JP2002171775A - Thermocouple-generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermocouple-generating device, that is a generator utilizing a thermoelectric phenomenon and that can be put into full practical use not only in terms of performance but also of economy. SOLUTION: A current-generating element 10 is structured as a basic unit. The element is made up of a thermocouple element array 11, formed by highly integrating a plurality of thermocouple elements 13, consisting of first electrical conductors 14 and second electrical conductors 15 each connected in a loop, and a current-extracting part 12 that has a first current-extracting bar 16 and a second current-extracting bar 17 that collect wires integrally of a first group 18 and a second group 19 of open ends obtained by opening a part of the thermocouple element array 11 and that are formed with a sufficiently large cross section, in comparison with the electrical conductor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermocouple generator.

[0002] At present, thermal power and nuclear power are still the main sources of energy for power generators. However, on the other hand, with the increasing problems of global warming and environmental pollution, the emergence of clean energy sources for the next generation has been strongly demanded on a global scale. The present invention describes a third energy source that can meet such a requirement.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art As a third energy source for a power generator, a device utilizing a photoelectric phenomenon is becoming mainstream at present, and is widely used in practical use. That is, by converting solar energy into electric energy via a solar cell, a power generator is configured and used as an energy source.

[0004]

The power generation device using the above-mentioned solar cell has been particularly developed in recent years, and has recently come into widespread use as a so-called solar panel on the roof of a general house.

[0005] However, there are some problems in the power generation device using the solar cell.

[0006] The first problem is that power generation efficiency fluctuates because it is directly affected by changes in weather.
In other words, the generated power greatly fluctuates between when the solar radiation is received and when it is not.

Further, in order to avoid such fluctuations, it may be necessary to use a power storage device together in some cases.

[0008] The second problem is, of course, that night driving is not possible. Therefore, the operating efficiency per day cannot in any case exceed 50% at the most.

A third problem is that the light receiving surface for receiving sunlight is limited to a one-dimensional or two-dimensional shape (plane), and cannot be essentially formed into a three-dimensional structure. Therefore, the space utilization efficiency must be low.

The fourth problem is that even if the effect of mass production is expected in the future, the cost will be considerably high.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and (i) it is easy to keep the power generation efficiency constant.
(Ii) The operating efficiency per day can be made almost 100%. (Iii) The space utilization efficiency can be greatly improved by compactly integrating the three-dimensional structure.
(Iv) It is an object of the present invention to provide a power generation device that can be realized at extremely low cost by maximizing the effect of mass production.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As described above, a power generator generally used at present is based on the "photoelectric phenomenon". On the other hand, the power generation device of the present invention uses a known “thermoelectric phenomenon” to achieve the above object.

As a thermocouple phenomenon, a thermocouple exhibiting the Seebeck effect is specifically known, and the present invention provides a thermocouple power generator including the thermocouple as a main component.

A thermocouple has been recognized as an electric element having a small current generating capability and a small voltage generating capability. Therefore, the idea of generating power using a thermocouple itself has not existed before. It seems that you are doing.

However, in reality, it is considered that no power generator has reached a practical level. Therefore, the inventor of the present application has further analyzed the electrical characteristics of the thermocouple and completed the thermocouple power generation device based on the theory.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a current generating element of a power generator according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a current generating element 10 constituting a thermocouple generator 1 includes a thermocouple element array 11 and a current extracting section 12. The power generator 1 has a configuration including at least one such current generating element 10 as a basic unit.

The thermocouple element array 11 includes a plurality of thermocouple elements 13 each composed of a first electric conductor (A) 14 and a second electric conductor (B) 15 connected in a loop, and is closely parallel to each other. They are arranged in a highly integrated manner.

The current extracting portion 12 opens a middle portion of one of the electric conductors (14 or 15, which is 15 in this figure) constituting the thermocouple element array 11 and a first open end obtained at both ends thereof. Current extraction body 16 and second current extraction body formed by integrally concentrating the group 18 and the group 19 of the second open ends and having a sufficiently large cross-sectional area as compared with the electric conductor (15). A body 17 is provided.

In FIG. 1, the group of black circles shown at the top indicates a hot junction row, and the group of white circles at the bottom indicates a cold junction row. Therefore, 16 in the figure is a hot junction side current extracting body, and 17 is a cold junction side current extracting body.

The basic theory forming the present invention and the practical configuration or structure based thereon will be described in detail in the following sections.

[0022]

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a single thermocouple element for analyzing the operation of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a model of a part of the configuration of FIG. 1 for analyzing the operation of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a characteristic distribution diagram used to analyze the operation of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows the cold junction 22 of FIG.
To open and expand left and right (the same applies to FIGS. 6 and 7 described later).

The details will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, the current generated by the thermocouple element alone will be considered.

As is well known, thermocouple element 13 (FIG. 2) is commonly used for the purpose of measuring the temperature of hot junction 21 (FIG. 2) by measuring the voltage generated in the circuit. In this temperature measurement, the circuit of the thermocouple element 13 is in an open state, that is, in a state of zero current. However, when the circuit is closed, current is generated. Although the current generated in the single thermocouple element 13 is very small, it may be possible to generate a large current comprehensively by highly integrating the thermocouple element 13 (FIG. 1). I got the idea of whether or not.

Therefore, first, the single thermocouple element 13
Let us find out the generated current.

The transport equation required for analyzing this problem of coupled heat and electricity is given by the following equation (1).

[0027]

(Equation 1)

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the element lines of two different first and second electric conductors (made of metal, semiconductor or superconductor or the like) 14 (A) and 15 (B) forms a thermocouple circuit. Make up. Here, the absolute Seebeck coefficients of the electric conductors 14 (A) and 15 (B) are Ω _A , Ω _B
(See FIG. 4), each electric conductivity sigma _A, sigma _B, the length of each element line and L _A, L _B, each temperature of the hot junction 21 and cold junction 22 T _H, as T _C, FIG. By rewriting the above equation (1) for one-dimensional circuit analysis of the two thermocouple elements 13, the following equation (2) is obtained.

[0029]

(Equation 2)

[0030]

(Equation 3)

The current generated in the thermocouple element 13 can be obtained by the following equation (4).

[0032]

(Equation 4)

Here, in FIG. 4 showing characteristic distribution diagrams of the temperature distribution, the potential distribution and the current distribution, the temperature distribution at this time is assumed to change linearly as shown in FIG. Further, it is assumed that Ω _A : Ω _B = −2: 1 and σ _A : σ _B = 1: 1 as physical property values.

Here, the induced voltage P is P = Φ + ΩT.

When such a current flows through the above-mentioned thermocouple circuit, heat is generated and absorbed in the circuit by the Peltier effect, and the temperatures of the hot junction 21 and the cold junction 22 may fluctuate. Here, the hot junction 21
And the supply of heat and cooling in the cold junction 22 is not sufficiently performed, the temperature T _H and T _C of the hot junction 21 and cold junction 22 shown in the equation (4) is assumed not to change.

Here, in order to form a power generator, a part of the thermocouple circuit shown in FIG. 2, for example, a part of the electric conductor 15 (B) is opened, and first, a current is taken out of the thermocouple circuit. Try. In this case, the element line, which is the electric conductor 15 (B), must of course be lengthened for extracting the current.

However, when the element line is lengthened, the above L _B
Becomes larger, the current density J becomes smaller as can be seen from the above equation (4). This is an extremely difficult point when utilizing the current generated by the thermocouple element 13 for power generation.

Therefore, the current extracting section 12 shown in FIG. 3 has been introduced to solve this difficulty. The first and second current extracting members 16 and 17 shown in FIG. 1 are formed as a result of separating a part of the current extracting portion 12 for extracting the current.

As shown in FIG. 1, a large number of element lines are closely arranged in parallel in order to generate a large current.
It is expected that there will be difficulties in joining the current extractors (16, 17) with the current extractors (16, 17).

However, from the above consideration, each current extracting body has a sufficiently large cross-sectional area in order to reduce the current density therein. Therefore,
In order to solve the above-mentioned difficulties at the time of joining between each current extractor and a large number of element wires, it is advantageous to increase the cross-sectional area of each current extractor.

In order to eliminate the difficulty in using the current generated by the thermocouple element 13 for power generation, the current extracting section 12 (FIG. 3)
However, from the viewpoint of power, it is necessary to consider the voltage generated in the thermocouple circuit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing power extraction from the thermocouple circuit.

In this figure, reference numeral 25 denotes a capacitor for stabilizing power extraction when the load (26) fluctuates. The charge charged in the capacitor 25 is supplied to the load 26 by discharging when the load 26 fluctuates. The capacitor 25 repeats such charging and discharging, and supplies a steady power to the load 26.

The analysis of the present invention will be continued with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic distribution diagram in which FIG. 4 is considered by focusing on the current extraction unit 12, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a characteristic distribution diagram that is considered by focusing on FIG.

In the above description, <1> as shown in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional area of the current extracting portion 12 is made sufficiently large to reduce the current density in the current extracting portion, and <2> as shown in FIG. Has described that the capacitor 25 is provided in the thermocouple circuit.

If the cross-sectional area of the current extracting portion 12 is increased as in <1>, a two-dimensional flow or a three-dimensional flow is possible in this portion, and the current density is reduced.
That is, assuming that there is no temperature gradient in the longitudinal direction of the current extracting portion 12, Φ and P in this portion become almost constant as shown in FIG. 6, and the current density J becomes very small.

This result means that the current extracting portion 12 can be made sufficiently long in the longitudinal direction as necessary. The temperature distribution, potential distribution, current density distribution, and the like of portions other than the current extraction section 12 are the same as those in FIG.

Next, when the capacitor 25 is provided in the thermocouple circuit as described in <2> above, a current flows into the capacitor 25. As a result, as charge is accumulated, Φ and P have a distribution as shown in FIG. 7, and a step occurs at both ends of the capacitor 25, and the size of the step gradually increases with time. On the other hand, the magnitude of the current flowing through the thermocouple circuit gradually decreases to the contrary, the maximum value V _{ma x} potential difference across the capacitor 25 is represented by the following formula (5),

[0050]

(Equation 5)

[0051] The current is 0 reaches this V _max. When the load 26 fluctuates, discharging of the capacitor 25 starts, current is supplied to the load, and charging and discharging of the capacitor 25 are repeated.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a voltage / current generating module of the power generating apparatus according to the present invention. This figure is shown in FIG.
The current take-out unit 12 viewed in the direction of the arrow X at the left end of FIG. 3 is further cascaded (12-1, 12-2... 12-n).

