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US 2025/0158542 A1Published application
ThermoElectric Recharging Using Waste-Heat For Demand Charge Reduction
AssigneeBudderfly, Inc.
InventorsDavid Gerald Cannon, Kenneth Buda, Ibhade Christopher Edewele Eigbobo, Jaan Leemet
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for recuperating waste heat for charging backup batteries and/or driving electrical loads is presented using thermoelectric generators to perform battery charging, particularly in quick serve restaurants (QSRs). Machine learning is applied to estimating the availability of power from thermoelectric generating based devices and for predicting and planning for the use of the available stored energy for peak energy usage periods thus reducing demand charges.
Claims15
A thermoelectric electricity generation system comprising:
- a food service location comprising a cooking element;
- a ventilation system configured to receive heated exhaust gasses from an area adjacent the cooking element and expel the heated exhaust gasses;
- a plurality of thermoelectric devices in contact on a first side with the ventilation system at a location of the ventilation system which is heated by the heated exhaust gasses and a second side of the thermoelectric devices exposed to ambient air of the location;
- the plurality of thermoelectric devices electrically connected to an electrical load and the plurality of thermoelectric devices configured to generate electricity when there is a temperature differential between the first and second sides.
1 more element
A thermoelectric electricity generation system comprising:
- a food service location comprising a refrigeration element, the refrigeration element including a fan and a condenser which is configured to expel heated air to the location;
- a plurality of thermoelectric devices in contact on a first side with an exterior facing portion of an element adjacent the condenser which exterior facing potion is configured to be heated by the heated air from an interior facing portion of the element and a second side of the thermoelectric devices exposed to ambient air of the location which is cooler than the heated air;
- the plurality of thermoelectric devices electrically connected to an electrical load and the plurality of thermoelectric devices configured to generate electricity when there is a temperature differential between the first and second sides.
A thermoelectric electricity generation system comprising:
- a food service location comprising a refrigeration element, the refrigeration element including a fan and a condenser which is configured to expel heated air to the location;
- a plurality of thermoelectric devices in contact on a first side with an exterior facing portion of an element adjacent the condenser which exterior facing potion is configured to be heated by the heated air from an interior facing portion of the element and a second side of the thermoelectric devices exposed to ambient air of the location which is cooler than the heated air;
- the plurality of thermoelectric devices electrically connected to a controller and a battery and the plurality of thermoelectric devices configured to generate electricity when there is a temperature differential between the first and second sides;
- a cooking element at the food service location;
- a ventilation system configured to receive heated exhaust gasses from an area adjacent the cooking element and expel the heated exhaust gasses;
- a second set of a plurality of thermoelectric devices in contact on a first side of the second set of the plurality of thermoelectric devices with the ventilation system at a location of the ventilation system which is heated by the heated exhaust gasses and a second side of the second set of a plurality of thermoelectric devices is exposed to ambient air of the location;
- the second set of the plurality of thermoelectric devices electrically connected to the controller and the battery and configured to generate electricity when there is a temperature differential between the first and second sides the second set of the plurality of thermoelectric devices;
- the controller is connected to one or more appliances at the location and is configured to discharge electrical energy stored in the battery to the one or more appliances.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.