EP0020758A1 - Dispositif de production et d'emmagasinage d'energie - Google Patents

Dispositif de production et d'emmagasinage d'energie

Info

Publication number
EP0020758A1
EP0020758A1 EP80900213A EP80900213A EP0020758A1 EP 0020758 A1 EP0020758 A1 EP 0020758A1 EP 80900213 A EP80900213 A EP 80900213A EP 80900213 A EP80900213 A EP 80900213A EP 0020758 A1 EP0020758 A1 EP 0020758A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heat
conductors
current generator
thermocouple
generator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP80900213A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Ernesto E. Gomez
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/000,200 external-priority patent/US4251290A/en
Priority claimed from US06/000,201 external-priority patent/US4257822A/en
Priority claimed from US06/008,439 external-priority patent/US4251291A/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0020758A1 publication Critical patent/EP0020758A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10N—ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10N10/00—Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects

Definitions

  • This invention relates to energy generation and storage devices.
  • the invention is directed toward novel arrangements of thermocouple and thermopile elements for generation of energy and for an improved current generator.
  • thermocouples are formed of two wires or rods of different materials joined at respective junctions, with one of the junctions being a hot region, while the other is a cold region.
  • thermoelectric voltage is formed between the junctions, and one of the materials is broken to form a set of terminals so that current can flow between the junctions and through the materials.
  • thermocouples formed of conductor elements have been employed as temperature sensing elements in many types of environments, especially with cookware.
  • One of the important aspects of these thermocouples is the effect of sensing of the temperature level, and such elements have been constructed with the junction between the conductors being as small as possible, in order to enable the junction to be in close proximity to the source of heat.
  • thermocouples Current generators are conventionally constructed of well known components placed in a temperature gradient. Such components formed as a thermocouple can generate electric currents.
  • thermopiles are generally formed of semiconductor elements in various environments for utilizing the heat generated by the sun to form thermopiles which serve as a source of electrical current and voltage.
  • Semiconductor materials have inherent disadvantages, especially relating to cost and resistance levels, so that the voltage generated in the elements often does not enable large currents to be developed.
  • semiconductor materials are formed of precious metals, which are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain and increasingly expensive.
  • the field of solar energy collection, storage and generation has been expanding greatly in the recent past.
  • thermocouple formed of conventional conductor elements which are suitable for the generation of electrical energy from the sun.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a newly improved current generator, which is easy to manufacture, inexpensive, and susceptible of being used in regions of heat and cold.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide a thermoelectric generator utilizing solar energy, which is capable of producing thermoelectric power during periods of time when sunlight is unavailable.
  • thermocouple
  • thermocouples formed of semiconductor elements employing copper conductors 19 to connect the thermocouple elements.
  • the present invention differs from the Fritts disclosure in many regards, especially relating to the utilization of conductor elements, which are different in cost and composition from the semiconductor elements used by Fritts. Further, the present invention provides for large junction areas with the large area junctions being formed by the mating surfaces at the hot and cold junctions of the thermocouple.
  • the patent to Loring is generally directed to a solar thermoelectric generator employing a parabolic heat reflector to concentrate the heat at the hot junction portion 11 of the thermocouple 10.
  • the thermocouple is formed by two semiconductor materials with the cross-sectional area between the two being different to compensate for different thermoelectric material properties.
  • the Loring patent is also different from the present invention in regard to its employment of semiconductor materials as well as other features as will be more apparent hereinafter.
  • the patent to Thorp is also directed to semiconductor elements forming a thermocouple with a thermoelectric generator being formed of a plurality of stack pairs of layers of two different thermoelectric materials.
  • the Thorp reference also shows the employment of semiconductor materials, which has been discussed above with regard to the patents to Fritts and Loring.
