Thermoelectric generator assembly for field process devices

• US 20080083445A1
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Chakraborty, Swapan
• Granted Patent: US 8,188,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/205
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/02 in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes heat pipes used in solar heat collectors F24S10/95; in radiators F28D1/0226; in nuclear reactors G21C15/257
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/025 having non-capillary condensate return means
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0275 Arrangements for coupling heat-pipes together or with other structures, e.g. with base blocks; Heat pipe cores
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/13 characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction

Abstract

A thermoelectric generator assembly includes a thermoelectric generator with hot and cold junction flanges. The hot junction flange includes an adapter shaped for thermally coupling to a process vessel. The thermoelectric generator producing a thermoelectric power output. A heat sink thermally couples to ambient air and has a heat sink flange. A heat pipe assembly includes fluid in a circulation chamber. The circulation chamber has an evaporator flange mounted to the cold junction flange and a condenser flange mounted to the heat sink flange. At least a portion of the fluid transports heat from the evaporator flange to the condenser flange. When a heat pipe assembly on a cold junction flange is used with many of the types of heat flows that are available in process industries, more efficient thermoelectric power generation can be provided in the process industries.

Claims

1. A thermoelectric generator assembly, comprising:

a thermoelectric generator having spaced-apart hot and cold junction flanges, the hot junction flange having an adapter shaped for thermally coupling to a process vessel, and the thermoelectric generator producing a thermoelectric power output at a power level that is at least 150 milliwatts;

a heat sink thermally coupled to ambient air and having a heat sink flange; and

a heat pipe assembly comprising a fluid in a circulation chamber, the circulation chamber having an evaporator flange mounted to the cold junction flange and a condenser flange mounted to the heat sink flange, at least a portion of the fluid transporting heat from the evaporator flange to the condenser flange.

2. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein interposing of the heat pipe assembly between the cold junction flange and the heat sink increases efficiency and maintains a delta T of at least 50 degrees centigrade in a hot junction temperature range around 100 degrees centigrade.

3. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein interposing of the heat pipe assembly between the cold junction flange and the heat sink enhances delta T by at least 25% in a hot junction temperature range around 100 degrees centigrade.

4. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the voltage level is at least 6 volts in a hot junction temperature range around 100 degrees centigrade.

5. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric power output is at least 150 milliwatts in a hot junction temperature range around 100 degrees centigrade.

6. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the fluid has a composition that is adapted to a hot junction temperature range between 50 degrees centigrade and 105 degrees centigrade.

7. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the fluid comprises a mixture of alcohol, water, pressurized gas or other heat conducting fluid.

8. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the circulation chamber comprises an interior chamber surface that is a porous surface.

9. the thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the circulation chamber comprises an interior chamber that includes capillaries.

10. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the circulation chamber comprises a central tube aligned vertically over the evaporator flange.

11. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric generator provides power to process devices and sensors in remote industrial/domestic locations.

12. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 and comprising a field process transmitter receiving the thermoelectric power output.

13. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 12 wherein the field process transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter.

14. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 and comprising a wireless transceiver receiving the thermoelectric power output.

15. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric generator comprises a thermoelectric element formed of a semiconductor materials comprising Si, Ge or alloys thereof.

16. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 14 wherein the semiconductor materials comprise chalcogenides of Bi, Sb, Te, Se or alloys thereof.

17. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric generator is adapted for corrosive environments up to 450 degrees centigrade.

18. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a field instrument that is powered by the thermoelectric power output, the field instrument being free of a battery.

19. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a field instrument that is powered by the thermoelectric power output, the field instrument being free of a voltage multiplier circuit for generating potential differences larger than the voltage level.

20. A thermoelectric generator assembly, comprising:

a thermoelectric generator having spaced-apart hot and cold junction flanges, the hot junction flange including a shape that is thermally couplable to a process vessel shape, and the thermoelectric generator producing a thermoelectric power output at a power level that is at least 150 milliwatts;

a heat sink thermally coupled to ambient air and having a heat sink flange; and

heat pipe means for evaporating a fluid in a circulation chamber to transport heat from the cold junction flange to the heat sink flange.

21. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 20 wherein the heat pipe means comprises an evaporator flange coupled to the cold junction flange.

22. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 20 wherein the thermoelectric power output is at least 6 volts.

23. A method of providing a thermoelectric power output, comprising:

shaping a hot junction flange adapter to couple to a process vessel shape;

providing a thermoelectric generator having spaced-apart hot and cold junction flanges;

thermally coupling the hot junction flange to the hot junction flange adapter;

providing a heat sink with a heat sink flange coupled to the cold junction flange;

mounting a heat pipe assembly to the heat sink; and

providing the thermoelectric power output at a power level that is at least 150 milliwatts.

24. The method of claim 23 and shaping the hot junction flange adapter in a cylindrical arc that fits a process vessel.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the thermoelectric power output is at least 6 volts.

26. A thermoelectric generator assembly, comprising:

a thermoelectric generator having spaced-apart hot and cold sides, the hot side having an adapter shaped for thermally coupling to a process vessel, the cold side coupling to a heat conducting member, and the thermoelectric generator producing a thermoelectric power output of at least 150 milliwatts; and

a field device energized by the thermoelectric power output, the field device converting a process variable and communicating process information via a digital protocol.

27. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 26, wherein the digital protocol is selected from the group of field protocols:

Hart and Fieldbus.

28. The thermoelectric generator assembly of claim 26 further comprising a heat pipe assembly comprising a fluid in a circulation chamber, the circulation chamber having an evaporator flange mounted to the cold side and a condenser flange mounted to a heat sink, at least a portion of the fluid transporting heat from the evaporator flange to the condenser flange.