JP2003309988A - Thermal power generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermal power generator which is small-sized and light- weight, portable, low-noise, efficient, less prone to contaminate the environment, and is easy to maintain. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of sets of sub-modules 11 are series-connected into a ring shape, to constitute a semiconductor converter 2. Each of the sub-modules comprises a pair of a p-type semiconductor device 15 and a n-type semiconductor device 16; and heating and cooling members 13 and 14 of a metal having superior in heat conduction. An inner passage 21 is supplied with a high-temperature exhaust gas. An outer passage 23 is supplied with ordinary-temperature air. The output from the semiconductor converter is supplied to a transformer 41, having a center-tap primary winding 42 by push-pull operation, wherein first and second input switching elements 51 and 52 are alternately turned on and off. The output of the center tap secondary winding 43 is supplied to a pulse-width modulation control circuit 94 of three sets of first and second output switching elements 83 and 84, 85 and 86, and 87 and 88 through a full-wave rectifying circuit 57. Thus, alternating-current power of 50 or 60 Hz is obtained by means of the operation of a pulse-width modulation control circuit 94. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermoelectric generator utilizing the thermoelectric phenomenon which is the Seebeck effect, and more particularly to a thermoelectric generator suitable for portable use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A power line is required to supply electric power, but the power line cannot be installed in a place where the frequency of use of the power is low, and therefore it is possible in a place where such a power line is not installed. A portable generator is needed.

The prior art has a structure in which a generator is driven by an internal combustion engine. In this prior art, the weight of the internal combustion engine and the generator is large, the noise of the internal combustion engine is remarkable, the pollution of the environment is caused by the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine, and the maintenance for maintaining the good rotation state of the internal combustion engine is complicated. Is.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric generator which can be downsized, has low noise, has little environmental pollution, and is easy to maintain.

[0005]

The present invention includes a semiconductor converter that directly converts thermal energy into electrical energy to generate thermoelectromotive force, and a switching power supply circuit that converts the output of the semiconductor converter into alternating current. It is a thermoelectric generator characterized by the above.

The present invention also relates to a pair of p-type semiconductor elements and an n-type semiconductor element.
-Type semiconductor element is realized by a module in which a plurality of sets, which are configured by being electrically connected at one end, are connected in series, the sub-module includes a metal heating member with good heat conduction and a heat conduction member. And a metallic cooling member having good conductivity, a semiconductor element of one conductivity type of p-type or n-type is disposed between the heating member and the cooling member, and one of the heating member and the cooling member is provided. Is configured such that the semiconductor element of the other conductivity type is arranged on the side opposite to the semiconductor element of the one conductivity type, and the semiconductor element of the other conductivity type of one of the submodules adjacently arranged is The thermoelectric generator is characterized in that either the heating member or the cooling member of the sub-module is arranged.

According to the present invention, a thermoelectromotive force is generated by the semiconductor conversion element utilizing the thermoelectric phenomenon which is the Seebeck effect. The output of this semiconductor converter may be converted into alternating current by a switching power supply circuit. Therefore, even in a place where a commercial AC power line is not provided, it is possible to easily carry the thermoelectric generator of the present invention and supply power to an AC load. Such a thermoelectric generator can be made compact and lightweight, has low noise, is less prone to environmental degradation due to exhaust gas, and is easy to maintain.

According to the present invention, the semiconductor converter has a pair of p
It is characterized in that it is realized by a module in which a plurality of sets of sub-modules, each of which is configured by electrically connecting one end of an n-type semiconductor element and an n-type semiconductor element, are connected in series.

Further, according to the present invention, the submodule of the semiconductor converter includes a metal heating member having good heat conduction and a metal cooling member having good heat conduction, and between the heating member and the cooling member, A p-type or n-type semiconductor element of one conductivity type is interposed and arranged, and one of the heating member and the cooling member is opposite to the semiconductor element of one conductivity type and the semiconductor element of the other conductivity type. Is arranged, and the other of the heating member and the cooling member of the other sub-module is arranged on the semiconductor element of the other conductive type of the one sub-module arranged adjacently. .

According to the present invention, the sub-module constituting the module which is the semiconductor converter uses a pair of p and n type semiconductor elements, and a plurality of sets of these sub-modules are connected in series to generate heat. A thermocouple that generates an electromotive force can be used to directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy for thermoelectric generation. It is possible to generate electric power by connecting one end of a semiconductor element of each conductivity type of p and n with, for example, a heating member and connecting the other end with, for example, a cooling member, thus realizing a temperature difference.

Further, according to the present invention, the module has a ring shape whose entire shape forms an inner passage, a cylindrical body which surrounds the ring-shaped module radially outward and forms an outer passage, and a heating fluid. And a cooling source that supplies a cooling fluid, the heating member projects into either the inner passage or the outer passage, and the cooling member projects into the other of the inner passage or the outer passage, The heating fluid from the heating source is introduced to the one of the inner passage and the outer passage, and the cooling fluid from the cooling source is introduced to the other of the inner passage and the outer passage.

According to the present invention, the semiconductor converter is formed in a ring shape to form the inner passage, and the outer passage is formed by the cylindrical body outside the semiconductor converter, and the inner passage and the outer passage are formed. ,
Heating and cooling fluids from heating and cooling sources,
For example, it can be supplied in countercurrent and thus the thermoelectromotive force can be easily obtained. The heating fluid may be a gas such as an exhaust gas obtained by a burner burning a gas fuel or a liquid fuel, or may be a liquid such as hot water. The cooling fluid may be a gas such as normal temperature air, or may be water such as tap water or another liquid. Thus, the present invention can be easily implemented.

The present invention is also characterized in that the heating member extends over the entire length of the semiconductor element in the radial direction.

According to the present invention, the heating member and the cooling member extend over the entire length of the ring in the semiconductor element in the radial direction and are electrically connected, so that the heating and cooling of the semiconductor element can be efficiently performed. At the same time, the electrical resistance can be reduced and the internal resistance as a power source can be reduced.

The present invention also provides heating fluid from a heating source,
The heating member is guided to the inner passage, the heating member is projected to the inner passage, and the cooling fluid from the cooling source is guided to the outer passage. The thickness in the direction is characterized in that the thickness becomes thinner toward the inner side in the radial direction.

According to the present invention, the heating fluid from the heating source is supplied to the inner passage, and the thickness of the portion of the heating member projecting into the inner passage is made thinner inward in the radial direction. It is possible to reduce the flow path resistance for the heating fluid, increase the flow velocity of the heating fluid in the inner passage thereof, and smoothly transfer the heat from the heating fluid to the heating member, thereby improving the efficiency.

The outer passage is radially outward of the semiconductor converter, and it is easier to form a larger cross-sectional area than the inner passage. Therefore, the thickness of the portion of the cooling member protruding into the outer passage is: It does not have to be formed thinner toward the outer side in the radial direction, and may be uniform in the radial direction.

Further, in the present invention, the entire shape is formed in a ring 137 having a vertical axis, and a plurality of sets of sub-modules 11 are connected in series in the circumferential direction.
1 has a first projecting portion 25 projecting inward in the radial direction of the ring, and is a metal first heat conducting member 1 having good heat conduction.
3 and a second projecting portion 28 extending in the axial direction of the ring and projecting, each of the metal second heat conducting member 14 having good heat conduction, and each of the first and second heat conducting members 13 and 14. A first semiconductor element 15 of one conductivity type of p-type or n-type, which is disposed so as to be interposed between the base end portions 26 and 29, and a base end portion of either one of the first and second heat conduction members 13 and 14. 26,
29, is arranged on the side opposite to the first semiconductor element 15, and p
And a second semiconductor element 16 of the other conductivity type of n type, and a module for a thermoelectric generator.

According to the present invention, by using the thermoelectric generator module 12 constituted by connecting a plurality of submodules in series, it is possible to easily realize a thermoelectric generator that is downsized and has a simple structure. You can

The thermoelectric generator includes, for example, the above-mentioned thermoelectric generator module 12 and the inner passage 21 through which the protruding portion 25 of the first heat conducting member 13 protrudes radially inward of the ring.
And a burner 35 that supplies exhaust gas to the inner passage 21, and the combustion air of the burner 35 passes between the second heat transfer members 14 to cause the flame 141 of the burner 35.
It is supplied to the.

In the present invention, the overall shape is the vertical axis 1
A plurality of sets of sub-modules 211 are vertically connected in series in a cylinder 144 having 43, and each sub-module 211 is (a) a first heat-conducting member 213 and a first annular ring coaxial with the cylinder. Portion 226 and first annular portion 2
And a first projecting portion 225 projecting inward in the radial direction from 26, the first heat conducting member 213 made of metal having good heat conduction.
And (b) a second heat conducting member 214, which has a second annular portion 229 coaxial with the cylinder, and a second protruding portion 228 protruding outward in the radial direction from the second annular portion 229,
A metal second heat conducting member 214 having good heat conduction, and (c)
Interposed between the first and second annular portions 226, 229,
A plurality of first semiconductor elements 215 of one conductivity type, which are one of p-type and n-type, arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction;
And one of the second annular portions 226 and 229,
One sub-module 211a arranged on the opposite side of the first semiconductor element 215 and including a plurality of second conductivity type second semiconductor elements 216 of p type or n type, and (e) vertically adjacent to each other. In the second semiconductor element 216a, the second annular portion 229c of the other sub-module 211c is arranged, which is a module for a thermoelectric generator.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily realize a thermoelectric generator having a small size and a simple structure. The thermoelectric generator is, for example, the thermoelectric generator module 2 described above.
12, a burner 35 that is disposed radially inward of the cylinder 144 and below the inner passage 221 from which the first protruding portion 225 projects, and that supplies exhaust gas to the inner passage 221;
The combustion air of No. 5 includes a guide member 246 which is radially outward of the cylinder 144 and forms an outer passage 223 through which the second projecting member 228 projects.

Further, the present invention includes the above-mentioned module for thermoelectric generator and a burner which is disposed below the inner passage and supplies exhaust gas to the inner passage, and the combustion air supplied to the flame of the burner is The thermoelectric generator is characterized in that the projecting portion flows through the projecting outer passage.

According to the present invention, the heating source may be the above-mentioned burner, but may be a heating source having another structure. In the above-mentioned configuration, the inner passage is heated and the outer passage is cooled. However, in another embodiment of the present invention, the inner passage may be cooled and the outer passage may be heated. Good.

The module for the thermoelectric generator is shown in FIGS.
Although it may be formed in a ring shape like each of the embodiments shown in FIG. 19, it may be formed in an elongated tubular shape as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, and is further shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG.
2 may be configured to extend in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2), or may be realized by other configurations.

The present invention also relates to (a) a transformer,
A center tap type primary winding to which the output of the semiconductor converter is applied, the center tap of the primary winding is connected to an output terminal of one polarity of the semiconductor converter, and both terminals of the primary winding are 1 connected to the other polarity output terminal of the semiconductor converter
Secondary winding and center tap type with more turns than the primary winding 2
A transformer having a secondary winding, (b) a first input switching element interposed between one terminal of the primary winding and the output terminal of the other polarity of the semiconductor converter, and (c) primary A second input switching element interposed between the other terminal of the winding and the output terminal of the other polarity of the semiconductor converter;
(D) A push-pull control circuit that alternately turns on and off the first and second input switching elements,
(E) A full-wave rectification circuit, in which a full-wave rectification bridge having input terminals connected to both terminals of a secondary winding and a pair of series-connections connected between output terminals of the full-wave rectification bridge A capacitor, the mutual connection point of the capacitors is
A full-wave rectification circuit having a capacitor connected to the center tap of the secondary winding, and (f) three sets of output switching circuits connected between the output terminals of the full-wave rectification circuit, each set of switching The circuit has a pair of first and second output switching elements connected in series, and an output switching circuit that derives a three-phase AC output from a connection point of the first and second output switching elements of each set; g) A pulse width modulation control circuit for pulse width modulation controlling the first and second output switching elements to obtain a three-phase sine wave.

According to the invention, the output of the thermoelectromotive force of the semiconductor converter is given to the primary winding of the step-up transformer in a push-pull type via the first and second input switching elements,
The primary winding may have, for example, one turn on each side of the center tap and is on / off controlled so as not to saturate the magnetic path of the transformer core.
It may be switching-controlled at kHz, preferably 200 kHz, for example.

According to the present invention, the center tap connection of the transformer produces an alternating current by push-pull operation, and the rectification on the secondary side is equivalent to the full-wave rectification when viewed from the primary side, or the two-phase half-wave. It may be rectified, so that it can handle twice as much power, and the number of turns of the secondary winding may be relatively small. For example, in the embodiments described later, there are 28 turns on both sides of the center tap. May be.

According to the present invention, since positive and negative voltages are applied to the transformer, the utilization factor is good, and the capacitor for smoothing the waveform after full-wave rectification has a relatively small capacity. May be. Thus, according to the present invention, the power of the three-phase sinusoidal wave can be easily obtained with high efficiency by the pulse width modulation control of the first and second output switching elements.

In order to obtain a single-phase sine wave, a star connection transformer may be used as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, which will be described later, but a Y connection transformer may be used. In the above configuration, one set of the first and second output switching elements is ON / OFF controlled by the pulse width modulation control circuit, and the connection point of the first and second output switching elements and 2
A single-phase AC output can be obtained with the center tap of the next winding.

