Thermo-electric power harvesting bearing configuration

摘要

A power generating bearing assembly (100) comprises a bearing subassembly (120) retained by a bearing housing (110). During operation, friction and other factors increase a temperature of the bearing assembly (100). The housing (110) can optionally include a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one liquid cooling passage (134) formed internally therein. The liquid cooling passage (134) would be routed proximate the bearing subassembly (120) to remove heat therefrom. A thermal energy transfer media (204) is inserted into a thermal transfer conduit (180), wherein the thermal transfer conduit (180) passes across a heated section of the housing (110). The transfer media (204) conveys the thermal energy to a Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) located in a thermoelectric generator housing (250) attached to the bearing housing (110). The Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) utilizes a temperature difference between the transfer media (204) and the ambient air to generated electric power. The power can be used to operate electrically powered devices, such as condition sensors (150), communication devices, and the like.

主权项

1. A power generating bearing assembly comprising:
a bearing housing comprising:
a bearing subassembly receptacle, anda thermal transfer conduit; a bearing subassembly retained within said bearing subassembly receptacle; and a thermo-electric generator assembly comprising:
a thermo-generator housing,a thermal energy transfer media extending through said thermal transfer conduit and into said thermo-generator housing,a thermo-electric generator located within said thermo-generator housing, wherein said thermo-electric generator is subjected to a thermal difference by thermal communication between a first surface of said thermo-electric generator and a surface of said thermal energy transfer media and a second surface of said thermo-electric generator and ambient air,a thermally conductive material circumscribing a portion of said thermal energy transfer media extending into said thermo-generator housing, anda biasing member that directly pushes a first surface of said thermally conductive material to retain contact between a second surface of said thermally conductive material and said thermo-electric generator, wherein during operation, heat generated by rotation of said bearing subassembly elevates a temperature of said bearing housing, said thermo-electric generator converts a thermal difference between a high temperature source provided by said thermal energy transfer media and an ambient temperature to electric power.