초록 ▼

The present invention provides a low cost, compact, efficient thermoelectric system which has no moving parts for converting waste heat into electrical energy. The system includes a plurality of heat pipes having at least one substantially planar sidewall and integral heat collecting fins. The plana

The present invention provides a low cost, compact, efficient thermoelectric system which has no moving parts for converting waste heat into electrical energy. The system includes a plurality of heat pipes having at least one substantially planar sidewall and integral heat collecting fins. The planar sidewalls on the heat pipes enable broad surface thermal contact with thermoelectric devices. The heat pipes and integral heat collecting fins provide for the efficient collection and transmission of waste heat to the side of the thermoelectric devices contacting the heat pipes at a location outside of the flow of waste heat. The other side of each thermoelectric device is either water or air cooled to establish a temperature differential thereacross for the generation of electrical energy. The heat pipes are preferably generally rectangular in cross section to provide opposed substantially planar surfaces for making efficient, low heat loss, broad surface thermal contact with the thermoelectric devices.

대표청구항 ▼

A compact thermoelectric system for generating electrical energy from a temperature difference between a flowing heated fluid and a flowing cold fluid, said system comprising: a thermoelectric device, said device being disposed between and in thermally transmissive contact with both a heat pipe in c

A compact thermoelectric system for generating electrical energy from a temperature difference between a flowing heated fluid and a flowing cold fluid, said system comprising: a thermoelectric device, said device being disposed between and in thermally transmissive contact with both a heat pipe in contact with one side thereof and said flowing cold fluid on another side thereof, whereby electrical energy is generated and current flows from the hot side to the cold side in response to the temperature difference; the thermally transmissive contact being provided by at least one closed heat pipe containing a working fluid therein and in thermally transmissive contact with the flowing heated fluid and the thermoelectric device said heat pipe being disposed within said flowing heated fluid, said heat pipe extending externally from said flowing heated fluid and having at least one integral substantially planar surface adapted to be in thermally transmissive contact with said thermoelectric device; and a flowing cold fluid remote from said flowing heated fluid, in thermally transmissive contact with said thermoelectric device to establish the temperature differential at said thermoelectric device, said temperature differential substantially simultaneously generating an electrical current across the thermoelectric device and condensing working fluid.