The power generator 1 of the present invention has a voltage /
The current generation module 30 is one unit, and includes at least one unit. This one module 30 has the following configuration, that is, a plurality of current generating elements 10 (FIG. 1) are arranged in parallel with each other, and
One (16) of the first current extracting body 16 and the second current extracting body 17 in one current generating element 10;
By connecting in series the other one (17) of the first current extracting body 16 and the second current extracting body 17 in another current generating element 10 'adjacent to this one current generating element 10, a plurality of the current generating elements are connected. A configuration in which the entire element is connected in series. Still more specifically, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

Preferably, the voltage / current generation module 30
Is provided with a capacitor 25 that is charged by the voltage generated from.

The maximum potential difference V _max expressed in the above equation (5) is very small. It is also difficult to provide a capacitor 25 for each single thermocouple element 13.

Therefore, as an actual power generating device 1, a current generating element 10 in which thermocouple elements 13 are highly integrated in parallel as shown in FIG. 1 and a current value generated in a circuit is sufficiently large, as shown in FIG. Like, dependently connected in series,
The maximum voltage is made sufficiently large by integration.

In order to determine the generated current and generated power of the integrated current generating element 10, as an example, electric conductors 14 (A), 15 having a diameter of 0.3 mm and a length of 10 mm are used.
It is assumed that each element line in (B) forms a thermocouple circuit.

The temperature difference between the hot junction 21 and the cold junction 22 is 50 de.
Assuming gK, electric conductors 14 (A) and 15 (B)
[1] nickel and iron, [2] nickel and copper, [3] constantan (55% copper, nickel 45
%) And iron, and [4] constantan and copper.

First, regarding the combination of the above [1],
Ω _A = −22 μV / degK, Ω _B = 10 μV / deg K σ _A = 16 (μΩm) ⁻¹ and σ _B = 12 (μΩm) ⁻¹ are selected as the physical property values, and these numerical values are expressed in the above equation (4). Substitution gives
The generated current is J = 77 mA / element. “Element” refers to one thermocouple element 13 (the same applies hereinafter).

As a result, the current generated by the highly integrated thermocouple element array 11 as shown in FIG. 1 is 770 A for 10,000 elements and 7.7 kA for 100,000 elements. Now, assuming that the temperature difference is 50 degK, the maximum generated voltage per element is 1.6 mV and the maximum generated power is 0.31 W
(10,000 elements) and 3.1W (100,000 elements). Next, for the combination of the above [2], Ω _A = −22 μV / degK, Ω _B = 1 μV / deg K σ _A = 16 (μΩm) ⁻¹ and σ _B = 65 (μΩm) ⁻¹ are selected as physical property values. , By substituting these values into the above equation (4),
The generated current is J = 104 mA / element.

As a result, the current generated by the highly integrated thermocouple element array 11 is 1040 A when the integration degree is 10,000 elements.
With 100,000 elements, it becomes 10.4 kA. Now the temperature difference is 50
degK, the maximum generated voltage per element is 1.15 mV, and the maximum generated power is 0.30 mV each.
W and 3.0 W.

Further, regarding the combination of the above [3],
Ω _A = −42 μV / degK, Ω _B = 10 μV / deg K σ _A = 2 (μΩm) ⁻¹ and σ _B = 12 (μΩm) ⁻¹ are selected as the physical property values, and these numerical values are expressed in the above equation (4). Substitution gives
The generated current is J = 31 mA / element.

As a result, the current generated by the highly integrated thermocouple element array 11 is 310 A, 1 A for the 10,000 elements.
In the case of 100,000 elements, it becomes 3.1 kA. Now, the temperature difference is 50degK
Therefore, the maximum generated voltage per element is 2.
6 mV, and the maximum generated power is 0.20 W and 2.0 W, respectively.

Finally, regarding the combination of the above [4],
Ω _A = −42 μV / degK, Ω _B = 1 μV / deg K σ _A = 2 (μΩm) ⁻¹ and σ _B = 65 (μΩm) ⁻¹ are selected as the physical property values, and these values are expressed in the above equation (4). Substitution gives
The generated current is J = 30 mA / element.

As a result, the current generated by the highly integrated thermocouple element array 11 is 300 A, 1
In the case of 100,000 elements, it becomes 3.0 kA. Now, the temperature difference is 50degK
Therefore, the maximum generated voltage per element is 2.
15 mV, and the maximum generated power is 0.16 W and 1.6 W, respectively.

Considering these results, in the case of constantan, even though the absolute Seebeck coefficient is large, its electric conductivity is small. No large current is generated, and therefore the maximum generated power does not increase.

This is also true for semiconductors.
That is, although a combination of semiconductors having a large absolute Seebeck coefficient is also conceivable as a combination of thermoelectric materials, in general, the electrical conductivity of a semiconductor is very small, and from the viewpoint of generating a large current and power, the absolute Seebeck coefficient is large. The advantage of that is offset.

FIG. 9 is a sectional perspective view showing a voltage / current generating module of the power generating apparatus according to the present invention.

