Importance

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Abstract

A thermoelectric cooler of rugged construction for use in cabs of a railway locomotive includes a housing with a storage compartment mounted therein surrounded by insulation. The compartment is fabricated of thermoconductive material and includes flat sides without protuberances. A plurality of thermoconductive coupling blocks are secured to the sides of the compartment. A thermoelectric module of substantially the same size as the coupling pad is secured to each pad with the cold face of the module against the pad. An extruded aluminum heat exchanger with a plurality of parallel fins is secured to the hot side of each thermoelectric module to draw off heat and dissipate it to the surrounding environment. The fins are spaced apart a predetermined, optimum distance to obtain maximum heat transfer. A support and spot shim are employed to secure each heat exchanger to a coupling pad. Each coupling pad, thermoelectric module and heat exchanger are secured to the storage compartment by fasteners. Each fastener is insulated by an insulating bushing and one or more Belleville washers are mounted on each fastener to compensate for thermal cycling of the assembly due to environmental temperature changes.

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First Claim