초록 ▼

A thermoelectric generator system. The thermoelectric generator has at least one hot side heat exchanger and at least one cold side heat exchanger and at least one thermoelectric module with thermoelectric elements installed in an injection molded eggcrate. The thermoelectric modules are held in clo

A thermoelectric generator system. The thermoelectric generator has at least one hot side heat exchanger and at least one cold side heat exchanger and at least one thermoelectric module with thermoelectric elements installed in an injection molded eggcrate. The thermoelectric modules are held in close contact with the hot side heat exchanger and the cold side heat sink with a spring force. A preferred embodiment contains eight modules held in compression between the hot and cold heat exchangers with Belville springs. The eggcrate is molded from a high temperature plastic with ridges provided for extra strength and tapered walls to permit ease of installation of the thermoelectric elements and stop tabs assure correct positioning of the elements. Electrical connections at hot and cold surfaces are preferably made by thermal spraying metallize coatings on the surfaces and then surface finishing the module to expose the walls of the eggcrate.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A thermoelectric generator comprising:1) at least one hot side heat exchanger,2) at least one cold side heat exchanger,3) at least one thermoelectric module positioned between said at least one hot side heat exchanger and said at least one cold side heat exchanger, said at least one

[ I claim:] [1.] A thermoelectric generator comprising:1) at least one hot side heat exchanger,2) at least one cold side heat exchanger,3) at least one thermoelectric module positioned between said at least one hot side heat exchanger and said at least one cold side heat exchanger, said at least one thermoelectric module defining a hot surface and a cold surface and comprising:a) a crate having the form of an eggcrate defining a plurality of thermoelectric element spaces,b) a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements,c) a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements, said p-type and said n-type thermoelectric elements being positioned in said thermoelectric element spaces,d) a metallized coating on said cold surface connecting p-type thermoelectric elements to n-type thermoelectric elements on said cold surface,e) a metallized coating on said hot surface connecting p-type thermoelectric elements to n-type thermoelectric elements on said hot surface, the position so said p-type and said n-type elements, the configuration of said eggcrate and said metallized coatings being effective to cause a plurality of said thermoelectric elements to be connected electrically in series.