The power generator 1 of the present figure has a configuration including a plurality of current generating elements 10 (10 ') shown in FIG. That is, one of the most basic units constituting the power generator 1 of the present invention is the current generating element 10 shown in FIG. Practically, the device 1 is constituted by a voltage / current generating module 30 shown in FIG. 9 in which a plurality of the current generating elements 10 are integrated.

If the size is to be further increased, the voltage / current generating modules 30 shown in FIG. 9 are further integrated (not shown) to constitute the power generator 1 (for example, 4020 modules as described later). 30).

The voltage / current generation module 30 shown in FIG.
As described above with reference to FIG. 8, a plurality of current generating elements 10 are arranged in parallel with each other, and the first output terminal 31 and the second output terminal 32 of one current generating element 10 One (31) and another current generating element 1 adjacent to this one current generating element 10
The first output terminal 31 and the other (32) of the second output terminal 32 at 0 'are connected in series.

In this drawing, reference numeral 21 denotes the above-mentioned hot junction, and reference numeral 22 denotes the above-mentioned cold junction. These are the first
This is a joining point at both ends of the electric conductor 14 (A) and the second electric conductor 15 (B).

The details will be described below.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a sectional perspective structure of the voltage / current generating module 30 in which thermocouple elements are integrated. Each element line of the electric conductors 14 (A) and 15 (B) forms a thermocouple circuit. As shown, thick and wide current extracting portions 16 and 17 are provided.

Assuming that the element wire has a diameter of 0.3 mm and the gap between adjacent element wires is 0.05 mm, the thermocouple element unit 30
Are arranged at a pitch of 1 mm, the thickness of each of the current extraction portions 16 and 17 is 0.3 mm. The array 11 of thermocouple elements is arranged at a pitch of 0.5 mm. Then, module 3 of 100mm × 100mm × 10mm
0 One can store 20,000 elements.

When thin and thin element lines (14, 15) are formed by using the semiconductor manufacturing technology, the thick current extracting portions (16, 17) are connected to the current generating element 1 as shown in FIG.
It is more convenient to mount it outside the 0, rather than inside it.

In order to omit the joining process between the element line and the current extracting portion, the element line 15 (B) and the current extracting portion may be integrally formed by a single thin metal plate.

From the results of the study on the magnitude of the generated current and generated power of the thermocouple element row, the combination of nickel and iron of [1] and the combination of nickel and copper of [2] are preferable. is there. In the case of the combination [1], the output power of one of the integrated modules 30 is 0.62 W
become. As a result, when consuming 2.5 kW of power, 4020 modules 30 are required, and the area required for the arrangement is 41 m ² .

In the case of the combination [2], the output power from the integrated module 30 is 0.60 W.
As a result, when supplying 2.5 kW of power, 418
Five modules 30 are required, and the area required for the arrangement is 42 m ² .

FIG. 10 is a sectional front view showing another example of the voltage / current generating module of the power generator according to the present invention.

The element line (13) and the above-described current extracting section 1
In order to omit the joining processes 6 and 17, it is necessary to integrally form the element wire and the current extracting portion by punching or wire cutting from a single sheet of metal as shown in FIG. . In this case, 10
Even if 20,000 elements are stored in one module of 0 mm × 100 mm × 10 mm, the element wires 14 and 15 ′ can be made thicker, and a square cross section of 0.4 mm on each side can be obtained. In this case, the gap between the element lines is 0.1 mm.

In the case of this square element wire, the combination of nickel and iron in [1] and the combination of nickel and copper in [2] are examined as to the current generated by the thermocouple array and the magnitude of the generated power. become that way. In the case of the combination [1], the output power of one module is 1.4.
0W. As a result, when consuming 2.5 kW of power, 1786 modules are required, and an area of 18 m ² is required for the arrangement. In the case of the combination [2], the output power of one module is 1.36W. As a result, when consuming 2.5 kW of power, 1
838 modules are required, and an area of 19 m ² is required for the arrangement.

The basic part (main body part) of the thermocouple power generation device 1 according to the present invention has been described in detail, and the attached parts will be described next.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a thermocouple power generation device according to the present invention in which accessory parts are also integrated.

The attached portions are schematically illustrated as a heat source 41 and a cold source 42. These heat sources 41 and 42 are in contact with a hot contact group formed by collecting the hot contacts 21 of the plurality of thermocouple elements 13 and a cold contact group formed by collecting the cold contacts 22 of the thermocouple elements 13, respectively, and A heat contact side heat source and a cold contact side heat source for providing a temperature difference between the hot junction group and the cold junction group.

[0086] In addition to the above, if necessary,
In order to avoid heating or temperature rise of the current extracting portions (16, 17), a heat insulating / light shielding plate is provided on the upper side thereof (described later).

The heat contact (21) side heat source 41 shown in FIG. 11 is not limited as long as it can be used. For example, the heat of hot spring water can be used, and in this case, the heat contact side heat source 41 can be a radiator that takes in high-temperature hot spring water from a water inlet and radiates heat to drain the hot water. Further, geothermal energy may be used, or exhaust heat from a factory or exhaust from a vehicle engine may be effectively used. Furthermore, sunlight may be collected and used as a heat source.

