Thermoelectric generator system

A thermoelectric generator system comprising a plurality of thermoelectric generator units including first and second thermoelectric generator units, each of which includes a plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators,

• wherein each of the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators has an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface and a flow path defined by the inner peripheral surface, and generates electromotive force in an axial direction of each said tubular thermoelectric generator based on a difference in temperature between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces,
• each of the first and second thermoelectric generator units further includes:
• a container housing the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators inside, the container having fluid inlet and outlet ports through which a fluid flows inside the container, and a plurality of openings into which the respective tubular thermoelectric generators are inserted;
• a fluid conduit connected between the fluid outlet port of the container of the first thermoelectric generator unit and the fluid inlet port of the container of the second thermoelectric generator unit, through which fluid from the first thermoelectric generator unit is communicated into the second thermoelectric generator unit, wherein the fluid conduit defines a first medium path communicating with the fluid inlet and outlet ports of the container in the first thermoelectric generator unit and the fluid inlet and outlet ports of the container in the second thermoelectric generator unit;
• and
• a plurality of electrically conductive members providing electrical interconnection for the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators in series,
• the first and second thermoelectric generator units are electrically connected in series together,
• the thermoelectric generator system further includes a buffer vessel which is arranged between the first and second thermoelectric generator units,
• the buffer vessel having a first opening communicating with the respective flow paths of the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators in the first thermoelectric generator unit and a second opening communicating with the respective flow paths of the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators in the second thermoelectric generator unit, wherein the buffer vessel defines a second medium path between the respective flow paths of the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators in the first thermoelectric generator unit and the respective flow paths of the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators in the second thermoelectric generator unit,
• wherein in the second medium path, fluid flows downstream from inside the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators in the second thermoelectric generator unit through the buffer vessel and to inside the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators in the first thermoelectric generator unit, and
• wherein in the first medium path, fluid flows downstream from an area inside the container of the first thermoelectric generator unit that is outside the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators in the first thermoelectric generator unit, through the fluid conduit outside of the container of the first thermoelectric generator unit, and to an area that is inside the container of the second thermoelectric generator unit and outside the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators in the second thermoelectric generator unit.