초록 ▼

An apparatus for generating a thermoelectric power and method for driving the same. The disclosed apparatus comprises: a plurality of power generation units, each power generator unit including at least one thermocouple and being capable of mutually generating an equal output voltage; a connection f

An apparatus for generating a thermoelectric power and method for driving the same. The disclosed apparatus comprises: a plurality of power generation units, each power generator unit including at least one thermocouple and being capable of mutually generating an equal output voltage; a connection form switch for switching an electrical connection form of each one of the power generator units between a serial connection of the corresponding one of the power generator units to another of the remaining power generator units and a parallel connection thereof to another of the remaining power generator units; a parallel voltage detector for measuring a parallel voltage when the plurality of power generator units are connected in parallel to each other; a connection form detector for determining the connection form of all of the power generator units in one of three forms consisting of a serial connection, a parallel connection, and a combination of the serial and parallel connections, so as to generate a thermoelectric power according to a load connected to the thermoelectric power generating apparatus on the basis of a value of the parallel voltage measured by the parallel voltage measuring block; and a broken wire detector for detecting whether a wire breakage in each of the power generator units occurs.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [19.] A method for driving a thermoelectric power generating apparatus, the thermoelectric power generating apparatus comprising:a plurality of power generator units, each power generator unit including at least one thermocouple and being capable of mutually generating an equa

[ What is claimed is:] [19.] A method for driving a thermoelectric power generating apparatus, the thermoelectric power generating apparatus comprising:a plurality of power generator units, each power generator unit including at least one thermocouple and being capable of mutually generating an equal output voltage;a connection form switch for switching an electrical connection form of each one of the power generator units with respect to another of the power generator units between a serial connection and a parallel connectiona parallel voltage detector for measuring a parallel voltage when the plurality of power generator units are connected in parallel to each other;a connection form detector for determining the connection form of all of the power generator units in one of three forms consisting of a serial connection, a parallel connection, and a combination of the serial and parallel connections, so as to generate a thermoelectric power according to a load connected to the thermoelectric power generating apparatus on the basis of a value of the parallel voltage measured by the parallel voltage measuring block; anda broken wire detector for detecting whether a wire breakage in each of the power generator units occurs;the method comprising the steps of:measuring the parallel voltage of the power generator units connected in parallel with each other through the parallel voltage measuring block;detecting whether a wire breakage in each of the power generator units occurs;determining a thermoelectric power start time at which the thermoelectric power generating apparatus starts the thermoelectric power generation from the measured parallel voltage;determining the connection form of the power generator units in the three forms; andinterconnecting the power generator units in the determined connection form to generate the thermoelectric power.