On the other hand, any type can be used as long as it can be used as the heat source 42 on the cold junction (22) side. For example, a radiator that takes in groundwater from an inlet and cools and drains the water can be used. In addition, river water, lake water or seawater can be used as cooling water.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 again, a description will be given of a best embodiment with further improvements.

The paragraphs [0025], [0027],
As described in [0028] and the like, the current extracting body 1
Each of 6 and 17 preferably has a sufficiently large cross-sectional area in order to reduce the current density inside.

However, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, thermocouple elements, that is, first and second electric conductors (1)
In the case where the total lengths of (4, 15) are practically limited to, for example, about 10 mm, the lengths in the width direction of the first current extracting body 16 and the second current extracting body 17 joined thereto are at most. Only about 5mm can be taken. Therefore, the above-mentioned cross-sectional area, that is, the current passing volume cannot be made larger. As a result, it becomes difficult to further increase the effective current value.

In order to solve this problem, FIG.
And a current generating element 10 having a second structure that is significantly different from the structure shown in FIG. This second
Will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, a basic idea for solving the problem will be described.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the basic structure of the second structure of the current generating element according to the present invention.

In this figure, a characteristic component is a first electric conductor flat plate 66 constituting the first current extracting body 16 described above.
(For example, a Cu plate) and a second electric conductor flat plate 67 (for example, a Cu plate) that constitutes the above-described second current extracting body 17.

Further, the first electric conductor (A) 14
(For example, Ni) and the second electric conductor (B) 15 (for example, Cu) are arranged as shown in the drawing, and a row of the hot contacts 21 and a row of the cold contacts 22 are arranged in the portion shown. Note that these hot junctions 21 and cold junctions 22 may be interchanged with each other (the same applies hereinafter). Which side is the hot junction 21 and which side is the cold junction 22 may be appropriately determined according to the power generation environment of the thermocouple power generator 1.

Thus, by using the large electric conductor flat plates (66, 67) made of, for example, a Cu plate, the current passing volume at that portion can be increased at a stretch, thereby greatly increasing the current density in the Cu plate. It is possible to reduce it. At the same time, the heat flow density at that portion can be greatly reduced.

As a result, a current value substantially as high as the theoretical value can be observed by the ammeter M shown in the figure.

According to the second structure of the current generating element (10) shown in FIG. 12, each lower end portion (M) of the first electric conductor plate 66 and the second electric conductor plate 67
Side) can be extended downward in the figure without restriction (downward in the figure), so that the current passing volume can be increased as much as possible. In addition, according to the second structure, these electric conductor plates 66 and 67 are used as heat dissipating fins.
Alternatively, the first structure shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, which can also function as a cooling fin, is provided. That is, both the reduction of the current density and the reduction of the heat flow density can be obtained at once.

On the other hand, however, there is a practical problem of how to easily realize the second structure shown in FIG. 12 in mass production. The applicant has solved this problem, and a specific solution will be described below.

FIG. 13 is a side view (a) and a front view (b) of a first configuration example for realizing the second structure shown in FIG.

The thermocouple generator 1 of the first configuration example is
A predetermined gap G is formed between (i) the first electric conductor plate 66 forming the first current extracting member 16 and (ii) forming the second current extracting member 17 and forming the first electric conductor plate 66. A second electric conductor flat plate 67 disposed so as to face the first electric conductor flat plate 66, and (iii) a joint between each end of the first and second electric conductor flat plates 66, 67. And an electric conductor 68 integrated with the first and second electric conductor plates to constitute a current generating element (10) having a U-shaped cross section as a whole. Then, the electric conductor 68 and the first electric conductor flat plate 6 near the above-mentioned end portion are formed.
In order to form the first and second electric conductors 6 as the first electric conductor (A) 14 and the second electric conductor (B) 15, respectively, the first and second electric conductors are orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first and second electric conductor plates. In the direction, a common slit 69 is provided for the electric conductor 68 and the first electric conductor plate 66 near the end.

In FIG. 13, the first electric conductor flat plate 6
(Weld) between one end of the conductor 6 and one end of the electric conductor 68
Is the hot junction 21, and the junction (weld) between the other end of the electric conductor 68 and the end of the second electric conductor flat plate 67 is the cold junction 22.
However, as described above, the reverse may be performed.

If the second structure as shown in this figure is adopted, mass production of the device (1) becomes extremely easy.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a material for manufacturing the second structure shown in FIG.

In this figure, reference numeral 67 'denotes an electric conductor plate, for example, a Cu plate, which is a material of the second electric conductor flat plate 67. Reference numeral 68 'denotes an electric conductor plate, such as a Ni plate, which is a material of the electric conductor 68. Although the electric conductor plate forming the material of the first electric conductor flat plate 66 in FIG. 13 is not shown, it is, for example, a Cu plate like the electric conductor plate 67 '.

On the above Cu plate (67 ') having a thickness of about 0.5 mm,
The Ni plate (68 ') having the same thickness is welded to form a weld 7
The two are used to form one electric conductor plate. This welded portion 71 will be referred to as a cold junction (2
2) (it may be a hot contact).

