TWI473309B - Thermoelectric power generation apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Thermoelectric generator

The present invention relates to a thermoelectric generation device.

The energy issue is a major problem facing the development of contemporary human society. There are many ways in which people can obtain energy more efficiently. Various industrial waste heat and solar energy have the characteristics of small investment or no investment, so they have certain economic benefits and utilization value. However, such energy can not be effectively utilized by other energy conversion methods, and thermoelectric power generation devices are utilized by thermoelectric conversion devices. A better way of doing this kind of energy.

For the thermoelectric conversion device, the theoretical analysis formula of the energy conversion efficiency is E _max =[(T ₁ -T ₂ )/T ₁ ]*[(1+ZT') ^1/2 -1]/[(1+ZT' ^1/2 + T ₂ /T ₁ ], T ₁ is the high temperature end temperature, T ₂ is the low temperature end temperature, Z is the material related factor, T'=(T ₁ +T ₂ )/2, visible for the thermoelectric In addition to the performance of the material itself, the conversion efficiency of the conversion system is determined by the temperature difference between the high temperature end and the low temperature end. The larger the temperature difference is, the larger the space for the thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be increased, so the high temperature end of the thermoelectric conversion device is improved. The temperature becomes an important issue in the application. In terms of solar energy utilization, it is required to absorb the radiation of the sun as much as possible, and to reduce the radiation and heat dissipation while reducing the conduction and convection scattering.

At present, the device mainly used for collecting solar energy is a heat collector, which is divided into a solar tube type collector and a solar panel type collector. Prior art solar tube collectors (see "vacuum tube solar home water heaters and their east-west and north-south placement Comparison", Journal of Solar Energy, Wu Jiaqing, etc., vol9, p396-405 (1988)) uses a vacuum heat absorbing tube as the heat absorbing body. After receiving the solar energy, the cold water flow and the hot water are generated by using the principle that the cold water is more important than the hot water. The rising phenomenon, in turn, the liquid in the vacuum heat absorbing tube reaches the natural convection loop heating, and has good heat preservation property. However, when the sunlight is irradiated to the vacuum heat absorbing tube, the circular tube curve of the vacuum heat absorbing tube is caused by Reflecting light energy to other places results in a small effective heat collecting area and poor heat conduction efficiency, so that when the tubular collector is used in a thermoelectric power generating device, the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric power generating device is further affected.

The advent of solar panel collectors overcomes the problems that arise in such thermoelectric generators. Referring to FIG. 1, the continental patent No. 2847686, issued on Dec. 13, 2006, also provides a thermoelectric generation device 200 including a thermoelectric conversion device 210, a heating surface 220 and a cooling surface disposed at both ends of the thermoelectric conversion device 210. 222, a layer of nickel-chromium layer 224 disposed on the surface of the heating surface 220, the nickel-chromium layer 224 is used to absorb heat, a glass plate 226, the glass plate 226 and the heating surface 220 constitute a vacuum closed cavity 228, a cooling device Cooling water channel 230 of face 222. However, since the nickel chrome layer 224 has a low absorption efficiency for solar energy, the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric generation device 200 using the nickel chrome layer 224 as the heat absorbing material needs to be improved.

In view of the above, it is necessary to provide a thermoelectric generation device having high thermoelectric conversion efficiency.

A thermoelectric power generation device comprising: a heat collector comprising at least one heat absorbing structure; a thermoelectric conversion device, the thermoelectric conversion device being disposed opposite to the heat absorbing structure of the heat collector, and the heat absorbing structure of the heat collector For absorbing heat and transferring the absorbed heat to the thermoelectric conversion device, wherein the heat absorbing structure comprises at least one nanometer Carbon tube structure.

