Thermoelectric generator system and method

A method of controlling a thermoelectric generator system comprising:

• a thermoelectric generator;
• a vortex tube comprising a flow input configured to receive an input of compressed gas and to separate the compressed gas into a hot flow discharged from a first output of the vortex tube, and a cold flow discharged from a second output of the vortex tube;
• a sensor system configured to determine a first parameter indicative of a temperature of the hot flow, a second parameter indicative of a temperature of the cold flow and a third parameter indicative of a temperature of a third fluid flow;
• a radiator system comprising:
• a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger disposed on opposing sides of the thermoelectric generator;
• and
• a tube system configured to separately direct the hot flow, the cold flow and the third fluid flow towards a switch arrangement, wherein the switch arrangement is configured to receive each of the hot flow, the cold flow and the third fluid flow, and to be moveable between:
• a first configuration in which the cold flow is directed to the second heat exchanger and the hot flow is directed to the first heat exchanger;
• a second configuration in which the cold flow is directed to the second heat exchanger and the third fluid flow is directed to the first heat exchanger;
• and
• a third configuration in which the third fluid flow is directed to the second heat exchanger and the hot fluid is directed to the first heat exchanger;
• the thermoelectric generator system further comprising a control unit configured to control the configuration of the switch arrangement based on the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter, the method comprising:
• monitoring a parameter indicative of the temperature of the hot flow, the cold flow and the third fluid flow with the sensor system to determine the first parameter, the second parameter and the third parameter respectively;
• and
• controlling the configuration of the switch arrangement based on the first parameter, the second parameter and the third parameter.