According to the present invention, the pulse width modulation control circuit is
(A) A phase-locked loop circuit, which is a reference signal generating source for generating a reference signal of 50 or 60 Hz, and a phase comparator for generating a voltage corresponding to a phase difference between an output of the reference signal generating source and an input signal. , The voltage of the phase comparator is applied, and the output of the voltage control type oscillation circuit that oscillates at the frequency F corresponding to the voltage and the output of the voltage control type oscillation circuit are divided by a predetermined division ratio N, and phase comparison is performed. A first frequency divider applied as the input signal of the voltage divider, and the voltage from the phase comparator oscillates in the voltage controlled oscillation circuit so that the phase of the output of the first frequency divider matches the phase of the reference signal. A phase lock loop circuit which is a value for controlling the frequency F; (b) a first delay circuit which shifts the output of the voltage controlled oscillator circuit by 120 degrees; and (c)
A second frequency divider that divides the output of the first delay circuit by the predetermined frequency division ratio N; and (d) the output of the first delay circuit, 12
A second delay circuit that shifts by 0 degrees, and (e) a third frequency divider that divides the output of the second delay circuit by the predetermined frequency division ratio N,
(F) a pulse width modulation control signal generating circuit that responds to the outputs of the first to third frequency dividers and performs pulse width modulation control on the first and second output switching elements of each of the three sets. Is characterized by.

Further, according to the present invention, the first and second output switching elements are transistors whose conductivity types are mutually the same, and the control signal from the pulse width modulation control signal generating circuit is supplied as it is and through the inverting circuit. , And the control terminals of the first and second output switching elements, respectively.

Further, according to the present invention, the first and second delay circuits have one delay circuit section connected in cascade, and each delay circuit section has a phase of 60 degrees including a series capacitor and a parallel capacitor. It is characterized by delaying.

According to the present invention, a phase lock loop (abbreviated as PLL) circuit is used to generate an AC signal of a desired AC output frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz multiplied by a natural number N (where N is a value of 2 or more). The AC signal is sequentially shifted by 120 degrees by the first and second delay circuits, and thus the ON / ON control of each set of the first and second output switching elements is performed by using the first to third frequency dividers. The control signal for can be obtained. This AC signal is the same as the above 50H.
higher than z or 60 Hz by a natural number N times, so that the series capacitors and parallel resistors of the first and second delay circuits can be miniaturized, which is necessary especially for being portable, compact and lightweight. .

In another embodiment of the present invention, the conductivity types of the first and second output switching elements are realized by the same transistor, for example, only PNP bipolar transistors or only NPN bipolar transistors. Alternatively, it may be realized by only the P-type MOS or only by the N-type MOS. At this time, the control signal is given as it is to one of the control terminals of the first and second output switching elements and the other is The control signal is inverted and given to the control terminal by the inverting circuit, thus
The second output switching element and the second output switching element are alternately turned on / off to prevent them from being turned on at the same time. In another embodiment, the first and second output switching elements are transistors whose conductivity types are opposite to each other, such as a PNP.
Type and NPN type bipolar transistors, or P channel type and N channel type metal oxide field effect transistors (abbreviated to MOS FE).
T) or the like. The control signal from the pulse width modulation control signal generating circuit is directly applied to the control terminals such as the bases and gates of the transistors whose conductivity types are opposite to each other, whereby the first and second output switching elements are alternately arranged. There is no risk of short-circuiting because the on-state is achieved at the same time by repeatedly turning on and off.

The present invention is also characterized in that the reference signal generating source is a commercial AC power supply system.

According to the present invention, the reference signal from the reference signal generation source is the output of the commercial AC power supply system, and thereby the AC power synchronized with the commercial AC power supply can be obtained by thermal power generation.

[0038]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a simplified overall structure of a thermoelectric generator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The thermoelectric generator 1 basically includes a semiconductor converter 2 and a switching power supply circuit 3 to which the thermoelectromotive force obtained by the semiconductor converter 2 is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the thermoelectromotive force of the semiconductor converter 2 in a simplified manner. DC thermoelectromotive force is obtained from between the positive output terminal 4 and the negative output terminal 5 of the semiconductor converter 2. For example, when a load 6 of 8Ω is connected between these output terminals 4 and 5, for example, 5V is obtained by the voltmeter 7, and 0.625A is measured by the ammeter 8, and thus the output power P _{0 is obtained.} =
3 W (= 5 × 0.625) will be obtained. In the thermoelectric generator 1 of the present invention, the thermoelectromotive force obtained from the output terminals 4 and 5 of the semiconductor converter 2 is applied to the switching power supply circuit 3, and the switching power supply circuit 3 receives, for example, 20 times.
~ 1.2 ~ by pulse width modulation operation of 300 kHz
It becomes possible to obtain the output power P _{0 of} 17.9 kW.

FIG. 3 is a simplified front view of the semiconductor converter 2, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a part of the semiconductor converter in the circumferential direction in a simplified manner. The semiconductor converter 2 is realized by a module 12 in which a plurality of sets of submodules 11 are connected in series. In the following description, the reference numerals are shown individually with the subscripts a, b, and c, and may be generally shown only with the numerals. The sub-module 11 includes a heating member 13, a cooling member 14, a p-type semiconductor element 15 interposed between the heating and cooling members 13 and 14, and a p-type semiconductor element in the heating member 13. N-type semiconductor element 1 arranged on the side opposite to 15 (lower side in FIG. 4)
6 and.

Submodules 11 arranged adjacent to each other
Of the a and 11c, the cooling member 14c of the other sub-module 11c is arranged on the n-type semiconductor element 16a of the one sub-module 11a. Similarly, in the n-type semiconductor element 16b of the sub-module 11b, the sub-module 1
The cooling member 14a of 1a is arranged. In this way, the submodules 11 are connected in series.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the principle configuration of the sub-module 11a, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the energy band of the sub-module 11 shown in FIG. The heating member 13a is
It has a temperature higher than that of the cooling members 14a and 14c, and if such a temperature difference exists, the semiconductor elements 15a and 16a are not heated.
There are hot and cold parts inside. In these semiconductor elements 15a and 16a, the density of free electrons indicated by black circles in FIG. 6 changes depending on the temperature and is high in the high temperature portion and low in the low temperature portion. Therefore, a difference occurs in the density of free electrons, so that electrons diffuse from the high temperature portion to the low temperature portion. Therefore, in the low temperature portion, the negative charge becomes excessive, and in the high temperature portion, the positive charge of the donor shown by the white circle in FIG. 6 is left, so that a potential difference that makes the thermal contact positive is generated, and this electric field diffuses. Block the electrons trying to go. Equilibrium is reached where these two effects are equal. In the high temperature part, the Fermi level comes close to the center of the energy gap, and thereby a thermoelectromotive force is obtained. The thermoelectromotive force of the p-type semiconductor element 15a is represented by Vp, and the n-type semiconductor element 16
The thermoelectromotive force of a is indicated by Vn. p-type semiconductor element 15a
Then, a difference occurs in the density of holes instead of electrons, and the direction of the thermoelectromotive force between the high temperature portion and the low temperature portion is opposite to that of the n-type semiconductor element 16a, and thermoelectric power generation is performed.

These semiconductor elements 15a and 16a are, for example, single crystals, and the semiconductor material thereof may be, for example, an alloy containing Bi ₂ Ti ₃ as a basic component.
It may be PbTe, ZnSb, or another semiconductor material. The heating member 13a and the cooling members 14a and 14c are made of metal having good heat conduction, and may be Cu or Al, for example, but may be other metals.

FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram for explaining the thermoelectromotive force of the semiconductor converter 2, and FIG. 8 is a diagram further simplified of the electrical configuration shown in FIG. By generating thermoelectromotive force of each sub-module 11, a current indicated by reference numeral 17 flows.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the voltmeter 7 is connected to the semiconductor converter 2. The thermoelectromotive force obtained from the semiconductor converter 2 is measured by the voltmeter 7.

FIG. 10 is a simplified electric circuit diagram of the semiconductor converter 2. The current flowing by the thermoelectromotive force of the semiconductor converter 2 can be measured by the ammeter 8.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the semiconductor converter 2 has
The entire shape is ring-shaped, and the inner passage 21 is formed. A cylindrical body 2 that surrounds the semiconductor converter 2 radially outward.
2 are formed concentrically. An outer passage 23 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the semiconductor converter 2 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 22.

The heating member 13a has a portion 25a protruding into the inner passage 21, and a base end portion 26a of the heating member 13a which is radially outward of the heating member 13a has a radial direction (left and right direction in FIG. 4) of the semiconductor elements 15a and 16a. ) It extends over the entire length. The portion 25a of the heating member 13a that projects into the inner passage 21 has an inclined surface 27, and therefore the thickness of the projecting portion 25a (that is, the thickness in the vertical direction in FIG. 4, the thickness in the circumferential direction in FIG. 3).
Are formed to be thinner radially inward (to the right in FIG. 4). The protruding portion 25a of the heating member 13a has an inclined surface 2
7 and is formed thinner toward the inner side in the radial direction, the flow passage resistance in the inner passage 21 is reduced, the flow of the exhaust gas in the inner passage 21 is made smooth, and the speed thereof is improved, whereby heat Communication can be improved.

The cooling member 14a has a protruding portion 28a protruding into the outer passage 23. A base end portion 29 extending inward in the radial direction (rightward in FIG. 4) from the protruding portion 28a of the cooling member 14a extends over the entire radial length of the semiconductor elements 15a and 16b. The outer shapes of the semiconductor elements 15 and 16 have the same shape.

The high-temperature exhaust gas from the heating source 31 is supplied from the pipe 32 to one end of the inner passage 21 in the axial direction, and is discharged from the other end of the inner passage 21 in one direction 33.
The heating source 31 supplies the burner 35 with fuel from a fuel supply source 34 such as gas fuel such as city gas or liquid fuel, burns the fuel, and supplies the combustion gas to the conduit 32 as described above. To be done. Instead of the burner 35, high-temperature steam or high-temperature exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine may be used, and a heat transfer tube through which high-temperature fluid such as steam or exhaust gas is transported is used as a heating source. Good. The cooling source 36 is realized by a fan, and the pipe 3
7 is supplied to the outer passage 23 so as to flow in the other direction 38. Thus, the flowing direction 3 of the heating fluid which is the exhaust gas in the inner passage 21 and the room temperature air which is the cooling fluid in the outer passage 23
The numbers 3 and 38 are opposite to each other, and heat is transferred in a counterflow. This can improve the thermal efficiency.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the switching power supply circuit 3 includes a transformer 41. The transformer 41 is composed of a center tap type primary winding 42 and a center tap type secondary winding 43 wound around a core 44. The center tap 45 of the primary winding 42 is connected to the positive output terminal 4 of the semiconductor converter 2. Both terminals 46 of the primary winding 42,
47 is commonly connected to the negative output terminal 5 of the semiconductor converter 2. The primary winding 42 may have, for example, one turn on both sides of the center tap 45. The secondary winding 43 is
The number of turns on each side of the center tap 49 is larger than that of one of the center taps 45 of the primary winding 42, and may be 28 turns, for example.

A first input switching element 51 is interposed between one terminal 46 of the primary winding 42 and the negative output terminal 5 of the semiconductor converter 2. The second input switching element 52 is interposed between the other terminal 47 of the primary winding 42 and the negative output terminal 5 of the semiconductor converter 2. These first and second input switching elements 51, 52
Both may be realized, for example, by PNP-type bipolar transistors, or by NPN-type bipolar transistors, or also P-channel metal oxide field effect transistors (abbreviated as M).
OS FET) or an N-channel MOS FET, and these first and second input switching elements 51, 52 are provided.
Have the same conductivity type.

FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the first and second input switching elements 51 and 52. Push-pull control circuit 53 is shown on line 54 in FIG.
First, the control signal having the waveform shown in (1) is derived.
It is applied to a control terminal such as a base or a gate of the input switching element 51. The control signal derived from the push-pull control circuit 53 on the line 54 is also inverted by the inverting circuit 55.
The signal having the waveform shown in FIG. 11B is inverted and applied to the control terminal such as the base or gate of the second input switching element 52. In this way, the pair of first and second input switching elements 51, 52 are alternately on / off controlled to perform push-pull operation at 20 to 300 kHz so that the core 44 is not saturated.

A full-wave rectifier circuit 57 is connected to the secondary winding 43 of the transformer 41. The full-wave rectification circuit 57 includes a full-wave rectification bridge 58 and a pair of capacitors 59 and 60.
And a choke 61. The input terminals 62 and 63 of the full-wave rectification bridge 58 have both terminals 44 and 4 of the secondary winding 43.
5 are connected respectively. To the output terminals 56 and 57 of the full-wave rectification bridge 58, a pair of capacitors 59 and 60 connected in series are connected between the lines 68 and 69. A connection point 71 between the capacitors 59 and 60 is connected to the center tap 49 of the secondary winding 43 and is grounded. In this way, the full-wave rectification waveform 77 derived from the full-wave rectification bridge 58
Are smoothed by the capacitors 59 and 60. Output terminal 7 connected to lines 68 and 69 of full-wave rectifier circuit 57
Three sets of output switching circuits 74, 75, 76 for deriving a three-phase AC output are connected between No. 2 and No. 73.

FIG. 12 shows output switching circuits 74 and 7.
It is a figure which shows the concrete electrical structure of 5,76. Lines 81 and 82 are connected to the output terminals 72 and 73 of the full-wave rectifier circuit 57 in series via chokes 78 and 79. These lines 81 and 82 have a total of three sets of respective output switching circuits 74 and 75 corresponding to the respective phases of the three-phase AC output.
76 is connected. Output switching circuits 74, 7
5, 76 are a pair of first and second output switching elements 83, 84; 85, 86; 87, 88 connected in series.
Respectively, and connecting points 91 to 91 of each set 74, 75, 76.
Electric power of each phase is extracted from 93. These first and second output switching elements 83 to 88 have the above-mentioned first
The second input switching elements 51 and 52 have the same configuration.

The pulse width modulation control circuit 94 gives a control signal to these first and second output switching elements 83 to 88. As a result, the AC power derived from the connection points 91 to 93 becomes a three-phase sine wave.

FIG. 13 is an electric circuit diagram showing a partial configuration of the pulse width modulation control circuit 94. The phase lock loop circuit 96 generates a reference signal of a desired predetermined frequency f1 from the reference signal generation source 97, for example, 50 or 60 Hz. The reference signal generation source 97 may be realized by one oscillator circuit, but in another embodiment of the present invention, it may be a commercial AC power supply system, and the voltage waveform of the commercial AC power supply is phase-compared. It may be configured to be applied to the input terminal 99 of the container 98. This reference signal is given to the input terminal 99 of the phase comparator 98. An input signal is applied to the other input terminal 100. The phase comparator 98 generates a voltage corresponding to the phase difference between the reference signal applied to the input terminals 99 and 100 and the input signal. The output of the phase comparator 98 is the low-pass filter 101.
And is supplied to a voltage control type oscillation circuit (abbreviation VCO) 102. The voltage controlled oscillator circuit 102 oscillates at a frequency F corresponding to the voltage given from the phase comparator 98 via the low pass filter 101. The frequency F is the frequency f1 of the reference signal (for example, 50 or 60H described above).
z) is a natural number N times (F = N · f1). N is an integer of 2 or more. The first frequency divider 103 includes an oscillator circuit 102.
Of the phase comparator 9 is divided by a predetermined division ratio N.
8 as the input signal. The voltage from the phase comparator 98 is a value that controls the oscillation frequency F of the oscillation circuit 102 so that the phase of the output of the first frequency divider 103 matches the phase of the reference signal. Thus, the phase lock loop circuit 96 is constructed. The output of the first frequency divider 103 is derived from the line 104 as a control signal for the first phase.

The output of the voltage controlled oscillator circuit 102 is the first
The output of the oscillating circuit 102 is given to the delay circuit 105b and is shifted by 120 degrees and delayed. This first delay circuit 10
The output of 5b is passed through the buffer 107b to the second frequency divider 10
3b and is divided by the predetermined dividing ratio N. The control signal for the second phase is thus derived from line 104b. The output of the buffer 107b is given to another second delay circuit 105c and delayed by 120 degrees. The output of the second delay circuit 105c is the buffer 1
07c is applied to the third frequency divider 103c and frequency-divided by the predetermined frequency division ratio N. In this way, the control signal for the third phase is derived from the line 104c. The first delay circuit 105b includes two delay circuit parts 1 connected in cascade.
It has 05b1 and 105b2. These delay circuit portions 105b1 and 105b2 function to delay the phase by 60 degrees. The delay circuit portion 105b1 has a series capacitor 111 and a parallel resistor 112, and a delayed phase of 60 degrees is set by their time constants. The other delay circuit portion 105b2 has the same configuration as the delay circuit portion 105b1 described above.

The second delay circuit 105c has the same structure as the above-mentioned first delay circuit 105b. Since the first and second delay circuits 105b and 105c delay the relatively high frequency F from the oscillator circuit 102, the time constants of the series capacitor 111 and the parallel resistor 112 that configure them may be small, and therefore miniaturization is possible. Planned.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the pulse width modulation control signal generation circuit 114. From the first to third frequency dividers 103a to 103c shown in FIG.
The output signals derived to 4a to 104c are pulse width modulation control signal generation circuits 114a, 114b, 114 for each phase.
c, the control signals are supplied to the control terminals of the first output switching elements 83, 85, 87, respectively, and the inverting circuits 116a, 116b, 116 are also provided.
The second output switching elements 84, 8 via the respective c
6, 88 control terminals.

FIG. 15 is a waveform diagram for explaining the operation of pulse width modulation control signal generating circuit 114. Each of these pulse width modulation control signal generation circuits 114a, 114b,
114c corresponds to FIG. 15 (1), FIG. 15 (2) and FIG.
As shown in (3), a pulse width modulation operation for obtaining a sine wave for each of the three phases is performed. Thus, the connection point 9 of the output switching circuits 74, 75 and 76 shown in FIG.
1, 92 and 93, the sine waves shown in FIG. 15 (4), FIG. 15 (5) and FIG.
It is output via 118 and 119, respectively. A single phase sine wave is obtained between line 117 and ground 49,71.

FIG. 16 is a partial electric circuit diagram of still another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the above-mentioned embodiment, and the corresponding portions bear the same reference numerals. Particularly in this embodiment, the lines 117, 11
The three-phase AC power derived from 8, 119 is supplied to the primary windings of the star-connected transformers 121 to 123.
From the center tap type secondary winding of each of the transformers 121 to 123, for example, 120V AC power is obtained with the center tap, or 240V AC power is obtained between both terminals. Thus, single-phase AC power can be obtained from each of the transformers 121 to 123.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a simplified overall structure of a thermoelectric generator according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the thermoelectric generator module 12 used in the thermoelectric generator of FIG. With reference to these figures, the module 12 is mounted on top of the housing 151 and is either single or multiple (two in this embodiment).
The upper part of the module 12 is covered with a heavy cover 152, and the exhaust gas from the burner 35 is discharged to the outside from the exhaust hole 153. A lid 154 is disposed in the space surrounded by the projecting portion 25 of the module 12, and the burner 3
It becomes possible for the high temperature exhaust gas due to the flame 141 of No. 5 to surely contact the protruding portion 25 and flow. The combustion air for the flame 141 of the burner 35 is supplied from the combustion air supply hole 155 of the housing 151 to the protruding portion 2 of the module 12.
8 in contact with No. 8 and bent from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction as shown by arrow 156, and flows by the combustion air.
Will be cooled. The undesired air in the housing 151 is generated by the fan 1 installed at the bottom of the housing 151.
It is discharged from 57 to the outside. In the vicinity of the fan 157, DC power obtained from the module 12 is converted into AC power, for example, a DC / DC converter such as a switching power supply circuit.
An AC converter 158 is provided. Thus, the thermoelectric generator 150 shown in FIG. 17 is realized. Such a thermoelectric generator 150 is small in size, has a simple configuration, and does not require energy such as motive power for its operation, thereby achieving excellent effects.

