KR20200040364A - Movable thermoelectric generator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a movable thermoelectric generator capable of improving thermoelectric generation efficiency. The movable thermoelectric generator comprises: a heat transfer unit configured to receive heat from a heat source and to transfer the heat; a heat dissipation unit connected to a low temperature unit of a thermoelectric element, and emitting heat transferred through the thermoelectric element; and the thermoelectric element connected to the heat transfer unit and the heat dissipation unit to to convert thermal energy into electrical energy.

Description

Mobile thermoelectric generator

The present invention relates to a mobile thermoelectric generator. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable thermoelectric generator that can be used as a power source with mobility in an area where commercial use is not provided.

The power generation method proposed as a new technological approach to the existing electric energy production method is a thermoelectric generation using a temperature difference between two states. Thermoelectric power generation is not a form of artificially generating heat for power generation, but a direct conversion technology that produces electricity, which is the final form of energy consumed from heat.

Thermoelectric technology gives us the ability to convert the various temperature differences that exist around life into electrical energy.

Specifically, thermoelectric refers to energy conversion between heat and electricity, and when there is a temperature difference between both sides of the thermoelectric conversion element (or thermoelectric element), electricity is generated directly by the flow of heat or vice versa. It refers to the phenomenon in which temperature difference occurs on both sides of the device, and the former case is called thermoelectric power generation and the latter case is called thermoelectric cooling.

In the case of thermoelectric power generation, it is also advantageous that there is no noise or vibration, and there is no wear of parts due to mechanical contact. Due to this, the system has a long life and high reliability. On the other hand, it is pointed out that the efficiency is low compared to the existing method and the system price is high.

Therefore, it is necessary to research and develop a device capable of increasing thermoelectric power generation efficiency and inexpensive thermoelectric power generation.

The present invention aims to solve all the above-mentioned problems.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a movable thermoelectric power generation device.

Moreover, this invention aims at improving the efficiency of thermoelectric power generation.

The representative configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the mobile thermoelectric generator is a heat transfer unit that is implemented to receive heat from a heat source and transfer it, a heat dissipation unit that is connected to a low temperature portion of the thermoelectric element and emits heat that is transmitted through the thermoelectric element, and A heat transfer unit may include a thermoelectric element connected to the heat dissipation unit and implemented to convert thermal energy into electrical energy.

Meanwhile, the heat transfer part may include a first heat transfer part and a second heat transfer part.

In addition, the first heat transfer unit is a portion that directly receives heat from the heat source and directly faces the heat source, and the second heat transfer unit is implemented to contact the heat transferred through the first heat transfer unit with the high temperature unit of the thermoelectric element. Can be.

According to the present invention, a movable thermoelectric power generation device can be provided.

In addition, according to the present invention, thermoelectric power generation efficiency can be increased, and thermoelectric power generation can be performed at low cost.

1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a thermoelectric phenomenon.
2 is a conceptual diagram showing a thermoelectric generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a conceptual view showing a heat collecting plate structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a heat sink according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a conceptual diagram showing a method for stabilizing power production according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For a detailed description of the present invention, which will be described later, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that illustrate, by way of example, specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in detail enough to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different, but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described in this specification may be implemented by changing from one embodiment to another without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that the position or arrangement of individual components within each embodiment may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the detailed description to be described later is not intended to be done in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention should be taken to cover the scope claimed by the claims of the claims and all equivalents thereto. In the drawings, similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components throughout several aspects.

Hereinafter, various preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to enable those skilled in the art to easily implement the present invention.

1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a thermoelectric phenomenon.

1, a structure for generating electric power based on a thermoelectric phenomenon is disclosed.

The thermoelectric phenomenon is an energy conversion phenomenon between heat and electricity, and is reversible. That is, the thermoelectric phenomenon may make a temperature difference based on electricity, and conversely, may make electricity based on a temperature difference.

When there is a temperature difference between both ends of a conversion element, a phenomenon in which electromotive force is generated due to the movement of electric charges inside the device is called Seeback effect and a thermoelectric phenomenon is generated based on the Seebeck effect.

Referring to FIG. 1, thermoelectric power generation uses a principle in which electromotive force is generated when there is a temperature difference between a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor. Thermoelectric power generation is possible even at heat below 150 ° C, which is considered to have no recovery value, and industrial waste heat and the like can be recovered as electrical energy. Research into recycling heat emitted as part of energy harvesting using thermoelectric devices is ongoing.

The thermoelectric generator can overcome the disadvantages of low efficiency because 1) there is no noise because there is no dynamic moving part, 2) the structure is simple because it converts heat directly to electricity, and there is almost no maintenance cost.

Products using this thermoelectric phenomenon are sold in the market. According to market research firm IDTechEX, the thermoelectric energy harvest market is expected to grow at an annual average rate of 37%, from $ 3.16 million in 2012 to $ 766 million in 2022. World-renowned automakers are focusing on increasing fuel efficiency in automobiles by converting waste heat into automobiles using electricity and converting them into electricity, and using them as auxiliary power for engines or using them for heating and cooling of vehicle seats.

Flame Stower developed a USB charger by applying a thermoelectric conversion element using the whitening effect. The output is 2.5W. BioLite's CampStove products can be used to charge small electronic devices such as cell phones while stove / cooking with wood fuel. Continuous output 2W.

Small portable thermoelectric generators using thermoelectric phenomena can be useful in areas where commercial use is not provided. For example, nomads in regions such as Mongolia and Africa, when developed using heat sources for heating, can drive communication devices such as small lights and radios in residential areas.

In addition, the heat of camping, leisure, etc. is spreading recently, and the demand for equipment that requires portable power in the outdoors is increasing due to the popularization of mobile mobile devices. Portable batteries are widely used as mobile auxiliary power sources, but have limited capacity. Therefore, the small portable thermoelectric generator is suitable as an auxiliary power source for mobile devices during outdoor activities such as camping.

2 is a conceptual diagram showing a thermoelectric generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, the structure of a thermoelectric generator is disclosed.

Referring to FIG. 2, the thermoelectric generator may include a heat transfer unit 200, a heat dissipation unit 240, and a thermoelectric element 220.

The heat transfer unit 200 may be a structure that receives and transfers heat from a heat source (eg, a gas burner or torch). The heat transfer part 200 may have a structure connected to a high temperature part of the thermoelectric element 220. The heat transfer part 200 may have a structure for collecting heat and transferring it to a high temperature part of the thermoelectric element 220 as a heat collecting plate structure.

The heat dissipation unit 240 may be connected to a low temperature unit of the thermoelectric element 220 to have a structure for dissipating heat transferred through the thermoelectric element 220.

When heat is applied to the heat transfer unit 200 using a heat source, heat reaches the hot side of the thermoelectric element 220. For the development of the thermoelectric element 220, the temperature difference between the high and low temperature parts must be kept constant. To this end, the heat dissipation unit may include a cooling device equipped with a heat pipe to facilitate heat dissipation.

The thermoelectric element 220 may be connected to the heat transfer unit 200 and the heat dissipation unit 240 to convert thermal energy into electrical energy. Electrical energy may be generated based on a temperature difference between a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion of the thermoelectric element 220. For example, the capacity of the thermoelectric element 220 may be 10 W using two output 5 W classes at a temperature difference of approximately 180 degrees.

The power management unit may be implemented to stably supply the generated power. The power management unit may be implemented to convert the output of the thermoelectric generator to a standard voltage because the output voltage of the thermoelectric element changes according to a temperature difference.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a temperature sensor is installed in the high and low temperature parts of the thermoelectric element 220 to measure the output according to the temperature difference, and the battery can be charged to supply power when necessary.

3 is a conceptual view showing a heat collecting plate structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 discloses a heat collecting plate structure for collecting heat transferred from a heat source and transferring it to a high temperature portion of a thermoelectric element.

Referring to FIG. 3, the heat collecting plate structure may include a first heat transfer part 310 and a second heat transfer part 320.

The first heat transfer unit 310 is a portion that directly receives heat from a heat source and may directly face the heat source. The first heat transfer unit 310 may be implemented with a heat source contact layer 303, a first heat transfer shaft 306, and an insulating structure 309.

The heat source contact layer 303 is a layer directly facing and meeting the heat source, and the shape may be determined in consideration of the shape and width of the heat source. In order to efficiently transfer heat transferred from the heat source, the shape of the corresponding layer may be determined in consideration of the shape of the heat source. When the heat source is a gas range, it may be formed in a circular shape with a slightly wider size than the crater considering the gas range.

The first heat transfer shaft 306 may be an axial structure for transferring heat received from the heat source contact layer 303 to the second heat transfer unit 320. The lower end of the first heat transfer shaft 306 may meet the heat source contact layer 303, and the upper end of the first heat transfer shaft 306 may be connected to the second heat transfer shaft 325 of the second heat transfer unit 320.

The first heat transfer shaft 306 may have a structure that narrows from the bottom to the top, and may have a structure in which heat is collected in a narrow area toward the top of the first heat transfer shaft 306. In this way, heat is transferred quickly, but the area of the first heat transfer shaft 306 is minimized, and heat loss in the first heat transfer shaft 306 can be minimized.

The heat insulating structure 309 may be a structure for reducing heat loss generated from the first heat transfer shaft 306 to the outside. The heat insulating structure may be implemented in a form surrounding the shape of the first heat transfer shaft 306 to minimize heat flowing out.

The second heat transfer part 320 may be a structure for contacting heat transferred through the first heat transfer part 310 with a high temperature part of the thermoelectric element. The second heat transfer part 320 may include a second heat transfer shaft 320, a third heat transfer shaft 335, and a plurality of lower heat transfer layers.

The second heat transfer shaft 320 may be a transfer shaft in the same direction as the first heat transfer shaft 306, and the third heat transfer shaft 335 may be a center of a plurality of lower heat transfer layers that transfer heat to a high temperature portion of the heat transfer element. It can be a passing heat transfer axis.

The second heat transfer shaft 320 may receive heat through the first heat transfer shaft 306. The second heat transfer shaft 320 may be formed in the same direction as the first heat transfer shaft 306. A groove for inserting an upper end of the first heat transfer shaft 306 may be formed at a lower end of the second heat transfer shaft 320. Through this groove, heat can be quickly transferred to the second heat transfer shaft 320 without heat loss in many areas.

The heat transferred to the second heat transfer shaft 320 may be transferred to the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric element 325 through the third heat transfer shaft 335. The third heat transfer shaft 335 may meet the second heat transfer shaft 320 and the heat transfer element 325 vertically.

A surface where the third heat transfer shaft and the second heat transfer shaft meet may be formed widely. The outer surface of the second heat transfer axis may be divided into a plurality of surfaces in consideration of the number of the third heat transfer axes, and heat may be transferred to the third heat transfer axis through a surface where the third heat transfer axis and the second heat transfer axis meet.

The third heat transfer axis may have a structure that widens toward the thermoelectric element and may have a surface having the widest surface that meets the thermoelectric element 325. In this way, heat can be transferred to the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric element through the third heat transfer shaft without heat loss.

The heat loss generated by the heat transferred through the second heat transfer shaft and the third heat transfer shaft is transferred to the air because a heat insulation unit considering the shape of the second heat transfer shaft and the third heat transfer shaft is implemented outside the second heat transfer shaft and the third heat transfer shaft. Can be reduced.

4 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a heat sink according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, a heat dissipation unit for making a temperature difference is disclosed by being connected to a low temperature unit of the thermoelectric element.

Referring to Figure 4, the heat dissipation unit may be implemented in a structure for quickly dissipating heat. The heat dissipation unit may be a structure for rapidly dissipating heat through the heat dissipation surface while securing the maximum heat dissipation surface.

The heat dissipation unit may include a first heat dissipation structure 410 and a second heat dissipation structure 420.

The first heat dissipation structure 410 may be a form that covers the low temperature portion of the thermoelectric element as a surface that meets the low temperature portion of the thermoelectric element.

The first heat dissipation structure 410 may be connected to a plurality of second heat dissipation structures 420 to transfer heat. The plurality of second heat dissipation structures 420 may include a zigzag structure, and heat dissipation holes may be formed on the zigzag structure to cool the heat through circulation of air on the heat dissipation hole.

