THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR UNIT AND METHOD OF TESTING THE THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR UNIT

摘要

A thermoelectric generator unit according to this disclosure includes a plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators, each of which generates electromotive force based on a difference in temperature between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces. The unit further includes a plurality of electrically conductive members providing electrical connection for the generators and a container housing the generators inside. The container includes a shell surrounding the generators and a pair of plates, at least one of which has a plurality of openings and channels. Each channel houses an electrically conductive member. The generators are electrically connected together in series via the electrically conductive member. At least one of the channels has an interconnection which connects at least two of the openings together and a testing hole portion. The testing hole portion runs from the interconnection through an outer edge of the at least one plate.

主权项

1. A thermoelectric generator unit comprising:
a plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators, each of which has an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface and a flow path defined by the inner peripheral surface, and each of which generates electromotive force in an axial direction of each said tubular thermoelectric generator based on a difference in temperature between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces; a plurality of electrically conductive members providing electrical connection for the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators; and a container housing the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators inside, the container having fluid inlet and outlet ports through which a fluid flows inside the container, a plurality of openings into which the respective tubular thermoelectric generators are inserted, a shell surrounding the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators, and a pair of plates, each of which is fixed to the shell and at least one of which has the plurality of openings and channels, each channel housing an electrically conductive member, wherein respective ends of the tubular thermoelectric generators are inserted into the plurality of openings of the plates, at least one of the channels has an interconnection which connects at least two of the plurality of openings together and a testing hole portion which runs from the interconnection through an outer edge of the at least one plate, and the plurality of tubular thermoelectric generators are electrically connected together in series via the electrically conductive member that is housed in the interconnection of the at least one channel.