System and method for wireless power transfer using thermoelectric generators
AssigneeApplied Thermoelectric Solutions, LLC
InventorAlfred J. Piggott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A TEG system is attached to a rotating shaft and generates electricity from radiant energy that is substantially radiatively transmitted through the atmosphere from a stationary source to the TEG system that is rotating with the shaft. The rotation of the shaft provides cooling to the TEG system, but not heat energy. The TEG system includes at least one TEG, each TEG equipped with an energy receiving and heat containment window and an energy conversion system in combination with controlled convection cooling enhanced by an airflow moving in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft. Individual TEGs having controlled convection cooling also are described.
Claims41
A thermoelectric generation system for generating electricity from radiatively transmitted energy on a rotating shaft, the system comprising:
- at least one thermoelectric generator attached to a rotating shaft and configured to generate electricity from a temperature difference in response to radiatively transmitted energy, where the at least one thermoelectric generator comprises:
- an energy receiving and heat containment window, where the energy receiving and heat containment window comprises an outer plate and an inner heat transfer plate which form an interior space between the outer plate and the inner heat transfer plate;
- an energy conversion system in conductive thermal communication with the energy receiving and heat containment window;
- a heat dissipation heatsink in conductive thermal communication with the energy conversion system;
- a controlled convection cooling system in convection thermal communication with the heat dissipation heatsink;
- where the energy conversion system is configured to generate electricity from a temperature differential between the energy receiving and heat containment window and the controlled convection cooling system;
- and
- where the controlled convection cooling system is configured to cool the heat dissipation heatsink when the rotating shaft is stationary and when the rotating shaft is rotating.
A thermoelectric generator for generating electricity from radiatively transmitted energy on a rotating shaft, the generator comprising:
- an energy receiving and heat containment window, where the energy receiving and heat containment window comprises an outer plate and an inner heat transfer plate which form an interior space between the outer plate and the inner heat transfer plate;
- an energy conversion system in conductive thermal communication with the energy receiving and heat containment window;
- a heat dissipation heatsink in conductive thermal communication with the energy conversion system;
- a controlled convection cooling system in convection thermal communication with the heat dissipation heatsink;
- where the energy conversion system is configured to generate electricity from a temperature differential between the energy receiving and heat containment window and the controlled convection cooling system;
- where the controlled convection cooling system is configured to cool the heat dissipation heatsink in the absence of a high velocity airflow and in response to the high velocity airflow;
- and
- where an exterior housing comprising a face plate encases the energy receiving and heat containment window, the energy conversion system, and the heat dissipation heatsink.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.