Self-Powered Electrical System

• US 20100012165A1
• Filed: 07/14/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mark Bedard
• Original Assignee: Mark Bedard
• Inventors: Bedard, Mark
• Application Number:
  US12/502,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20100012165A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/205
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0786 Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 13/00 Electric lighting devices with built-in electric generators with solar cells F21L4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/10 operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects

Abstract

A portable self-powered electrical system for converting heat energy into electrical energy to power one or more electric devices, the portable self-powered electrical system comprises a housing, a thermoelectric device positioned in the housing, and a power transfer medium, wherein the thermoelectric device converts heat energy from a heat source into electrical energy for providing power to at least one electronic device via a power transfer medium.

Claims

1. A portable self-powered electrical system comprising:

a housing module;

a thermoelectric device positioned in the housing module; and

a power transfer medium, the thermoelectric device providing power to at least one electronic device via the power transfer medium;

wherein the thermoelectric device converts heat energy from a heat source into electrical energy.

2. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device includes a heat sink exposed from a first side of the housing module and a cold sink positioned on a second side of the housing module.

3. The electrical system of claim 2, wherein said cold sink includes a plurality of heat radiating surfaces.

4. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device utilizes the Seebeck effect to convert heat energy from the heat source into electrical energy.

5. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the power transfer medium is a power cable.

6. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the power transfer medium is air.

7. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the housing module is affixed to a barbecue grill.

8. The electrical system of claim 7, wherein the housing module is magnetic such that the housing module can be magnetically affixed to a barbecue grill formed or partially formed from a material having magnetic properties.

9. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the housing module is affixed to a shower or water faucet.

10. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic device includes one of:

a. a personal digital assistant;

b. a laptop computer;

c. a flashlight;

d. a light emitting diode;

e. a radio;

f. a motor;

or

g. a cooler;

11. A portable self-powered lighting system comprising:

a housing;

a thermoelectric device positioned in the housing; and

an arm connected to the housing, the thermoelectric device providing power via the arm to the one or more light fixtures;

wherein the thermoelectric device converts heat energy from a heat source into electrical energy to power at least one light.

12. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the thermoelectric device includes a heat sink exposed from a first side of the housing and a cold sink positioned on a second side of the housing.

13. The lighting system of claim 12, wherein said cold sink includes a plurality of heat radiating surfaces.

14. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the one or more light fixtures include one or more light emitting diode lights electrically connected to the thermoelectric device.

15. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the arm is flexible and can be shaped to provide a desired positioning of the one or more light fixtures.

16. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the housing is affixed to a barbecue grill.

17. The lighting system of claim 16, wherein the housing is magnetic such that the housing can be magnetically affixed to a barbecue grill formed or partially formed from a material having magnetic properties

18. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the housing is affixed to the barbecue grill via a hook and strap.

19. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the housing is affixed to a shower or water faucet.

20. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the thermoelectric device utilizes the Seebeck effect to convert heat energy from a heat source into electrical energy.