A thermoelectric power generation device comprising: a heat collector comprising a cavity and at least one heat absorbing structure, wherein the heat absorbing structure is disposed inside the cavity; a thermoelectric conversion device, wherein the thermoelectric conversion device is disposed at An interior of the cavity, and the thermoelectric conversion device is disposed opposite to the heat absorbing structure of the heat collector, wherein the heat absorbing structure of the heat collector is configured to absorb heat and transfer the absorbed heat to the thermoelectric conversion device, wherein The endothermic structure includes at least one carbon nanotube structure.

A thermoelectric power generation device comprising: a heat collector comprising a cavity and at least one heat absorbing structure, wherein the heat absorbing structure is disposed inside the cavity; a thermoelectric conversion device, wherein the thermoelectric conversion device is disposed at Outside the cavity of the heat collector, and the thermoelectric conversion device is thermally coupled to the heat absorbing structure of the heat collector, the heat absorbing structure of the heat collector is configured to absorb heat and transfer the absorbed heat to the thermoelectric conversion device. Wherein, the heat absorbing structure comprises at least one carbon nanotube structure.

A thermoelectric power generation device comprising: a heat collector, the heat collector comprising a heat absorbing structure; a thermoelectric conversion device thermally coupled to the heat absorbing structure of the heat collector, the heat absorbing structure of the heat collector being used for The heat is absorbed and the absorbed heat is transferred to the thermoelectric conversion device, wherein the heat absorbing structure comprises a carbon nanotube film structure comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes.

Compared with the prior art, the thermoelectric power generation device adopts a carbon nanotube structure as an endothermic structure, and the heat absorption characteristic of the carbon nanotube structure can significantly improve the energy absorption efficiency of the heat collector, thereby making the thermoelectricity of the thermoelectric generation device. The conversion efficiency is high.

200, 300, 400, 500, 600‧‧‧ thermoelectric power generation units

210, 330, 430, 530, 630 ‧ ‧ thermoelectric conversion device

220‧‧‧ Heating surface

222‧‧‧Slow surface

224‧‧‧ Nickel chrome layer

226‧‧‧ glass plate

228‧‧‧Vacuum closed cavity

230‧‧‧Cooling water channel

310, 410, 510, 610‧‧‧ upper substrate

312, 412, 512, 612‧‧‧ lower substrate

314, 414, 514, 614‧‧ ‧ heat absorption structure

316, 416, 516, 616‧‧‧ frame bracket

318, 418, 518, 618‧‧‧ cavity

320, 420, 520, 620‧ ‧ collectors

322, 422, 522, 622‧‧‧ first selective transmission layer

324, 424, 524, 624‧‧‧ second selective transmission layer

326, 426‧‧‧ carrier

332, 432, 532, 632‧‧‧ first electrode

334, 434, 534, 634 ‧ ‧ second electrode

336, 436, 536, 636‧‧‧P type thermoelectric structure

338, 438, 538, 638‧‧‧N type thermoelectric structures

340, 440, 540, 640‧‧‧ refrigeration equipment

550, 650‧‧‧ support components

1 is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric generation device provided by the prior art.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermoelectric generation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a scanning electron micrograph of a carbon nanotube flocculation film in the heat absorbing structure of the thermoelectric generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a scanning electron micrograph of a carbon nanotube rolled film in the heat absorbing structure of the thermoelectric generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a scanning electron micrograph of a carbon nanotube film in a heat absorbing structure of a thermoelectric generation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the structure of a carbon nanotube segment in the carbon nanotube film of Fig. 5.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermoelectric generation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermoelectric generation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermoelectric generation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the thermoelectric generation device provided by the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of the present invention provides a thermoelectric generation device 300. The thermoelectric generation device 300 includes a heat collector 320, a thermoelectric conversion device 330, and a uniform cooling device 340. The collector 320 can be used to collect heat and transfer the collected heat to the thermoelectric conversion device 330, which is disposed opposite the thermoelectric conversion device 330.