  • the patent to Gilbert is also directed to a thermopile formed of semiconductor materials joined together. Further, the Gilbert patent does illustrate the possible concept of the provision of a junction between the materials having a larger crosssectional area than either of the materials. Since the Gilbert patent illustrates the utilization of semiconductor materials, an important feature, of the present invention is missing from the Gilbert reference.
  • the patent to Dashevsky is generally related to thermocouples and thermopiles formed of semiconductor materials, and note is taken of the showing in Column 2, lines 21, et seq. of the statement that the intrinsic resistance or the thermoelement is affected by the width of the branch employed.
  • the Dashevsky patent illustrates the generally known concept of an inverse relationship between resistance and surface area, it can be considered relevant to the instant invention.
  • thermopile assembly relates to an entirely new construction for thermopiles.
  • the new construction comprises a first material which is continuous and has repetitive segments with one portion extending between the regions of heat and cold and the other portion of the repeat segment extending from the cold to the hot region.
  • a second material is joined to alternate repeat segments of the first material and the resulting thermopile assembly generates an electrical current under the influence of a temperature gradient.
  • thermocouple In some aspects and as discussed below, the invention is similar to a thermocouple, but all thermocouples are formed with separate elements joined together, with neither of the elements comprising a continuous strip extending from repetitive thermocouple segment to thermocouple segment.
  • the Shaffer, 2,984,696 is related to energy storage.
  • the Shaffer patent fails to show, suggest or disclose the provision or use of energy storage means, such as employing a latent heat of fusion technique, and therefore is inapplicable to the present invention.
  • thermocouple formed oftwo conductors, with the conductors being joined in hot and cold regions.
  • Each of the conductors has a generalized cross-sectional area, and the thermocouple comprises such conductors having a junction area significantly greater than the cross-sectional area of either of the elements.
  • the use of large area junctions reduces the resistance in the thermocouple electrical path enabling an increase in current to be realized. Further, such large area junctions tend to minimize loss of junction heat by enlarging the area subjected to said heat.
  • this Invention provides a current generator to be located in a temperature gradient between a heat source region and a heat sink region, with the generator comprising a first continuous material having thermoelectric characteristics and having a first portion extending between the source and sink and a second portion extending between the sink and source, and a second material having thermoelectric characteristics electrically connected with only one of said first or second portions of the first material.
  • the storage system of this invention comprises a solar collector for receiving energy from the solar source, an absorber plate and heat storage means for absorbing the solar energy and storing this solar energy, the storage means comprising a latent heat storage medium, and locating said thermopiles in the region of said heat storage means to cause thermoelectric power to be generated.
  • thermoelectric power permits energy accumulation during the day for use at night, by controlling the temperature at which the medium changes from state to state.
  • thermoelectric generator Temperature rises during the day until the melting point of the medium is reached, and the heat input from the sun thereafter further melts the medium, without raising the temperature of the storage medium. At night, or when the sun is cloud covered, the heat storage again changes state, such as by freezing, releasing the heat absorbed to provide a source of heat for the thermopiles. Since the material chosen can have its latent heat fusion selected, while the material remains partially molten, the temperature remains constant and therefore, the voltage output of the thermoelectric generator or thermopiles also is constant.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating C-shape elements.
  • Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken through one of said C-shape elements.
  • Fig. 3 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the instant invention illustrating square zshape elements.
  • Fig. 5 is another embodiment of the invention illustrating square z-shape elements arranged in overlapping relationship.
  • Fig. 6 is a pictorial representation of the method of forming another embodiment of the instant invention.
  • Fig. 7 is a top view of the thermopile formed in accordance with the method illustrated in Fig. 6.
  • Fig. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of the current generator of this invention.
  • Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the current generator of this invention.
  • Fig. 10 is an assembly view illustrating one method of forming the current generator of this invention.
  • Figs. 11 and 12 are embodiments of this invention formed in accordance with the method illustrated in Fig. 10.
  • Fig. 13 is another embodiment of the current generator of this invention.
  • Fig. 14 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the energy storage invention in which a latent heat storage medium is employed with a solar collector and thermopiles.
  • Fig. 15 Is an alternate embodiment, similar to Fig. 14, in which parabolic solar collectors are employed.
  • Fig. 16 is a schematic representative diagram illustrating another embodiment of the invention in which heat is stored in a region remotely located from a thermopile.
  • Fig. 17 is another view similar to Fig. 16 in which the thermopiles and heat storage medium are remotely located from the absorber.
  • Fig. 18 is another embodiment similar to Figs. 16 and 17 in which the thermopiles are remotely located from the heat storage medium which itself is remotely located from the heat absorber.
  • Fig. 19 is another view similar to Fig. 18 in which parabolic collectors are utilized for receiving the solar energy. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
  • thermopile generally designated with the numeral 10 formed of an element 12 comprising a conductor of one material and another element 14 formed of a conductor of a same or dissimilar material, with the elements having a square C-shape.
  • Elements 12 and 14 comprise intermediate sections 16 and 18, respectively and upper leg portions 20 and 22 respectively, and lower leg portions 24 and 26 respectively.
  • a generalized cross-sectional shape is generated along a plane 28 which is sub stantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the conductor elements, and the cross-sectional area 30 of the elements is illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • the crosssectional area is generally rectangular and is approximately the same through the leg and Intermediate portions of the elements 12 and 14.
  • thermopile is formed of successive pairs of reversely arranged square C-shape elements located between a heat source 32 and a heat sink 34.
  • a conducting spacer 36 is employed between respective legs of adjacent elements so as to make electrical connections at the thermoelectric junction.
  • a thermoelectric junction is formed at the upper portion of the first element 12 which has its leg 20 in an electrical contact with leg 22 of element 14.
  • the junction surface is the facing surfaces of legs 20 and 22, whose cross-sectional areas is significantly greater than the cross-sectional area of either the elements, as illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the arrangement of C-shape elements has advantageous features in that there is a minimum of heat transfer across the element, since intermediate section 16 is a thin connecting portion between legs 20 and 24. Such a thin intermediate portion minimizes heat flow between the heat source 32 and heat sink 34, so as to maximize temperature differences between the thermoelectric junctions, in order to increase the voltage developed therebetween.
  • thermopile formed of repetitive pairs of oppositely 1 disposed squared C-shape elements.
  • the current flows through leg 24, up intermediate sections 16, through leg 20, across the junction between legs 20 and 22, down intermediate section 18, into leg 26 across the junction between leg 26 and the leg of the next C-shape element 38, along the bottom leg of C-shape element 38 and upwardly through its intermediate portion to the next junction, which Is at the next upper leg.
  • the current flows alternatively upwardly and downwardly through the C-shape elements with a number of thermocouples forming the thermopile.
  • FIG. 4 illustrate another embodiment of the instant invention in which squared z-shape elements are employed with the junction being formed between the facing surfaces of reversely disposed squared z-shape elements.
  • the thermoelectric current will flow as indicated by the arrow through the bottom leg of first element 40 upwardly through the intermediate section across the junction between the first element 40 and second element 42, downwardly through the intermediate section of element 42, across the junction between element 42 and the next element 44 and upwardly through the intermediate section of element 44.
  • the thermopile is formed of a number of such elements, with the heat-source 46being located at one junction area while the heat sink 48 is located at the opposite junction area.
  • thermocouple junction The difference in voltage formed at the junctions due to the thermoelectric differences enables the current to flow through the sequence of joined thermoelectric elements to form the thermocouple and thermopile of the instant invention.
