Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
136208000 | Plural junction concentrically or annularly arranged around source of temperature differential | 29 |
20110000516 | FLEXIBLE ASSEMBLIES WITH INTEGRATED THERMOELECTRIC MODULES SUITABLE FOR USE IN EXTRACTING POWER FROM OR DISSIPATING HEAT FROM FLUID CONDUITS - In one exemplary embodiment, an assembly includes one or more thermoelectric modules, a compliant thermal interface, and a heat spreader. The compliant thermal interface is configured such that it may substantially conform against and intimately thermally contact an outer surface of a fluid conduit. The heat spreader is disposed generally between and thermally coupled to the compliant thermal interface and the one or more thermoelectric modules. The heat spreader may have greater flexibility than the one or more thermoelectric modules. The heat spreader may also have a thermal conductivity greater than the compliant thermal interface. The assembly may have sufficient flexibility to be circumferentially wrapped at least partially around a portion of the fluid conduit's outer surface, with the compliant thermal interface in substantial conformance against and in intimate thermal contact with the fluid conduit's outer surface portion. Accordingly, a thermally-conducting heat path may thus be established from the fluid conduit to the one or more thermoelectric modules via the compliant thermal interface and the heat spreader. | 01-06-2011 |
20120204923 | THERMOELECTRIC PIPING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY - A thermoelectric piping apparatus and method for generating electricity as a byproduct of heat exchange. A thermoelectric coating can be applied on a tubular heat exchanger wall (e.g., a pipe) utilizing a thermoelectric coating process (e.g., spray-on coating) in order to capture waste heat from a heat source and generate an electrical energy. The thermoelectric coating can be a semiconductor material that can be applied to the tubular heat exchanger wall in a printed circuit format. The charge carriers with respect to the semiconductor material can be excited when heat flows through the thermoelectric coating which can be harvested to generate the electrical power. Wires can be attached to the thermoelectric coating to transmit the electrical energy generated as a byproduct of heat exchange to an electrical grid. | 08-16-2012 |
20120266930 | THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF - The invention provides a thermoelectric conversion module, which can implement a high power generation capacity and high reliability of electric connection between thermoelectric conversion elements and meet various diameters and lengths of a tube as a heat source. The thermoelectric conversion module includes a straight-chain module unit. In the module unit, plural P-type elements and plural N-type elements, which are alternately arrayed, are electrically connected in series by a braided wire A and a braided wire B. The braided wire A connects one end surface of the P-type element and one end surface of the N-type element. The braided wire B connects the other end surface of the P-type element and the other end surface of the N-type element. The braided wire B is shorter than the braided wire A. The thermoelectric conversion module including only the module unit is spirally wound around a tube as a heat source. | 10-25-2012 |
20130025644 | THERMOELECTRIC POWER GENERATION FROM POWER FEEDER - Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed to use thermoelectric generating (TEG) devices to generate electricity from heat generated by a power cable. An apparatus includes multiple thermoelectric generating (TEG) devices. Each of the TEG devices has a first surface configured to be positioned in thermal communication with an outer surface of the power cable and a second surface configured to be positioned proximate to an ambient environment around the power cable. The apparatus also includes a set of terminals electrically coupled to the TEG devices. When a temperature differential exists between the first surface and the second surface, the TEG devices convert heat into electricity presented at the set of terminals. | 01-31-2013 |
20130255742 | Thermoelectric transducer and heat exchange pipe - Thermoelectric elements of a thermoelectric transducer are p-doped and n-doped and are arranged alternately, connected electrically to one another and are formed essentially in the shape of a ring. | 10-03-2013 |
20130306126 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ELECTRICAL POWER - A mobile device for generating electrical power may include a combustion chamber and a heat sink. A TEC module is in thermal communication with the combustion chamber and the heat sink to transfer thermal energy from the combustion chamber to the heat sink. A heat flux across the TEC module causes electrical power to be generated. The mobile device may also include a fuel delivery system to feed fuel into the combustion chamber. A control system may be included to at least monitor and control delivery of fuel to the combustion chamber by the fuel delivery system and to control a temperature gradient across the TEC module to control the electrical power produced by the thermal-to-electric energy conversion device. | 11-21-2013 |
20130340803 | THERMOELECTRIC MODULE FOR A THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR OF A VEHICLE AND VEHICLE HAVING THERMOELECTRIC MODULES - A thermoelectric module includes an interrupted inner circumferential surface, an axis and an outer circumferential surface. A plurality of semiconductor elements having thermoelectric material are disposed in direction of the axis and between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface and are electrically alternately connected to each other. At least some of the semiconductor elements include at least one inner frame part or an outer frame part and at least the inner frame parts form the interrupted inner circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface also forms a cold side of the thermoelectric module and a dimensionally unstable sheath is provided at least at the interrupted inner circumferential surface. A vehicle having a plurality of thermoelectric modules is also provided. | 12-26-2013 |
