Energy harvesting survey apparatus and method of detecting thermal energy
First Claim
1. An energy harvesting survey apparatus comprising:
- a casing comprising a proximal end coupled to a machine that is configured to produce thermal energy and a distal end positioned a predefined distance from the proximal end;
at least one first sensor coupled to the proximal end of the casing, wherein the at least one first sensor is configured to detect a temperature of a surface of the machine;
at least one second sensor coupled to the distal end of the casing, wherein the at least one second sensor is configured to detect a temperature of ambient air substantially surrounding the machine;
a circuit coupled to the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor, wherein the circuit is configured to generate at least one output representative of an expected power output of a thermoelectric generator coupled to the machine as a function of the detected machine surface temperature and the detected ambient air temperature; and
a display device coupled to the circuit, wherein the display device is configured to display the at least one output, and wherein the display device and the circuit are disposed within the casing and between the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor.
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Abstract
An energy harvesting survey apparatus includes a main body having a first end positioned proximate to a machine configured to produce thermal energy and a second end positioned a predefined distance from the first end. At least one first sensor is coupled to the first end and is configured to detect a temperature of a surface of the machine. At least one second sensor is coupled to the second end and is configured to detect a temperature of ambient air substantially surrounding the machine. A circuit is coupled to the first and second sensors, and is configured to generate at least one output representative of an expected power output of a thermoelectric generator coupled to the machine based at least in part on the detected machine surface temperature and the detected ambient air temperature. A display device is coupled to the circuit and is configured to display the output.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An energy harvesting survey apparatus comprising:
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a casing comprising a proximal end coupled to a machine that is configured to produce thermal energy and a distal end positioned a predefined distance from the proximal end; at least one first sensor coupled to the proximal end of the casing, wherein the at least one first sensor is configured to detect a temperature of a surface of the machine; at least one second sensor coupled to the distal end of the casing, wherein the at least one second sensor is configured to detect a temperature of ambient air substantially surrounding the machine; a circuit coupled to the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor, wherein the circuit is configured to generate at least one output representative of an expected power output of a thermoelectric generator coupled to the machine as a function of the detected machine surface temperature and the detected ambient air temperature; and a display device coupled to the circuit, wherein the display device is configured to display the at least one output, and wherein the display device and the circuit are disposed within the casing and between the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An energy harvesting survey system comprising:
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a machine configured to generate thermal energy; and an energy harvesting survey apparatus coupled to the machine, the energy harvesting survey apparatus comprising; a casing comprising a proximal end positioned proximate to the machine and a distal end positioned a predefined distance from the proximal end; at least one first sensor coupled to the proximal end of the casing, wherein the at least one first sensor is configured to detect a temperature of a surface of the machine; at least one second sensor coupled to the distal end of the casing, wherein the at least one second sensor is configured to detect a temperature of ambient air substantially surrounding the machine; a circuit coupled to the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor, wherein the circuit is configured to generate at least one output representative of an expected power output of a thermoelectric generator coupled to the machine as a function of the detected machine surface temperature and the detected ambient air temperature; and a display device coupled to the circuit, wherein the display device is configured to display the at least one output, and wherein the display device and the circuit are disposed within the casing and between the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification