US 6,307,142 B1 · Combustion heat powered portable electronic device

Abstract

A combustion heat powered portable electronic device. At least one thermoelectric module is sandwiched between a hot block heated by a combustion heat source and a cold-side heat sink and provides electric power to a portable electronic device from the temperature difference. An electric circuit provides power for purposes of operating the portable electronic device either directly or indirectly by charging a rechargeable battery which in turn provides power to the electronic device. In a preferred embodiment the combustion heat source is a catalytic combustion unit. The hot block and/or cold side heat sink can be integrated into a single unit with the thermoelectric module. In a preferred embodiment the cold side heat sink is cooled by fins cooled by air driven by a forced air fan powered by the thermoelectric module.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A portable combustion heat powered electronic device, comprising:

A) a hot block,
B) a combustion heat source for heating said hot block,
C) a cold side heat sink,
D) a cooling means for cooling said cold side heat sink,
E) at least one thermoelectric module, disposed between and in thermal contact with said hot block and said cold side heat sink, for generating electric power from a temperature difference between said hot block and said cold side heat sink,
F) a portable electronic device, and
G) an electric circuit for providing power from said at least one thermoelectric module to operate said portable electronic device.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combustion heat powered portable electronic device

Life of this patent

Combustion heat powered portable electronic device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21