THERMAL DEVICE FOR SOLID AND LIQUID PRODUCTS

Abstract

The present work depicts a thermal device for solid and liquid products consisting of a container with an external surface with one or more thermoelectric plates (20) or micro heat exchangers interconnected with a micro-compressor heat sink (30); this container (10) is placed on an eccentric axle (40) connected to a rotary electric motor or moving device (50) which increases the heat transfer coefficient by internal convection of the container (10) where the element to be cooled or heated is stored.

Claims

1. THERMAL DEVICE FOR SOLID AND LIQUID PRODUCTS which consists of a recipient with a hollow inner area and an opening through which the product or recipient containing the product to be refrigerated is inserted; ideally, a cap is attached to that opening; preferably, the external surface of the container and the cap shall be insulated with a thermal material, characterized by the fact that one or more thermoelectric plates are fixed directly to the external surface of the container through a thermal conductive means with the outer surface of each thermoelectric plate having a thermal conductor for transferring the heat from the thermoelectric plate to the heat sink; this container is placed on an axle connected to a rotary electric motor or moving device.

2. THERMAL DEVICE FOR SOLID AND LIQUID PRODUCTS, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the thermoelectric plates are replaced by compact heat exchangers interconnected with a micro-compressor, an expansion device and a reversing valve.

3. THERMAL DEVICE FOR SOLID AND LIQUID PRODUCTS, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that an optional electronic module may be included, which promotes the adjustment of the power supply to the thermoelectric plate or to the compact heat exchangers interconnected with a micro-compressor, reversing the voltage polarity of that thermoelectric plate or of the compact heat exchangers interconnected with a micro-compressor, using a key, a relay or a transistorized device.

4. THERMAL DEVICE FOR SOLID AND LIQUID PRODUCTS, according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that an optional electronic module may be included, which promotes the adjustment of the power supply to the thermoelectric plate or to the compact heat exchangers interconnected with a micro-compressor, reversing the voltage polarity of that thermoelectric plate or of the compact heat exchangers interconnected with a micro-compressor, using a key, a relay or a transistorized device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PICTURES

[0012] Picture 1 is the cross-sectional view of the container, showing the position of the thermoelectric plates and heat sinks.

[0013] Picture 2A shows the container placed on the rotating base in precession movement, Picture 2B shows the container in translational motion and Picture 2C shows the container in rotational movement.

FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] For the purposes of the present invention, the following terms shall be understood:

[0015] Thermoelectric plates—units that use condensed matter technology to operate as heat pumps, based on the Peltier Effect and also in its opposite effect, the Seebeck. The Peltier effect is the production of a temperature gradient in two joints of two different-material conductors when subjected to an electric voltage in a closed circuit. In the Seebeck effect, opposite to the Peltier effect, the production of potential difference occurs due to the temperature difference in this same type of circuit.

[0016] The portable device for cooling solid and liquid products, object of the present invention, consists of a container with a hollow inner area (10) and an opening (11) for the insertion of the product or recipient which contains the product to be refrigerated; a cap is attached to its opening (11).

[0017] Preferably, both the external surface of the container (10) and the cap (12) shall be insulated with a thermal material (13) to prevent either heat gain or loss in the recipient (10).

[0018] One or more thermoelectric plates (20) are fixed directly on the external surface of the recipient (10) through a thermally conductive means without interference from the thermal insulation coating.

[0019] A thermal conductor (21) is fixed on the external surface of each thermoelectric plate (20) in order to transfer the heat from the thermoelectric plate (20) to the heat sink (30) placed over the thermal conductor (21), so as to extract heat from the inside of the container (10).

[0020] The container (10) is placed on an axle (40) connected to a rotating electrical motor (50) or to a moving device, allowing the precession, rotational and/or translational movement in order to increase the heat transfer coefficient by internal convection of the container (10), reducing the total refrigeration time of substance inside the container

[0021] The thermoelectric plates (20) can be replaced by compact heat exchangers interconnected with a micro-compressor, an expansion device and a reversing valve to form a steam compression freezing cycle, which can be reversed into a heat pump.

[0022] Optionally, an electronic module regulates the temperature of the fluid by means of sensors; this electronic module controls the adjustment of power supply in the thermoelectric plates (20), or in the compact heat exchangers interconnected with a micro-compressor, therefore reversing the voltage polarity of those thermoelectric plates (20) or of the compact heat exchangers interconnected with a micro-compressor using a switch, a relay or a transistor device so as to alternate the direction of the heat flow, promoting the increase or decrease of the temperature of the liquid or solid placed in the container.