Semiconductor thermoelectric module charger for mobile computing device
AssigneeNVIDIA Corporation
InventorXiang Sun
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for recycling the electrical energy that has been consumed and converted into unwanted thermal energy. A power source for supplying power to a mobile computing system comprises a rechargeable battery and a semiconductor thermoelectric module coupled to the rechargeable battery and a charring circuit. The thermoelectric module is disposed proximate to a heat generating member of the computing system and operable to sense the thermal energy released by the member and convert it into electrical energy based on Seeback effect. The converted electrical energy can be regulated and stored in the rechargeable battery.
Claims21
A computing system comprising:
- a first component operable to generate thermal energy during operation hereof;
- a battery system comprising a thermoelectric module operable to sense the thermal energy generated by said first component, and further operable to convert said thermal energy generated by said first component into converted electrical energy.
A power source for supplying power to a mobile computing system, said power source comprising:
- a rechargeable battery;
- an internal charging circuit;
- a thermoelectric battery, coupled to said rechargeable battery, having a first surface and a second surface, and operable to:
- sense a temperature difference between said first surface and said second surface;
- generate electrical energy responsive to said temperature difference;
- and
- charge said rechargeable battery with said electrical energy through said internal charging circuit.
A method for supplying power to a mobile computing system, said method comprising:
- sensing thermal energy generated by operation of said mobile computing system;
- converting said thermal energy into an electrical current;
- and
- charging a rechargeable battery with said electrical current, wherein said rechargeable battery is operable to supply power demanded by said mobile computing system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.