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Energy harvesting survey apparatus and method of detecting thermal energy

  • US 9,322,723 B2
  • Filed: 07/10/2012
  • Issued: 04/26/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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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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