Next, the Ni plate (68 ') is bent by pressing or the like so as to have an L-shaped cross section with respect to the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion of the Ni plate (68'). An L-shaped electric conductor 68 shown in FIG. 13A is formed. Further, the open end face of the electric conductor 68 is connected to a first electric conductor flat plate 66 (C) shown in FIG.
u plate) by welding. This welded joint will later become the hot junction 21 of FIG. Thus, an electric conductor plate having a U-shaped structure as a whole is completed.

Next, a slit 69 shown in FIG. 13 is formed in the electric conductor plate having the U-shaped structure, and
The electric conductor 14 and the second electric conductor 15 are formed.

For forming this slit, the electric conductor 6
8 or the upper part of the first electric conductor flat plate 66 in the figure is subjected to cutting or electric discharge machining (wire cutting). This makes it possible to form a group of slits arranged at equal intervals. It is desirable that the depth of each slit 69 be slightly greater than the welded portion 71 (cold junction 22).

FIG. 15 is a side view (a) and a front view (b) of a second configuration example for realizing the second structure shown in FIG.

The thermocouple generator (1) of the second configuration example
Is characterized in that an extended electric conductor flat plate 76 is added to the first configuration example (FIG. 13). That is, an extended electric conductor flat plate 76 is formed by extending the end (upper part of the drawing) of the first electric conductor flat plate 66 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first electric conductor flat plate 66. Therefore, the cross section of the current generating element (10) is generally h
It is shaped like a letter. The extended electric conductor flat plate 76 is also provided with a slit common to the slit 69 described above. The extended electric conductor flat plate 76 (for example, a Cu plate) and the first electric conductor flat plate 66 are made of a common material, and are integrally formed by one Cu plate. Therefore, the slit 69
Is formed in the same manner as described above.

Whether to employ the first configuration example (FIG. 13) or the second configuration example (FIG. 15) may be determined according to the power generation environment of the thermocouple power generation device 1.

The first configuration example is such that one of the hot junction 21 and the cold junction 22 is in contact with a spot or linear cooling source (or heat source), and the other is in contact with a diffused heat source (or cooling source). (See FIG. 16 described later).

On the other hand, the second configuration example is suitable for a power generation environment in which both the hot junction 21 and the cold junction 22 are in contact with a diffusion heat source and a diffusion cooling source, respectively.

In short, the heat radiation fins and heat absorption fins (66, 67, 76) need only one or both, depending on whether they are the first or second.
Which of the configuration examples is to be determined.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a power generation environment suitable for employing the first configuration example (FIG. 13).

This figure corresponds to FIG. 22 described last.

The thermal contact 21 is heated in a spot shape by an integrated lens array (heat source) 43 which receives sunlight. On the other hand, the cold junction 22 side is diffused and radiated by the water (cooling source) W by the fins (66, 67). 5
1 is a light shielding / heat insulating plate, and 52 is a sealed box.

If waste heat from a refuse incinerator is used as a heat source, fins for efficiently absorbing the waste heat are required. Therefore, in this case, it is desirable to employ the second configuration example (FIG. 15) including the extended electric conductor plate 76 that can function as the fin.

Lastly, specific examples of various uses will be described.

FIG. 17A is an overall view of a first use case.
(B) is a plan view of the sun facing surface, and (C) is a partially enlarged view of the facing surface.

As for power generation utilizing the photothermal energy of the sun on the earth, photoelectric power generation using solar cells is currently the mainstream. However, even on the earth, there are regions and seasons in which the temperature difference between the sunlit side and the shaded side is several tens degrees or more, and thermoelectric power generation can be performed by effectively utilizing this large temperature difference. Since it is more efficient for the solar rays and heat rays to be incident on the thermocouple array at right angles, a thermocouple array attitude control device is provided to control the attitude.

An integrated lens array is provided on the surface facing the sun. That is, it is an integrated lens array used to focus sunlight on the thermal junctions of the integrated thermocouple array for thermoelectric power generation and individually heat the individual thermal junctions.

(1) A small convex lens is integrated to heat only the thermal contact and not to heat other portions.

(2) As an example, 100 × 200, a total of 20,000 lenses, are integrated on a 10 cm × 10 cm glass plate.

(3) The integrated lens array can be mass-produced at low cost by adopting a method of pouring molten glass into a precision mold.

(4) Since the thermal contact has a certain size, it is not necessary that the convex lens has such a high shape accuracy.

FIG. 18A is an overall view of the second use case.
(B) is a plan view of the sun facing surface side.

As for power generation in outer space, photoelectric power generation by solar cells is currently the mainstream. However, in outer space, the sunlit side is more than 100 degrees, and the shaded side is -100.
Degrees, the thermoelectric power generation can be performed by effectively utilizing the large temperature difference of 200 degrees or more.

A large natural temperature difference, which does not require heating of the hot junction and cooling of the cold junction, can easily be obtained in space.

Further, by using the integrated lens array shown in FIG. 17C to collect light at each hot junction and heat each hot junction, a larger temperature difference can be created.

FIG. 19 is an overall view of the third use case.

Particularly in Japan, high-temperature hot spring sources and geothermal sources exist in various places. Thermoelectric power generation using this hot spring or geothermal heat and storage in a storage battery as needed can be used as a supplement to commercial power. However, higher efficiency and higher output of the thermocouple array are required.

