Cartridge-based thermoelectric systems

摘要

Cartridge-based thermoelectric assemblies and systems are provided which include at least one shunt configured to extend around a conduit, a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication and in electrical communication with the at least one shunt with at least a portion of the at least one shunt sandwiched between the at least one first thermoelectric element and the at least one second thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric elements are electrically isolated from the conduit. The thermoelectric assemblies and systems further include at least one heat exchanger in thermal communication with the at least one shunt and configured to be in thermal communication with a second fluid.

主权项

1. A thermoelectric system comprising:
at least a portion of a tube configured to allow a first fluid to flow through the at least a portion of the tube along an axial direction of the tube; a first thermoelectric assembly and a second thermoelectric assembly, wherein each of the first thermoelectric assembly and the second thermoelectric assembly is in thermal communication with the tube and with a second fluid and comprises:
at least one first shunt extending around an outer perimeter of the tube generally perpendicularly to the axial direction;at least one first thermoelectric element in thermal communication and in electrical communication with the at least one first shunt;at least one second thermoelectric element in thermal communication and in electrical communication with the at least one first shunt, wherein at least a portion of the at least one first shunt is sandwiched between the at least one first thermoelectric element and the at least one second thermoelectric element, wherein the at least one first thermoelectric element and the at least one second thermoelectric element are electrically isolated from the tube; andat least one heat exchanger in thermal communication with the at least one first shunt and in thermal communication with the second fluid, the at least one heat exchanger comprising a plurality of fins extending generally outwardly from the at least one first shunt; at least one compliant element between and mechanically coupled to the at least one heat exchanger of the first thermoelectric assembly and the at least one heat exchanger of the second thermoelectric assembly; and at least one second shunt extending around the outer perimeter of the tube generally perpendicularly to the axial direction and in thermal communication with the tube, wherein at least a portion of the at least one second shunt is electrically isolated from the tube and is in thermal communication with, in electrical communication with, and sandwiched between the at least one second thermoelectric element of the first thermoelectric assembly and the at least one first thermoelectric element of the second thermoelectric assembly, wherein the first thermoelectric assembly, the at least one second shunt, and the second thermoelectric assembly are in series electrical communication with one another such that the thermoelectric system has an electrical current flow path through the at least one first thermoelectric element of the first thermoelectric assembly, the at least one first shunt of the first thermoelectric assembly, the at least one second thermoelectric element of the first thermoelectric assembly, the at least one second shunt, the at least one first thermoelectric element of the second thermoelectric assembly, the at least one first shunt of the second thermoelectric assembly, and the at least one second thermoelectric element of the second thermoelectric assembly.