The heat collector 320 includes an upper substrate 310, a lower substrate 312, a frame support 316, a heat absorbing structure 314, a first selective transmission layer 322, a second selective transmission layer 324, a carrier 326, and a support. (not shown). The upper substrate 310 and the lower base The 312 is disposed between the upper substrate 310 and the lower substrate 312. The upper substrate 310, the lower substrate 312 and the frame support 316 together form a cavity 318. The heat absorbing structure 314 is disposed inside the cavity 318. The carrier 326 is configured to carry the heat absorbing structure 314 and is disposed in contact with the heat absorbing structure 314. The first selective transmission layer 322 is disposed on a surface of the upper substrate 310 located in the cavity 318. The second selective transmission layer 324 is disposed. The lower substrate 312 is disposed on a surface of the cavity 318. The support is disposed inside the cavity 318 and disposed between the lower substrate 312 and the upper substrate 310.

The upper substrate 310 is a light transmissive substrate, and the upper substrate 310 is made of a light transmissive material such as glass, plastic, quartz, transparent ceramic, resin, or the like. The upper substrate 310 has a thickness of from 100 micrometers to 5 millimeters, preferably 3 millimeters. The shape of the upper substrate 310 is not limited, and may be a triangle, a hexagon, a quadrangle, or the like. In the embodiment, the upper substrate 310 has a rectangular glass plate.

The lower substrate 312 may be made of glass or a metal material having better thermal conductivity, and the metal material may be selected from zinc, aluminum or stainless steel. The lower substrate 312 has a thickness of from 100 micrometers to 5 millimeters, preferably 3 millimeters. The shape of the lower substrate 312 is not limited, and may be a triangle, a hexagon, a quadrangle, or the like. In the embodiment, the shape of the lower substrate 312 is a rectangular glass plate.

The bezel bracket 316 can be made of a hard material such as glass, ceramic, or the like. The height of the frame holder 316 is from 100 micrometers to 500 micrometers, preferably from 150 micrometers to 250 micrometers.

The cavity 318 can be a vacuum insulation environment, or can be filled with a gas with poor heat conduction effect or filled with a material capable of transmitting light and heat preservation. The gas with poor heat conduction effect includes nitrogen gas, etc., and the light transmissive and heat insulating material can be Transparent foam insulation materials, such as heat-resistant plastics. The cavity 318 is preferably a vacuum insulation environment to suppress natural convection of the air, thereby reducing the loss of convective heat transfer in the collector 320 and providing insulation. Therefore, the heat absorption efficiency of the heat collector 320 is greatly improved.

The endothermic structure 314 includes at least one carbon nanotube structure composed of pure carbon nanotubes or a carbon nanotube composite structure composed of other substrates and carbon nanotubes. The base material is an inorganic material, a metal material or an organic polymer, and is preferably a material having good thermal conductivity such as alumina, silver, copper or nickel. The absorption rate of the heat absorbing structure 314 increases with the increase of the thickness of the heat absorbing structure 314. The thicker the heat absorbing structure 314, the more heat is absorbed per unit time, that is, the thicker the heat absorbing structure 314 is. The higher the absorption efficiency for sunlight. In this embodiment, the thickness of the heat absorbing structure 314 is greater than 3 microns.

The carbon nanotubes include one or more of a single-walled carbon nanotube, a double-walled carbon nanotube, or a multi-walled carbon nanotube. The single-walled carbon nanotube has a diameter of 0.5 nm to 50 nm. The double-walled carbon nanotube has a diameter of 1.0 nm to 50 nm. The multi-walled carbon nanotube has a diameter of 1.5 nm to 50 nm.