Alternatively, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first heat dissipation structure 410 includes a first lower heat dissipation layer 415 having an inverted V-shape, and a first lower cooling layer 450 cooling the first lower heat dissipation layer 415. ). In the inverted V-shape, two line segments are adjacent to each other, and the inverted V-shaped vertex portion may be an open shape.

The first lower cooling layer 450 may have a structure adjacent to the first lower cooling layer 415 to cool the first lower cooling layer 415. The first lower cooling layer 450 may have a structure in contact with two line segments constituting the first lower heat dissipation layer 415 to cool the two line segments constituting the first lower heat dissipation layer 415.

The first lower heat dissipation layer 415 is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity, and the first lower cooling layer 450 is implemented as a device having a relatively high specific heat, so that a temperature lower than that of the first lower heat dissipation layer 415 is achieved. It can be implemented to maintain and cool the first lower heat dissipation layer 415.

The second heat dissipation structure 420 may be connected to the first heat dissipation structure 410 to dissipate additional heat. The second lower heat dissipation layer 425 of the second heat dissipation structure 420 may have a V-shape as opposed to the first lower heat dissipation layer 415.

5 is a conceptual diagram showing a method for stabilizing power production according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5, a method for stabilizing power generated in a thermoelectric element is disclosed.

Referring to FIG. 5, power supplied by the thermoelectric element may be stored in the primary charging battery.

The primary charging battery stores power and, when the threshold charge amount is 550 or more, may supply power. The critical filling amount 550 may be determined based on heat supplied. When the temperature difference 510 between the hot and cold parts of the thermoelectric element is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the critical charge amount 550 is determined as a first value, and when the temperature difference 510 between the hot and cold parts of the thermoelectric element is less than a threshold value, the threshold The filling amount 550 may be determined as a second value.

Depending on the temperature difference, it is possible to additionally determine the amount of charge to be charged later and to supply power through the primary charging battery according to the determined amount of charge.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the supply of power in consideration of whether the temperature difference is continuously increasing or decreasing and the temperature of the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric element.

Specifically, when the temperature difference continuously increases, the primary charging battery may increase the critical charging amount 550 and supply constant power. If the temperature difference continues to decrease, the primary charging battery may reduce the critical charging amount 550 and supply constant power.

In addition, the critical charge amount 550 of the primary charging battery may be changed in consideration of whether the temperature is increased, maintained in the critical range, or decreased in consideration of the temperature change 520 of the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric element. In the case of an increase, the threshold charge amount 550 is adaptively increased, and when the threshold range is maintained, the threshold charge amount 550 is maintained, and in the case of a decrease, the threshold charge amount 550 can be adaptively increased.

The embodiments according to the present invention described above may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer components and can be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, or the like alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the computer-readable recording medium may be specially designed and configured for the present invention or may be known and usable by those skilled in the computer software field. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and magneto-optical media such as floptical disks. medium), and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language codes produced by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware device can be changed to one or more software modules to perform the processing according to the present invention, and vice versa.

In the above, the present invention has been described by specific matters such as specific components, etc. and limited examples and drawings, which are provided to help the overall understanding of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains may seek various modifications and changes from these descriptions.

Accordingly, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and should not be determined, and the scope of the spirit of the present invention as well as the claims to be described later, as well as all ranges that are equivalent to or equivalently changed from the claims Would belong to

Claims (3)

Mobile thermoelectric generator,
A heat transfer unit implemented to receive and transfer heat from a heat source;
A heat dissipation unit connected to a low temperature portion of the thermoelectric element to emit heat transferred through the thermoelectric element; And
A mobile thermoelectric generator comprising a thermoelectric element connected to the heat transfer unit and the heat dissipation unit to convert heat energy into electrical energy. According to claim 1,
The heat transfer unit is a mobile thermoelectric generator comprising a first heat transfer unit and a second heat transfer unit. According to claim 2,
The first heat transfer part is a part that directly receives heat from the heat source and directly faces the heat source,
The second heat transfer unit is a mobile thermoelectric generator, characterized in that implemented to contact the heat transferred through the first heat transfer unit with the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric element.

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