The entire shape of the module 12 is formed in a ring 137 having a vertical axis, and a plurality of sets of sub-modules 11 are connected in series in the circumferential direction. Each sub-module 11 has a first projecting portion 25 projecting radially inward of the ring, a first metal heat conducting member 13 having good heat conduction, and a projecting portion extending in the axial direction of the ring. The metal second heat conducting member 14 having the second protruding portion 28 and having good heat conduction, and the first and second heat conducting members 13 and 14 are provided.
And a first semiconductor element 15 of one conductivity type of p-type or n-type, which is disposed between the base end portions 26 and 29 of the
Also, the second semiconductor element 16 of the other conductivity type of p-type or n-type is disposed on the base end portion 26, 29 of either one of the second heat-conducting members 13 and 14 on the side opposite to the first semiconductor element 15. Including and

By using the thermoelectric generator module 12 constituted by connecting a plurality of submodules in series, it is possible to easily realize a thermoelectric generator that is miniaturized and has a simple structure. The thermoelectric generator includes the thermoelectric generator module 12 and the inner passage 21 through which the protruding portion 25 of the first heat conducting member 13 protrudes radially inward of the ring.
And a burner 35 that supplies exhaust gas to the inner passage 21, and the combustion air of the burner 35 passes between the second heat transfer members 14 to cause the flame 141 of the burner 35.
To be supplied.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a thermoelectric generator 160 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the thermoelectric generator module 212 shown in FIG. A burner 35 is arranged below the module 212, and the exhaust gas generated by the combustion of the flame 141 of the burner 35 is disposed in the module 2
It flows through the inner passage 221 formed by 12. The combustion air supplied to the flame 141 of the burner 35 moves downward through the outer passage 223 formed between the module 212 and the right cylindrical guide member 161 coaxial with the module 212 as indicated by the arrow 162. Flow, which causes the inner passage 22
1, the flowing directions of the high temperature exhaust gas flowing upwards are opposite to each other, and the module 212 is countercurrently heat-exchanged to prevent the entire semiconductor elements 215 and 216 from having a uniform temperature distribution. Can be increased.

The overall shape of the module 12 is formed in a cylinder 144 having a vertical axis 143, and a plurality of submodules 211 are vertically connected in series. Each sub-module 211 is (a) a first heat conducting member 213, which is a first annular portion 226 coaxial with the cylinder, and a first protruding portion 2 protruding radially inward from the first annular portion 226.
And the first metal heat conducting member 2 having good heat conduction
13, (b) the second heat conducting member 214, the second annular portion 229 coaxial with the cylinder, and the second annular portion 229.
A second heat conducting member 214 having a second projecting portion 228 projecting radially outward from the
(C) a plurality of first semiconductor elements 215 which are interposed between the first and second annular portions 226 and 229, are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, and have one conductivity type of p type or n type;
(D) a plurality of second semiconductor elements 216 of the p-type or n-type other conductivity type, which are arranged on one of the first and second annular portions 226 and 229 on the side opposite to the first semiconductor element 215; including. (E) The second semiconductor element 216 of one of the sub-modules 211a arranged vertically adjacent to each other
a, the second annular portion 2 of the other submodule 211c
29c is arranged. First and second protruding portions 225,
228 are arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 144, and the first and second semiconductor elements 215, 215 are arranged at the same positions in the circumferential direction of the first and second projecting portions 225, 228.
It is preferable that 216 be arranged. This makes the first
The heat flow to the second semiconductor elements 215 and 216 is efficiently performed, and the power generation efficiency is increased. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily realize a miniaturized thermoelectric generator having a simplified structure. The thermoelectric generator includes the above-mentioned thermoelectric generator module 212 and the inside of the cylinder 144 in the radial direction,
The burner 35 that is arranged below the inner passage 221 from which the first protruding portion 225 protrudes and that supplies the exhaust gas to the inner passage 221.
And the combustion air of the burner 35 is radially outward of the cylinder 144, and the outer passage 223 through which the second projecting member 228 projects.
And a guide member 246 that forms

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a thermoelectric generator 164 according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a vertical sectional view of thermoelectric generator 164 shown in FIG. In the thermoelectric generator module 12, the sub-modules 11 are arranged, for example, in a straight line in the horizontal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 21, vertical direction to paper surface in FIG. 22). Below this module 12, a burner 35 is arranged on one side (right side in FIGS. 21 and 22) of the module 12 for heating, and a fan is provided on the other side (left side in FIGS. 21 and 22). Three
6 is provided for cooling. The present invention also includes the idea of such a thermoelectric generator 164.

Other configurations of the respective embodiments shown in FIGS. 17 to 22 are the same as those of the respective embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 16 described above. The heating area by the heating source and the cold heat source may be the reverse of each of the above-described embodiments, that is, the heating member in the above-described embodiments may be cooled and the cooling member may be heated.

The present invention can be combined with an internal combustion engine of an automobile, and its cooling water is used as a heating source, and the air for running the automobile is used as a cooling fluid of the cooling source. As a result, electric power can be supplied to the vehicle-mounted electronic device, and the present invention can be more effectively realized.

[0071]

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a small and lightweight portable thermoelectric generator which has low noise, suppresses deterioration of the environment, and is easy to maintain. Further, this thermoelectric generator has higher efficiency than the prior art having a configuration in which the generator is driven by the internal combustion engine described above.

In particular, according to the present invention, a thermoelectromotive force is generated by the semiconductor conversion element utilizing the thermoelectric phenomenon which is the Seebeck effect, and the output of this semiconductor converter is converted into alternating current by the switching power supply circuit. Therefore, even in a place where a commercial AC power line is not provided, it is possible to easily carry the thermoelectric generator of the present invention and supply power to an AC load. As described above, such a thermoelectric generator can be realized in a small size and a light weight, has low noise, is less likely to deteriorate the environment due to exhaust gas, etc., and is easy to maintain.

According to the present invention, the submodule of the semiconductor converter uses a pair of p and n type semiconductor elements.
By connecting a plurality of these sub-modules in series, a thermocouple that generates thermoelectromotive force can be used to directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy for thermoelectric generation. It is possible to generate electric power by connecting one end of a semiconductor element of each conductivity type of p and n with, for example, a heating member and connecting the other end with, for example, a cooling member, thus realizing a temperature difference.

Further, according to the present invention, the semiconductor converter is formed in a ring shape to form the inner passage, and the outer passage is formed by the cylindrical body outside the semiconductor converter, and the inner passage and the outer passage are formed. The heating fluid and the cooling fluid from the heating source and the cooling source can be supplied to them, for example, in a counterflow, so that the thermoelectromotive force can be easily obtained. The heating fluid may be a gas such as an exhaust gas obtained by a burner burning a gas fuel or a liquid fuel, or may be a liquid such as hot water. The cooling fluid may be a gas such as normal temperature air, or may be water such as tap water or another liquid. Thus, the present invention can be easily implemented.

Further, according to the present invention, the heating member and the cooling member extend over the entire length in the radial direction and are electrically connected to the semiconductor element, so that the heating and cooling of the semiconductor element can be efficiently performed, and The electric resistance can be reduced and the internal resistance as a power source can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, the heating fluid from the heating source is supplied to the inner passage, and the thickness of the portion of the heating member protruding into the inner passage is formed to be thinner inward in the radial direction, whereby the inner passage is formed. The flow resistance of the heating fluid is reduced, and the flow velocity of the heating fluid in the inner passage is increased to smoothly transfer heat from the heating fluid to the heating member.
The efficiency can be increased.