The carbon nanotube structure comprises at least one carbon nanotube film, at least one nano carbon line structure, a combination of a carbon nanotube film and a nano carbon line structure, or at least one carbon nanotube array. The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube film may be arranged in an orderly or disorderly manner, and the disorderly means that the arrangement direction of the carbon nanotubes is not fixed, that is, the number of carbon nanotubes arranged in all directions is substantially equal, The order means that at least most of the carbon nanotubes have a certain order of arrangement, such as a preferred orientation along a fixed direction or a preferred orientation along several fixed directions. The disordered arrangement of carbon nanotubes can be intertwined by Van der Waals forces, attracting each other and parallel to the surface of the carbon nanotube structure. The ordered carbon nanotubes can be arranged in a preferred orientation in one direction or in a plurality of directions. When the carbon nanotube structure includes only one nanocarbon line-like structure, the nanocarbon line-like structure can be folded or wound a plurality of times to form a layered carbon nanotube structure. When the carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes In the case of a linear structure, the plurality of nanocarbon line-like structures may be arranged in parallel with each other, arranged in a cross or woven. When the carbon nanotube structure includes both a carbon nanotube film and a nanocarbon line-like structure, the nanocarbon line-like structure is disposed on at least one surface of the carbon nanotube film.

The carbon nanotube film comprises a carbon nanotube film, a carbon nanotube film, and a carbon nanotube film.

Referring to FIG. 3, the carbon nanotube flocculation membrane is isotropic, and includes a plurality of randomly arranged and uniformly distributed carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are long in length and are attracted to each other by the van der Waals force. Therefore, the carbon nanotube flocculation film has good flexibility, can be bent and folded into any shape without cracking, and has better self-supporting property, and can be self-supported without the support of the substrate. The length of the carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube flocculation membrane is greater than 10 microns. The carbon nanotube film has a thickness of 0.5 nm to 1 mm. The carbon nanotube flocculation membrane is obtained by subjecting a carbon nanotube raw material to flocculation treatment. For the carbon nanotube flocculation membrane and the preparation method thereof, refer to Taiwan Patent Application No. 200844041 (Applicant: Hongfujin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.) disclosed by the applicant on November 16, 2008. In order to save space, only the above is cited, but all the technical disclosures of the above application are also considered as part of the technical disclosure of the present application.

The carbon nanotube rolled film is obtained by rolling an array of carbon nanotubes in the same direction or in different directions by using a pressing head or a pressing plate. The carbon nanotube rolled film comprises uniformly distributed carbon nanotubes, and the carbon nanotubes are isotropic, arranged in the same direction or in different directions. The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube rolled film form an angle α with the surface of the substrate forming the carbon nanotube array, wherein α is greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 15 degrees (0 ≦ α ≦ 15°). The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube rolled film have different arrangements depending on the manner of rolling. Specifically, the carbon nanotubes can be isotropically arranged along the edge When rolling in different directions, the carbon nanotubes are arranged in different directions. Please refer to Figure 4. The carbon nanotubes can be arranged in a fixed orientation along the carbon nanotube film, or they can be selected in different directions. Orientation. The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube rolled film partially overlap. The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube film are attracted to each other by van der Waals force, and the carbon nanotubes have good flexibility and can be bent and folded into any shape without being tightly combined. rupture. And because the carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube film are attracted to each other through the van der Waals force, the carbon nanotube film is a self-supporting structure, which can be self-supporting without the substrate support. Saved. The carbon nanotube rolled film has a thickness of 0.5 nm to 1 mm. For the carbon nanotube rolled film and the preparation method thereof, refer to Taiwan Patent Application No. 200900348 (Applicant: Hongfujin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.) disclosed by the applicant on January 1, 2009. In order to save space, only the above is cited, but all the technical disclosures of the above application are also considered as part of the technical disclosure of the present application.

