Thermoelectric energy conversion
First Claim
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1. A thermoelectric energy converter comprises:
- a thermoelectric circuit assembly having two parts respectively connected to terminals adapted to be coupled to an external power system;
a thermally non-conductive barrier mounted between said parts;
a structure for housing the thermoelectric assembly, said housing being bounded by heat transfer elements providing two external thermal interface surfaces and two internal thermal interface surfaces, there being layers of heat-conducting electrically non-conducting insulation separating the heat transfer elements from the thermoelectric circuit assembly,a first pair of thermocouple junctions included in said assembly, said junctions being formed by contact between metals having different thermoelectric properties and connected by these metals as part of a closed loop circuit, the thermocouple junctions being respectively in said parts of the assembly,a second pair of thermocouple junctions included in said assembly, formed by contact between metals having different thermoelectric properties and connected by these metals as part of a closed loop circuit, the thermocouple junctions being respectively in said parts of the assembly,a pair of capacitors having dielectric insulation, both capacitors being included in each of the closed loop circuits and both capacitors having their electrodes respectively connected in said two parts of the circuit assembly, whereby the capacitor dielectric insulation provides the thermally non-conductive barrier and whereby connection of the capacitors in both closed loop circuits provides alternative flow paths for capacitor current through different pairs of thermocouple junctions,circuit polarization means selectively responsive to the capacitor current flow direction positioned so as to divert at least some of the current through one pair of thermocouple junctions for current flow in one direction and through the other pair of thermocouple junctions for current flow in the opposite direction, andcircuit interrupter means connected between the circuit assembly and the terminals for varying the load impedance effective in the loop circuits at a rapid rate to set up current oscillations through the capacitors when thermoelectrically powered currents flow around the thermocouple loop circuits that are commensurately related to a temperature differential set up between the two heat transfer elements.
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Abstract
A thermoelectric energy converter incorporates thermocouples in a circuit carrying A. C. current via capacitors which provide electrical coupling but obstruct heat transfer between hot and cold junctions. The cyclic current oscillations through the capacitors are diverted by special circuits so as to be rendered asymmetric as current oscillations through the thermoelectric junctions. One such circuit includes the use of a diode configuration regulating current flow through different thermoelectric junctions spaced apart in the thermal gradient. Another involves the action of a unidirectional magnetic field having a polarizing effect on a three-metal thermoelectric junction.
49 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A thermoelectric energy converter comprises:
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a thermoelectric circuit assembly having two parts respectively connected to terminals adapted to be coupled to an external power system; a thermally non-conductive barrier mounted between said parts; a structure for housing the thermoelectric assembly, said housing being bounded by heat transfer elements providing two external thermal interface surfaces and two internal thermal interface surfaces, there being layers of heat-conducting electrically non-conducting insulation separating the heat transfer elements from the thermoelectric circuit assembly, a first pair of thermocouple junctions included in said assembly, said junctions being formed by contact between metals having different thermoelectric properties and connected by these metals as part of a closed loop circuit, the thermocouple junctions being respectively in said parts of the assembly, a second pair of thermocouple junctions included in said assembly, formed by contact between metals having different thermoelectric properties and connected by these metals as part of a closed loop circuit, the thermocouple junctions being respectively in said parts of the assembly, a pair of capacitors having dielectric insulation, both capacitors being included in each of the closed loop circuits and both capacitors having their electrodes respectively connected in said two parts of the circuit assembly, whereby the capacitor dielectric insulation provides the thermally non-conductive barrier and whereby connection of the capacitors in both closed loop circuits provides alternative flow paths for capacitor current through different pairs of thermocouple junctions, circuit polarization means selectively responsive to the capacitor current flow direction positioned so as to divert at least some of the current through one pair of thermocouple junctions for current flow in one direction and through the other pair of thermocouple junctions for current flow in the opposite direction, and circuit interrupter means connected between the circuit assembly and the terminals for varying the load impedance effective in the loop circuits at a rapid rate to set up current oscillations through the capacitors when thermoelectrically powered currents flow around the thermocouple loop circuits that are commensurately related to a temperature differential set up between the two heat transfer elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14)
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13. A thermoelectric energy converter comprising:
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a thermoelectric circuit assembly divided into two thermally-isolated parts separated by a thermally non-conductive barrier and connected to a pair of terminals adapted to be coupled to an external electric power system, a structure housing the thermoelectric circuit assembly and bounded by heat transfer elements providing two external thermal interface surface and two internal thermal interface surfaces, there being layers of heat-conducting electrically non-conducting insulation separating the heat transfer elements from the thermoelectric circuit assembly, a first pair of thermocouple junctions included in said assembly, formed by contact between metals having different thermoelectric properties and connected by these metals as part of a closed loop circuit, the thermocouple junctions being in circuit in different thermally, isolated parts of the assembly, a second pair of thermocouple junctions included in said assembly, formed by contact between metals having different thermoelectric properties and connected by these metals as part of a closed loop circuit, the thermocouple junctions being in circuit in different thermally-isolated parts of the assembly, a pair of capacitors, both capacitors being included in each of the closed loop circuits and both capacitors having their electrodes connected in different thermally-isolated parts of the circuit assembly, whereby the capacitor dielectric insulation provides the thermally non-conductive barrier and the common capacitor connection in both closed loop circuits provides alternative flow paths for the capacitor current through different pairs of thermocouple junctions, circuit polarization means selectively responsive to the capacitor current flow direction positioned to divert at least some of the current through one pair of thermocouple junctions for current flow in one direction and through the other pair of thermocouple junctions for current flow in the opposite direction, and a source of A.C. power connected across said terminals and having a frequency which is the same as the resonant frequency of the circuit assembly and is operative to set up current oscillations through the capacitors when thermoelectrically powered currents flow around the thermocouple loop circuits commensurately related to a temperature differential set up between the two heat transfer elements. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification