HEAT EXCHANGER FOR THERMOELECTRIC POWER GENERATION WITH THE THERMOELECTRIC MODULES IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SOURCE

摘要

A thermoelectric power generator for converting thermal energy into electrical energy. The thermoelectric power generator includes a heat exchanger configured to extract thermal energy from an exhaust gas stream. The heat exchanger includes fins in contact with a boundary of the heat exchanger, where the fins are directly connected to a first set of thermoelectric modules. A second set of thermoelectric modules are directly connected to the boundary of the heat exchanger. The first and second sets of thermoelectric modules are configured to convert the thermal energy to electrical energy. By eliminating the metal wall that previously existed between the thermoelectric modules and the fins, the thermoelectric power generator improves the heat transfer between the exhaust gas and the thermoelectric modules, eliminates the thermal fatigue failures at the bond between the metal wall and the thermoelectric modules as well as allows for a higher density of thermoelectric modules.

主权项

1. A thermoelectric power generator, comprising:
a heat exchanger configured to extract thermal energy from an exhaust gas stream, wherein said heat exchanger comprises:
a first plurality of fins in contact with a boundary of said heat exchanger, wherein said first plurality of fins are directly connected to a first plurality of thermoelectric device modules; anda second plurality of thermoelectric device modules directly connected to said boundary of said heat exchanger; wherein said first and second plurality of thermoelectric device modules are configured to convert said thermal energy to electrical energy.