Referring to FIG. 5, the carbon nanotube film is obtained by pulling from a super-sequential carbon nanotube array, and the carbon nanotube film comprises a plurality of nanometers connected end to end and arranged in a preferred orientation in the stretching direction. Carbon tube. The carbon nanotubes are evenly distributed and parallel to the surface of the carbon nanotube film. The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube membrane are connected by van der Waals force. On the one hand, the end-to-end carbon nanotubes are connected by van der Waals force, and on the other hand, the parallel carbon nanotubes are also joined by van der Waals force. Referring to FIG. 6, the carbon nanotube film further comprises a plurality of end-to-end carbon nanotube segments 362, each of the carbon nanotube segments 362 being composed of a plurality of mutually parallel carbon nanotubes 364, and a carbon nanotube segment. Both ends of the 362 are connected to each other by Van der Valli. The carbon nanotube segments 362 have any length, thickness, uniformity, and shape. The carbon nanotube film has a thickness of 0.5 nm to 100 μm. For the structure of the carbon nanotube film and the preparation method thereof, please refer to the Taiwan Patent Application No. 200833862 disclosed by the applicant on August 16, 2008. Please (Applicant: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.). In order to save space, only the above is cited, but all the technical disclosures of the above application are also considered as part of the technical disclosure of the present application.

It will be appreciated that the carbon nanotube structure may further comprise at least two laminated carbon nanotube membranes. Since the carbon nanotube film in the carbon nanotube structure can be stacked, the thickness of the above-mentioned carbon nanotube structure is not limited, and a carbon nanotube structure having an arbitrary thickness can be formed according to actual needs. When the carbon nanotube structure comprises a plurality of stacked carbon nanotube film, the arrangement direction of the carbon nanotubes in the adjacent carbon nanotube film forms an angle β, 0° ≦ β ≦ 90°.

The nanocarbon line-like structure includes at least one non-twisted nanocarbon line, at least one twisted nanocarbon line, or a combination thereof. When the nanocarbon line-like structure comprises a plurality of non-twisted nano carbon pipelines or twisted nanocarbon pipelines, the non-twisted nano carbon pipeline or the twisted nanocarbon pipeline may be parallel to each other in a bundle structure, or They are twisted to each other in a twisted line structure.

The non-twisted nano carbon line is obtained by treating the carbon nanotube film with an organic solvent. Specifically, the organic solvent is used to impregnate the entire surface of the carbon nanotube film, and the parallel carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube film are passed through the surface tension generated by the volatilization of the volatile organic solvent. The van der Waals force is tightly combined to shrink the nanocarbon tube film into a non-twisted nano carbon line. The organic solvent is a volatile organic solvent such as ethanol, methanol, acetone, dichloroethane or chloroform, and ethanol is used in this embodiment. The non-twisted nanocarbon line treated by the organic solvent has a smaller specific surface area and a lower viscosity than the carbon nanotube film which is not treated with the organic solvent.

The twisted nanocarbon pipeline is obtained by twisting both ends of the carbon nanotube film in the opposite direction by a mechanical force. Further, the volatile organic solvent can be used to treat the twist Transfer to the nano carbon line. Under the action of the surface tension generated by the volatilization of the volatile organic solvent, the adjacent carbon nanotubes in the twisted nanocarbon pipeline after treatment are tightly bonded by van der Waals force, so that the specific surface area of the twisted nanocarbon pipeline Decrease, increase in density and strength.

For the nano carbon line structure and its preparation method, please refer to the Taiwan Announcement Patent No. I303239 (Applicant: Hongfujin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.) announced by the applicant on November 21, 2008, and in 2007. Taiwan Patent Application No. 200724486, published on July 1, 2010 (Applicant: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.). In order to save space, only the above is cited, but all the technical disclosures of the above application are also considered as part of the technical disclosure of the present application.

The carbon nanotube array is obtained by direct growth by chemical vapor deposition or other methods. The carbon nanotube array includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are substantially parallel to each other.

In the carbon nanotube composite structure, the content of the carbon nanotube in the carbon nanotube composite structure is 80% or more. Wherein, the carbon nanotube composite structure composed of the above carbon nanotube structure and other organic polymer matrix is prepared by immersing the above carbon nanotube structure in an organic polymer solution doped with an additive such as a curing agent; And curing the organic polymer solution. The carbon nanotube composite structure composed of the above carbon nanotube structure and other inorganic material or metal material matrix is prepared by immersing the above carbon nanotube structure in an organic solvent containing metal powder or inorganic powder, and then The organic solvent is volatilized. In addition, the preparation method of the carbon nanotube composite structure may also be: first, mixing a plurality of carbon nanotubes into a certain solvent (such as 1,2-dichloroethane) for ultrasonic dispersion treatment or adopting other methods to make the nanometer. The carbon tube is uniformly dispersed; then, it is mixed with a certain organic carrier (for example, a mixture of terpineol and cellulose) and solidified to obtain a carbon nanotube composite structure.

In this embodiment, the heat absorbing structure 314 includes a carbon nanotube structure including a plurality of stacked carbon nanotube films stacked in a stack, and the heat absorbing efficiency of the heat absorbing structure 314 increases as the thickness increases. When the thickness of the heat absorbing structure 314 is 10 micrometers, the endothermic structure 314 can have an endothermic efficiency of 96%.

In this embodiment, the carbon nanotube film is obtained from the ultra-shoring carbon nanotube array, and its length and width can be controlled more accurately. The carbon nanotube film has toughness and can be bent into any shape to facilitate the production of collectors of various shapes, and is suitable for various applications.

In addition, the absorption of electromagnetic waves by the carbon nanotubes is close to the absolute black body, and has uniform absorption characteristics for light of various wavelengths. Therefore, the carbon nanotubes have good absorption characteristics for sunlight, and are irradiated onto the carbon nanotube film. %~98% of the sunlight is absorbed by the carbon nanotube film.

The first selectively permeable layer 322 and the second selectively permeable layer 324 are an infrared selective transmission layer. The first selective transmission layer 322 and the second selective transmission layer 324 have high transmittance for ultraviolet light, visible light, and near infrared light, and can reflect far infrared rays. When the heat absorbing structure 314 absorbs sunlight, it will continue to radiate far infrared rays outward, and the far infrared rays radiated may be reflected by the first selective transmission layer 322 and the second selective transmission layer 324, and the far infrared rays reflected may be again absorbed by the heat absorption structure. 314 absorbs, thereby reducing the radiation loss of the solar energy of the collector 320, and increasing the energy conversion efficiency of the collector 320 to solar energy. The first selective transmission layer 322 and the second selective transmission layer 324 have a thickness of 10 nm to 1 μm.

The first selective transmission layer 322 and the second selective transmission layer 324 may be an indium tin oxide film, a zinc oxide aluminum film, a multilayer optical film, a carbon nanotube structure or a carbon nanotube composite structure. Ordered arrangement of carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube structure or the carbon nanotube composite structure Or disorderly. The material of the first selective transmission layer 322 and the second selective transmission layer 324 in this embodiment is an indium tin oxide film.

The carrier 326 is disposed between the heat absorbing structure 314 and the thermoelectric conversion device 330. The carrier 326 is disposed in contact with the heat absorbing structure 314, and the carrier 326 is configured to carry the heat absorbing structure 314. The material of the carrier 326 is a material having a high thermal conductivity such as glass, copper or aluminum.

The height of the support is equal to the height of the bezel bracket 316. The support is made of a material having a weak heat absorption, such as glass or ceramic, and its shape is not limited, and may be a glass bead or a glass column or the like. When the upper and lower substrates are large in area, the plurality of supports can be spaced apart from each other to resist pressure from the atmosphere.

The thermoelectric conversion device 330 is disposed in the cavity 318 of the collector 320 and disposed between the second selective transmission layer 324 and the carrier 326 for supporting the carrier 326 and the heat absorption structure 314. The thermoelectric conversion device 330 includes a plurality of first electrodes 332, a plurality of second electrodes 334, a plurality of P-type thermoelectric structures 336, and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric structures 338. The plurality of P-type thermoelectric structures 336 and the plurality of N-type thermoelectric structures 338 are alternately arranged and alternately connected in series by the plurality of first electrodes 332 and the plurality of second electrodes 334. Specifically, when the thermoelectric conversion device 330 operates, current alternates through the P-type thermoelectric structure 336 and the N-type thermoelectric structure 338. The first electrode 332 is opposite to the heat absorbing structure 314 of the heat collector 320 and is spaced apart by the carrier 326. The second electrode 334 is disposed in contact with the second selective transmission layer 324 of the collector 320.

