A THERMOELECTRIC APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRIC ENERGY FROM A THERMAL ENERGY SOURCE

摘要

Apparatuses for converting heat energy into electrical energy are described. An example apparatus may include a thermoelectric generator (TEG) device and a heat sink component. The heat sink component can include a heat sink reservoir adapted for holding a heat transfer medium (e.g., a liquid). The TEG device includes a TEG module having a hot surface and a cold surface, the hot surface adapted to receive heat from the heat source. The TEG device may be coupled to the heat sink component in any suitable manner to reduce thermal resistance between the heat sink component and the cold surface of the TEG module. The heat sink component may be joined to the TEG device such that the heat sink liquid contacts the cold surface of the TEG module. The apparatus may further include a thermally-conductive member (TCM), which may be configured to transport heat to the TEG module.