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
  • H10N10/10—Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects
  • H10N10/13—Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction

Definitions

• thermo generator Electric thermo generator.
• the present invention relates to a thermoelectric generator, particularly for a motor vehicle.
• thermo generators comprising a heat exchange beam between a first hot fluid and a second cold fluid temperature lower than that of the first hot fluid. They include so-called electrical thermo elements for generating an electric current in the presence of a temperature gradient generated between two of their opposite faces.
• thermo electric heat generators comprise a manifold inlet of the first fluid in the beam and a manifold of first fluid outlet of the beam. An inlet manifold guides the first fluid to the inlet manifold.
• thermoelectric generators having a significant longitudinal extension compared to their lateral extensions, particularly for the purpose of integration of the thermoelectric generator on a line of exhaust gas of a motor vehicle in the sense of their longitudinal extension.
• thermoelectric generator in which the first hot fluid arrives by the side sides of the thermoelectric generator.
• the first hot fluid then crosses the beam laterally in a first direction so that the inlet and outlet manifolds are located on lateral sides of the beam.
• the inlet and outlet pipes are arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the thermoelectric generator, that is to say perpendicular to the flow of the first hot fluid in the beam.
• thermoelectric generator causes a homogeneity of the temperature gradient between the input and the output of the beam, from thermo elements consisting of identical materials and / or arranged regularly over the entire beam, to promote the operation of said thermo elements.
• thermoelectric generator comprising a beam comprising a first circuit, said to be hot, capable of allowing a first fluid to pass through the beam in a first direction, and a second circuit, said to be cold, adapted to allow the circulation of a second fluid of temperature lower than that of the first fluid, and so-called electrical thermo elements, for generating an electric current in the presence of a temperature gradient generated by the first and second circuits, an extension of the beam in a direction, said second direction, perpendicular to the first direction being greater than an extension of the beam in the first direction, said thermoelectric generator comprising a manifold inlet of the first fluid in the beam, a tubing d input connected to said input manifold, the inlet manifold t inclined relative to the second direction.
• thermoelectric generator comprises an outlet manifold of the first fluid of the bundle and an outlet manifold connected to said outlet manifold, the outlet manifold being inclined with respect to the second direction.
• the outlet pipe is, in particular, inclined at the same angle as the inlet pipe relative to the second direction.
• the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe extend along a common axis.
• the inlet header manifold is divergent from the inlet manifold to the bundle.
• the divergence of the manifold input allows in particular the manifold input to present a large volume.
• This increased volume of the inlet manifold makes it possible to slow down the first fluid, in particular so as to prevent it being exclusively driven towards the furthest part of the beam with respect to the inlet manifold.
• Such an increase in volume also contributes to improving the homogeneity of the distribution of the first fluid in the beam.
• the inlet pipe extends along an input axis, said inlet manifold being divergent on either side of the input axis.
• said input manifold comprises a volume greater than that of the outlet manifold.
• the volume of the inlet manifold is 1 to 2 times, in particular substantially 1, 5 times, greater than that of the outlet manifold. This increased volume has the advantages described above. Coupled with the orientation of the tubing, it also minimizes pressure drop.
• the inlet manifold and / or the outlet manifold is also inclined with respect to the first direction. The inlet pipe therefore does not extend in a direction parallel to the first direction, that is to say the direction of flow of the first fluid in the beam, so as to limit the size of the thermoelectric generator. .
• the inclination of the inlet pipe relative to the second direction is between 20 ° and 45 °.
• the inclination of the outlet pipe relative to the second direction is between 20 ° and 45 °. This inclination makes it possible at the same time to improve the homogeneity of the distribution of the first fluid in the network and to limit the bulk of the thermoelectric generator.
• said inlet pipe opens into said entry box withdrawing from the beam, along said second direction L and / or said outlet pipe opens into said outlet box beyond the beam, according to said second direction L.
• said inlet pipe opens into said inlet box and / or said outlet pipe opens into said outlet box outside the extension of the beam along said second direction.
• FIG. 1 illustrates, according to a side view, an embodiment of the thermoelectric generator according to the invention
• FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective and partially the thermoelectric generator of Figure 1.
• thermoelectric generator 10 in particular an electric thermoelectric generator 10.
• a thermoelectric generator 10 comprises a beam 1 1 comprising a first circuit 1, able to allow the circulation of a first fluid, especially exhaust gas from an engine, and a second circuit 2, adapted to allow the circulation of a second fluid, in particular a heat transfer fluid of a cooling circuit, for example of a lower temperature than that of the first fluid.
• the first circuit 1 here comprises tubes, called first tubes 8, for the circulation of the first fluid.
• the first tubes 8 are less than 150 mm in length.
• the beam January 1 is, for example, in a substantially parallelepiped shape so that it comprises six faces.
• inlet face 21 located on the side of an inlet of the first fluid in the thermoelectric generator 10, an outlet face 22 located on the side of an outlet of the first fluid of the thermoelectric generator 10 and opposite the input face 21, a first side face 23 located on the side of an inlet 37 of the second fluid in the beam 1 1 and a second side face 24 located on the side of an outlet 38 of the second fluid of the beam 1 1, opposite at the first lateral face with respect to the beam 1 1 and connecting the inlet face 21 to the outlet face 22, a first longitudinal face 25 and a second longitudinal face (not visible) opposite each other and connecting the inlet face 21 to the exit face 22 and the first side face 23 to the second side face 24.
• the six faces 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 of the beam 1 1 define between it an internal volume inside which is the first and second circuits 1, 2.
• first direction H in the direction of the height of the thermoelectric generator 10, that is to say perpendicular to the input face 21 and the output face 22, a second direction L in the direction of a length of the thermoelectric generator 10, that is to say a direction perpendicular to the first and second side faces 23, 24 and a third direction I in the width direction of the thermoelectric generator 10, that is to say say perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal faces.
• the first, second and third directions L, I, H are here perpendicular to each other.
• An extension of the beam in the second direction L is greater than an extension of the beam in the first direction H. This ensures a sufficient volume to the beam despite the short length of the first tubes 8.
• the second circuit is able to allow the second fluid to cross the beam in the second direction.
• the thermoelectric generator 10 also comprises an inlet manifold 30 of the first fluid communicating with the inlet face 21 of the beam 1 1 and an outlet manifold 31 of the first fluid communicating with the outlet face 22 of the first fluid.
• the first fluid is thus intended to cross the beam in the first direction H.
• the inlet and outlet manifolds 30, 31, each comprise a manifold (not visible) and a respective inlet 35 and outlet 36 cover.
• the manifolds are here plates, arranged on the input and output faces 21, 22 of the beam and dimensions substantially identical to the latter.
• the inlet cover 35 forms with the inlet manifold a manifold defining an internal volume within which the first fluid flows.
• a first end of the first tubes 8 enters the inlet manifold 30, at the inlet manifold, in order to open into the latter and allow the first fluid to enter the first tubes 8.
• thermoelectric generator 10 comprises an inlet pipe 33, connected to the inlet manifold and defining the inlet of the first fluid in the inlet manifold 30. It guides the first fluid towards the inlet of the first tubes 8, that is to say until the entry of the beam 1 1 located at the input face 21.
• the first fluid enters the inlet manifold box at a first side of the inlet manifold box 30 located on the side of the second lateral face 24.
• the outlet cover 36 forms with the outlet manifold a manifold defining an internal volume within which the first fluid flows.
• the thermoelectric generator 1 0 comprises an outlet pipe 34, connected to the outlet manifold and defining the outlet of the first fluid of the outlet manifold 31.
• a second end of the first tubes 8 enters the outlet manifold to open inside the outlet manifold 31 and allow the first fluid to exit the first tubes 8 and enter the outlet manifold 31.
• the outlet manifold box 31 guides the first fluid to the outlet pipe 34 so that it exits the thermoelectric generator 10.
• the inlet pipe is inclined with respect to the second direction L.
• the first fluid flows in the inlet manifold box 30 in an inlet direction inclined with respect to the second direction L, c ' that is to say inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of the first fluid in the beam January 1.
• the inlet pipe is here also inclined with respect to the first direction H. It extends along an inlet axis A.
• the inclination of the inlet pipe 33 relative to the second direction L allows the tubing input 33 to guide more fluid first to the disadvantaged area or zones, that is to say here the area of the input face 21 located on the first side of the inlet manifold box 30, c that is to say the one close to the inlet pipe 33.
• the inclination of the inlet pipe 33 thus contributes to a better distribution of the first fluid between the preferred zone (s) and the disadvantaged zone (s).
• the inclination of the inlet pipe with respect to the second direction L is advantageously between 20 ° and 45 °.
• the inlet pipe 33 has a longitudinal axis oriented in a plane parallel to the directions H and L. It is here protruding with respect to the second lateral face 24 of the beam 11.
• the outlet pipe 34 is protruding from the first side face 23 of the thermoelectric generator 10.
• Said inlet pipe 33 has a longitudinal axis oriented in a plane parallel to the directions H and L. It may also be inclined by relative to the first direction H.
• the outlet pipe 34 is here also inclined relative to the first direction H.
• L ' inclination of the outlet pipe relative to the second direction L is between 20 ° and 45 °.
• the inlet pipe 33 and the outlet pipe 34 are here in particular inclined at the same angle with respect to the second direction L (according to an alternative embodiment, a different inclination can be provided).
• the outlet pipe extends here in the extension of the input axis A, that is to say that the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe extend along a common axis A.
• the inlet manifold 30 advantageously comprises a divergent shape, i.e. an increasing volume, from the inlet manifold 33 to the beam 1 1.
• the shape of the inlet manifold and the positioning of the inlet pipe 33 with respect to it, makes it possible to increase its volume.
• the inlet pipe 33 is here positioned and inclined with respect to the second direction L in such a way that the inlet manifold box 30 is divergent on either side of the common axis A.
• the outlet collecting box 31 here comprises a divergent shape, that is to say an increasing volume, from the outlet pipe 34 to the exit of the beam January 1. In other words, it is a convergent form in the direction of flow of the first fluid.
