US 4,734,139 AGranted

Thermoelectric generator

AssigneeOmnimax Energy Corporation

InventorsWallace Shakun, John H. Bearden, David R. Henderson

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Abstract

A thermoelectric generator module which is formed with a hot side heat exchanger having extruded fins on one surface and in contact with a series of individual thermoelectric semiconductor modules on the opposite side of the exchanger. A cold side heat exchanger attached to the opposite side of the semiconductor modules from the hot side heat exchanger, producing a thermal gradient across the semiconductor modules. The semiconductor modules are placed in an arranged pattern so that a maximum of heat flow through the modules is produced. Each semiconductor module is connected electrically to each other so that their output may be combined to produce a large quantity of electric power. A series of generator modules may be interconnected in a series or parallel combination to form a thermoelectric generator of varying power output.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A thermoelectric generator unit comprising:

a hot side heat exchanger including a plate having extruded retention posts projecting from one surface of said plate, a plurality of fins adapted for contact with a heating source, said fins positioned between two of said retention posts, a plurality of retention rods adapted to be inserted between said retention posts and the base of said fins to retain said fin in thermal contact with said plate surface upon insertion of said retention rod between said engaging surface of said post and said corresponding fin;
a plurality of thermoelectric semi-conductor modules in thermal contact with the opposite side of the hot side heat exchanger plate from said contact with said fins, said modules arranged in a grid pattern so that heat flow is directed into each of said modules from said hot side heat exchanger, said modules being connected electrically so as to combine their electrical output;
and a cold side heat exchanger in thermal contact with said plurality of modules acting as a heat sink on the opposite side of said module from said hot side heat exchanger plate so as to produce a thermal gradient across said modules.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.