Thermoelectric power generation device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020343430-A1
Application number	US-201716304086-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 9, 2017
Priority date	May 25, 2016
Publication date	Oct 29, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

A thermoelectric power generation device including a thermoelectric element having a first side provided to a heating unit and a second side provided to a cooling unit, and a heat transfer pipe arranged in a passage in which a high temperature fluid flows. The heating unit and the heat transfer pipe have internal spaces communicating with each other. The internal space of the heating unit and the internal space of the heat transfer pipe form a circulation path in which a heat medium is circulated. An outlet of the heat transfer pipe from which the heat medium is discharged is provided in a position higher than an inlet of the heat transfer pipe into which the heat medium flows. The heat transfer pipe vaporizes the heat medium flowing in the circulation path by using heat of the high temperature fluid. The heating unit condenses the heat medium vaporized.

First claim

1 . A thermoelectric power generation device comprising:
a thermoelectric element having a first side provided to a heating unit and a second side provided to a cooling unit; and a heat transfer pipe arranged in a passage in which a high temperature fluid flows, wherein the heating unit and the heat transfer pipe respectively have internal spaces communicating with each other, the internal space of the heating unit and the internal space of the heat transfer pipe form a circulation path in which a heat medium is circulated, an outlet of the heat transfer pipe from which the heat medium is discharged is provided in a position higher than an inlet of the heat transfer pipe into which the heat medium flows, the inlet of the heat transfer pipe is provided in a position lower than a lowermost end portion of the thermoelectric element, the heat transfer pipe is configured to vaporize the heat medium flowing in the circulation path by using heat of the high temperature fluid, and the heating unit is configure to condense the heat medium vaporized.

2 . The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 1 , wherein a slope for causing the heat medium flowing in the internal space of the heating unit to flow towards an outlet of the heating unit is provided in a bottom portion of the heating unit.

3 . The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 1 , wherein an outlet of the heating unit is provided in a position higher than the inlet of the heat transfer pipe.

4 . The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 3 , wherein:
a liquid reservoir for storing the heat medium condensed in the heating unit is provided to a lower portion of the heating unit; and the liquid reservoir is connected to the outlet of the heating unit and the inlet of the heat transfer pipe.

5 . The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 4 , wherein a slope for causing the heat medium to flow towards the inlet of the heat transfer pipe is provided at a bottom portion of the liquid reservoir.

6 . The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 3 , wherein:
the heating unit has a plurality of outlets at a bottom portion of the heating unit, and a connection pipe connecting the plurality of outlets of the heating unit with the inlet of the heat transfer pipe is provided in a lower portion of the heating unit.

Assignees

• Yanmar Co Ltd

Inventors

• Hatasako Yoshika
• Fukudqme Jiro
• Tanaka Yuichiro
• Nakagawa Shuichi

Classifications

• 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

• Y02T10/12

  Improving ICE efficiencies · CPC title

• F25B2500/01

  Geometry problems, e.g. for reducing size · CPC title

• F01N3/0205

  using heat exchangers · CPC title

• F01N5/025 Primary

  the device being thermoelectric generators · CPC title