Thermo-electric power harvesting bearing configuration
US9343645B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 2012 |
| Grant date | May 17, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N10/10
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A power generating bearing assembly (100) comprises a bearing subassembly (120) retained by a bearing housing (110). During operation, friction and other factors increase a temperature of the bearing assembly (100). The housing (110) includes a bearing cooling passage system comprising a coolant supply port (130), a liquid cooling passage (134), and a coolant return port (138). The liquid cooling passage (134) is routed proximate the bearing subassembly (120) to remove heat therefrom. A thermo-generator cavity (180) is formed into the housing (110) between the coolant supply port (130) and the coolant return port (138). A Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) is inserted into the cavity (180), orienting a cold carrier side (220, 222) towards the supply port (130) and a hot carrier side (240) towards the return port (138). The Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) utilizes a temperature difference between the supply port (130) and the return port (138) to generated electric power. The power can be used to operate electrically powered devices, such as condition sensors (150), communication devices, and the like.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.