CAPTURING THERMOELECTRICITY FROM BEVERAGES

• US 20160284965A1
• Filed: 03/23/2016
• Published: 09/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Makotronics Enterprises Inc.
• Original Assignee: Arthur Makosinski
• Inventors: MAKOSINSKI, Ann, MAKOSINSKI, Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 10,573,799 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2227 with means for amusing or giving information to the user A47G23/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/17 characterised by the structure or configuration of the cell or thermocouple forming the device

Abstract

Provided is a portable, thermoelectrically powered device in form of a modified vessel and attachments, for extracting electricity from the temperature differential of liquids, slurries, and solids, and that of ambient air. The device utilizes two container surfaces with a temperature differential between them, and at least one thermoelectric generator in electrical communication with circuitry comprising at least one step up DC-DC voltage converter. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a second DC-DC voltage converter and a storage battery to provide electrical power at a selected voltage to external personal devices such as cell phones, iPods, flashlights, and tablets for recharging or operation of those external devices.

Claims

1. A portable, thermoelectric power generating and battery charging device comprising at least one thermoelectric generator and a first DC-to-DC voltage converter in a vessel, with at least one thermoelectric generator having a first side in thermal contact with an interior of the vessel and a second side in thermal contact with an ambient temperature, the thermoelectric generator utilizing a temperature difference between the first and second sides to generate electric power at a selected voltage.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the vessel is a dual wall mug or cup.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric generator is located in a base of the vessel.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric generator is located in a base of the vessel and the base is detachable.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the vessel includes a handle and thermoelectric generator converter and a storage battery are located in the handle.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a storage battery to store the generated electric power.

7. The device of claim 5 further comprising a second DC-to-DC voltage converter to alter a voltage output from the storage battery to a selected voltage.

8. A portable, thermoelectric power generating device, comprising at least two thermoelectric generators located between inner and outer walls of a vessel and utilizing a temperature difference between contents of the vessel and ambient temperature to generate electric power at a selected voltage.

9. A portable, thermoelectric power generating device comprising at least one thermoelectric generator located in a body, suitable for serving as a lid for a beverage vessel, the thermoelectric generator utilizing a temperature difference between a beverage in the vessel and ambient temperature to generate electric power at a selected voltage.

10. A portable, thermoelectric power generating device comprising at least one thermoelectric generator located in a body, suitable for serving as a coaster for a beverage vessel, the thermoelectric generator utilizing a temperature difference between a beverage in the vessel and ambient temperature of a surface to generate electric power at a selected voltage.

11. A portable, thermoelectric power generating device comprising at least one thermoelectric generator located in a body, suitable for serving as a coaster for a beverage vessel, the thermoelectric generator utilizing a temperature difference between a beverage in the vessel and ambient temperature of a surface to generate electric power and transmit the electric power wirelessly to a device utilizing a universal power charging standard.

12. A portable, thermoelectric power generating device and circuitry in electrical communication with the thermoelectric generator, the circuitry comprising at least first and second voltage converters, the first voltage converter operable to convert output of the thermoelectric generator from a range of about 0.2 volts to 1.3 volts up to at least 3.7 volts and the second voltage convertor operable to convert the at least 3.7 volts to at least 5 volts.