  • the area of the thermocouple junction is the facing surface of the adjoining elements which is relatively large in comparison to the cross-sectional area of any of the elements.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates yet another embodiment of this invention where the thermocouple and thermopile is formed of overlapped squared z-shape elements 50 and 52.
  • a heat source 54 is located at the upper junctions while heat sink 56 is located in the lower junctions.
  • Thermoelectric current flows through the thermopile as indicated by the arrow. Such thermoelectric current crosses the junction between the matching respective legs of elements 50 and 52 and then vertically through the respective intermediate portions of the elements 52, then along the need for separate conductors to be integrated in the thermocouples.
  • thermocouple of this invention Materials which may serve as elements in the thermocouple of this invention are generally identified as being electrical conductors. Materials such as nickel, nickel alloys, iron, iron alloys, and iron alloys with silicon, especially ductile iron may all be employed. Additionally, copper may be employed as well as copper alloys.
  • thermocouple The individual elements illustrated in the prior figures may be easily formed by conventional metal forming techniques.
  • the specific C and Z shapes employed are not intended to be limiting but are merely illustrative of conductor elements employed in the thermocouple with the junction between adjacent thermocouple elements being formed of the elements themselves because, of their electrical current carrying characteristics. These shapes also provide for large junction areas and narrow inter mediate sections
  • the relative surface areas may be arranged to be sized in relation to the resistivity of the materials in order to minimize impedance differences at the junctions.
  • Figures 6 and 7 illustrate one method of forming large numbers of thermocouples, with a series of triangular thermocouples being produced.
  • a plurality of first conductors 60 are laid in parallel relationship to each other and on a slant and a plurality of second conductors 62 are laid crosswise across first conductors 60 with intersections formed therebetween as at 64.
  • a grid is formed of elements 60 and 62 so interlaced and a cutting operation is performed along lines 66 after the materials 60 and 62 have been joined at their intersections.
  • the resulting thermocouple is illustrated in Figure 7 and the junction 68 between elements 60 and 62 is formed of the overlapping portions of the elements joined at their intersections.
  • thermocouple and thermopile formed in accordance with Figures 6 and 7 is then placed between heat source 70 and heat sink 72, so that the junctions are located in the respective heat source and heat sink regions to generate an electric current through the thermopile.
  • the thermocouple formed in accordance with Figure 7 comprises conductors joined in regions of relative heat and cold with the area of the junction 68 being substantially larger than the cross-sectional area taken through a plane perpendicular to the conductors, since conductors 60 and 62 are thin strips of metal.
  • thermopile of this invention may be used with any source of heat.
  • the invention may recapture energy usually disposed of such as heat escaping from a building during the winter.
  • Other sources of heat may be employed.
  • Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the current generator invention in which a first continuous material 10' is formed of a thermoelectric material constructed to extend between a region of heat 12' and a region of cold 14'.
  • the material 10' is formed into a repetitive series of similar patterns, with a first Intermediate portion 16' extending from the region of sink to source and the second intermediate portion 18' extending between source and sink.
  • the first material has top portion 20' formed as well as base portion 22', with the top and base portions lying within the regions of relative heat and cold.
  • a second material 24' having thermoelectric characteristics is electrically connected to intermediate portion 16 and extends between the sink and source 14' the number of joining operations encountered in the prior art.
  • thermopile As an example, a standard thermopile with 10 thermocouples requires 20 separate elements, 10 of material 200 and 10 of material 202. Nineteen joining operations are required to construct said thermopile. In accordance with the invention, the present thermopile requires only a single piece of continuous material 200, to which 10 pieces of material 202 are joined by simple joining operations.
  • thermopile By employing a continuous strip for one of the two materials, -a rigid base for the assembly of the thermopile may be achieved, and enables such techniques as electroplating to be employed to connect the second material to the first.
  • Fig. 10 illustrates yet another technique for joining the discrete material 30' to the continuous material 32', by merely folding material 30' about material 32' to achieve the desired electrical connection between these two materials.
