Apparatus and method for generating power with a thermoelectric generator, passive burner, and passive heat sink

An apparatus for producing electric power, comprising:

• a burner tube;
• a tubular heat exchanger extending along and around the burner tube, wherein the heat exchanger includes air intake holes on a first side, is configured to allow air to naturally flow from the intake holes to feed a combustion process, and the heat exchanger includes vent holes on a second side to vent hot gases, and the heat exchanger absorbs energy from the combustion process to increase temperature;
• a plurality of thermoelectric generators disposed along sides of the heat exchanger;
• and
• a heat sink on an opposite side of the thermoelectric generators from the burner and heat exchanger, wherein a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generators between the heat exchanger and the heat sink causes the thermoelectric generators to produce an electrical current.

A method of operating a device, the method comprising:

• providing a fuel to a burner comprising a horizontal burner tube;
• directing heated gases from the burner to a tubular heat exchanger extending along and around the burner tube, wherein the heat exchanger includes air intake holes on a first side, is configured to allow air to naturally flow from the intake holes to feed a combustion process, and includes vent holes on a second side to vent hot gases, and the heat exchanger absorbs energy from the combustion process to increase temperature;
• creating a temperature difference across a plurality of thermoelectric generators disposed along sides of the heat exchanger and between the heat exchanger and a heat sink;
• and
• powering the device with the thermoelectric generators to operate the device.