JP2013165113A - Thermoelectric conversion device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermoelectric conversion device capable of efficiently absorbing heat from an external space.SOLUTION: A thermoelectric conversion device 100 comprises: a container 30 having a foundation part and a ceiling part, in which a thermoelectric element generating electromotive force when a temperature difference is generated between a first end and a second end is hermetically sealed so that the first end is located closer to the ceiling part than the second end and the second end is located closer to the foundation part than the first end; a main body 10 attached with one or more containers 30 so that the foundation part of the container 30 is in contact with an outer surface; and a plurality of fins 20 extending in one direction and attached to an outer surface of the ceiling part of the container 30, each fin having a U-shaped cross section when viewed from one direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermoelectric conversion device.

  There is a thermoelectric conversion element that converts heat and electric power to each other. In the thermoelectric conversion element, a plurality of p-type thermoelectric conversion elements and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged in parallel, and these are alternately connected in series via electrodes.

  If a temperature difference exists between both ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements (p-type thermoelectric conversion element and n-type thermoelectric conversion element), electric power is generated by the Seebeck effect. On the other hand, when electric power is applied to the thermoelectric conversion element, a temperature difference is generated between both ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements (p-type thermoelectric conversion element and n-type thermoelectric conversion element) due to the Peltier effect.

  As a related technique, in Patent Document 1, a sliding material having thermal conductivity is interposed between at least a heating plate on a high temperature heat source side and a heat source side electrode portion of a thermoelectric semiconductor, and a heating plate and a cooling plate are provided. And connecting the thermoelectric semiconductor and the electrode part between the cooling plate and the heating plate via the sliding material, and the sliding material is in a pressurized state between the thermoelectric side electrode part or the heating plate. A thermoelectric conversion module that allows relative sliding is disclosed.

JP 2006-49872 A

  This inventor discovered the following subjects in the thermoelectric conversion apparatus which was able to take out collective electric power by providing multiple thermoelectric conversion elements as mentioned above.

  First, power generation using waste heat can be considered as an example of a usage form of a thermoelectric converter. That is, a thermoelectric conversion device is installed in a space filled with waste heat, and electric power is taken out by heating one end of the thermoelectric conversion element with the waste heat. In the case of such a usage form, the thermoelectric conversion device is permanently installed in a high-temperature space. For this reason, it is necessary to raise the intensity | strength of a thermoelectric conversion apparatus so that it may not deform | transform.

  Moreover, as an example of the utilization form which generates electric power using waste heat, the utilization form which installs the thermoelectric conversion apparatus in the waste heat pipe which moves the waste heat which generate | occur | produced in one place to another place can be considered, for example. In the case of such a utilization form, it is preferable that the thermoelectric converter efficiently absorbs heat from the waste heat without greatly hindering the flow of waste heat moving in the waste heat pipe.

  In addition, although the subject of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus was demonstrated here by taking the form using waste heat as an example, the same subject may generate | occur | produce also in the form using other heat.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the thermoelectric conversion apparatus which can suppress a deformation | transformation and can absorb heat | fever efficiently from external space.

  According to the present invention, the thermoelectric conversion element that generates an electromotive force when a temperature difference is generated between the first and second end portions, the base portion, and the ceiling portion, the first end portion is the second end portion. One or a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a state in which the second end portion is positioned closer to the base portion than the first end portion. A container that is hermetically sealed, a main body to which one or more of the containers are attached in a state where the outer surface of the base portion is in contact with the outer surface, and extends in one direction so that the extending directions are parallel to each other. There is provided a thermoelectric conversion device having a plurality of fins attached to an outer surface of the ceiling portion of the container and having a U-shaped cross-sectional shape observed from the one direction.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a thermoelectric conversion apparatus which can suppress a deformation | transformation and can absorb heat from external space efficiently is implement | achieved.

