Thermoelectric generator assembly for field process devices
First Claim
1. A thermoelectric generator assembly, comprising:
- a thermoelectric generator having a thermoelectric element and spaced-apart hot and cold junction flanges that comprise flat plates that overhang the thermoelectric element, the hot junction flange having an adapter shaped for thermally coupling to a process vessel;
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 a rectangular box shape, an overhanging evaporator flange mounted to the cold junction flange, and an overhanging condenser flange mounted to the heat sink flange, at least a portion of the fluid transporting heat from the overhanging evaporator flange to the overhanging condenser flange, the heat pipe assembly further comprising first and second circulation walls that extend inside the rectangular box shape toward the overhanging evaporator flange and the overhanging condenser flange, the first and second circulation walls being spaced apart from one another to define a central upward flow chamber between inner sides of the first and second circulation walls and to define first and second peripheral downward flow chambers peripheral to outer sides of the first and second circulation walls.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A thermoelectric generator assembly, comprising:
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a thermoelectric generator having a thermoelectric element and spaced-apart hot and cold junction flanges that comprise flat plates that overhang the thermoelectric element, the hot junction flange having an adapter shaped for thermally coupling to a process vessel; 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 a rectangular box shape, an overhanging evaporator flange mounted to the cold junction flange, and an overhanging condenser flange mounted to the heat sink flange, at least a portion of the fluid transporting heat from the overhanging evaporator flange to the overhanging condenser flange, the heat pipe assembly further comprising first and second circulation walls that extend inside the rectangular box shape toward the overhanging evaporator flange and the overhanging condenser flange, the first and second circulation walls being spaced apart from one another to define a central upward flow chamber between inner sides of the first and second circulation walls and to define first and second peripheral downward flow chambers peripheral to outer sides of the first and second circulation walls. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A thermoelectric generator assembly, comprising:
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a thermoelectric generator having a thermoelectric element and spaced-apart hot and cold junction flanges that comprise flat plates that overhang the thermoelectric element, the hot junction flange including a shape that is thermally couplable to a process vessel shape; 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 that is evacuated except for the fluid to transport heat from the cold junction flange to the heat sink flange, the heat pipe means having a rectangular box shape and further comprising first and second circulation walls that extend inside the rectangular box shape toward an overhanging evaporator flange and an overhanging condenser flange, the first and second circulation walls being spaced apart from one another to define a central upward flow chamber between inner sides of the first and second circulation walls and to define first and second peripheral downward flow chambers peripheral to outer sides of the first and second circulation walls. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method of providing a thermoelectric power output, comprising:
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shaping a hot junction flange adapter to couple to a process vessel shape; providing a thermoelectric generator having a thermoelectric element and spaced-apart hot and cold junction flanges that comprise flat plates that overhang the thermoelectric element; 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; providing the heat pipe assembly with an evacuated circulation chamber surrounded by a peripheral wall; and providing the heat pipe assembly with a rectangular box shape and further providing first and second circulation walls that extend inside the rectangular box shape toward an overhanging evaporator flange and an overhanging condenser flange, the first and second circulation walls being spaced apart from one another to define a central upward flow chamber between inner sides of the first and second circulation walls and to define first and second peripheral downward flow chambers peripheral to outer sides of the first and second circulation walls. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification