Method, System, and apparatus for selectively transferring thermoelectrically generated electric power to nuclear reactor operation systems

• US 20100260309A1
• Filed: 09/29/2009
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TerraPower LLC
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Walter, Joshua C., Weaver, Thomas Allan, Wood, Victoria Y.H.
• Granted Patent: US 9,892,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 376/299
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 1/026 Reactors not needing refueling, i.e. reactors of the type breed-and-burn, e.g. travelling or deflagration wave reactors or seed-blanket reactors
• CPC Class Codes: G21D 1/02 Arrangements of auxiliary equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G21D 7/04 using thermoelectric elements or thermoionic convertersstructural combination of fuel element with thermoelectric element or with thermoionic converters G21C3/40 , G21H1/10; thermoelectric elements per se H10N10/00, H10N15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/00 Energy generation of nuclear origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/30 Nuclear fission reactors

Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus for the selective transfer of thermoelectrically generated electric power to operation systems of a nuclear reactor system including thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy and selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

means for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy; and

means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the means for, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to at least one signal from a first operation system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one additional operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one monitoring system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one safety system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one security system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, the at least one additional operation system responsive to at least one internal condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, the at least one additional operation system responsive to at least one external condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

15. The system of claim 5, wherein the means for, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operator, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

16. The system of claim 5, wherein the means for, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to at least one shutdown event, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

19. The system of claim 5, wherein the means for, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for, responsive to a pre-selected transfer start time, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the activation circuitry for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

coupling circuitry for selectively coupling a first thermoelectric device to a first operation system of the nuclear reactor system and at least one additional thermoelectric device to at least one additional operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the activation circuitry for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

coupling circuitry for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric junction for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

42. The system of claim 29, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric module for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

43. The system of claim 29, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with a first portion of the nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the nuclear reactor system.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with a first portion of the nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the nuclear reactor system, comprises:

at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with at least one heat source of the nuclear reactor system.

49. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one control system of the nuclear reactor system.

52. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one monitoring system of the nuclear reactor system.

53. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the nuclear reactor system.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a coolant pool of the nuclear reactor system.

56. The system of claim 54, wherein the means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a primary coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system.

58. The system of claim 56, wherein the means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a secondary coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system.

65. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one shutdown system of the nuclear reactor system.

66. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one warning system of the nuclear reactor system.

67. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for at least partially driving at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

73. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for protecting the at least one thermoelectric device.

78. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for selectively augmenting the at least one thermoelectric device.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein the means for selectively augmenting the at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

at least one reserve thermoelectric device and reserve actuation circuitry for selectively augmenting the at least one thermoelectric device, the reserve actuation circuitry configured to selectively couple the at least one reserve thermoelectric device to the at least one thermoelectric device.

81. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for modifying the at least one thermoelectric device output.

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84. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy; and

activation circuitry for selectively transferring the electrical energy from at least one electrical output of the at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

88. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the activation circuitry for selectively transferring the electrical energy from at least one electrical output of the at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

89. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein the activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

90. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein the activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from a first operation system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one additional operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

91. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein the activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one monitoring system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

92. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein the activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one safety system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

93. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein the activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one security system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

94. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein the activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

96. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, the at least one additional operation system responsive to at least one internal condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

97. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, the at least one additional operation system responsive to at least one external condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

98. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein the activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operator, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

99. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein the activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one shutdown event, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

102. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein the activation circuitry for, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

activation circuitry for, responsive to a pre-selected transfer start time, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

103. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the activation circuitry for selectively transferring the electrical energy from at least one electrical output of the at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

coupling circuitry for selectively coupling a first thermoelectric device to a first operation system of the nuclear reactor system and at least one additional thermoelectric device to at least one additional operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

104. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the activation circuitry for selectively transferring the electrical energy from at least one electrical output of the at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

coupling circuitry for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

105. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the coupling circuitry for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one transistor for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

106. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the coupling circuitry for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one relay system for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

107. The apparatus of claim 106, wherein the at least one relay system for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one electromagnetic relay system, at least one solid state relay system, or at least one transistor switched electromagnetic relay system for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

108. The apparatus of claim 106, wherein the at least one relay system for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one microprocessor controlled relay system for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

