Efficient Switched Thermoelectric Refrigerators for Cold Storage Applications

We present switching methods that make thermoelectric refrigerators efficient and optimal for all cold storage applications. These temporal methods double the coefficient of performance (COPs) of the refrigerators during cooling transients and allow highly energy-efficient operation in the steady state by turning off the thermoelectric devices both electrically and thermally so as to avoid back-conduction of heat through the devices. We describe thermoelectric refrigerator cooling engines that attain these enhancements without using any unreliable mechanically moving switching components such as pumps. These switching techniques can provide a fivefold reduction in energy consumption of cold storage refrigerators.