Thermoelectric power generating systems utilizing segmented thermoelectric elements
First Claim
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1. A thermoelectric system comprising:
- a first thermoelectric element, the first thermoelectric element has a first thickness along a first direction that is along a direction of electrical current flow through the first thermoelectric element, a first cross-sectional area in a plane generally perpendicular to the first direction, and a first aspect ratio equal to the first cross-sectional area divided by the first thickness;
a second thermoelectric element having an opposite conductivity type as the first thermoelectric element, the second thermoelectric element has a second thickness along a second direction that is along a direction of electrical current flow through the second thermoelectric element, a second cross-sectional area in a plane generally perpendicular to the second direction, and a second aspect ratio equal to the second cross-sectional area divided by the second thickness, wherein at least one of the first aspect ratio is different than the second aspect ratio, the first thickness is different than the second thickness, and the first cross-sectional area is different than the second cross-sectional area; and
at least one first heat transfer device comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion sandwiched between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element, the second portion projecting away from the first portion, and wherein the thermoelectric system is configured to have at least some current flow between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element through the at least one first heat transfer device.
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Abstract
A thermoelectric system includes a first thermoelectric element including a first plurality of segments in electrical communication with one another. The thermoelectric system further includes a second thermoelectric element including a second plurality of segments in electrical communication with one another. The thermoelectric system further includes a heat transfer device including at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is sandwiched between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element. The second portion projects away from the first portion and configured to be in thermal communication with a working medium.
314 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A thermoelectric system comprising:
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a first thermoelectric element, the first thermoelectric element has a first thickness along a first direction that is along a direction of electrical current flow through the first thermoelectric element, a first cross-sectional area in a plane generally perpendicular to the first direction, and a first aspect ratio equal to the first cross-sectional area divided by the first thickness; a second thermoelectric element having an opposite conductivity type as the first thermoelectric element, the second thermoelectric element has a second thickness along a second direction that is along a direction of electrical current flow through the second thermoelectric element, a second cross-sectional area in a plane generally perpendicular to the second direction, and a second aspect ratio equal to the second cross-sectional area divided by the second thickness, wherein at least one of the first aspect ratio is different than the second aspect ratio, the first thickness is different than the second thickness, and the first cross-sectional area is different than the second cross-sectional area; and at least one first heat transfer device comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion sandwiched between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element, the second portion projecting away from the first portion, and wherein the thermoelectric system is configured to have at least some current flow between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element through the at least one first heat transfer device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of fabricating a thermoelectric system, the method comprising:
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providing a first thermoelectric element, the first thermoelectric element has a first thickness along a first direction that is along a direction of electrical current flow through the first thermoelectric element, a first cross-sectional area in a plane generally perpendicular to the first direction, and a first aspect ratio equal to the first cross-sectional area divided by the first thickness; providing a second thermoelectric element having an opposite conductivity type as the first thermoelectric element, the second thermoelectric element has a second thickness along a second direction that is along a direction of electrical current flow through the second thermoelectric element, a second cross-sectional area in a plane generally perpendicular to the second direction, and a second aspect ratio equal to the second cross-sectional area divided by the second thickness; selecting at least one of the first aspect ratio, the first thickness, and the first cross-sectional area, and at least one of the second aspect ratio, the second thickness, and the second cross-sectional to provide desired performance of the thermoelectric system; providing at least one first heat transfer device comprising at least a first portion and a second portion; and assembling the first thermoelectric element, the second thermoelectric element, and the at least one first heat transfer device to form at least one stack, wherein the first portions of the at least one first heat transfer device is sandwiched between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element, the second portion of the at least one first heat transfer device projecting away from the stack, and wherein the thermoelectric system is configured to have at least some current flow between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element through the at least one first heat transfer device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A thermoelectric system comprising:
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a first thermoelectric element, the first thermoelectric element comprises a plurality of segments in electrical communication with one another, wherein the plurality of segments comprises at least a first thermoelectric segment and a second thermoelectric segment, wherein each segment of the plurality of segments has an aspect ratio equal to a thickness of the segment divided by a cross-sectional area of the segment, wherein at least one of the thicknesses, the cross-sectional areas, and the aspect ratios of at least some of the segments of the plurality of segments are different from one another; a second thermoelectric element having an opposite conductivity type as the first thermoelectric element; and at least one first heat transfer device comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion sandwiched between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element, the second portion projecting away from the first portion, and wherein the thermoelectric system is configured to have at least some current flow between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element through the at least one first heat transfer device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification