Active vaporization of moisture in a thermoelectric module or subsystem

Abstract

Systems and methods for active vaporization of moisture in a Thermoelectric Module (TEM) or subsystem are provided. In some embodiments, a method of method of operating a TEM includes: determining to initiate a drying cycle for the TEM; and activating the drying cycle for the TEM. In this way, moisture can be removed from the TEM. This can increase the efficiency and/or longevity of the TEM. This can lead to decreased maintenance times and cost savings.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a Thermoelectric Module, TEM, comprising:
 determining to initiate a drying cycle for the TEM;   activating the drying cycle for the TEM.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein activating the drying cycle for the TEM comprises:
 reversing a polarity of a Direct Current, DC, power supply to the TEM. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein activating the drying cycle for the TEM comprises:
 providing an Alternating Current, AC, power supply to the TEM. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein activating the drying cycle for the TEM comprises:
 repeatedly switching the polarity of the DC power supply to the TEM. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein repeatedly switching the polarity comprises:
 repeatedly switching the polarity of the DC power supply to the TEM using an H-bridge. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, after activating the drying cycle for the TEM, removing vaporized moisture by one or more of:
 natural convection; and active assistance from one or more fans. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein activating the drying cycle for the TEM is in conjunction with activation of a defrost cycle. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining to initiate a drying cycle for the TEM is controlled by system logic controller/firmware. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining to initiate a drying cycle for the TEM is at a regular timed interval, based on elapsed time since last vaporization cycle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining to initiate a drying cycle for the TEM is based on measurement of relative humidity. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining to initiate a drying cycle for the TEM is via manual control from an Active Cooling System dashboard and/or control interface. 
     
     
         12 . An actively cooled container, comprising:
 a cooling system;   one or more fans; and   a controller; the controller operable to:
 determine to initiate a drying cycle for the TEM; 
 activate the drying cycle for the TEM. 
   
     
     
         13 . The actively cooled container of  claim 12  wherein activating the drying cycle for the TEM comprises the controller operable to:
 reverse a polarity of a Direct Current, DC, power supply to the TEM. 
 
     
     
         14 . The actively cooled container of  claim 12  wherein activating the drying cycle for the TEM comprises the controller operable to:
 provide an Alternating Current, AC, power supply to the TEM. 
 
     
     
         15 . The actively cooled container of  claim 12  wherein activating the drying cycle for the TEM comprises the controller operable to:
 repeatedly switch the polarity of the DC power supply to the TEM. 
 
     
     
         16 . The actively cooled container of  claim 15  wherein repeatedly switching the polarity comprises the controller operable to:
 repeatedly switch the polarity of the DC power supply to the TEM using an H-bridge. 
 
     
     
         17 . The actively cooled container of  claim 12  further comprising, after activating the drying cycle for the TEM, the controller operable to remove vaporized moisture by one or more of:
 natural convection; and active assistance from one or more fans. 
 
     
     
         18 . The actively cooled container of  claim 12  wherein activating the drying cycle for the TEM is in conjunction with activation of a defrost cycle. 
     
     
         19 . The actively cooled container of  claim 12  wherein determining to initiate a drying cycle for the TEM is controlled by system logic controller/firmware. 
     
     
         20 . The actively cooled container of  claim 12  wherein determining to initiate a drying cycle for the TEM is at a regular timed interval, based on elapsed time since last vaporization cycle. 
     
     
         21 . The actively cooled container of  claim 12  wherein determining to initiate a drying cycle for the TEM is based on measurement of relative humidity. 
     
     
         22 . The actively cooled container of  claim 12  wherein determining to initiate a drying cycle for the TEM is via manual control from an Active Cooling System dashboard and/or control interface.