Stove pipe thermoelectric generator
AssigneeHi-Z Technology, Inc.
InventorJohn C. Bass
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stovepipe thermoelectric generator. The unit fits in a stovepipe of a coal or wood stove. At least one thermoelectric module is sandwiched between a hot side fin unit with fins extending into the flow of exhaust gases and a cold side fin unit with fins cooled by forced room air. A damper controls exhaust gas flow through a heat chamber, directing the exhaust gas through a generating side and a bypass side depending on a temperature indication. This prevents heat damage to the thermoelectric module. At least one fan is provided to force room air through cooling fins of the cold side fin unit An electric circuit is described for providing power for the fan and providing additional electric power for purposes such as charging a battery.
Claims10
A stovepipe thermoelectric generator, comprising:
- A) a variable heat producing stove comprising:
- 1) a combustion chamber, and
- 2) a stovepipe defining a bottom end and a top end, wherein said stovepipe is connected to said combustion chamber at said bottom end, wherein exhaust gases produced in said combustion chamber exit said variable heat producing stove through said stovepipe,
- B) a heat chamber defining a generating side and a bypass side, wherein said heat chamber is connected to said top end of said stovepipe,
- C) a thermoelectric generator incorporated in said generating side for generating electric power, said thermoelectric generator comprising:
- 1) a hot side fin unit defining fins extending into the flow of the exhaust gases,
- 2) a cold side fin unit defining fins cooled by room air, and
- 3) at least one thermoelectric module defining a cold surface and a hot surface sandwiched between said at least one hot side fin unit and said at least one cold side fin unit,
- D) a damper defining a pivot axis pivotally attached between said generating side and said bypass side, wherein said damper directs exhaust gases through said generating side or said bypass side depending on a temperature indication, and
- E) at least one fan, wherein said fan forces room air through said fins of said cold side fin unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.