Thermal testing system having safety feature(s) and multiple independently controlled thermoelectric coolers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal testing systems rely on fixed voltage thermal controllers, which can result in inadequate temperature control, leading to devices being overheated or undercooled, limiting the temperature range for testing and potentially damaging semiconductor devices or thermoelectric coolers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a thermal testing system with multiple variable voltage sources that can independently control thermoelectric coolers, allowing for precise adjustment of temperature differentials across their surfaces based on input voltages, and incorporating features like fluid pump monitoring and error detection to ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a pre-defined fixed voltage is used to control the thermoelectric cooler, then the system structure is simple, but the temperature control precision deteriorates and the device may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static fixed voltage control into dynamic variable voltage control. The thermal controller now adjusts the input voltage to the thermoelectric cooler based on real-time temperature feedback from the device under test, enabling precise temperature control while maintaining system simplicity through automated adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter from a fixed pre-defined value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted within a range. This allows the system to optimize the temperature differential across the thermoelectric cooler based on testing requirements, improving both precision and adaptability without significantly increasing complexity.
2Device complexity
If a pre-defined fixed voltage is used, then the control system is simple, but the adaptability to different temperature ranges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the voltage amplitude based on the desired temperature range. For broader temperature ranges, the system increases voltage amplitude to create larger temperature differentials, while for narrow ranges, it reduces voltage for finer control, thereby achieving versatility without proportional increases in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal controller is designed to handle multiple temperature ranges and testing scenarios through a single unified control mechanism. By implementing variable voltage output capability, the same controller can serve diverse thermal testing requirements from small differential adjustments to large temperature swings, eliminating the need for multiple specialized controllers.
3Temperature
If high voltage amplitude is applied to achieve greater temperature differential, then the temperature control range is extended, but the risk of device damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous temperature monitoring of the device under test and uses this feedback to regulate the voltage amplitude applied to the thermoelectric cooler. When the device temperature approaches dangerous thresholds, the controller automatically reduces or reverses the voltage to prevent overheating or excessive cooling, thereby enabling extended temperature ranges while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system proactively prevents device damage by monitoring temperature trends and anticipating dangerous conditions. Before the device reaches critical temperature extremes, the controller adjusts the voltage amplitude to counteract potential harm, applying preliminary protective action rather than waiting for damage to occur.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple thermoelectric coolers are used to expand temperature range, then the temperature control versatility is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple thermoelectric coolers into a single integrated thermal control system with unified variable voltage control. Rather than treating each cooler as an independent subsystem requiring separate control circuits, the system merges them under one controller that distributes variable voltage to multiple coolers, achieving enhanced temperature control capability while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity through consolidation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables more accurate, reliable, and efficient temperature control, reducing the risk of device damage, extending the lifespan of semiconductor devices and thermoelectric coolers, and allowing for simultaneous testing of multiple devices under different thermal conditions over a broader temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the thermoelectric coolers is configured to have a temperature differential between the first and second opposing surfaces of the respective thermoelectric cooler, which is caused by a Peltier effect, based on a respective input voltage
Implementation Method 2
Each first heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat between a respective subset of the thermoelectric coolers and a fluid. Each second heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat between a respective semiconductor device and a respective subset of the thermoelectric coolers
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described herein that are capable of using variable voltage sources to control respective thermoelectric coolers independently in a thermal testing environment. The variable voltage sources create temperature differentials between first and second opposing surfaces of the thermoelectric coolers by applying input voltages to the respective thermoelectric coolers. Heat is transferred, by first heat exchanger(s), between a fluid and respective subset(s) of the thermoelectric coolers Heat is transferred, by second heat exchanger(s), between semiconductor device(s) and the subset(s) of the thermoelectric coolers.