In this case, it is advisable to use an existing hot water supply pump for hot springs without providing a special pump for conveying hot water. It is preferable to use water or air for extracting heat from the geothermal source. On the other hand, on the cold junction side, in a snowy country, snowmelt water can be used for cooling the thermocouple array.

FIG. 20A shows a fourth use case (part 1).
(B) is a diagram showing a fourth usage example (No. 2), (A) is a case of a cooling water system, and (B) is a case of a sub-heating system.

In recent years, the problem of garbage disposal has become serious, and the amount of heat generated when incinerating an enormous amount of garbage is also enormous. At present, a considerable part of it has not been used effectively and has been abandoned in the air. In order to effectively use this waste heat, (A) cooling water is circulated inside or outside a large-scale garbage incinerator, and thermoelectric power generation is performed using the rise in water temperature due to high heat generated during garbage incineration, and stored in a storage battery If this is done, it can be used to supplement commercial power.

(B) Further, a method of directly heating the hot junction of the thermocouple array by the incident heat may be used. In either case, high efficiency and high output of the thermocouple array are required.

The cooling water circulation pipe and the cold junction of the thermocouple array are preferably cooled naturally. In addition, the thermocouple array is the inlet side of the pipeline (the hottest part)
And the pump is located at the outlet side of the pipeline (the coldest part).

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a fifth use case.

[0141] The engine is heated to a high temperature by the heat generated by combustion, but it is difficult to recover the heat with the current technology, and most of the heat is unnecessarily discharged into the air.

Therefore, in the case of a water-cooled engine, cooling water is circulated, and in both cases of water-cooling and air-cooling, cooling water for heat recovery is circulated around the engine body. Thus, by recovering heat from the circulating water whose temperature has increased, thermoelectric power generation and storage in a storage battery can be used for driving an electric vehicle in an auxiliary manner.

Especially in a hybrid car, the main running power is supplied by a gasoline engine.
This method can be used effectively.

If the thermocouple array is reduced in size, increased in efficiency, and increased in output, it can be easily mounted on a vehicle.

The rotation of the pump, forced air cooling of the pipe,
For the forced air cooling of the cold junction of the thermocouple array, etc., the flow of air while the vehicle is running is used. The thermocouple array is placed at the inlet side of the pipeline (the hottest part), while the pump Is placed on the outlet side of the pipeline (the coldest part).

[0146] The sixth use case uses unutilized heat such as factory waste heat as a heat source.

At present, there is a huge amount of heat (waste heat) which is used for the intended purpose in the industrial and industrial industries, but is subsequently discharged into the air in vain. If this waste heat is used to generate thermoelectric power and store it in a storage battery, it can be used to supplement commercial power.

This waste heat exists in the form of a rise in the temperature of cooling water or cooling air. Such cooling water or cooling air can be led to a thermocouple array by a pipe and used for heating the hot junction. Also in this case, the thermocouple array needs to be reduced in size, increased in efficiency, and increased in output.

The places where the unused heat is generated include a hot rolling step in a steel mill, a steel mill, a metal processing factory, a hot rolling step in a glass factory, a melt molding step in a plastic factory, and a heat exchanger of a large cooling machine. And so on.

In any of the various use cases described above, one of the important issues is to increase the efficiency of the thermocouple array. The most basic way to solve this problem is to use a hot junction 2
1 is to promote the high temperature, and at the same time, to prevent the high temperature of the cold junction 22.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a basic measure for further increasing the efficiency of the voltage / current generation module. This figure is
FIG. 11 is a front view when applied to the configuration of FIGS. 9 and 10 described above.

In order to increase the power generation efficiency in thermoelectric power generation, the hot junction 21 must be as high as possible and the cold junction must be low. Therefore, the following measures are required.

(1) In order to raise the temperature of the thermal contact 21, a black light-shielding / heat insulating plate 51 is provided immediately below the thermal contact 21.

(2) In order to raise the temperature of the thermal contact 21, the integrated lens array (see FIG. 17C) heats and raises the temperature.

(3) To keep the cold junction 22 at a low temperature,
A light shielding / heat insulating plate 51 is used.

(4) Further, in order to cool the cold junction 22, the cold junction 22 of the voltage / current generating module 30 is housed in a sealed box 52, and the cooling water W is circulated.

(5) The thickness of the element line of the thermocouple element 13 is
The thickness is set so that the temperature of the cold junction 22 does not rise due to heat conduction from the hot junction 21.

[0158]

As described above, according to the present invention, since a very stable heat source such as hot spring water or geothermal heat can be used, a higher power generation efficiency can be obtained as compared with a power generation device using a photoelectric phenomenon. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately prepare a power storage device.

In addition, since no sunlight is used, driving can be performed regardless of night and day, and theoretically 100% driving efficiency can be achieved.

Further, since the two-dimensional structures shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 can be arranged in a vertical direction to form a three-dimensional structure (in the case of using sunlight, the two-dimensional structure is limited). Space use efficiency is high. Therefore, the module 30 and the heat sources 41 and 42 may be stacked in any number of layers.

Further, most of the constituent elements are nickel, iron or copper, so that the production cost can be kept extremely low and an inexpensive power generator can be provided.