It is a perspective view of an example of the thermoelectric conversion device of this embodiment. It is the plane schematic diagram of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus of FIG. 1, and is the figure which showed a part of internal structure collectively. It is the side surface schematic diagram of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus of FIG. 1, and is the figure which showed a part of internal structure collectively. It is a schematic diagram which shows the thermoelectric conversion apparatus observed in the direction shown by the arrow from the AA cross section of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the thermoelectric conversion apparatus observed in the direction shown by the arrow from the BB cross section of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the thermoelectric conversion apparatus observed from the CC cross section of FIG. 3 in the direction shown by the arrow. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows an example of the thermoelectric conversion element airtightly sealed in the container. It is the top view observed from the cross section of the dashed-dotted line II shown in FIG. 7 in the direction shown by the arrow in the figure. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows an example of the thermoelectric conversion element airtightly sealed in the container. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows an example of the thermoelectric conversion element airtightly sealed in the container. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect of this embodiment. It is a perspective view of an example of the thermoelectric conversion device of this embodiment. It is a plane schematic diagram of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus of FIG. It is the plane schematic diagram of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus observed from the same direction as FIG. 13, and is the figure which showed a part of internal structure collectively. It is the plane schematic diagram of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus observed from the same direction as FIG. 13, and is the figure which showed a part of internal structure collectively. It is the side surface schematic diagram of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus of FIG. 12, and is the figure which showed a part of internal structure collectively. It is a schematic diagram which shows the thermoelectric conversion apparatus observed in the direction shown by the arrow from the BB cross section of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the thermoelectric conversion apparatus observed in the direction shown by the arrow from the AA cross section of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the thermoelectric conversion apparatus observed in the direction shown by the arrow from the CC cross section of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 of FIG. 1 and also shows a part of the internal configuration. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 of FIG. 1 and also shows a part of the internal configuration. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the thermoelectric conversion device 100 observed in the direction indicated by the arrow from the AA cross section of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the thermoelectric conversion device 100 observed in the direction indicated by the arrow from the BB cross section of FIG. 3. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the thermoelectric conversion device 100 observed in the direction indicated by the arrow from the CC cross section of FIG.

  First, the outline | summary of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus 100 of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the thermoelectric conversion device 100 includes a main body 10, a container 30, a thermoelectric conversion element 1, and fins 20.

  The main body 10 has a cooling part inside. For example, the main body 10 has an internal space, and a cooling fluid 90 having a temperature lower than the external temperature flows in the internal space (see FIG. 4). The container 30 is attached so that the bottom part contacts the outer surface of the main body 10. And the fin 20 is attached to the ceiling part side of the container 30. The thermoelectric conversion element 1 is accommodated in the container 30 in a state where one end is positioned on the ceiling side of the container 30 and the other end is positioned on the bottom side of the container 30.

  The thermoelectric conversion device 100 of the present embodiment is installed in a high-temperature space (for example, 600 ° C. or more and 900 ° C. or less), for example. Then, the fin 20 absorbs heat from the external space and enters a high temperature state. The ceiling part of the container 30 located on the fin 20 side is also in a high temperature state. On the other hand, the inside of the main body 10 is maintained at a lower temperature than the temperature of the external space (external temperature) by the cooling unit. The bottom of the container 30 in contact with the outer surface of the main body 10 is in a low temperature state. That is, a temperature difference is generated between the ceiling (high temperature state) and the bottom (low temperature state) of the container 30.

  In such a container 30, the thermoelectric conversion element 1 housed in a state where one end is located on the ceiling side of the container 30 and the other end is located on the bottom side of the container 30, one end is in a high temperature state, The other end is in a low temperature state. That is, a temperature difference occurs between both ends of the thermoelectric conversion element 1, and an electromotive force is generated. The thermoelectric conversion device 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to connect a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 1 in series and extract a large amount of power.

  Next, each component of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 will be described in detail.

  First, the thermoelectric conversion element 1 will be described. The thermoelectric conversion element 1 (see FIG. 2) generates an electromotive force when a temperature difference is generated between the first and second end portions. The thermoelectric conversion element 1 is hermetically sealed in the container 30. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the thermoelectric conversion element 1 is not particularly limited, and can be any configuration according to the related art. Hereinafter, although an example of the thermoelectric conversion element 1 is demonstrated using drawing, it is not limited to this.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 1 are hermetically sealed in the container 30. Further, FIG. 8 is a plan view observed in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing from the cross section of the alternate long and short dash line II shown in FIG. 7 and 8, the thermoelectric conversion element 1 is schematically shown by a square.

  FIG. 9 is an example of a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pair of thermoelectric conversion elements 1 is hermetically sealed in the container 30.

  The structure shown in FIG. 9 includes a thermoelectric conversion element 1, a container 30 in which the thermoelectric conversion element 1 is hermetically sealed, one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 1, and the inner surface of the ceiling portion 6 of the container 30 (on the inner space side of the container 30). Between the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element 1 and the inner surface of the base portion 5 of the container 30 (the surface on the inner space side of the container 30). Second thermal conductive insulator 4. The first thermal conductive insulator 3 is in close contact with one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 1 and the inner surface of the ceiling portion 6 of the container 30, and the second thermal conductive insulator 4 is the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element 1 and the container 30. It is in close contact with the inner surface of the base portion 5 of.

  The thermoelectric conversion element 1 includes a p-type thermoelectric conversion element (p-type thermoelectric conversion semiconductor) 11 and an n-type thermoelectric conversion element (n-type thermoelectric conversion semiconductor) 12. The thermoelectric conversion element 1 further includes a first electrode 13 that electrically connects one end of the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 11 and one end of the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 12, and other than the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 11. It has the 2nd electrode 14 connected to the end, and the 3rd electrode 15 connected to the other end of the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 12.

