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US 7,273,981 B2Granted
Thermoelectric power generation systems
AssigneeBsst LLC
InventorLon E. Bell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Representative configurations for improved thermoelectric power generation systems to improve and increase thermal efficiency are disclosed.
Claims22
A thermoelectric power generation system comprising:
- a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming an assembly having a cooler side and a hotter side during operation, wherein a working media collects waste heat from the colder side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, and wherein after collecting said waste heat, the working media is further heated and then dispenses at least a portion of its heat to said hotter side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, thereby generating power with at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, wherein at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements are configured to allow the working media to pass through them;
- and
- at least one electrical system that transfers said power from said assembly.
A thermoelectric power generation system comprising:
- a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming an assembly having a cooler side and a hotter side during operation, wherein the working media collects waste heat from the colder side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, and wherein after collecting said waste heat, the working media is further heated and then dispenses at least a portion of its heat to said hotter side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, thereby generating power with at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, wherein at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements are configured to allow convective heat transport by the working media in the direction of the hotter side of the assembly;
- and
- at least one electrical system that transfers said power from said assembly.
A thermoelectric power generation system comprising:
- a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming an assembly having a cooler side and a hotter side during operation, wherein the working media collects waste heat from the colder side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, and wherein after collecting said waste heat, the working media is further heated and then dispenses at least a portion of its heat to said hotter side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, thereby generating power with at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements;
- a plurality of heat exchangers, wherein at least some the heat exchangers are in thermal communication with at least some of the thermoelectric elements and at least some of the heat exchangers provide thermal isolation in a direction of working media movement;
- and
- at least one electrical system that transfers said power from said assembly.
1 more element
A thermoelectric power generation system comprising:
- a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming an assembly having a cooler side and a hotter side during operation, wherein a working media collects waste heat from the colder side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, and wherein after collecting said waste heat, the working media is further heated and then dispenses at least a portion of its heat to said hotter side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, thereby generating power with at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, wherein at least one of the plurality of thermoelectric elements are configured to allow convective heat transport by the working media in the direction of the hotter side of the assembly, and at least a plurality of others of the thermoelectric elements are configured to provide thermal isolation in a direction of working media movement;
- and
- at least one electrical system that transfers said power from said assembly.
A method of generating power with a thermoelectric power generation system, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving a working media to thermally interact with a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming an assembly having a cooler side and a hotter side during operation;
- transferring heat into the working media from the cooler side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements;
- adding further heat to the working media;
- dispensing heat from the working media to the hotter side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, to thereby generate power with at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements;
- and
- passing the working media through at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements.
3 more elements
A method of generating power with a thermoelectric power generation system, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving a working media to thermally interact with a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming an assembly having a cooler side and a hotter side during operation;
- transferring heat into the working media from the cooler side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements;
- adding further heat to the working media;
- dispensing heat from the working media to the hotter side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, to thereby generate power with at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements;
- and
- convecting heat with the working media in the direction of the hotter side of at least one of the thermoelectric elements.
3 more elements
A method of generating power with a thermoelectric power generation system, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving a working media to thermally interact with a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming an assembly having a cooler side and a hotter side during operation;
- transferring heat into the working media from the cooler side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements;
- adding further heat to the working media;
- dispensing heat from the working media to the hotter side of at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, to thereby generate power with at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements;
- and
- thermally isolating at least some of the thermoelectric elements in a direction of working media movement.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.