20140299170 | THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE, ESPECIALLY INTENDED TO GENERATE AN ELECTRIC CURRENT IN AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE, AND PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING SAID DEVICE - The invention relates to a thermoelectric device comprising: a plurality of elements ( | 10-09-2014 |
20150083181 | THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR AND PRODUCTION METHOD FOR THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR - An exemplary thermoelectric generator disclosed herein includes: a first electrode and a second electrode opposing each other; and a stacked body having a first end face and a second end face. The stacked body is structured so that first layers made of a first material and second layers made of a second material are alternately stacked, the first material containing a metal and particles having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the metal, the particles being dispersed in the metal, and the second material having a higher Seebeck coefficient and a lower thermal conductivity than those of the first material. Planes of stacking between the first layers and the second layers are inclined with respect to a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode oppose each other. | 03-26-2015 |
20150107639 | THREAD WITH A THERMOELECTRIC MATERIAL, METHOD FOR PRODUCING A COMPONENT FOR A THERMOELECTRIC MODULE AND TUBULAR THERMOELECTRIC MODULE - A thread has an extent and at least partly includes a thermoelectric material. A method for producing a component for a thermoelectric module includes at least providing at least one thread having an extent, providing a tubular receptacle having an outer circumferential surface and winding the at least one thread around the tubular receptacle in such a way that at least one annular component for a thermoelectric module is formed on the outer circumferential surface. A tubular thermoelectric module is also provided. | 04-23-2015 |
20150303364 | Thermoelectrical Generator - A thermoelectric generator device includes an inner wall, a support wall and an outer wall which are polygonal in cross sections and concentric with one another to define a generally annular chamber on either side of the support wall. Thermoelectric modules are mounted in the support wall in communication with inner and outer ones of the two chambers to generate electrical power when subjected to a temperature differential between the chambers. Heat transfer fluids are communicated between the chambers and respective ones of a first temperature source and a second temperature source which are different from one another. The annular arrangement permits multiple thermoelectric modules to communicate with the heat transfer fluids with greater efficiency than prior art arrangements in which the modules are alternately stacked. | 10-22-2015 |
20150325767 | THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR - The invention relates to a thermoelectric generator ( | 11-12-2015 |
20150357546 | Thermoelectric Module And Device, In Particular Designed To Generate An Electric Current In A Motor Vehicle - The invention relates to a thermoelectric module comprising at least one annular thermoelectric element ( | 12-10-2015 |
20150364667 | COMBINED CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE AND THERMOELECTRIC STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION - An electrical power generation system consists of a ceramic hot face liner of a gas path enclosure thermally and mechanically connected to thermoelectric elements mounted on a conformal thermally conducting layer on the liner. Cooling channels connected to the backside of the thermoelectric elements provide a thermal gradient across the elements and resulting electrical power output. Clamps to maintain thermal and physical contact of all elements in the system are provided to maximize power generation. | 12-17-2015 |
20160111622 | FLEXIBLE THERMOELECTRIC MODULE APPARATUS - The present invention relates to a flexible thermoelectric module apparatus, and more particularly, to a flexible thermoelectric module apparatus including a heat sink longitudinally extending and a thermoelectric module disposed in the heat sink, in which the heat sink has a pipe-shaped body constituting a main body and a hole longitudinally formed through the center portion of the body, the thermoelectric module has a plurality of thermoelectric plates, the thermoelectric plates are plates having predetermined length and width, are arranged longitudinally in parallel with the heat sink, with a first side in the width direction connected to the inner side of the body and a second side disposed inside the hole, are arranged in parallel with each other at circumferentially predetermined distances from each other in the hole, and have a predetermined angle to the radial direction of the heat sink such that they are inclined at a predetermined angle therebetween. | 04-21-2016 |
20160111623 | THERMOELECTRIC MODULE APPARATUS - Provided is a thermoelectric module apparatus including: a pipe-shaped housing having a hole that is longitudinally formed; a thermoelectric module coupled to the housing; and heat sinks combined with the thermoelectric module, in which the pipe-shaped housing has a plurality of mount holes having predetermined width and length, longitudinally extending, and arranged circumferentially in parallel with each other, the thermoelectric module has a plurality of thermoelectric plates having predetermined width, length, and thickness, the housing is connected to first sides in the width direction of the thermoelectric plates, the thermoelectric plates are disposed in the mount holes respectively with a portion in the width direction inserted and exposed inside the hole as much as a predetermined width and a portion in the width direction protruding and exposed outside the housing as much as a predetermined width, and the heat sinks are connected to the portions exposed outside the housing. | 04-21-2016 |
20160118568 | Thermoelectric Element, Assembly and Module, In Particular Intended To Generate An Electric Current In A Motor Vehicle - The invention relates to a thermoelectric element comprising at least one opening and a set of apertures. The opening is designed to be in a thermal relationship with a hot source, and the apertures are designed to be in a thermal relationship with a cold source that is of a temperature that is lower than that of the hot source. The thermoelectric element is designed to generate an electric current under the action of a temperature gradient applied by the hot source and the cold source between the opening and the apertures. The invention also relates to a thermoelectric module comprising at least one thermoelectric element. | 04-28-2016 |