  • Figures 11 and 12 illustrate two other embodiments of the current generator in accordance with this invention, with the current generator 40' of Fig. 11 being folded into the step-wave shape after a joining operation, such as the operation illustrated in Fig. 10.
  • Figure 12 illustrates a current generator folded into a triangular form, with the second material joined to the first continuous material along only one leg of each triangular repeat segment 50'. The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 12 is formed after the second material is connected to the first material.
  • Fig. 11 illustrate two other embodiments of the current generator in accordance with this invention, with the current generator 40' of Fig. 11 being folded into the step-wave shape after a joining operation, such as the operation illustrated in Fig. 10.
  • Figure 12 illustrates a current generator folded into a triangular form, with the second material joined to the first continuous material
  • the first material is formed as a continuous step-wave 60' while the second material comprises discrete squared z-shape segments electrically connected, by way of plating or otherwise, to corresponding repetitive segments of continuous piece 60'.
  • the continuous material may be a conductor or semiconductor
  • the discrete material may also be a conductor or semiconductor, and any combination of conductors or semiconductors joined together by way of plating, gluing, or other techniques may be employed. It is important that the second material be electrically joined to the first material between the regions of hot and cold, and the joining techniques could be such so that there is discontinuous electrical contact or continuous electrical contact between these regions.
  • a source of light such as solar light irradiates from direction 10" toward a transparent cover 12" , which is formed of a double wall transparent construction, and the light passes through said transparent cover 12" to impinge upon an absorber plate 14".
  • the absorber plate absorbs the solar energy and is integrally formed with a heat storage medium and 'means 16".
  • a plurality of thermopiles 18" are connected below and to the heat storage medium 16", and thermal insulation 20" is provided in the upper region of thermopiles 18" in the area of the heat storage medium.
  • a bottom radiator plate 22" is provided to cool the bottom portion of the thermopiles which are remotely located from the heat storage medium 16".
  • the transparent cover 12" may be formed of a double cover for purposes of heat insulation, and is capable of passing sunlight therethrough to irradiate on the absorber plate 14".
  • the absorber plate has the heat storage means and medium 16" integrally formed therewith, and one possible arrangement being to provide a double plate for absorber plate 14" having a heat storage medium such as lithium nitrite, stannous chloride or aluminum iodide filled therein.
  • a heat storage medium such as lithium nitrite, stannous chloride or aluminum iodide filled therein.
  • thermopiles 18 which have a general vertical orientation. The thermopiles are arranged so that the top portion is in the proximity of the heat storage means, while the bottom portion is in the proximity of the radiator plate 22".
  • thermopiles provide thermoelectric power related to the temperature gradient between the upper and lower portions thereof, and with the present invention, the upper temperature is maintained fairly constant over a large period of time.
  • the period of time will be greater than that during which the sun is shining, and is related to the material used as the heat storage medium as well as the other construction features for ensuring temperature gradient across the thermopiles and retaining heat in the heat storage means 16".
  • the above-described chemicals have a general latent heat of fusion at approximately 150°, and under conventional collection proceedings, normal irradiated sun passing through the transparent cover absorber plate and heat storage medium will easily reach that level.
  • a supplemental battery system can be provided which would store electricity when the demand is below peak.
  • This battery system need only store enough energy for several hours of maximum demand, and the system does not have to accommodate to fluctuating voltages from a solar collector, since the voltage output from the solar collector system illustrated in Fig. 14 is constant in view of the constant temperature achieved through use of a latent heat of fusion material forming the heat storage medium.
  • Fig. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of my invention in which parabolic collectors 24" are employed to collect the solar energy.
  • Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1 with a storage means 16" being provided having a storage medium for changing its state to store the heat through the latent heat of fusion principle described above. Further, there is provided thermal insulation 20", thermopiles 18" and a bottom radiator plate 22" which are arranged in the same manner and accomplish the same function as described above with regard to Fig. 14.
  • the parabolic collectors enable the temperature to which the absorber plate can be heated to be increased over that achievable with the flat absorber plates and as a consequence, an increase In stored energy is achievable with said parabolic collectors.
  • thermoelectric generator system The embodiments illustrated in Figsj.14 and 15 represent a compact thermoelectric generator system. Energy may also be stored, as is currently done for solar heating and cooling systems, in a tank located away from the absorber plate. This is a more complicated system, but has the advantage that a separate tank may be better insulated. Heat transfer from the collector to the tank may be effected by a fluid heat transfer medium, by heat pipes or by the storage material itself. In this case, it may be advantageous to store heat in the transition from liquid to gas of a substance with a suitable boiling point.
  • the thermopiles could be attached to the solar absorber, and the flow of heat to and from the storage tank can be adjusted, as appropriate. Figures 3 through 6 illustrate such systems.
  • a conduit 36" is provided connected between absorber 32" and a remote storage tank 38".
  • the storage medium as described above, may be chosen to be a material which stores heat in the transition from liquid to gas, and the gaseous materials carried In conduits 36" between absorber plate 32" and storage tank 38".
  • a valve 40" is provided between the absorber plate 32" and storage tank 38" to allow the storage material to pass from the absorber plate to the storage tank when the gaseous state has been reached.
  • the storage tank may be provided with an outer thermal insulation covering 42" surrounding a heat storage medium 44" within which there is located a heat exchanger 46".
  • thermoelectric power from the thermopiles changes from its liquid to gaseous state in accordance with the temperature to which the absorber plates is subjected, and valve 40' enables the remotely located heat storage medium to flow between thermopiles 34" and the storage tank 38", as appropriate for the generation of thermoelectric power from the thermopiles.
  • the thermopiles may be arranged to have a suitable radiator plate (not shown) as appropriate.
  • FIG. 17 there is shown yet another embodiment of a remotely located storage tank 38" in which a source of light 30" irradiates upon an absorber plate 32".
  • valve 40 (see Fig. 16) is dispensed with, and a conduit 36" is provided between absorber plate 32" and storage tank 38".
  • the heat storage tank 38" is surrounded by a thermal insulation 42" , and an additional thermal insulation 48" is provided on the bottom of absorber 32".
  • the heat exchanger 46" is located within storage tank 38", and in this embodiment, thermopiles 34" are located in the region of the storage tank 38".
  • This arrangement may be suitable where a large construction facility is employed in which the thermopiles are remotely located from the absorber plate.
  • the size of the thermopiles and storage tank may be significantly larger than that achievable with the more compact unit of Figs. 14 and 16, so that longer term storage of power may be provided.
  • Fig. 18 is yet another embodiment of a remotely located storage tank 38'" having a source of light 30'" impinging upon an absorber plate 32"'.
  • Insulation 48"' is located beneath absorber plate 32", and conduit 36'". carries the storage medium or heat transfer material from absorber plate 32"' to storage tank 38"'.
  • Located within storage tank 38"' is a heat exchanger 46"' in which the heat storage medium is located as well as an outer thermal insulation 42"'.
  • a valve 40"' allows further heat transfer medium to flow between the storage tank and the remotely located thermopiles 34"'.
  • This arrangement as shown in Fig. 18 is similar to that of Fig. 17 in which the heat may be stored remotely from the collectors.
  • Fig. 19 is yet another embodiment of my invention, which is similar to Fig. 18, but concentrating collectors 50" are substituted for the flat plate collectors found in the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 16 through 18. In all respects, the apparatus of Fig. 19 operates similarly to Fig. 18.
  • My invention permits energy accumulation during the day and utilization of the energy during the day and at night. Depending upon the quantity of heat storage medium selected, and upon the temperature at which the latent heated fusion comes into operation, the energy storage can be for long periods of time. Further, peak power demands may be met by the provision of relatively efficient and small battery sytems, and in view of the constant voltage output provided by my invention., such storage batteries may be efficiently charged.
  • Latent heat storage in the collector plate also serves to regulate the temperature in the region of the collector, and prevent the temperature from rising above design limits to damage the collector.

Landscapes

  • Measuring Temperature Or Quantity Of Heat (AREA)

Abstract

Le dispositif de production et d'emmagasinage d'energie comprend un dispositif de production d'energie qui est un generateur de courant, lequel est place dans un gradient de temperature entre une source de chaleur (32) et une region (34) receptrice de chaleur. Le generateur comprend un premier materiau continu (12) possedant des caracteristiques thermoelectriques et une forme repetitive dont une partie s'etend entre la source (32) et le recepteur (34) et l'autre partie (18) entre le recepteur et la source, ainsi qu'un second materiau possedant des caracteristiques thermoelectriques relie electriquement avec seulement une desdites premiere ou seconde partie du premier materiau. Une thermopile est ainsi formee (10) et des techniques de placage peuvent etre utilisees pour relier le second materiau au premier materiau dans les premiere ou seconde partie repetitive du premier materiau. De cette facon, la thermopile (10) est formee d'une serie repetitive de thermocouples. Les conductivites des deux materiaux sont sensiblement egales. Les conducteurs (60), (62) d'une autre forme de dispositif de production d'energie sont relies aux jonctions de thermocouples (68), de facon que les zones de jonction soient relativement grandes par rapport aux sections des elements conducteurs. En prevoyant des sections de jonction de thermocouple de grande surface, on obtient une reduction de la resistance et de la concentration en chaleur, afin que le thermocouple et la thermopile resultants (10) puissent facilement etre utilises pour collecter l'energie solaire de facon a produire un courant electrique et une tension en relation avec l'energie solaire disponible. L'emmagasinage d'energie est accompli de maniere a pouvoir utiliser l'energie avec un generateur thermoelectrique dans lequel des thermopiles (34") sont utilisees. La source d'energie solaire (30") irradie le dispositif d'emmagasinage de chaleur latente (38") afin de permettre a la chaleur d'etre emmagasinee a une temperature relativement constante afin de servir de source de
EP80900213A 1979-01-02 1980-07-14 Dispositif de production et d'emmagasinage d'energie Withdrawn EP0020758A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201 1979-01-02
US06/000,200 US4251290A (en) 1979-01-02 1979-01-02 Thermopile formed of conductors
US200 1979-01-02
US06/000,201 US4257822A (en) 1979-01-02 1979-01-02 Continuous thermopile
US06/008,439 US4251291A (en) 1979-02-01 1979-02-01 Thermoelectric generator with latent heat storage
US8439 1979-02-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0020758A1 true EP0020758A1 (fr) 1981-01-07

Family

ID=27356619

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP80900213A Withdrawn EP0020758A1 (fr) 1979-01-02 1980-07-14 Dispositif de production et d'emmagasinage d'energie

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0020758A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1980001438A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19519978A1 (de) * 1995-05-24 1995-11-09 Lars Dr Podlowski Thermo-elektrischer Sonnenkollektor als Mittel zur gleichzeitigen Nutzung der Solarstrahlung für thermische Zwecke und zur Erzeugung elektrischer Energie
AU6187996A (en) * 1995-07-28 1997-02-26 Hans K. Seibold Converter for generating electric energy (hot-cold current-generating element)
DE19537121C2 (de) * 1995-10-05 2000-12-21 Bernklau Reiner Vorrichtung zur Gewinnung elektrischer Energie aus Strahlungsenergie
DE19833180C2 (de) * 1998-07-23 2003-01-02 Hans K Seibold Fertigungsverfahren für thermoelektrische Energiewandlerketten
US7638705B2 (en) * 2003-12-11 2009-12-29 Nextreme Thermal Solutions, Inc. Thermoelectric generators for solar conversion and related systems and methods
US7523617B2 (en) 2004-10-22 2009-04-28 Nextreme Thermal Solutions, Inc. Thin film thermoelectric devices for hot-spot thermal management in microprocessors and other electronics
DE102006033816A1 (de) * 2006-07-19 2008-02-07 Uwe Vincenz Verfahren zur Erzeugung von Elektroenergie und Anordnung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
EP1885004B1 (fr) 2006-07-24 2010-05-19 C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni Dispositif pour la conversion de radiation électromagnétique en énergie électrique et procédé de conversion correspondant
DE102006040853B3 (de) * 2006-08-31 2008-02-14 Siemens Ag Einrichtung der Thermoelektrik mit einem thermoelektrischen Generator und Mitteln zur Temperaturbegrenzung an dem Generator
CN101669221B (zh) 2006-11-13 2012-05-23 麻省理工学院 太阳能发电机
FR2919759A1 (fr) * 2007-08-02 2009-02-06 Chambre De Commerce Et D Ind D Procede et generateur thermoelectrique/thermoionique de conversion d'ondes electromagnetiques par des superreseaux
DE102007055937A1 (de) * 2007-12-31 2009-07-30 Beck, Wolfgang, Dr.-Ing. Thermischer Transmitter zur energetischen Nutzung von Wärmestrahlungen und Konvektion
DE102008011983B4 (de) 2008-02-29 2013-11-28 O-Flexx Technologies Gmbh Thermische Solaranlage
DE102008011984B4 (de) 2008-02-29 2010-03-18 O-Flexx Technologies Gmbh Thermogenerator und thermische Solaranlage mit Thermogenerator
FR2946798B1 (fr) * 2009-06-12 2011-10-28 Commissariat Energie Atomique Micro-structure pour generateur thermoelectrique a effet seebeck et procede de fabrication d'une telle micro- structure.
GB201112301D0 (en) * 2011-07-18 2011-08-31 Elsarrag Esam Electricity generating apparatus

