Thermopile Generator for Airplanes and Other Applications

摘要

An airframe having an integrated thermoelectric generator and a method thereof for providing electricity in an aircraft. A plurality of thermocouple wires is disposed about an aircraft frame to form a thermopile circuit in which electrical current is generated as a result of a temperature difference observed at a cruising altitude. The temperature difference is created by a hot side, interior to the aircraft frame, and a cold side, exterior to the aircraft frame. The thermopile circuit is formed by a first thermoelectric material and a second thermoelectric material that are selected to produce a desired voltage when exposed to the temperature difference. The electric current is harnessed by a transfer cable and directed to an aircraft electrical system to provide power to the desired devices.

主权项

1. An airframe having an integrated thermoelectric generator comprises:
an aircraft frame; a plurality of thermocouple wires; the plurality of thermocouple wires comprising a first thermoelectric material; the plurality of thermocouple wires being operably disposed about the aircraft frame in order to form a thermopile circuit; the first thermoelectric material being electrically connected to a second thermoelectric material; the thermopile circuit being formed in combination by the first thermoelectric material and the second thermoelectric material; and the first thermoelectric material and the second thermoelectric material being electrically connected to a step transformer, wherein the step transformer is electrically connected to an aircraft electrical system.