• the angle of divergence of said boxes 30, 31 is, for example, less than 90 °.
• the input manifold 30 comprises a volume greater than the outlet manifold 31, in particular substantially 1.5 times greater than that of the outlet manifold 31.
• the thermoelectric generator also comprises elements 3, called electrical thermo, for generating an electric current in the presence of a temperature gradient generated by the first and the second circuit. These are, for example, substantially parallelepiped shaped elements generating an electric current, according to the Seebeck effect, when they are subjected to said gradient between two of their opposite faces 4a, 4b, said active faces. Such elements allow the creation of an electric current in a load connected between said active faces 4a, 4b.
• such elements consist, for example, of Bismuth and Tellurium (Bi 2 Te 3 ) or of Cerium, Cobalt, Iron and Antimony (CeyCo x Fe 4 xSbi 2 ) or Lead and Tellurium (PbTe) or Silicon and Germanium (SiGe).
• the thermoelectric generator 10 comprises, for example, fins 5, here in heat exchange relation with the second circuit 2, that is to say here the cold circuit. A temperature gradient is thus ensured between said fins 5 and the first circuit 1, here the hot circuit 1. Said thermo elements 3 are here in contact with the fins 5 at the level, in particular, of their active faces 4a, 4b. In other words the electric thermo elements are arranged between the fins 5 and the first circuit 1 so as to be in contact with the fins 5 and the first tubes 8. This ensures a current generation by the electric thermo elements 3.
• the fins 5 have two large surfaces 7a, 7b opposite planar and making it possible to establish a surface contact between one of said large surfaces 7a, 7b and the thermoelectric elements 3 at the or their opposite active faces 4a.
• said fins 5 may have tracks (not shown) for conduction of the current generated by said electric thermo elements 3. It will thus be possible to conduct the current, according to any desired circuit topology, to the surface of the fins 5 by grouping the tracks. in series and / or in parallel. Such tracks may also be provided on the first tubes 8 in order to fulfill the same function as that present on the second circuit.
• Said first tubes 8 are, for example, substantially rectangular section tubes comprising two large opposite parallel faces on which the electric thermoelectric elements 3 are arranged by one of their active face 4a, 4b. They are configured to allow the circulation of exhaust gas and are, in particular, stainless steel. They are formed, for example, by profiling, welding and / or brazing. They may have a plurality of passage channels of the first fluid, separated by partitions connecting the opposite planar faces of the tubes.
• the second circuit 2 comprises, for example, second tubes 9, for the circulation of the second fluid, in particular a liquid.
• the fins 5 are provided in heat exchange relation with the second tubes 9.
• the fins 5 are crossed by the second tubes 9.
• the fins 5 have, for example, orifices for the passage of the second tubes 9.
• Said second tubes 9 are, for example, aluminum or copper and have a round, oval and / or flat section.
• the second tubes 9 extend, for example, along the second direction L, that is to say they extend between the lateral faces 23, 24.
• the first tubes 8 thus extend substantially perpendicularly to the second tubes 9 and substantially parallel to the fins 5.
• the second fluid enters here in the thermoelectric generator 10 through an inlet port 37 located on the first side face 23 traverses the thermoelectric generator 1 0 in the direction of the second direction L to the second side face 24, turns around and leaves the thermoelectric generator 10 at an outlet port 38.
• the contact between the first tubes 9 and the cold fins 5 is achieved, for example, by an expansion of the material of the first tubes 9 as in the heat exchangers known under the name of mechanical exchangers in the field of heat exchangers for motor vehicles.
• the thermoelectric generator 10 here comprises several rows of first tubes 8 superposed in parallel along the second direction L.
• the rows of first tubes 8 are thus superimposed from the first lateral face 23 to the second lateral face 24.
• the first tubes 8 of a same row are here arranged parallel to each other and extend in the first direction H.
• the fins 5 are arranged between each row of first tube, parallel thereto, that is to say that the fins 5 are superimposed on each other. alternately with the rows of first tubes 8 along the second direction L.
• the thermoelectric generator 10 also comprises several rows of second tubes 9 superimposed parallel to each other along the third direction I. The rows of second tubes 9 are thus superimposed on each other. the first longitudinal face to the second longitudinal face of the beam 1 1.
• the second tubes 9 of the same rank are here arranged parallel to each other in the first direction H.
• the first tubes 8 are called the rank of first tubes 8, situated at the same level in the third direction I and belonging to rows of first different tubes 8.
• the rows of first tubes 8 are superposed parallel to each other in the third direction I, that is to say between the first longitudinal face and the second longitudinal face.
• the rows of first tubes 8 are here superimposed alternately with the rows of second tubes 9 in the third direction I.
• the second tubes 9 may also be positioned in rows located in planes parallel to the second and third directions L and I. The rows of first tubes 9 are therefore orthogonal to the rows of first tubes 8.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=48468417

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2012
  • 2012-12-20 FR FR1262444A patent/FR3000182B1/fr active Active
• 2013
  • 2013-12-18 WO PCT/EP2013/077073 patent/WO2014095988A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2013-12-18 EP EP13814512.3A patent/EP2936574A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (2)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events