As a thermoelectric conversion material constituting the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 11 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 12, Bi ₂ Te ₃ system, PbTe system, GeTe-AgSbTe ₂ system, SiGe system, Fe ₂ Si system, Zn ₄ Sb ₃ system , B ₄ C, RE _x M ₄ Sb ₁₂ having a skutterudite structure and a filled skutterudite structure (RE is a Group 1 alkaline element, a Group 2 alkaline earth element, a Group 3 rare earth element, At least one element selected from the group consisting of Group 4 elements and Group 13 elements, 0 <x ≦ 1, and M is at least one selected from Fe groups such as Fe, Co, Ni, etc. or more elements in a) material, (Ti, Zr, half-Heusler type material typified by Hf) NiSn, silicide-based material typified by _Mg 2 _Si, the Ba ₈ Ga 16 _{Sn 30} Clathrate material to the table, and the like oxide material.

  The first electrode 13 can be made of, for example, a metal material such as iron, titanium, copper, or aluminum. The 2nd and 3rd electrodes 14 and 15 can be constituted by metal materials, such as copper system, aluminum system, iron system, and titanium system, for example.

  The thermoelectric conversion element 1 further includes a first barrier metal 16 interposed between the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 11 and the first electrode 13, and an n-type thermoelectric conversion element 12 and the first electrode 13. And a second barrier metal 17 interposed. These first and second barrier metals 16 and 17 are for suppressing diffusion of elements constituting the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 11 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 12, and for example, Fe alloy, Ti alloy, etc., respectively. Can be configured.

The first thermally conductive insulator 3 includes, for example, a ceramic material plate 31 made of a ceramic material such as Al ₂ O ₃ , AlN (aluminum nitride), Si ₃ N ₄ (silicon nitride), SiC, and the ceramic material plate. A carbon sheet 32 interposed between the first electrode 13 and the first electrode 13, and a carbon sheet 33 interposed between the ceramic material plate 31 and the inner surface of the ceiling portion 6 of the container 30. .

The second thermally conductive insulator 4 includes, for example, a ceramic material plate 41 made of a ceramic material such as Al ₂ O ₃ , AlN, Si ₃ N ₄ , SiC, and the like between the ceramic material plate 41 and the second electrode 14. The carbon sheet 42 interposed between the ceramic material plate 41 and the third electrode 15, and the ceramic material plate 41 and the base portion 5 of the container 30. Carbon sheet 44.

The material constituting the ceramic material plate 31, for example, Al ₂ O ₃ , AlN, Si ₃ N ₄ , and SiC, has both high thermal conductivity and insulating properties. As the material of the ceramic material plate 31, other materials having both high thermal conductivity and insulation can be used other than Al ₂ O ₃ , AlN, Si ₃ N ₄ , and SiC. The carbon sheets 32, 33, 42, 43, and 44 of the first and second thermally conductive insulators 3 and 4 make good thermal contact and function as a cushioning material.

  Next, the container 30 will be described. The container 30 has a base part 5 and a ceiling part 6. The container 30 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 is connected to the base part 5 and the ceiling part 6 through a side wall part 62 extending substantially vertically from the base part 5. In addition, the side wall part 62 and the base part 5 and the ceiling part 6 may be connected at other angles. Moreover, the ceiling part 6 and the base part 5 may be directly connected, and the ceiling part 6 may have a dome shape with a gently curved surface. In the present embodiment, the ceiling portion 6 is heated to be in a high temperature state, and at least a part of the base portion 5 is cooled to be in a low temperature state.

  The base part 5 is formed flat. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, for example, the base portion 5 may include a frame-like body 5 b that constitutes a peripheral portion and a heat conductor 5 a that constitutes a central portion thereof. In the base portion 5 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the central portion of the frame-like body 5b is cut out into a predetermined shape (for example, a circle). The planar shape of the heat conductor 5a substantially matches the predetermined shape, and is inserted into the center of the frame-like body 5b. The frame-like body 5b and the heat conductor 5a are preferably formed to be flat and have the same thickness as each other, and the upper surface and the lower surface of each other are preferably flush with each other.

  The frame-like body 5b can be made of stainless steel, nickel, carbon steel, or other metal material. The thermal conductor 5a is made of a material (for example, copper, aluminum, carbon, etc.) having higher thermal conductivity than the frame-like body 5b.

  And the thermoelectric conversion element 1 is arrange | positioned through the 2nd heat conductive insulator 4 on the heat conductor 5a, and also the 1st heat conductive insulator 3 is arrange | positioned on the thermoelectric conversion element 1. FIG. Moreover, the side wall part 62 (or ceiling part 6) is arrange | positioned on the frame-like body 5b. In the case of such a configuration, the heat conductor 5a in the base portion 5 is cooled.

  In addition, the base part 5 is not provided with the frame-shaped body 5b, but can also be comprised only with the heat conductor 5a. In such a case, the base part 5 made of the heat conductor 5a and the side wall part 62 (or the ceiling part 6) may be connected via a material (such as a heat insulating material) that suppresses heat transfer. In the case of such a configuration, the entire base portion 5 (the heat conductor 5a) is cooled to a low temperature state.