The outer passage is radially outward of the semiconductor converter, and it is easier to form a larger cross-sectional area than the inner passage. Therefore, the thickness of the portion of the cooling member protruding into the outer passage is It does not have to be formed thinner toward the outer side in the radial direction, and may be uniform in the radial direction.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a thermoelectric generator module having a simplified structure and a simplified structure.

According to the present invention, the output of the thermoelectromotive force of the semiconductor converter is applied to the primary winding of the step-up transformer in a push-pull type via the first and second input switching elements, and the center of the transformer is provided. AC is created by push-pull operation by tap connection, and rectification on the secondary side is equivalent to full-wave rectification when viewed from the primary side, or may be two-phase half-wave rectification. Can handle electricity. Further, the number of turns of the secondary winding may be relatively small, for example, 28 turns may be provided on both sides of the center tap in the embodiments described later.

According to the present invention, the transformer is positive,
Since the negative voltage is applied, the utilization factor is good, and the capacitor for smoothing the waveform after full-wave rectification may have a relatively small capacity. Thus, according to the present invention, high efficiency is achieved.
The electric power of the phase sine wave can be easily obtained by the pulse width modulation control of the first and second output switching elements.

In order to obtain a single-phase sine wave, a star connection transformer may be used as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, which will be described later, but a Y connection transformer may be used. In the above configuration, one set of the first and second output switching elements is ON / OFF controlled by the pulse width modulation control circuit, and the connection point of the first and second output switching elements and 2
A single-phase AC output can be obtained with the center tap of the next winding.

According to the present invention, a phase lock loop (PLL) circuit is used to generate an AC signal of a desired AC output frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz multiplied by a natural number N (where N is a value of 2 or more), This AC signal is
And the second delay circuit sequentially shifts by 120 degrees, and thus the first to third frequency dividers are used to obtain a control signal for ON / ON control of each set of the first and second output switching elements. be able to. This AC signal is
Hz or 60 Hz, which is a natural number N times higher, so that the series capacitors and parallel resistors of the first and second delay circuits can be miniaturized, which is necessary especially for being portable, compact and lightweight. .

In another embodiment of the present invention, the conductivity types of the first and second output switching elements are realized by the same transistor, for example, only PNP bipolar transistors or only NPN bipolar transistors. Alternatively, it may be realized by only the P-type MOS or only by the N-type MOS. At this time, the control signal is given as it is to one of the control terminals of the first and second output switching elements and the other is The control signal is inverted and given to the control terminal by the inverting circuit, thus
The second output switching element and the second output switching element are alternately turned on / off to prevent them from being turned on at the same time. In another embodiment, the first and second output switching elements are transistors whose conductivity types are opposite to each other, such as a PNP.
Type and NPN type bipolar transistors, or P channel type and N channel type metal oxide field effect transistors (abbreviated to MOS FE).
T) or the like. The control signal from the pulse width modulation control signal generating circuit is directly applied to the control terminals such as the bases and gates of the transistors whose conductivity types are opposite to each other, whereby the first and second output switching elements are alternately arranged. There is no risk of short-circuiting because the on-state is achieved at the same time by repeatedly turning on and off.

The reference signal from the reference signal generation source is the output of the commercial AC power supply system, which allows the AC power synchronized with the commercial AC power supply to be obtained by thermal power generation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a simplified overall configuration of a thermoelectric generator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a simplified thermoelectromotive force of the semiconductor converter 2.

FIG. 3 is a simplified front view of the semiconductor converter 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a part of the semiconductor converter in a circumferential direction in a simplified manner.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a principle configuration of a sub-module 11a.

6 is a diagram showing an energy band of the sub-module 11 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram for explaining a thermoelectromotive force of the semiconductor converter 2.

8 is a diagram further simplifying the electrical configuration shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which a voltmeter 7 is connected to the semiconductor converter 2.

FIG. 10 is a simplified electric circuit diagram of the semiconductor converter 2.

FIG. 11 shows first and second input switching elements 51,
FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram for explaining the operation of 52.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a specific electrical configuration of output switching circuits 74, 75, and 76.

13 is an electric circuit diagram showing a partial configuration of a pulse width modulation control circuit 94. FIG.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a pulse width modulation control signal generation circuit 114.

FIG. 15 is a waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the pulse width modulation control signal generation circuit 114.

FIG. 16 is a partial electric circuit diagram of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a simplified overall configuration of a thermoelectric generator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the thermoelectric generator module 12 used in the thermoelectric generator of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a thermoelectric generator 160 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

20 is a module 2 for a thermoelectric generator shown in FIG.
12 is an exploded perspective view of a part of FIG.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a thermoelectric generator 164 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

22 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric generator 164 shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Thermoelectric Generator 2 Semiconductor Converter 3 Switching Power Supply Circuit 11 Sub-Module 12 Module 13 Heating Member 14 Cooling Member 15 p-Type Semiconductor Element 16 n-Type Semiconductor Element 21 Inner Passage 22 Cylindrical Body 23 Outer Passage 25, 28 Projection Part 31 Heating Source 36 Cooling Source 41 Transformer 42 Primary Winding 43 Secondary Winding 51 First Input Switching Element 52 Second Input Switching Element 53 Push-Pull Control Circuit 55 Inversion Circuit 57 Full Wave Rectifier Circuit 58 Full Wave Rectifier Bridge 59, 60 Capacitor 74 , 75, 76 Output switching circuits 83, 85, 87 First output switching elements 84, 86, 88 Second output switching element 94 Pulse width modulation control circuit 96 Phase lock loop circuit 97 Reference signal source 98 Phase comparator 101 Low pass filter 102 voltage control type oscillation circuit 103a 1st frequency divider 103b 2nd frequency divider 103c 3rd frequency divider 105b 1st delay circuit 105b1 1st delay circuit part 105b2 2nd delay circuit part 105c 2nd delay circuit 111 Series capacitor 112 Parallel resistance 114a, 114b, 114c Pulse width modulation control signal generation circuit

