THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS FOR RECOVERING WASTE HEAT FROM ENGINE EXHAUST, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME

摘要

A thermoelectric generator includes a tapered inlet manifold including first and second non-parallel sides; first and second pluralities of outlet manifolds; and thermoelectric generating units (TGUs) each including a hot-side heat exchanger (HHX) with inlet and outlet; a cold-side heat exchanger (CHX); and thermoelectric devices arranged between the HHX and CHX. The inlets of some of the HHXs receive exhaust gas from the first side of the tapered inlet manifold and the outlets of those HHXs are coupled to outlet manifolds of the first plurality of outlet manifolds. The inlets of other of the HHXs receive exhaust gas from the second side of the tapered inlet manifold and the outlets of those HHXs are coupled to outlet manifolds of the second plurality of outlet manifolds. The thermoelectric devices can generate electricity responsive to a temperature differential between the exhaust gas and the CHXs.

主权项

1. A thermoelectric generator, comprising:
a tapered inlet manifold configured to be coupled to an exhaust gas source, the tapered inlet manifold comprising:
a first side defining a first outer surface of the tapered inlet manifold; anda second side defining a second outer surface of the tapered inlet manifold,the first side and the second side being arranged non-parallel to one another; a first plurality of outlet manifolds; a second plurality of outlet manifolds; and a plurality of thermoelectric generating units, each thermoelectric generating unit comprising:
a hot-side heat exchanger including an inlet and an outlet;a first cold-side heat exchanger; anda first plurality of thermoelectric devices arranged between the hot-side heat exchanger and the first cold-side heat exchanger; a first subset of the thermoelectric generating units being coupled to the first side of the tapered inlet manifold such that the inlet of the hot-side heat exchanger of each thermoelectric generating unit of the first subset receives exhaust gas from the first side of the tapered inlet manifold and the outlet of that hot-side heat exchanger is coupled to an outlet manifold of the first plurality of outlet manifolds; a second subset of the thermoelectric generating units being coupled to the second side of the tapered inlet manifold such that the hot-side heat exchanger of each thermoelectric generating unit of the second subset receives exhaust gas from the second side of the tapered inlet manifold and the outlet of that hot-side heat exchanger is coupled to an outlet manifold of the second plurality of outlet manifolds; the thermoelectric devices of the plurality of thermoelectric generating units generating electricity responsive to a temperature differential between the exhaust gas and the first cold-side heat exchangers.