  The ceiling part 6 and the side wall part 62 can be integrally formed of a plate material made of stainless steel, nickel, carbon steel, or other heat-resistant metal material. The plate thickness of the plate material can be 0.2 mm or more.

  The ceiling part 6 may be flat. The side wall 62 has a cylindrical shape, and the cross-sectional shape thereof can be the same as the planar shape of the ceiling 6. In addition, the edge part of the side wall part 62 may be the flange part 63 projected, for example in the flange shape. And the thermoelectric conversion element 1 is a container by fixing the flange part 63 with welding (for example, laser welding, electron beam welding, etc.) with respect to the upper surface (for example, upper surface of the frame-shaped body 5b) of the base part 5. FIG. 30 may be hermetically sealed.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the base portion 5 and the ceiling portion 6 are flattened, and the base portion 5 and the ceiling portion 6 are connected to each other through a side wall portion 62 extending substantially vertically from the base portion 5. In the connected container 30, when the ceiling 6 side is heated to a predetermined temperature or higher (eg, 400 ° C. or higher) and then returned to room temperature, the distance L between the base 5 and the ceiling 6 (see FIG. 9). ) Becomes smaller (L ₁ shown in FIG. 10), and L ₁ becomes smaller than the distance L ₂ (see FIG. 10) from the outer surface of the ceiling portion 6 to the base portion 5 (preferably smaller than 0.01 mm). As such, factors such as the shape of the container 30 may be set. That is, by raising the temperature of the ceiling portion 6 side to a predetermined temperature or higher (eg, 400 ° C. or higher) and then returning to room temperature, the ceiling portion 6 is in the minus Z direction (downward direction in FIGS. 9 and 10) than before the temperature rise. You may comprise the base part 5 and the ceiling part 6 so that it may displace.

  With such a configuration, even when the temperature rises, the thermoelectric conversion element 1 and the first thermally conductive insulator 3 are closely adhered, and the first thermally conductive insulator 3 and the ceiling portion 6 of the container 30 Can be maintained, and sufficient thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be ensured.

  Further, when the plate thickness of the ceiling portion 6 and the side wall portion 62 is 0.2 mm or more, a sufficiently large amount of corrosion (a dimensional margin that does not affect quality even if corroded) and oxidation (quality even if oxidized). Dimensional margin that does not affect In addition, it is preferable that the plate | board thickness of the ceiling part 6 and the side wall part 62 is 1 mm or less from a viewpoint of reducing a heat loss.

  The rising height T (see FIG. 9) of the side wall 62 can be set to 2 mm or more, for example. Here, the height T is a value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the flange portion 63 from the distance from the inner surface of the base portion 5 to the inner surface of the ceiling portion.

  Moreover, the curvature radius of the outline in the planar view of the ceiling part 6 can be 15 mm or more over the whole area of the outline. Specifically, the outline in plan view of the ceiling portion 6 is, for example, a circle or a part of which includes a part of a circle, and the radius of curvature can be 1 mm or more.

  The inside of the container 30 is, for example, a vacuum, or at least one of inert gas (nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon so that the operating temperature is equal to or lower than atmospheric pressure. Gas).

  As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of insulators 53 may be embedded in the base part 5 so as to penetrate the front and back of the base part 5. One end of a first lead 51 is connected to the second electrode 14, and the first lead 51 is led out of the container 30 through the inside of the insulator 53. Similarly, one end of a second lead 52 is connected to the third electrode 15, and the second lead 52 is led out of the container 30 through the inside of the insulator 53.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, for example, the thermoelectric conversion elements 1 as shown in FIG. 9 are arranged in an array in the container 30 and are connected in series. 7 and 8 correspond to the assembly of the first lead 51 and the insulator 53 and the assembly of the second lead 52 and the insulator 53 in FIG. 7 and 8, one end of the first lead 51 is connected to the second electrode 14 of the foremost thermoelectric conversion element 1 among the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 1 connected in series. One end of the second lead 52 is connected to the third electrode 15 of the last thermoelectric conversion element 1 among the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 1 connected in series.

  In addition, the aspect which accommodates the thermoelectric conversion element 1 in the container 30 is not limited to the example shown to FIG. 7 thru | or 9, The aspect which can produce a temperature difference between the two edge parts of the thermoelectric conversion element 1 As long as it is, other modes can be adopted.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the first end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element 1 is located closer to the ceiling portion 6 of the container 30 than the second end portion, and the second end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element 1 is What is necessary is just to accommodate the thermoelectric conversion element 1 in the container 30 in the state located near the base part 5 of the container 30 rather than the first end. As an example different from FIGS. 7 to 9, the first heat conductive insulator 3 and the second heat conductive insulator 4 shown in FIG. 9 may be omitted. That is, the base part 5 and one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 1 may be in direct contact, and the ceiling part 6 and the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element 1 may be in direct contact. As another example, one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 1 is fixed in direct contact with the base part 5, and the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element 1 is located in the vicinity of the ceiling part 6, and may not be in direct contact with the ceiling part 6. . However, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 is preferable from the viewpoint of increasing the thermoelectric conversion efficiency.

