Thermoelectric power generator for variable thermal power source
First Claim
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1. A thermoelectric power generation system comprising:
- a thermoelectric generator having an input adapted to receive a varying thermal power from a thermal power source, and further having an output adapted to move waste heat from the thermoelectric generator, the thermal power source comprising an engine;
a thermal power delivery system adapted to selectively deliver the waste heat from the thermoelectric generator to at least two locations; and
a controller in communication with the delivery system, the controller programmed to respond to information regarding at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of fuel mass flow rate and air mass flow rate by selecting at least one of the at least two locations for delivery of the waste heat by the delivery system such that the thermoelectric generator operates substantially efficiently as the thermal power received by the thermoelectric generator varies.
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Abstract
Traditional power generation systems using thermoelectric power generators are designed to operate most efficiently for a single operating condition. The present invention provides a power generation system in which the characteristics of the thermoelectrics, the flow of the thermal power, and the operational characteristics of the power generator are monitored and controlled such that higher operation efficiencies and/or higher output powers can be maintained with variably thermal power input. Such a system is particularly beneficial in variable thermal power source systems, such as recovering power from the waste heat generated in the exhaust of combustion engines.
221 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A thermoelectric power generation system comprising:
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a thermoelectric generator having an input adapted to receive a varying thermal power from a thermal power source, and further having an output adapted to move waste heat from the thermoelectric generator, the thermal power source comprising an engine; a thermal power delivery system adapted to selectively deliver the waste heat from the thermoelectric generator to at least two locations; and a controller in communication with the delivery system, the controller programmed to respond to information regarding at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of fuel mass flow rate and air mass flow rate by selecting at least one of the at least two locations for delivery of the waste heat by the delivery system such that the thermoelectric generator operates substantially efficiently as the thermal power received by the thermoelectric generator varies. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A thermoelectric power generation system comprising:
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a thermoelectric generator having an input adapted to receive a varying thermal power from a thermal power source, and further having an output adapted to move waste heat from the thermoelectric generator to a cold-side working fluid; a thermal power delivery system adapted to selectively deliver thermal power to at least two locations; and a controller in communication with the delivery system, the controller programmed to utilize information regarding a pressure of the cold-side working fluid to select at least one of the at least two locations for delivery of the thermal power by the delivery system such that the thermoelectric generator operates substantially efficiently as the thermal power received by the thermoelectric generator varies. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification