Thermoelectric generator for a vehicle
US6605773B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/72
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A thermoelectric generator includes a thermal generator to which thermal energy is provided from a heat source. In order to keep the output voltage of the thermal generator in a range suitable for charging a battery or for directly feeding into the vehicle's electrical system, the rate of heat production of the heat source and/or the cooling power of a cooling device for the thermal generator is controlled by a regulator. For this purpose, the regulator is connected to a temperature sensor which is mounted on the thermal generator. The regulator can be more cost-effectively configured than a D.C. converter between the output side of the thermal generator and the battery so that this converter can be dispensed with.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.