  Next, the main body 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, one or more containers 30 are attached to the outer surface of the main body 10. The container 30 is attached in a state where the outer surface of the base portion 5 is in contact with the outer surface of the main body 10.

  In the case of the illustrated example, the shape of the main body 10 is a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A plurality of containers 30 are arranged along the longitudinal direction. That is, the several thermoelectric conversion element 1 is arranged along the longitudinal direction. A plurality of containers 30 are attached to each of two opposing surfaces of the main body 10 so as to face each other with the main body 10 in between. That is, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 1 are arranged so as to face each other with the main body 10 interposed therebetween.

  The main body 10 can be made of a plate material such as stainless steel having heat and corrosion resistance. The thickness of the plate material is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. Moreover, the magnitude | size of the main body 10 can be freely set without a restriction | limiting according to the space dimension of a heat source, for example, can be made into arbitrary dimensions in the range of 50 to 5000 mm in height. Moreover, when making the shape of the main body 10 into a square pillar, it can be set as arbitrary dimensions in the range of 50 mm or more and 5000 mm or less in length, 50 mm or more and 5000 mm or less in width, and 50 mm or more and 5000 mm or less in height.

  Inside the main body 10, a cooling unit maintained at a lower temperature than the external temperature of the main body 10 is located. For example, the inside of the main body 10 is a space, and the cooling fluid 90 may flow in the internal space (see FIGS. 4 to 6). The cooling fluid 90 is maintained at a temperature lower than the external temperature of the main body 10 or at a temperature lower than at least one surface of the main body 10. For example, the temperature of the cooling fluid 90 may be maintained at 0 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower. The cooling fluid may be a liquid such as water or a gas such as air. The means for causing the cooling fluid 90 to flow in the internal space is not particularly limited. For example, an inlet 21 and an outlet 22 connected to the internal space are provided, and the cooling fluid is allowed to flow into the internal space via the inlet 21. At the same time, the cooling fluid may be caused to flow by allowing the cooling fluid to flow out of the internal space via the outlet 22.

  The main body 10 having such a configuration is cooled by the cooling unit. And the base part 5 of the container 30 which contacts the outer surface of the main body 10 is also cooled.

  The shape of the main body 10 may be any shape as long as it has a surface on which a plurality of containers 30 can be arranged and a cooling part can be positioned inside. The shape of the main body 10 is not only a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but also a cube, a triangular prism, and other polygonal columns. be able to. However, a shape in which two surfaces on which the plurality of containers 30 can be arranged is provided and these surfaces face each other in parallel is preferable (the reason will be described below). As such a shape, in addition to the quadrangular prism, a shape partially deformed based on the quadrangular prism (a shape in which two quadrangular prisms having different sizes are attached to each other) or the like can be considered.

  The main body 10 may be protected by a cover 18 that covers the periphery of the main body 10. A heat insulating material 19 may be positioned between the main body 10 and the cover 18. That is, the main body 10 may be covered with the heat insulating material 19. The cover 18 has an opening for exposing the ceiling portion of the container 30 attached to the outer surface of the main body 10. The heat insulating material 19 covers, for example, at least a part of the other region except the region in contact with the container 30 on the outer surface of the main body 10. Such a heat insulating material 19 can reduce the inconvenience that the cooling unit located inside the main body 10 is heated by the temperature of the external space. Further, the cover 18 can suppress damage to the main body 10.

  The cover 18 can be made of a material having heat and corrosion resistance such as stainless steel. The heat insulating material 19 is a heat insulating material that can withstand the maximum temperature of the heat source, and can be made of, for example, a plastic system such as polystyrene foam or a mineral system such as glass fiber.

  Next, the fin 20 will be described. The fin 20 can be made of a material having heat and corrosion resistance such as stainless steel. The fins 20 extend in one direction to increase the surface area and easily absorb heat from the external space. The fin 20 shown in FIG. 2 extends in the left-right direction in the drawing. 3 and 4 extends in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. The fin 20 is attached to the outer surface of the ceiling portion of the container 30 via a heat transfer material 40 (the heat transfer material 40 will be described below) as illustrated. In addition, the fin 20 can also be directly attached to the outer surface of the ceiling part without using the heat transfer material 40.

  And the several fin 20 is attached so that the extending direction may become parallel. For example, as illustrated, the fin 20 may be attached so that the direction in which the fin 20 extends intersects the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 perpendicularly.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fin 20 includes a bottom portion that is in contact with the heat transfer material 40 and two upright portions that stand up from the bottom portion. The two upright portions stand in the same direction from the bottom, and the cross-sectional shape of the fin 20 observed from the extending direction is a U-shape as shown in FIG.

