Thermoelectric power generation using radiant and conductive heat dissipation
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsJulie Strickland, Ashley Rose Himmelmann, Samuel Anderson, Jake Rohrig
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermoelectric power generation system includes a solar panel array on a first side of a tower to absorb solar radiation and generate electrical energy and waste heat and a panel on a second side, opposite the first side, of the tower. A plurality of thermoelectric elements of the tower are interposed between the solar panel array and the panel. The plurality of thermoelectric elements converts conductive heat flow of the waste heat from the solar panel directed toward the panel to electrical energy. A conductive base supports the tower and to conduct heat away from the panel.
Claims16
A thermoelectric power generation system comprising:
- a solar panel array on a first side of a tower configured to absorb solar radiation and generate electrical energy and waste heat;
- a panel on a second side, opposite the first side, of the tower, wherein the second side of the tower is on a first side of the panel and, based on a positioning of the thermoelectric power generation system, the panel is configured to dissipate, from a second side of the panel, a first portion of the waste heat that reaches the panel via radiative dissipation;
- a plurality of thermoelectric elements of the tower interposed between the solar panel array and the panel, the plurality of thermoelectric elements being configured to convert conductive heat flow of a second portion of the waste heat from the solar panel directed toward the panel to electrical energy;
- a conductive base attached to the panel at a first end to support the tower and configured to conduct heat away from the panel and into a ground based on being positioned in the ground at a second end, opposite the first end;
- and
- a coolant channel within the panel that convectively transfers heat of a third portion of the waste heat from the panel.
A method of assembling a thermoelectric power generation system, the method comprising:
- forming a first side of a tower with a solar panel array configured to absorb solar radiation and generate electrical energy and waste heat;
- forming a second side of the tower, opposite the first side, with a panel, wherein the second side of the tower is on a first side of the panel;
- configuring the panel to dissipate, from a second side of the panel based on a positioning of the thermoelectric power generation system, a first portion of the waste heat that reaches the panel via radiative dissipation;
- disposing a plurality of thermoelectric elements between the solar panel array and the panel, the plurality of thermoelectric elements being configured to convert conductive heat flow of a second portion of the waste heat from the solar panel directed toward the panel to electrical energy;
- attaching a conductive base to the panel at a first end to support the tower and configuring the conductive base to be positioned in a ground at a second end, opposite the first end, to conduct heat away from the panel and into the ground;
- and
- forming a coolant channel within the panel that convectively transfers a third portion of the waste heat from the panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.