Cooling

Among other Eureca has specialized on technical support and sales of peltier elements and accessories. We supply a wide range of elements from various manufacturers, which we resell with our own designations. Complete cooling systems, many accessories and a first class technical support for our customers, as for example the simulation of new applications, complete our range of supply.

Peltier elements (thermoelectric elements) are used when a reliable cooling without moving parts is needed. Peltier elements act as heat pumps and transport heat from one of their side to the other. In order to reach a maximum performance the pumped heat has to be transferred to the surrounding air or to a cooling circuit. For this normally heat sinks (sometime with fans) or heat exchangers with a water cooling circuit are used.

Peltier elements optimized specifically for this purpose can also be used as thermoelectric generators. In this case, a temperature difference on both sides of the Peltier element generates electrical power that can be used, for example, to supply electronic devices.

In a three-year research project, Eureca developed fast FPGA-based temperature controllers that are optimized for the special requirements of Peltier elements. The development was funded by the »Central Innovation Program of the Mittelstand« (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm des Mittelstandes (ZIM)).

In particular, the characteristic curve of the thermoelectric element used is taken into account in order to ensure stable control behavior over a wide range, even with high dynamics. Maximum control accuracy is achieved by using several temperature sensors at critical points in the system, such as the hot side of the Peltier element. The controllers are individually optimized and manufactured for the respective application.