  The contact area between the bottom of the fin 20 and the heat transfer material 40 is preferably large. For this reason, the surface shape of the bottom part of the fin 20 can be made into the shape match | combined with the shape of the surface of the heat-transfer material 40. FIG. For example, when the surface shape of the heat transfer material 40 is flat, the surface shape of the bottom portion of the fin 20 is preferably flat. Moreover, when the surface of the heat transfer material 40 has a curved surface, it is preferable that the surface of the bottom part of the fin 20 also has a curved surface similar to the curved surface. Naturally, when the surface of the heat transfer material 40 is a convex portion, the surface of the bottom portion of the fin 20 is a concave portion.

  Such a fin 20 may be formed, for example, by preparing a plate material having a longitudinal direction and bending both ends of the flat plate in the same direction with a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction as a rotation axis. The bending method is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the boundary between the bottom portion and the upright portion of the fin 20 may be rounded, or may be a right angle (not shown). . Further, the amount (angle) of bending is not particularly limited. Note that the fin 20 may be formed by separately preparing a component that will be the bottom of the fin 20 and a component that will be a standing portion, and joining them using conventional techniques.

  In addition, the thickness of the fin 20 can be 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

  The heat transfer material 40 can be located between the ceiling of the container 30 and the fins 20. The heat transfer material 40 transfers the heat of the fins 20 to the container 30. Such a heat transfer material 40 is preferably in contact with the container 30. For this reason, the heat transfer material 40 is urged toward the container 30. By comprising in this way, the contact with the heat-transfer material 40 and the container 30 is securable. The container 30 may be urged toward the heat transfer material 40. Alternatively, the fins 20 may be biased toward the container 30, and as a result, the heat transfer material 40 may be biased toward the container 30. In such a case, contact between the fin 20 and the heat transfer material 40 can be ensured, which is preferable.

  The configuration for realizing the biasing as described above is not particularly limited, and any configuration according to the related art can be adopted. As an example, the container 30, the heat transfer material 40, and the fins 20 may be integrally connected so as to bias each other using a joining component. In the case of the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the container 30, the heat transfer material 40, and the fin 20 are integrally connected so as to urge each other using a mounting bolt and a nut 50. In addition, the container 30, the heat transfer material 40, and the fins 20 attached to both end faces of the main body 10 are connected to each other by using attachment bolts and nuts 50, and interposition members 23. .

  The heat transfer material 40 is, for example, a plate material, a porous material, or a powder material made of a material such as stainless steel, heat resistant steel, heat resistant alloy, noble metal Ag, Au, Pd, Pt, Ir, and ceramics having heat resistance and corrosion resistance. It can be.

  Here, the size of the plane of the heat transfer material 40 is preferably smaller than the size of the plane of the ceiling of the container 30 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, when the heat transfer material 40 and the container 30 are observed in a plan view, it is preferable that all of the heat transfer material 40 overlap the ceiling portion of the container 30. As shown in FIG. 2, when the heat transfer material 40 and the container 30 are observed in a plan view, it is more preferable that the heat transfer material 40 is not in contact with the outer edge of the ceiling portion of the container 30. The reason for this will be described below.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the container 30 of the present embodiment is configured so that the ceiling portion 6 is returned to room temperature after the ceiling portion 6 side is heated to a predetermined temperature or higher (eg, 400 ° C. or higher). It can be configured to be displaced in the minus Z direction (downward in FIGS. 9 and 10) than before the temperature rise. That is, even if the outer surface of the ceiling part 6 is flat before heating (see FIG. 9), the outer surface of the ceiling part 6 is displaced in the minus Z direction as shown in FIG. It will have.

  In the present embodiment, the heat transfer material 40 is urged toward the container 30 by using, for example, mounting bolts and nuts 50 to ensure contact between the heat transfer material 40 and the container 30.

Here, when the size of the plane of the heat transfer material 40 is larger than the size of the plane of the ceiling portion of the container 30 (FIG. 11A) and when it is smaller (FIG. 11B), the heat transfer is performed. shows the difference amount _{H 1} and _{H 2} of bending the heat transfer material 40 to ensure contact of the wood 40 and the container 30. As shown in the figure, when the size of the plane of the heat transfer material 40 is larger than the size of the plane of the ceiling portion of the container 30 (FIG. 11A), the heat transfer is smaller than when it is small (FIG. 11B). In order to ensure the contact between the material 40 and the container 30, the amount of bending of the heat transfer material 40 is increased.