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1585159A (en) * 1924-02-02 1926-05-18 Forest Radio Telephone & Teleg Thermal generator
US2325759A (en) * 1939-12-28 1943-08-03 Leeds & Northrup Co Ferrous alloy thermocouple element
US2984696A (en) * 1959-03-09 1961-05-16 American Mach & Foundry Solar thermoelectric generators
GB1222504A (en) * 1967-03-03 1971-02-17 Transystems Ltd Foil thermocouples
GB1210144A (en) * 1968-03-13 1970-10-28 Cossor Ltd A C Multi-junction thermocouples
US3648470A (en) * 1970-05-28 1972-03-14 Gary E Schultz Materials composition arrangement for thermoelectric heating and cooling
GB1357217A (en) * 1971-07-09 1974-06-19 Best Products Ltd Multi-junction thermocouples
US3973996A (en) * 1974-03-04 1976-08-10 The Boeing Company Diffusion welded solar cell array
FR2394032A1 (fr) * 1976-05-25 1979-01-05 Martin Jean Nouveaux panneaux solaires et leur procede de fabrication
US4091798A (en) * 1977-02-03 1978-05-30 Nasa Non-tracking solar energy collector system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO8001438A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1980001438A1 (fr) 1980-07-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0020758A1 (fr) Dispositif de production et d'emmagasinage d'energie
US4251291A (en) Thermoelectric generator with latent heat storage
US20050087222A1 (en) Device for producing electric energy
US20100154855A1 (en) Thin walled thermoelectric devices and methods for production thereof
US20130180563A1 (en) Thermally switched thermoelectric power generation
Tyagi et al. Advances in solar thermoelectric and photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid systems for power generation
EP0006907A1 (fr) Unite de panneau solaire
EP0972335A2 (fr) Convertisseur de puissance thermique permettant d'alimenter en electricite un appareil autonome a consommation reduite a partir d'une tres faible difference de temperature
JPS5997457A (ja) 太陽エネルギ−利用装置
JPH084146B2 (ja) 太陽光・熱ハイブリツド発電装置
Faraji et al. Base-load thermoelectric power generation using evacuated tube solar collector and water storage tank
WO2000005769A1 (fr) Cellule a tension differentielle
US4251290A (en) Thermopile formed of conductors
Ahadi et al. Using of thermoelectric devices in photovoltaic cells in order to increase efficiency
CN109450295B (zh) 一种温层交错式热伏发电装置
WO2002101912A1 (fr) Dispositif a effet thermoelectrique, systeme direct de conversion d'energie, et systeme de conversion d'energie
JP4261890B2 (ja) 熱電効果装置，エネルギー直接変換システム，エネルギー変換システム
US3441449A (en) Thermoelectric system
US4284838A (en) Thermoelectric converter and method
CN109639181A (zh) 一种原位热伏发电装置
US11581466B2 (en) Thermoelectric generator
JP4253471B2 (ja) エネルギー変換システム
Suzumura et al. Solar thermal cogeneration system using a cylindrical thermoelectric module
CN109639180B (zh) 一种双温层热伏发电装置
JP2001178163A (ja) 太陽熱を利用した発電方法および発電装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): DE FR GB NL

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19801230