摘要 |
The subject invention pertains to thermoelectric power generation. According to certain embodiments, a stack of silicon-mi cromachined chips can be connected to form a cylindrical heat exchanger that enables a large, uniform temperature difference across a radially-oriented thermopile. Each layer in the stack can comprise two thermally-isolated concentric silicon rings connected by a polyimide membrane that supports patterned thermoelectric thin films. The polyimide membrane can be formed by selectively etching away the supporting silicon, resulting in thermally-isolated inner and outer rings. In operation, hot gas can flow through a finned central channel, and an external cross flow can enhance heat transfer to ambient to keep the outer surfaces cool. The resulting temperature gradient across the thermopile generates a voltage potential across the open ends due to the Seebeck effect. When connected to a load, current flows, and electrical power is supplied by the generated voltage potential caused by the temperature gradient. |
申请人 |
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.;ARNOLD, DAVID, PATRICK;BONICHE, ISRAEL;MEYER, CHRISTOPHER, DAVID;MASILAMANI, SIVARAMAN |
发明人 |
ARNOLD, DAVID, PATRICK;BONICHE, ISRAEL;MEYER, CHRISTOPHER, DAVID;MASILAMANI, SIVARAMAN |