Device and method for converting thermal energy into electrical energy
First Claim
1. A thermal-to-electrical energy conversion method, comprising:
- (a) subjecting a field-responsive material including a magnetocaloric material to a magnetic field to induce a temperature change in the field-responsive material;
(b) creating a temperature change in at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion component in thermal contact with the field-responsive material based on the temperature change in the field-responsive material;
(c) creating electrical energy in the at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion component based upon the temperature change experienced by the thermal to electrical energy conversion component and outputting the electrical energy created;
(d) removing the field from the field-responsive material to allow the field-responsive material and the at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion component to approach thermal equilibrium;
(e) repeating steps (a)-(d) to repeatedly create and output electrical energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method for using a field-responsive material that changes temperature when subjected to a respective field in combination with a thermal to electrical energy converter to accomplish the generation of electrical energy. The field-responsive material, such as an electrocaloric or magnetocaloric material, changes temperature when subjected to a change in a respective electric or magnetic field. The changing field applied to the field-responsive material causes a temperature change in the field-responsive material to heat or cool the field-responsive material. A thermal to electrical energy converter is in thermal contact with the field-responsive material, such that temperature changes in the field-responsive material in turn changes the temperature of the thermal to electrical energy converter, which the converter then converts into electrical energy. In this manner, the application of an appropriate electric or magnetic field can be utilized to generate thermal energy changes that can be converted into electrical energy.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A thermal-to-electrical energy conversion method, comprising:
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(a) subjecting a field-responsive material including a magnetocaloric material to a magnetic field to induce a temperature change in the field-responsive material; (b) creating a temperature change in at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion component in thermal contact with the field-responsive material based on the temperature change in the field-responsive material; (c) creating electrical energy in the at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion component based upon the temperature change experienced by the thermal to electrical energy conversion component and outputting the electrical energy created; (d) removing the field from the field-responsive material to allow the field-responsive material and the at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion component to approach thermal equilibrium; (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) to repeatedly create and output electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification