Module Comprising A Thermoelectric Generator, As Well As Power Source

• US 20100116307A1
• Filed: 05/15/2007
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fokker Aerostructures B.V. (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Stork Fokker AESP BV (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Tuinstra, Bouke Fokkes, Hagg, Franklin
• Granted Patent: US 8,362,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/205
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/13 characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/17 characterised by the structure or configuration of the cell or thermocouple forming the device

Abstract

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a TEG module, in particular for a power source (10), comprising a space (14) at least partially delimited by walls (16), at least one thermoelectric generator (20) for the conversion of heat into electricity, in which at least one electrically insulated wall part is in thermally conducting contact with a first side (52) of the thermo-electric generator (20), and the second side (54) is in heat-exchanging connection with an electrically insulated discharge element (12) for discharging heat used by the thermoelectric generator, as well as electrical conductors connected to the first and second side respectively (52, 54) for the conduction of generated electricity, with thermally conducting pressure means for applying pressure to the said second side being provided between the second side (54) and the discharge element (12), the said means comprises a thermally conducting flexible container (50), which is filled with a pressure medium in a state of over-pressure.

Claims

1. TEG module comprising a space at least partially delimited by walls, at least one thermoelectric generator for the conversion of heat into electricity, wherein at least one electrically insulated wall part of the said space is in thermally conducting contact with a first side of the thermoelectric generator, and the second side of the thermoelectric generator is in heat-exchanging connection with an electrically insulated discharge element for discharging heat used by the thermoelectric generator, as well as electrical conductors connected to the first and second side respectively of the thermoelectric generator for the conduction of electricity generated by the thermoelectric generator, with thermally conducting pressure means for applying pressure to the said second side being provided between the second side of the thermoelectric generator and the discharge element, the said means comprises a thermally conducting flexible container, which is filled with a pressure medium in a state of overpressure.

2. Module according to claim 1, wherein the flexible container is made of metal foil.

3. Module according to claim 1, wherein the pressure medium is a thermally conducting fluid.

4. Module according to claim 1, further comprising control means for regulating the pressure of the pressure medium in a state of overpressure in the flexible container.

5. Module according to claim 4, wherein the control means are equipped for dynamic control of the pressure of the pressure medium in a state of overpressure.

6. Module according to claim 4, wherein the control means are equipped to keep the pressure medium under a constant pressure.

7. Module according to claim 1, wherein the pressure of the pressure medium is greater than 2 bar.

17. Use of a TEG module according to claim 1 in an exhaust system of a motor vehicle.

18. Module according to claim 1, wherein the module is for a power source.

8. Power source comprising a combustion chamber at least partially delimited by walls, a thermoelectric generator for the conversion of energy liberated by combustion into electricity, a burner mounted in the chamber provided with a fuel supply, an air supply for supplying combustion air, as well as an air outlet for discharging combustion gases out of the combustion chamber, wherein at least one electrically insulated wall part of the combustion chamber is in thermally conducting contact with a first side of the thermoelectric generator , and a second side of the thermoelectric generator is in heat-exchanging connection with an electrically insulated discharge element for discharging heat consumed by the thermoelectric generator, electrical conductors connected to the first and second side respectively of the thermoelectric generator for the conduction of electricity generated by the thermoelectric generator, with thermally conducting means for applying pressure to the said second side of the thermoelectric generator being provided between the second side of the thermoelectric generator and the discharge element, the said means containing a flexible container, which is filled with a pressure medium in a state of over-pressure.

9. Power source according to claim 8, wherein the container is made of metal foil.

10. Power source according to claim 8, wherein the pressure medium is a thermally conducting fluid.

11. Power source according to claim 8, which contains in the said container control means for regulating the pressure of the pressure medium in a state of overpressure.

12. Power source according to claim 11, wherein the control means are equipped for dynamic control of the pressure of the pressure medium in a state of overpressure.

13. Power source according to claim 11, wherein the control means are equipped to keep the pressure medium under a constant pressure.

14. Power source according to claim 8, wherein the pressure of the pressure medium is greater than 2 bar.

15. Power source according to claim 8, wherein the discharge element comprises a cooler for forced cooling.

16. Power source according to claim 8, further comprising a heat recovery section for recovering heat from the combustion gases.

19. Power source according to claim 8, wherein the power source is portable.