Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Thermoelectric – Electric power generator
Patent
1997-12-12
1999-07-27
Gorgos, Kathryn
Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
Thermoelectric
Electric power generator
136205, H01L 3528
Patent
active
059293721
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an electric generator, of the type including thermoelectric cells with semi-conductor elements, which uses the Seebeck effect and especially an underwater electric generator intended to equip drilling well heads.
For the power supply of the equipment (valves, instruments, etc.) of oil drilling wells, such electric generators are known which use the thermoelectric effect due to the difference of temperature between the extracted products, i.e oil, having a relatively high temperature (over 40.degree. C.), which flow off into a drilling duct or pipe, and the underwater medium surrounding this duct at a much lower temperature, approximately a few degrees. Layers of thermo-elements are arranged concentrically in sleeves along the pipe and electrically connected in series or in parallel to produce a power supply. The surfaces of thermal exchange of these cells are tangential in relation to the circular section of the duct.
This arrangement limits the number of cells which can be disposed by unit of duct length. Thus, it is difficult to have more than eight cells on standard size pipes, for instance with a 150 mm diameter. As a result, the power supply provided by such a generator is notably reduced.
Another disadvantage of this assembly is that the performance in pressure of the thermoelectric cells is not guaranteed when the generator is very deeply immersed, as deep as 2,000 m on some sites.
Finally, the thermal exchanges inside the duct are not optimised.
The present invention remedies these disadvantages by proposing a thermoelectric generator which can provide increased electrical power and which can be immersed at great depths, for example down to 2,000 m especially on some oil drilling wells.
Therefore the objective of the invention is an electric generator, of the type including thermoelectric cells electrically attached and insulated between both walls of a duct separating a moving internal fluid and an external fluid having a temperature different from that of the internal fluid, characterised in that the thermoelectric cells are positioned in such a way that their surfaces of thermal exchange are approximately perpendicular to the outflow direction of the internal fluid.
According to an advantageous characteristic, the thermoelectric cells are positioned on both faces of a flared flange radially clamped onto the duct.
In one type of embodiment, the generator according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises at least one annular clip clamping and electrically insulating from the external fluid at least one flared flange and the thermoelectric cells which are positioned there.
Preferably, the generator comprises a tight stacking of flared flanges and clamping clips, located along the duct.
Other advantages of an electric generator according to the present invention will appear in the following description of a non limitative embodiment, in reference to the appended drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of a generator,
FIG. 2 is a section according to AA of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 shows a detailed section of embodiment according to AA of FIG. 2,
FIG. 4 schematizes the electric wiring associated with the generator.
FIG. 1 shows the thermoelectric generator having the general shape of a sleeve 1 around a duct or pipe 2 belonging to a well head, not represented, immersed in sea water 3. Duct 2 contains a liquid product 4, here oil, extracted by drilling, circulating for example in the direction of arrow F.
The sleeve comprises a central tube 2, for example made of steel, on which flared flanges 6, made of copper for example, are radially attached. The flared flanges are held on the central tube by a known wedge bolt system 7 located along the duct. Thermoelectric cells 8 are located on each face of a flared flange 6. There are, for example 13 of them on each face, regularly distributed, near the peripheral part of flared flange 6. They are wired in series and connected to cable 5, as shown in FIG. 2.
It is well known that each thermoelectric cell is a fl
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Burnouf Gerard
Dubourdieu Philippe
Mesnil Tony
Oudoire Philippe
Tribou Gery
Etat Francais Represente Par Delegue General pour l'Armement
Gorgos Kathryn
Smith-Hicks Erica
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