Thermoelectric configuration employing thermal transfer fluid flow(s) with recuperator

A method of operating a thermoelectric system that includes at least one thermoelectric module, the method comprising:

• motivating flow of a first liquid metal thermal transfer fluid through a first fluid pathway portion in thermal communication with a first side of the thermoelectric module;
• motivating flow of a second liquid metal thermal transfer fluid through a second fluid pathway portion in thermal communication with a second sides of the thermoelectric module;
• and
• at least partially equilibrating temperatures of thermal transfer fluid destined for the first and second fluid pathway portions.

A method of making a thermoelectric system product, the method comprising:

• providing at least one thermoelectric module;
• configuring a first fluid pathway portion in thermal communication with a first side of the thermoelectric module;
• configuring a second fluid pathway portion in thermal communication with a second side of the thermoelectric module;
• and
• introducing a recuperator into thermal transfer fluid flow paths destined for the first and second fluid pathway portions to at least partially equilibrate, during operation, temperatures of thermal transfer fluid destined for the first and second fluid pathway portions.

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one thermoelectric module;
• means for motivating flow of a liquid metal thermal transfer fluid away from, or back to, the thermoelectric module;
• and
• means for at least partially equilibrating temperatures of liquid metal thermal transfer fluid flows destined for first and second sides of the thermoelectric module.