Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Thermoelectric – Electric power generator
Patent
1998-09-02
2000-03-07
Gorgos, Kathyrn
Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
Thermoelectric
Electric power generator
136204, 136211, 136212, 136230, H01L 3530
Patent
active
060343184
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention refers to a thermoelectric generator unit comprising a plurality of thermoelectric elements of alternately p and n character and electrically series connected by means of metal connector members, the elements having essentially cylindrical shape.
Thermoelectric elements are known since long and various attempts-have been made to provide by means of such elements an electric current in connection with heat generation in combustion devices of various kinds. One of the most recent examples is the U.S. Pat. No. A 5,450,869 to the Brittain et al. Since it is in the interface area between elements of p and n character that the current is generated dependent on the temperature difference between the two sides of the elements, it is aimed at providing a great number of very small elements which are to be kept electrically connected with each other in a reliable manner. Previously, this has implied dealing with a very large number of small details which makes it very time-consuming to put together such thermoelectric generators. The invention, according to the above-mentioned publication, had for its primary object to allow a substantial reduction of the number of parts involved in the thermoelectric generator without risk for excessive interface resistances between the elements or interruptions.
However, the suggestion according to said US patent specification was not either suitable for modern industrial mass production.
In order to provide for a mass production of such thermoelectric generators in a way quite different from previous ideas it is now suggested according to the present invention to form the connector members as plates, on one side of which are made two substantially semi-cylindrical and parallel seats for thermoelectric elements, which connector members are adapted to be placed with said seats facing each other to either side of a row of elements with opposed plates mutually offset one seat width longitudinally of the row so as to form a continuous winding serial path for the generated current, the plates on one side of the element row being adapted to face a heat source while the plates on the opposite side are facing a heat sink.
The invention now allows in a much more advantageous way than previously a manufacture of thermoelectric generators compiled of generator units of cassette type which easily can be adapted to various uses, not only in connection with combustion chambers in parking heaters for vehicles but also in almost all occasions in which a hot surface is available on which the inventive generator unit can be located.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates the basic cassette-like construction of a unit according to the invention in an exploded perspective view;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through a parking heater in which a plurality of cassette-like generator units are used and;
FIG. 3 is a cross section of the same heater.
As is evident from FIG. 1 a plurality of thermoelectric elements 1 of alternately p and n character are arranged in rows and electrically connected in series by means of connector members 2. In a similar way as in the structure according to the above-stated US patent specification the thermoelectric elements 1 which are made of e.g. lead and tellurium and a doping agent have a cylindrical shape and a length approximately corresponding to their diameter. Dependent on the intended use and the temperature interval other materials with known thermoelectric character may be chosen. Unlike said prior design said cylindrical elements 1 are not to be mounted standing between connector members but according to the present invention the latter have the shape of a plate on one side of which are made two essentially half-cylindrical parallel seats 3 for thermoelectric elements 1. Said plates 2 are intended to be mounted with said seats 3 facing each other on either side of a row of elements 1, opposed plates 2 being mutually off-set o
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Holmgren Lennart
Lycke Hans
Gorgos Kathyrn
Parsons Thomas
Volvo Aero Corporation
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