  In addition, although not shown in figure, when the heat-transfer material 40 and the container 30 are observed by planar view, when the heat-transfer material 40 contacts the outer edge of the ceiling part of the container 30, and the case where it does not contact, the heat-transfer material 40 in each. When the amount of the heat transfer material 40 bent to ensure contact with the container 30 is compared, for the same reason as described above, the amount of bending of the heat transfer material 40 is greater when contacting the heat transfer material 40 than when not contacting.

  When the amount of bending of the heat transfer material 40 is increased, an excessive force is applied to the heat transfer material 40 and parts (such as attachment parts such as mounting bolts and nuts 50) that urge the heat transfer material 40 toward the container 30. It will be a cause of failure. Such inconvenience can be suppressed by making the size of the plane of the heat transfer material 40 and the positional relationship when the heat transfer material 40 and the container 30 are observed in plan view as described above.

  Here, the thermoelectric conversion element 1 hermetically sealed in the first container 30 and the thermoelectric conversion element 1 hermetically sealed in the second container 30 different from the first container 30 are connected in series. It may be connected. Then, lead wires (first lead 51 or second lead 52, see FIG. 2) connected to the thermoelectric conversion element 1 hermetically sealed in the first container 30, and hermetically sealed in the second container 30. The lead wire (the first lead 51 or the second lead 52, see FIG. 2) connected to the thermoelectric conversion element 1 is the connection terminal 70 and the lead wire 60 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) connecting the connection terminals 70. It may be connected via. The connection terminal 70 is drawn out to the external space of the main body 10. For this reason, connection and disconnection of the lead wire 60 and the connection terminal 70 can be performed easily.

  For example, when a problem occurs in the thermoelectric conversion element 1 hermetically sealed in a container 30 among the plurality of containers 30, the connection relationship between the lead wire 60 and the connection terminal 70 is changed to change the thermoelectric element in which the problem has occurred. The conversion element 1 can be disconnected from the serial connection. That is, even if a malfunction occurs in a certain thermoelectric conversion element 1, the use of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 can be continued with a relatively simple treatment.

Here, the modification of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus 100 is shown in FIGS.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric conversion device 100 according to a modification. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 of FIG. 14 and 15 are schematic plan views of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 observed from the same direction as in FIG. 13, and also show a part of the internal configuration. FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 of FIG. 12, and also shows a part of the internal configuration. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the thermoelectric conversion device 100 observed in the direction indicated by the arrow from the BB cross section of FIG. 16. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the thermoelectric conversion device 100 observed in the direction indicated by the arrow from the AA cross section of FIG. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the thermoelectric conversion device 100 observed in the direction indicated by the arrow from the CC cross section of FIG. 16.

  The modification is different in that the number of thermoelectric conversion elements 1 hermetically sealed in one container 30 is larger than that of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 described with reference to FIGS. Moreover, in the thermoelectric conversion apparatus 100 demonstrated using FIG. 1 thru | or 5, although the shape and magnitude | size of the several fin 20 were the same, in the said modification, multiple types of fin 20 from which a shape and magnitude | size differ. It is different in use. Other basic configurations of the modification are the same as those of the thermoelectric conversion device described with reference to FIGS.

  Next, the effect of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus 100 of this embodiment is demonstrated. The description of the effects already described is omitted.

  The thermoelectric conversion device 100 according to the present embodiment can increase the area in contact with the external space due to the presence of the plurality of fins 20. As a result, heat can be efficiently absorbed from the external space.

  Further, the fin 20 whose cross-sectional shape observed from the extending direction is U-shaped is not easily bent in the direction in which the length in the extending direction is shortened because the upright portion serves as a stopper. In the case of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 of this embodiment in which a plurality of such fins 20 are attached to the main body 10 so that the extending directions are parallel to each other, the main body 10 has a length in the extending direction of the fins 20. It becomes difficult to bend in the direction of shortening. That is, such deformation is suppressed.

  Here, let us consider a form in which the thermoelectric conversion device 100 of the present embodiment is installed and used in a waste heat pipe. The waste heat pipe is a pipe for moving waste heat generated in a certain place to another place, and the waste heat flows in a certain direction in the waste heat pipe.

  FIG. 20 shows an example in which the thermoelectric conversion device 100 is installed in such a waste heat pipe. The thermoelectric conversion device 100 is suspended in the waste heat pipe by a support member 80. In addition, it can also mount on the floor surface in a waste heat pipe. In the waste heat pipe, waste heat flows in the direction indicated by the arrow M.

  The fins 20 included in the thermoelectric conversion device 100 of the present embodiment have a U-shaped cross-sectional shape observed from the extending direction (left and right direction in FIG. 20), and the extending directions of the plurality of fins 20 are parallel. It is arranged to be. And the thermoelectric conversion apparatus 100 is attached so that the direction where the fin 20 extends and the flow direction of waste heat become substantially parallel. For this reason, the thermoelectric conversion apparatus 100 can sufficiently secure the contact between the waste heat and the fins 20 and can absorb the sufficient heat while suppressing the flow of the waste heat.