The power generation energy source is not limited to sunlight as in the case of the photoelectric power generation device, and any heat source can be used as long as it can be heated, so that the heat source can be diversified. This contributes to a stable power supply. It is also useful for preventing global warming and avoiding environmental pollution.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a current generating element of a power generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a single thermocouple element for analyzing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a model of a part of the configuration of FIG. 1 for analyzing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic distribution diagram used to analyze the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing power extraction from a thermocouple circuit.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic distribution diagram in which FIG. 4 is considered by focusing on the current extraction unit 12;

FIG. 7 is a characteristic distribution diagram in which FIG.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a voltage / current generation module of the power generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional perspective view showing a voltage / current generation module of the power generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional front view showing another example of the voltage / current generation module of the power generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a thermocouple power generation device according to the present invention in which an attached part is also integrated.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of a second structure of the current generating element according to the present invention.

13 is a side view (a) and a front view (b) of a first configuration example for realizing the second structure shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a material for manufacturing the second structure shown in FIG. 13;

15A and 15B are a side view and a front view of a second configuration example for realizing the second structure shown in FIG.

16 is a diagram showing an example of a power generation environment suitable for employing the first configuration example (FIG. 13).

17A is an overall view of a first use case, FIG. 17B is a plan view of a sun facing surface, and FIG. 17C is a partially enlarged view of the facing surface.

18A is an overall view of a second use case, and FIG. 18B is a plan view of a sun facing surface.

FIG. 19 is an overall view of a third use case.

20A is a diagram illustrating a fourth use case (Part 1), and FIG. 20B is a diagram illustrating a fourth use case (Part 2).

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a fifth use case.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a basic measure for further increasing the efficiency of the voltage / current generation module.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Thermocouple generator 10 ... Current generation element 11 ... Thermocouple element array 12 ... Current extraction part 13 ... Thermocouple element 14 ... 1st electric conductor (A) 15 ... 2nd electric conductor (B) 16 ... 1 Current extractor 17 Second current extractor 18 First open end group 19 Second open end group 21 Hot junction 22 Cold junction 25 Capacitor 26 Load 30 Voltage / current generation module 31 1st output terminal 32 ... 2nd output terminal 41 ... Heat contact side heat source 42 ... Cold contact side heat source 43 ... Integrated lens array 51 ... Light shielding / heat insulating plate 52 ... Sealed box 66 ... First electric conductor flat plate 67 ... Second Electric conductor plate 68 ... Electric conductor 69 ... Slit 71 ... Welded part 76 ... Extended electric conductor plate

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A highly integrated thermocouple element array comprising a plurality of thermocouple elements formed of a first electric conductor and a second electric conductor connected in a loop, closely arranged in parallel with each other, and Opening an intermediate portion of each of the electric conductors forming one of the thermocouple element arrays, the first open end group and the second open end group obtained at both ends thereof are respectively integrated, and At least one current extracting portion including a first current extracting member and a second current extracting member formed with a sufficiently large sectional area as compared with the electric conductor.
A thermocouple generator comprising two current generating elements. 2. A plurality of the current generating elements are arranged in parallel with each other, and one of the first current extracting body and the second current extracting body in one current generating element and the one current generating element At least one of the plurality of current generating elements connected in series is connected in series with the other of the first current extracting body and the second current extracting body in another current generating element adjacent to the element. The thermocouple generator according to claim 1, comprising a voltage / current generating module. 3. The thermocouple generator according to claim 2, further comprising a capacitor charged by a voltage / current generated from the voltage / current generation module. 4. A group of hot junctions comprising a group of hot junctions of said plurality of thermocouple elements and a group of cold junctions comprising a group of cold junctions of said plurality of thermocouple elements, and said group of hot contacts. The thermocouple power generation device according to claim 1, further comprising a heat contact side heat source and a cold junction side heat source for providing a temperature difference between the cold junction groups. 5. The heat contact side heat source is an integrated lens array provided to face sunlight or a heat ray, and each lens of the integrated lens array heats an individual one of the heat contacts. The thermocouple generator according to claim 4, characterized in that: 6. The thermocouple generator according to claim 1, wherein the thermocouple element made of the first and second electric conductors is a combination of nickel and iron. 7. The thermocouple generator according to claim 1, wherein the thermocouple element made of the first and second electric conductors is a combination of nickel and copper. 8. A first electric conductor flat plate forming the first current extracting body and a second electric current extracting body, and a predetermined gap is provided between the first electric conductor flat plate and the first electric conductor flat plate. A second electric conductor plate disposed so as to face the first electric conductor plate; and a first electric conductor and a second electric conductor joined between respective ends of the first and second electric conductor plates. An electric conductor that is integrated with the flat plate and constitutes the current generating element having a U-shaped cross section as a whole. The electric conductive body and the first electric conductive flat plate near the end portion are respectively provided. , In order to constitute the first and second electric conductors, the first and second electric conductors are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first and second electric conductor plates. 1 Make a common slit for the electric conductor plate. The thermocouple power generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: 9. The end of the first electric conductor plate,
Forming an expanded electric conductor plate extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first electric conductor plate, forming a cross section of the current generating element into an h-shape as a whole, and 9. The thermocouple generator according to claim 8, wherein a slit common to the slit is provided also on an electric conductor flat plate.