate a temperature difference between a first surface of said array and a second surface of said array. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one foam heat exchanger at one of said first surface of said array and said second surface of said array transport heat away from said array thereby reducing the current flowing through said array. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said foam heat exchanger adjacent said first surface of said array and said foam heat exchanger adjacent said second surface of said array each have a porosity to enhance heat transfer through said array. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one foam heat exchanger incorporates fins for heat dissipation. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one foam heat exchanger is made from a material selected from a group consisting of aluminum, graphite and copper. 
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . A method of enhancing the efficiency of a thermoelectric system comprising:
 providing a thermoelectric array having a series of thermoelectric pairs arranged electrically in series;   providing a first foam heat exchanger adjacent a first surface of said thermoelectric array and a second foam heat exchanger adjacent a second surface of said thermoelectric array opposite said first surface;   generating a temperature at said first surface of said thermal array and a temperature at a second surface of said array that is different from said temperature at said first surface of said array;   whereby fluid flowing through said first foam heat exchanger and said second foam heat exchanger reduce a temperature difference between said first surface and said second surface, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the thermoelectric system.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said first foam heat exchanger and said second foam heat exchanger each have a porosity to enhance heat transfer capability. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein as a temperature between said first surface and said second surface is reduced, a coefficient of performance of said system is increased. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a reduced porosity of said first foam heat exchanger and said second foam heat exchanger further enhance heat transfer to or away from said first surface and said second surface. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein enhanced heat transfer across said first surface and said second surface reduces required current flowing through said array. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of said first foam heat exchanger and said second foam heat exchanger incorporate fins. 
   
   
       15 . (canceled)