Apparatus and methods for heat-to-electrical energy conversion from a molding process

A augmentation apparatus for use with a molding machine, comprising:

• one or more thermal-to-electric converters for converting electrical energy to a heat source and a cold source;
• an inner component core, coupled to the one or more thermal-to-electric converters, for applying heat to a barrel of a molding machine;
• an outer component surrounding at least a portion of the inner component core and the one or more thermal-to-electric converters, wherein the outer component is an insulator and assists in heat conduction from the one or more thermal-to-electric converters to the barrel of the molding machine and in containing thermal waste energy;
• and
• a heat exchanger located between the inner component core and the outer component, wherein the heat exchanger is coupled to the cold source and used to cool a heat transfer fluid.

A method of using a harvesting system for converting waste heat from a barrel of a molding machine to electricity comprising:

• capturing, via an inner component core of a harvesting system, heat from a barrel of a molding machine, wherein the inner component is made from at least one material selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, and iron;
• and
• converting, via one or more thermal-to-electric converters coupled to the inner component core, the captured heat to electrical energy;
• wherein:
• the harvesting system includes an outer component surrounding at least a portion of the inner component core and the one or more thermal-to-electric converters, wherein the outer component is an insulator and assists in heat conduction from the barrel of the molding machine to the one or more thermal-to-electric converters and in containing thermal waste energy;
• the harvesting system is used to harvest waste heat from a molding machine;
• and
• the electricity produced by the harvesting system is used to augment a cooling system used to cool the mold of the molding machine.