109. The apparatus of claim 108, wherein the at least one microprocessor controlled relay system for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one microprocessor controlled relay system programmed to respond to at least one external condition for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

110. The apparatus of claim 108, wherein the at least one microprocessor controlled relay system for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one microprocessor controlled relay system programmed to respond to at least one internal condition for selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

111. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric junction for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

116. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric device optimized for a specified range of operating characteristics for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

117. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

a first thermoelectric device optimized for a first range of operating characteristics and at least one additional thermoelectric device optimized for a second range of operating characteristics, the second range of operating characteristics different from the first range of operating characteristics, for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

118. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric device sized to meet at least one selected operational requirement of the nuclear reactor system for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

119. The apparatus of claim 118, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device sized to meet at least one selected operational requirement of the nuclear reactor system for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the at least one thermoelectric device sized to at least partially match the heat rejection of the at least one thermoelectric device with at least a portion of the heat produced by the nuclear reactor.

120. The apparatus of claim 118, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device sized to meet at least one selected operational requirement of the nuclear reactor system for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the at least one thermoelectric device sized to at least partially match the power requirements of at least one selected operation system.

121. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least two series coupled thermoelectric devices for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

122. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least two parallel coupled thermoelectric devices for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

123. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric module for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

124. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with a first portion of the nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the nuclear reactor system.

125. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with a first portion of the nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the nuclear reactor system, comprises:

at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with at least one heat source of the nuclear reactor system.

127. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with a first portion of the nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the nuclear reactor system, the second portion of the nuclear reactor system at a lower temperature than the first portion of the nuclear reactor system.

129. The apparatus of claim 84, further comprising:

at least one substance or at least one device for substantially optimizing the thermal conduction between a portion of at least one nuclear reactor system and a portion of at least one thermoelectric device.

130. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one control system of the nuclear reactor system.

133. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one monitoring system of the nuclear reactor system.

134. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system.

135. The apparatus of claim 134, wherein the at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one coolant pump of the nuclear reactor system.

136. The apparatus of claim 135, wherein the at least one coolant pump of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one coolant pump coupled to a coolant pool of the nuclear reactor system.

137. The apparatus of claim 135, wherein the at least one coolant pump of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one coolant pump coupled to a coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system.

138. The apparatus of claim 137, wherein the at least one coolant pump coupled to a coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one coolant pump coupled to a primary coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system.

139. The apparatus of claim 137, wherein the at least one coolant pump coupled to a coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one coolant pump coupled to a secondary coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system.

140. The apparatus of claim 134, wherein the at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one coolant system having at least one liquid coolant.

144. The apparatus of claim 134, wherein the at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one coolant system having at least one pressurized gas coolant.

145. The apparatus of claim 134, wherein the at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one coolant system having at least one mixed phase coolant.

146. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one shutdown system of the nuclear reactor system.

147. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one warning system of the nuclear reactor system.

153. The apparatus of claim 84, further comprising:

regulation circuitry for protecting the at least one thermoelectric device.

154. The apparatus of claim 153, wherein the regulation circuitry for protecting the at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

bypass circuitry for protecting the at least one thermoelectric device.

157. The apparatus of claim 84, further comprising:

at least one reserve thermoelectric device and reserve actuation circuitry for selectively augmenting the at least one thermoelectric device, the reserve actuation circuitry configured to selectively couple the at least one reserve thermoelectric device to the at least one thermoelectric device.

158. The apparatus of claim 157, wherein the at least one reserve thermoelectric device and reserve actuation circuitry for selectively augmenting the at least one thermoelectric device, the reserve actuation circuitry configured to selectively couple the at least one reserve thermoelectric device to the at least one thermoelectric device, comprises:

at least one relay system, at least one electromagnetic relay system, at least one solid state relay system, at least one transistor, at least one microprocessor controlled relay system, at least one microprocessor controlled relay system programmed to respond to at least one external condition, or at least one microprocessor controlled relay system programmed to respond to at least one internal condition for selectively coupling at least one reserve thermoelectric device to the at least one thermoelectric device.

159. The apparatus of claim 84, further comprising:

means for modifying the at least one thermoelectric device output.

160. The apparatus of claim 84, further comprising:

power management circuitry for modifying the at least one thermoelectric device output.

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