Heat exchanger for thermoelectric power generation with the thermoelectric modules in direct contact with the heat source

US9660168B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System · US

Inventors

• Matthew James Hall · Austin, US
• Li Shi · Quzhou, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 2, 2014
• Grant date: May 23, 2017
• Expiry date: Aug 18, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F01N5/025
• WIPO field: Environmental technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A thermoelectric power generator for converting thermal energy into electrical energy. The thermoelectric power generator includes a heat exchanger configured to extract thermal energy from an exhaust gas stream. The heat exchanger includes fins in contact with a boundary of the heat exchanger, where the fins are directly connected to a first set of thermoelectric modules. A second set of thermoelectric modules are directly connected to the boundary of the heat exchanger. The first and second sets of thermoelectric modules are configured to convert the thermal energy to electrical energy. By eliminating the metal wall that previously existed between the thermoelectric modules and the fins, the thermoelectric power generator improves the heat transfer between the exhaust gas and the thermoelectric modules, eliminates the thermal fatigue failures at the bond between the metal wall and the thermoelectric modules as well as allows for a higher density of thermoelectric modules.