| US 7,356,995 B2 | ||
| Peltier based freeze-thaw valves and methods of use | ||
| Theodore A. Dourdeville, Marion, Mass. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Waters Investments Limited, New Castle, Del. (US) | ||
| Filed on Sep. 21, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/533,831. | ||
| Application 11/533831 is a division of application No. 11/146615, filed on Jun. 06, 2005. | ||
| Application 11/146615 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US03/039071, filed on Dec. 09, 2003. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/431810, filed on Dec. 09, 2002. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0056646 A1, Mar. 15, 2007 | ||
| Int. Cl. F25B 21/02 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 62—3.3 | 34 Claims |
| 1. A device for controlling the flow of fluid comprising:
a Peltier heat pump having a cold face,
a cradle having a channel, said channel being capable of receiving a fluidic conduit, said cradle being in thermal communication
with said cold face of said Peltier heat pump, said fluidic conduit capable of transporting one or more fluids, freezing the
fluids contained therein at a low temperature to restrict flow and thawing fluids contained therein to allow flow;
a heat element, proximal to said cradle, for applying heat to said fluidic conduit;
wherein said Peltier heat pump is maintained at a substantially constant temperature, such that when said heat element applies
no heat to said fluidic conduit, said fluidic conduit is held at a low temperature closed state, and when said heat element
applies heat to said fluidic conduit, said fluidic conduit is held at a high temperature open state.
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