Device and method for generating electrical power

A device for generating electrical power, comprising:

• a heat source;
• a cold source;
• a thermoelectric generator stack, wherein the thermoelectric generator stack comprises:
• a plurality of thermoelectric generators, each generator including a cold side and a hot side;
• a first plurality of thermal elements each thermally coupled to the heat source and to the hot side of an associated one of the plurality of thermoelectric generators to transfer thermal energy from the heat source to the thermoelectric generator;
• and
• a second plurality of thermal elements each thermally coupled to the cold source and to the cold side of the associated one of the plurality of thermoelectric generators to transfer thermal energy from the thermoelectric generator to the cold source, wherein heat generated by the heat source causes a thermal gradient across each of the thermoelectric generators to generate electrical energy.

An electrically powered apparatus, comprising:

• electrical circuitry to perform a predetermined function;
• a device for generating electrical power to operate the electrical circuitry, wherein the device includes:
• a thermoelectric generator stack, wherein the thermoelectric generator stack comprises:
• a plurality of thermoelectric generators, each generator including a cold side and a hot side;
• a first plurality of thermal elements each thermally coupled to a heat source and to the hot side of an associated one of the plurality of thermoelectric generators to transfer thermal energy from the heat source to the thermoelectric generator;
• and
• a second plurality of thermal elements each thermally coupled to a cold source and to the cold side of the associated one of the plurality of thermoelectric generators to transfer thermal energy from the thermoelectric generator to the cold source, wherein heat generated by the heat source causes a thermal gradient across each of the thermoelectric generators to generate electrical energy.

A method for generating electrical power, comprising:

• creating a thermal gradient across each of a plurality of thermoelectric generators formed in a generator stack, wherein the generator stack is formed by stacking a first plurality of thermal elements each thermally coupled to a heat source and to a hot side of an associated one of the plurality of thermoelectric generators to transfer thermal energy from the heat source to the thermoelectric generator;
• and by stacking a second plurality of thermal elements each thermally coupled to a cold source and to a cold side of the associated one of the plurality of thermoelectric generators to transfer thermal energy from the thermoelectric generator to the cold source, wherein the thermal gradient across each of the thermoelectric generators generates electrical energy;
• and
• supplying the electrical power to a connector for powering an electrical device.