Thermoelectric power generating systems utilizing segmented thermoelectric elements
AssigneeBsst LLC
InventorsLon E. Bell, Douglas Todd Crane
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Abstract
A thermoelectric system includes a first thermoelectric element including a first plurality of segments in electrical communication with one another. The thermoelectric system further includes a second thermoelectric element including a second plurality of segments in electrical communication with one another. The thermoelectric system further includes a heat transfer device including at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is sandwiched between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element. The second portion projects away from the first portion and configured to be in thermal communication with a working medium.
Claims42
A thermoelectric system comprising:
- a first thermoelectric element comprising a first plurality of segments in electrical communication with one another;
- a second thermoelectric element comprising a second plurality of segments in electrical communication with one another;
- and
- a heat transfer device comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion sandwiched between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element, the second portion projecting away from the first portion and configured to be in thermal communication with a working medium.
A thermoelectric system comprising:
- a plurality of thermoelectric elements, at least some of the thermoelectric elements comprising a plurality of segments;
- and
- a plurality of heat transfer devices, at least some of the heat transfer devices comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion sandwiched between at least two thermoelectric elements of the plurality of thermoelectric elements so as to form at least one stack of thermoelectric elements and heat transfer devices, the second portion projecting away from the stack and configured to be in thermal communication with a working medium.
A method of fabricating a thermoelectric system, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of thermoelectric elements, at least some of the thermoelectric elements comprising a plurality of segments;
- providing a plurality of heat transfer devices, at least some of the heat transfer devices comprising at least a first portion and a second portion;
- and
- assembling the plurality of thermoelectric elements and the plurality of heat transfer devices to form at least one stack of alternating thermoelectric elements and heat transfer devices, wherein the first portions of the heat transfer devices are sandwiched between at least two neighboring thermoelectric elements, the second portions of the heat transfer devices projecting away from the stack and configured to be in thermal communication with a working medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.