20160149108 | THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR - Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for constructing thermoelectric devices (TEDs). N-type elements are paired with P-type elements in an array of pairs between substrates. The paired elements are electrically connected in series by various techniques including brazing for hot side and/or also cold side connections, and soldering for cold side connections while being thermally connected in parallel. In selected embodiments, electrical and mechanical connections of the elements may be made solely by mechanical pressure. | 05-26-2016 |
20160172571 | ELECTRICITY GENERATION UNIT FOR CONVERTING HEAT INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY | 06-16-2016 |
136209000 | Plural concentrically arranged fluid source conduits | 10 |
20140048114 | Thermoelectric Device, In Particular Intended To Generate An Electric Current In A Motor Vehicle - The invention relates to a thermoelectric device, comprising a first circuit ( | 02-20-2014 |
20160190419 | Thermoelectric Module, In Particular Intended To Generate An Electric Current In A Motor Vehicle - A thermoelectric module ( | 06-30-2016 |
136210000 | At least one conduit for liquid coolant | 8 |
20110146743 | EXHAUST SYSTEM WITH THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR - The present invention relates to an exhaust system for a combustion engine, more preferably of a road vehicle, with at least one exhaust gas-conducting component having a ring-shaped closed inner wall in circumferential direction, whose inner side is exposed to the exhaust gas. | 06-23-2011 |
20120298163 | THERMOELECTRIC UNIT - A thermoelectric unit for electrically interconnecting a plurality of thermoelectric modules. The thermoelectric unit includes a first thermoelectric module having a plurality of interconnected thermoelectric elements, the first thermoelectric module being interposed between a main surface of an inner flat tube and a main surface of an outer flat tube of a double-walled cooling tube, a second thermoelectric module being interposed between a second main surface of the inner flat tube and a second main surface of the outer flat tube of the double-walled cooling tube and/or between a main surface of an inner flat tube and a main surface of an outer flat tube of a second double-walled cooling tube, and an electrical connector designed to connect the first thermoelectric module to the second thermoelectric module in an electrically conducting manner. | 11-29-2012 |
20130152989 | THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR HAVING AN INTEGRATED PRETENSIONED MOUNTING - A thermoelectric generator and a method for manufacturing a thermoelectric generator are described. The thermoelectric generator, having a housing in which at least one heat source tube, at least one heat sink tube, and at least one generator element are between the heat source tube and the heat sink tube. A pretension mounting device is in the housing and provides an elastic force via which the tubes are pretensioned relative to one another and which compresses the tubes and the generator element in-between. An inner side of the housing of the pretension mounting device forms a support for the pretension mounting device, which is acted upon by a counterforce to the elastic force of the pretension mounting device. | 06-20-2013 |
20140007916 | Thermoelectric Device, In Particular Intended To Generate An Electric Current In A Motor Vehicle - The invention relates to a thermoelectric device, comprising pipes ( | 01-09-2014 |
20140069478 | APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING THERMAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - An apparatus for converting thermal energy into electrical energy comprises at least one thermoelectric module which has a hot side provided for a contact with a heat source and a cold side provided for a contact with a heat sink, a heating passage which can be flowed through by a hot fluid and which is in thermoconductive communication with the hot side of the thermoelectric module, and a cooling passage which can be flowed through by a cooling fluid and which is in thermoconductive communication with the cold side of the thermoelectric module. Provision is made that the cooling passage has at least one cooling passage opening facing toward the cold side of the thermoelectric module and/or that the heating passage has at least one heating passage opening facing toward the hot side of the thermoelectric module. The thermoelectric module is covered by a layer or film of an electrically insulating material at least in the region of the cooling passage opening and/or of the heating passage opening. | 03-13-2014 |
20140150840 | Thermoelectric Generator Unit - A thermoelectric generator unit, in particular for coupling to an exhaust gas pipe of an internal combustion engine, comprises at least one inner tube ( | 06-05-2014 |
20150303365 | THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION MODULE - A thermoelectric conversion module includes: a piping for flowing a compressible fluid; high temperature electrodes which are provided on a top surface and a bottom surface of the piping and electrically insulated from the piping; thermoelectric conversion elements which are provided on the respective high temperature electrodes, each element containing at least a pair of p-type thermoelectric semiconductor and n-type thermoelectric semiconductor which are electrically connected in series with one another; low temperature electrodes which are provided on the respective thermoelectric conversion elements and electrically connect the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor in series with the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor; and a first case member for accommodating the piping, the high temperature electrodes, the thermoelectric conversion elements and the low temperature electrodes so as to form a space for flowing a refrigerant for the low temperature electrodes. | 10-22-2015 |
20150357544 | Flow Control Device To Be Used In A Thermoelectric Generator And A Thermoelectric Generator Comprising Such A Device - The invention relates to a flow control device intended to be used in a thermoelectric generator ( | 12-10-2015 |