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A thermoelectric generator comprising: a semiconductor converter that directly converts thermal energy into electric energy to generate thermoelectromotive force; and a switching power supply circuit that converts the output of the semiconductor converter into alternating current. . 2. The semiconductor converter is realized by a module in which a plurality of sets of sub-modules each having a pair of p-type semiconductor elements and n-type semiconductor elements electrically connected at one end are connected in series. The thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A sub-module for a semiconductor converter includes a metal heating member having good heat conduction and a metal cooling member having good heat conduction, and a p-type or a heat sink is provided between the heating member and the cooling member. An n-type semiconductor element of one conductivity type is arranged so as to be interposed, and a semiconductor element of the other conductivity type is arranged on one side of the heating member and the cooling member on the side opposite to the semiconductor element of the one conductivity type. 3. The other of the heating member and the cooling member of the other sub-module is arranged on the semiconductor element of the other conductivity type of the one sub-module arranged adjacent to each other. The thermoelectric generator described. 4. A sub-module is realized by connecting a plurality of sets of sub-modules, each of which has a pair of p-type semiconductor element and n-type semiconductor element electrically connected at one end, in series. A metal heating member having good heat conduction and a metal cooling member having good heat conduction are included, and a p-type or n-type one-conductive type semiconductor element is interposed between the heating member and the cooling member. One of the heating member and the cooling member is provided with a semiconductor element of the other conductivity type on the opposite side to the semiconductor element of the one conductivity type, and one of the sub-elements adjacently arranged. A thermoelectric generator, wherein either the heating member or the cooling member of the other sub-module is arranged on the other conductive type semiconductor element of the module. 5. The module has an overall shape of a ring that forms an inner passage, and a cylindrical body that surrounds the ring-shaped module radially outward to form an outer passage, and supplies a heating fluid. A heating source and a cooling source supplying a cooling fluid; the heating member projects into either the inner passage or the outer passage; the cooling member projects into the other inner passage or the outer passage; 5. The thermoelectric generator according to claim 3, wherein the heating fluid of 1 is introduced to the one of the inner passage and the outer passage, and the cooling fluid from a cooling source is introduced to the other of the inner passage and the outer passage. 6. The thermoelectric generator according to claim 5, wherein the heating member extends over the entire length of the semiconductor element in the radial direction. 7. The heating fluid from the heating source is guided to the inner passage, the heating member projects to the inner passage, the cooling fluid from the cooling source to the outer passage, the cooling passage projects to the outer passage, and 7. The thermoelectric generator according to claim 5, wherein the thickness of the ring in the circumferential direction of the portion of the member that protrudes into the inner passage is formed so as to become radially inward. 8. The whole shape is formed into a ring 137 having a vertical axis, and a plurality of sets of sub-modules 11 are connected in series in the circumferential direction, each sub-module 11 protruding inward in the radial direction of the ring. First protruding portion 25
A first heat conducting member 13 made of metal having good heat conduction and a second projecting portion 2 extending in the axial direction of the ring and projecting.
Second heat conducting member 14 having the number 8 and good heat conduction
And the base end portions 26 of the first and second heat conduction members 13 and 14,
The first semiconductor element 15 of one conductivity type of p-type or n-type and the base end portions 26, 29 of either one of the first and second heat-conducting members 13, 14 are disposed so as to be interposed between 29, A module for a thermoelectric generator, which is arranged on the side opposite to the first semiconductor element 15 and includes a second semiconductor element 16 of the other conductivity type of p-type or n-type. 9. The entire shape is formed into a cylinder 144 having a vertical axis 143, and a plurality of sets of sub-modules 211 are vertically connected in series, and each sub-module 211 comprises: (a) a first heat conduction member 213. And a first annular portion 226 that is coaxial with the cylinder and a first protruding portion 225 that protrudes radially inward from the first annular portion 226, and is a metal first thermal conductor with good heat conduction. A member 213, and (b) a second heat conducting member 214, which has a second annular portion 229 coaxial with the cylinder, and a second protruding portion 228 protruding outward from the second annular portion 229 in the radial direction. And (c) the second heat conducting member 214 made of metal, which has good heat conduction, and (c) the first and second annular portions 226 and 229, which are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction and are p-type or n-type. First conductive type of one-sided conductive type The element 215, and (d) one of the first and second annular portions 226 and 229, which is arranged on the opposite side of the first semiconductor element 215 and has a plurality of second conductivity types of p-type or n-type other conductivity type. (E) The second annular portion 229c of the other sub-module 211c is disposed on the second semiconductor element 216a of the one sub-module 211a vertically adjacent to each other. Module for thermoelectric generator. 10. The thermoelectric generator module according to claim 8 or 9, and a burner which is arranged below the inner passage and which supplies exhaust gas to the inner passage, and the combustion air supplied to the flame of the burner comprises: A thermoelectric generator, wherein the second projecting portion flows through the projecting outer passage. 11. A transformer, comprising: a center tap type primary winding to which an output of a module is given, the center tap of the primary winding being connected to an output terminal of one polarity of the module; Both terminals of the primary winding have a primary winding connected to an output terminal of the other polarity of the module, and a transformer having a center tap type secondary winding having a larger number of turns than the primary winding; ) A first input switching element interposed between one terminal of the primary winding and the output terminal of the other polarity of the module, and (c) the other terminal of the primary winding and the other polarity of the module. A second input switching element interposed between the output terminal and (d) a push-pull control circuit that alternately turns on and off the first and second input switching elements, and (e) a full-wave rectification circuit And both ends of the secondary winding A full-wave rectification bridge having an input terminal connected to the output terminal and a pair of series-connected capacitors connected between the output terminals of the full-wave rectification bridge, the mutual connection points of the capacitors being the secondary winding. A full-wave rectification circuit having a capacitor connected to the center tap, and (f) three sets of output switching circuits connected between the output terminals of the full-wave rectification circuit, each set of switching circuits comprising a pair of switching circuits. An output switching circuit having first and second output switching elements connected in series and deriving a three-phase AC output from a connection point of the first and second output switching elements of each set; and (g) first and The thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, further comprising: a pulse width modulation control circuit that controls the pulse width modulation of the second output switching element to obtain a three-phase sine wave. 12. The pulse width modulation control circuit is (a) a phase lock loop circuit, comprising: a reference signal generating source for generating a reference signal of 50 or 60 Hz; an output of the reference signal generating source; and an input signal. A phase comparator that generates a voltage corresponding to the phase difference, a voltage-controlled oscillation circuit that receives the voltage of the phase comparator and oscillates at a frequency F corresponding to the voltage, and an output of the voltage-controlled oscillation circuit And a first frequency divider which divides the frequency by a predetermined frequency division ratio N and supplies the same as the input signal of the phase comparator, wherein the voltage from the phase comparator is the phase of the output of the first frequency divider of the reference signal. A phase-locked loop circuit that is a value that controls the oscillation frequency F of the voltage-controlled oscillator circuit so as to match the following; (b) a first delay circuit that shifts the output of the voltage-controlled oscillator circuit by 120 degrees; The output of the first delay circuit is Serial predetermined frequency division ratio N
A second frequency divider that divides the output of the first delay circuit by (d) a second delay circuit that shifts the output of the first delay circuit by 120 degrees, and (e) an output of the second delay circuit by the predetermined frequency division ratio N
And (f) pulse width modulation control of the first and second output switching elements of each of the three sets in response to the outputs of the third frequency divider and (f) the first to third frequency dividers. The thermoelectric generator according to claim 11, further comprising a pulse width modulation control signal generating circuit.