CARTRIDGE-BASED THERMOELECTRIC SYSTEMS
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Cartridge-based thermoelectric assemblies and systems are provided which include at least one shunt configured to extend around a conduit, a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication and in electrical communication with the at least one shunt with at least a portion of the at least one shunt sandwiched between the at least one first thermoelectric element and the at least one second thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric elements are electrically isolated from the conduit. The thermoelectric assemblies and systems further include at least one heat exchanger in thermal communication with the at least one shunt and configured to be in thermal communication with a second fluid.
34 Citations
83 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A thermoelectric system comprising:
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at least a portion of a generally tubular fluid conduit configured to allow a first fluid to flow through the at least a portion of the generally tubular fluid conduit along a direction; a first thermoelectric assembly and a second thermoelectric assembly, wherein each of the first thermoelectric assembly and the second thermoelectric assembly is in thermal communication with the conduit and comprises; at least one first shunt extending around the conduit; at least one first thermoelectric element in thermal communication and in electrical communication with the at least one first shunt; at least one second thermoelectric element in thermal communication and in electrical communication with the at least one first shunt, wherein at least a portion of the at least one first shunt is sandwiched between the at least one first thermoelectric element and the at least one second thermoelectric element, wherein the at least one first thermoelectric element and the at least one second thermoelectric element are electrically isolated from the conduit; and at least one heat exchanger in thermal communication with the at least one first shunt and in thermal communication with a second fluid; and at least one second shunt extending around the conduit and in thermal communication with the conduit, wherein at least a portion of the at least one second shunt is electrically isolated from the conduit and is in thermal communication with, in electrical communication with, and sandwiched between the at least one second thermoelectric element of the first thermoelectric assembly and the at least one first thermoelectric element of the second thermoelectric assembly, wherein the first thermoelectric assembly, the at least one second shunt, and the second thermoelectric assembly are in series electrical communication with one another such that the thermoelectric system has an electrical current flow path through the at least one first thermoelectric element of the first thermoelectric assembly, the at least one first shunt of the first thermoelectric assembly, the at least one second thermoelectric element of the first thermoelectric assembly, the at least one second shunt, the at least one first thermoelectric element of the second thermoelectric assembly, the at least one first shunt of the second thermoelectric assembly, and the at least one second thermoelectric element of the second thermoelectric assembly. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 27, 28, 33, 35, 37, 38, 44, 45, 46, 51, 52)
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24-26. -26. (canceled)
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29-32. -32. (canceled)
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34. (canceled)
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36. (canceled)
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39-43. -43. (canceled)
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47-50. -50. (canceled)
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53. (canceled)
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54. A thermoelectric system comprising:
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at least a portion of a generally tubular fluid conduit having a first fluid flowing through the at least a portion of the generally tubular fluid conduit along a direction; a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies, wherein each thermoelectric assembly of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies is in thermal communication with the conduit and comprises; at least one first shunt extending around the conduit; at least one first thermoelectric element in thermal communication and in electrical communication with the at least one first shunt; and at least one second thermoelectric element in thermal communication and in electrical communication with the at least one first shunt, wherein at least a portion of the at least one first shunt is sandwiched between the at least one first thermoelectric element and the at least one second thermoelectric element, wherein the at least one first thermoelectric element and the at least one second thermoelectric element are electrically isolated from the conduit; and a plurality of heat exchangers in thermal communication with the at least one first shunt and in thermal communication with a second fluid; and a plurality of second shunts, wherein each second shunt of the plurality of second shunts extends around the conduit and is in thermal communication with the conduit, wherein at least a portion of each second shunt of the plurality of second shunts is electrically isolated from the conduit and is in thermal communication with, in electrical communication with, and sandwiched between two thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies, wherein at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies and at least some of the plurality of second shunts are in series electrical communication with one another. - View Dependent Claims (55, 57, 58, 60, 63, 64, 66, 68, 69, 74, 80, 81, 82)
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56. (canceled)
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59. (canceled)
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61-62. -62. (canceled)
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65. (canceled)
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67. (canceled)
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70-73. -73. (canceled)
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75-79. -79. (canceled)
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83-146. -146. (canceled)
Specification