THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR
A thermoelectric generator includes a plurality of thermoelectric modules that generate electrical power when subjected to a temperature differential. The generator also includes a plurality of first thermal elements to which heat is supplied by a first fluid and a plurality of second thermal elements from which heat is removed by a second fluid. The first and second thermal elements are arranged in a stack of alternating first and second thermal elements having one of the plurality of thermoelectric modules between each adjacent pair of first and second thermal elements. Each thermoelectric module is in contact on its first side with one of the first thermal elements and in contact on its second side with one of the second thermal elements such that no face of any thermal element contacts more than one of the thermoelectric modules.
1 A thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature, the thermoelectric generator comprising:
a plurality of thermoelectric modules, each thermoelectric module having a first side and a second side, and each thermoelectric module generating electrical power when subjected to a temperature differential between its respective first side and second side;
a plurality of first thermal elements to which heat is supplied by a first fluid;
a plurality of second thermal elements from which heat is removed by a second fluid;
wherein the first and second thermal elements are arranged in a stack of alternating first and second thermal elements having one of the plurality of thermoelectric modules between each adjacent pair of first and second thermal elements, each thermoelectric module in contact on its first side with one of the first thermal elements and in contact on its second side with one of the second thermal elements such that no face of any thermal element contacts more than one of the thermoelectric modules.
2 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second thermal elements is a block made of a thermally conductive material, each block further comprising a passageway through the block through which the respective fluid flows.
3 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 2 , wherein the thermally conductive material is aluminum.
4 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 2 , wherein each block is generally rectangular, and wherein each passageway traverses its respective block generally diagonally.
5 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 2 , wherein each passageway comprises a lead-in portion at each end of the passageway, each lead-in portion being generally cylindrical and of a larger dimension than the midportion of the passageway.
6 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second thermal elements are mechanically interchangeable.
7 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a clamp that holds the stack of thermoelectric modules and first and second thermal elements in compression.
8 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
a first fluid inlet manifold that distributes the first fluid to the first thermal elements; and
a first fluid outlet manifold that collects the first fluid from the first thermal elements.
9 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
a second fluid inlet manifold that distributes the second fluid to the second thermal elements; and
a second fluid outlet manifold that collects the second fluid from the second thermal elements.
10 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
a first fluid inlet manifold that distributes the first fluid to the first thermal elements;
a first fluid outlet manifold that collects the first fluid from the first thermal elements;
a second fluid inlet manifold that distributes the second fluid to the second thermal elements; and
a second fluid outlet manifold that collects the second fluid from the second thermal elements.
11 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 10 , wherein the first fluid inlet manifold and the second fluid outlet manifold are positioned adjacent each other on one side of the stack of thermoelectric modules and first and second thermal elements.
12 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 10 , further comprising one or more flexible tubes, at least one of the tubes connecting each of the manifolds with each of its respective first or second thermal elements.
13 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 12 , wherein at least one of the flexible tubes is press fit into its respective manifold and thermal element.
14 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first fluid is water.
15 . The thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second fluid is water.
16 . A method of fabricating a thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of thermoelectric modules, each thermoelectric module having a first side and a second side, and each thermoelectric module generating electrical power when subjected to a temperature differential between its respective first side and second side;
providing a plurality of first thermal elements configured to receive heat from a first fluid;
providing a plurality of second thermal elements configured to be cooled by a second fluid;
arranging the first and second thermal elements in a stack of alternating first and second thermal elements having one of the thermoelectric modules between each adjacent pair of first and second thermal elements, each thermoelectric module in contact on its first side with one of the first thermal elements and in contact on its second side with one of the second thermal elements such that no face of any thermal element contacts more than one of the thermoelectric modules.
17 . The method of fabricating a thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 16 , the method further comprising:
providing a first fluid inlet manifold configured to receive the first fluid and distribute it to the plurality of first thermal elements.
18 . The method of fabricating a thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 16 , the method further comprising:
providing a second fluid inlet manifold configured to receive the second fluid and distribute it to the plurality of second thermal elements.
19 . The method of fabricating a thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 16 , the method further comprising:
providing a first fluid outlet manifold configured to receive the first fluid from the plurality of first thermal elements and carry the first fluid away from the thermoelectric generator.
20 . The method of fabricating a thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 16 , the method further comprising:
providing a second fluid outlet manifold configured to receive the second fluid from the plurality of second thermal elements and carry the second fluid away from the thermoelectric generator.
21 . The method of fabricating a thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 16 , the method further comprising:
connecting each thermal element to a fluid inlet manifold and to a fluid outlet manifold.
22 . The method of fabricating a thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power from a difference in temperature as recited in claim 16 , the method further comprising:
clamping the stack of first thermal elements, second thermal elements, and thermoelectric modules, so that that stack is held in compression.