  Further, in the thermoelectric conversion device 100 of the present embodiment, the direction in which the fins 20 extend (left and right direction in FIG. 20) and the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 (up and down direction in FIG. 20) intersect perpendicularly. The fin 20 can be attached to the main body 10. For this reason, for example, when the waste heat pipe extends in the lateral direction parallel to the ground, the thermoelectric conversion device 100 is suspended so that the longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the ground (see FIG. 20), or the floor surface The thermoelectric conversion device 100 can be installed so that the longitudinal direction of the fins 20 and the flow direction of the waste heat in the waste heat pipe are substantially parallel to each other by a relatively simple installation means of mounting on the heat sink. That is, installation of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 that can suppress the flow of waste heat can be realized relatively easily.

  Moreover, the thermoelectric conversion apparatus 100 of this embodiment can make the shape of the main body 10 into the shape which has two surfaces which mutually oppose in parallel, and can attach the several fin 20 to these two surfaces. That is, the plurality of fins 20 can be attached so as to face each other with the main body interposed therebetween. In such a case, heat can be efficiently absorbed by a larger number of fins 20 while realizing the above-described effect of suppressing the flow of waste heat.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Thermoelectric conversion apparatus 1 Thermoelectric conversion element 3 1st heat conductive insulator 4 2nd heat conductive insulator 5 Base part 5a Thermal conductor 5b Frame-like body 6 Ceiling part 10 Main body 11 p-type thermoelectric conversion element 12 n-type thermoelectric Conversion element 13 1st electrode 14 2nd electrode 15 3rd electrode 16 1st barrier metal 17 2nd barrier metal 18 Cover 19 Heat insulating material 20 Fin 21 Inlet 22 Outlet 23 Interposition member 30 Container 31 Ceramic material board 32 Carbon sheet 33 Carbon sheet 40 Heat transfer material 41 Ceramic material plate 42 Carbon sheet 43 Carbon sheet 44 Carbon sheet 50 Mounting bolt and nut 51 First lead 52 Second lead 53 Insulator 54 Vacuum introduction terminal 60 Lead wire 62 Side wall part 63 Flange part 70 Connection Terminal 80 Support member 90 Cooling fluid

Claims (14)

A thermoelectric conversion element that generates an electromotive force when a temperature difference is generated between the first and second ends;
The first end is positioned closer to the ceiling than the second end, and the second end is closer to the base than the first end. A container in which one or a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion elements are hermetically sealed in a state of being located near the unit;
A main body to which one or a plurality of the containers are attached in a state where the outer surface of the base portion is in contact with the outer surface;
A plurality of fins extending in one direction and attached to the outer surface of the ceiling of the container so that the extending directions are parallel to each other;
Have
A thermoelectric conversion device in which the cross-sectional shape of the fin observed from the one direction is U-shaped. In the thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 1,
A thermoelectric conversion device having a cooling unit inside the main body that is maintained at a temperature lower than the external temperature of the main body. In the thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 2,
The thermoelectric conversion device, wherein the main body has an internal space, and a cooling fluid having a temperature lower than that of at least one surface of the main body flows in the internal space. The thermoelectric conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A thermoelectric conversion device further comprising a heat transfer material positioned between the container and the fin and biased toward the container. In the thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 4,
The fin is a thermoelectric conversion device biased toward the container. In the thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 4 or 5,
The container is a thermoelectric conversion device that is biased toward the heat transfer material. The thermoelectric conversion device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The said container, the said heat-transfer material, and the said fin are the thermoelectric conversion apparatuses integrally connected so that it might mutually urge using the components for joining. The thermoelectric conversion device according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
The container further includes a side wall portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the base portion and connecting the base portion and the ceiling portion,
A thermoelectric conversion device in which a plane of the heat transfer material is smaller than a plane of the ceiling portion of the container, and all of the heat transfer material overlaps the ceiling portion of the container when observed in a plan view. The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 8,
When observed in a plan view, the heat transfer material is a thermoelectric conversion device that does not contact the outer edge of the ceiling of the container. The thermoelectric conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The said main body has a longitudinal direction, The thermoelectric conversion apparatus with which the several thermoelectric conversion element is arranged along the said longitudinal direction. The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 10,
The thermoelectric conversion device in which a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged so that the thermoelectric conversion elements face each other with the main body interposed therebetween. The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 10 or 11,
The thermoelectric conversion device in which the one direction in which the fin extends and the longitudinal direction of the main body intersect perpendicularly. The thermoelectric conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The thermoelectric conversion device in which the thermoelectric conversion element hermetically sealed in the first container and the thermoelectric conversion element hermetically sealed in the second container are connected in series. The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 13,
A connection terminal connecting the lead wire connected to the thermoelectric conversion element hermetically sealed in the first container and the lead wire connected to the thermoelectric conversion element hermetically sealed in the second container And the connection terminal is drawn out of the main body.

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