Thermoelectric generation system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11871665-B2
Application number	US-201917051315-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 10, 2019
Priority date	May 11, 2018
Publication date	Jan 9, 2024
Grant date	Jan 9, 2024

Abstract

A thermoelectric generation system is provided with: a thermoelectric element; a heating unit; a cooling unit; a heat transfer unit; a pressure gauge; a first valve; and a control unit. The thermoelectric element uses a temperature difference to generate power. The heating unit has a first heat medium path through which a heat medium passes, and heats the thermoelectric element by means of the heat of the heat medium. The cooling unit cools the thermoelectric element. The heat transfer unit has a second heat medium path through which the heat medium passes and which is connected to the first heat medium path, and heats, by using a heat source, the heat medium reduced in temperature as a result of heating the thermoelectric element. The pressure gauge detects the rise or fall of a value (pressure of heat medium) in accordance with the temperature of the heat source.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A thermoelectric generation system comprising:
a thermoelectric element which generates power by a temperature difference;
a heating unit which includes a first heat medium path through which a heat medium passes, and heats the thermoelectric element by heat of the heat medium;
a cooling unit which cools the thermoelectric element;
a heat transfer unit which includes a second heat medium path through which the heat medium passes and which is connected to the first heat medium path, and heats, by using a heat source, the heat medium whose temperature is decreased as a result of heating the thermoelectric element;
a detection unit which detects a temperature of the heat source or a value that fluctuates according to the temperature of the heat source;
an adjustment unit which changes an amount of the heat medium which circulates through the first heat medium path and the second heat medium path; and
a control unit which controls the adjustment unit based on the value detected by the detection unit to adjust the amount of the heat medium,
a pressure holding container which stores the heat medium and holds a pressure of the heat medium that is being stored at a set value;
wherein the adjustment unit includes
a discharge valve which moves the heat medium in the first heat medium path to the pressure holding container only in one direction, and
a return valve which moves the heat medium in the pressure holding container to the first heat medium path only in one direction, and

wherein the discharge valve and the return valve are located in parallel between the pressure holding container and the heating unit.

2. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to:
control the adjustment unit in such a way that the amount of the heat medium is equivalent to a first amount, when the value detected by the detection unit is a first value; and
control the adjustment unit in such a way that the amount of the heat medium is equivalent to a second amount, which is greater in amount than the first amount, when the value detected by the detection unit is a second value that is lower than the first value.

3. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the adjustment unit in such a way that an amount of power generation by the thermoelectric element is equivalent to a rated power generation amount.

4. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric element and the heating unit are arranged in a thickness direction thereof.

5. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit is located in a path directed toward the first heat medium path from the second heat medium path.

6. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the first heat medium path includes a plurality of paths formed in parallel.

7. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the first heat medium path is arranged along a vertical direction.

8. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric element, the heating unit and the cooling units are arranged in a thickness direction thereof.

9. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the heat transfer unit is provided inside a heat source duct, and the thermoelectric element is provided outside the heat source duct; and
each of the heat transfer unit and the thermoelectric element is attached to a flange member which constitutes a part of a wall portion of the heat source duct, which is formed by closing an opening of the heat source duct.

10. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 9 , further comprising a supporting member which supports the thermoelectric element on an installation surface or a ceiling surface outside the heat source duct.

11. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric element is arranged on the heating unit, and the cooling unit is arranged on the thermoelectric element.

12. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 11 , wherein the thermoelectric element, the heating unit and the cooling units are arranged in a thickness direction thereof.

13. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit acquires a thermal resistance of the thermoelectric element, and adjusts the amount of the heat medium by controlling the adjustment unit based on the thermal resistance.

14. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 13 , wherein the control unit controls the adjustment unit in such a way that the higher the acquired thermal resistance is, the less the amount of the heat medium becomes.

15. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an auxiliary heat transfer unit which uses the heat source to heat the heat medium stored in the pressure holding container, thereby approximating the pressure of the heat medium to the set value.

16. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 15 , further comprising an auxiliary cooling unit which cools the heat medium stored in the pressure holding container, thereby approximating the pressure of the heat medium stored in the pressure holding container to the set value.

17. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 15 , further comprising an auxiliary heat transfer valve which changes the amount of the heat medium for conducting heat exchange with the heat source in the auxiliary heat transfer unit so as to approximate the pressure of the heat medium stored in the pressure holding container to the set value.

18. The thermoelectric generation system according to claim 15 , wherein the auxiliary heat transfer unit is located in a heat source duct where the heat transfer unit is located.

Assignees

• Yanmar Power Technology Co Ltd

Inventors

• Hatasako Yoshika
• Fukudome Jiro
• Nakagawa Shuichi

Classifications

• H10N10/13 Primary

  characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction · CPC title

• H02N11/00

  Generators or motors not provided for elsewhere; Alleged perpetua mobilia obtained by electric or magnetic means (by hydrostatic pressure F03B17/04; {by mechanical means F03G7/10;} by dynamo-electric means, {including arrangements of permanent magnets interacting with other permanent magnets,} H02K53/00) · CPC title