The cooling device 340 is disposed on the surface of the substrate 312 outside the cavity 318 under the collector 320, and the cooling device 340 can further reduce the temperature of the low temperature end of the thermoelectric conversion device 330, so that the high temperature end and the low temperature end The temperature difference is increased to further increase the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric generation device 300. The cooling device 340 can be cooled by Water cooling, air cooling or natural cooling of the heat sink. This embodiment is a water cooling device.

In the thermoelectric power generation device 300 provided in this embodiment, since the heat absorption structure 314 is a carbon nanotube structure, the absorption rate in the visible band can reach 98% or more, and the heat absorption structure 314 and the thermoelectric conversion device of the thermoelectric generation device 300 330 is disposed in a vacuum chamber 318, which reduces the movement heat transfer and conduction heat dissipation of the gas molecules, thereby increasing the temperature of the high temperature end of the thermoelectric conversion device 330, and measuring up to about 100 ° C, thereby converting the thermal energy to the electric energy. The efficiency Φmax is increased.

The thermoelectric power generation device 300 of the present embodiment may include only the heat collector 320 and the thermoelectric conversion device 330, and the heat collector 320 may include only the heat absorption structure 314, and the heat absorption structure 314 may be directly disposed on the thermoelectric conversion device 330. An electrode 332 can achieve the object of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , a second embodiment of the present invention provides a thermoelectric generation device 400 . The thermoelectric generation device 400 includes a heat collector 420 , a thermoelectric conversion device 430 , and a uniform cooling device 440 . The collector 320 can be used to collect solar energy and transfer the collected solar energy to the thermoelectric conversion device 330, which is disposed opposite the thermoelectric conversion device 330.

The heat collector 420 includes an upper substrate 410, a lower substrate 412, a frame support 416, a plurality of heat absorption structures 414, a first selective transmission layer 422, a second selective transmission layer 424, and a carrier 426. The upper substrate 410 and the lower substrate 412 are disposed opposite to each other. The bezel bracket 416 is disposed between the upper substrate 410 and the lower substrate 412. The upper substrate 410, the lower substrate 412 and the frame holder 416 together form a cavity 418. The heat absorbing structure 414 is disposed inside the cavity 418. The carrier 426 is configured to carry the heat absorbing structure 414 and is disposed in contact with the heat absorbing structure 414. The first selective transmission layer 422 is disposed on the surface of the upper substrate 410 in the cavity 418, and the second selective transmission layer 424 is disposed on the lower base. Plate 412 is located on the surface within cavity 418.

The thermoelectric conversion device 430 is disposed in the cavity 418 of the collector 420 and disposed between the second selective transmission layer 424 and the carrier 426 for supporting the carrier 426 and the heat absorption structure 414. The thermoelectric conversion device 430 includes at least one first electrode 432, at least one second electrode 434, a P-type thermoelectric structure 436, and an N-type thermoelectric structure 438. The first electrode 432 is opposite to and through the carrier 426. The second electrode 434 is disposed in contact with the second selective transmission layer 424 of the collector 420. The P-type thermoelectric structure 436 and the N-type thermoelectric structure 438 are alternately arranged and alternately connected in series through the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 434. .

The thermoelectric power generation device 400 provided in this embodiment is different from the thermoelectric power generation device 300 provided in the first embodiment in that the thermoelectric generation device 400 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of separate heat absorption structures 414, wherein each heat absorption structure 414 is correspondingly disposed on The surface of a first electrode 432 of the thermoelectric conversion device 430.

Referring to FIG. 8 , a third embodiment of the present invention provides a thermoelectric generation device 500 . The thermoelectric generation device 500 includes a heat collector 520 , a thermoelectric conversion device 530 , a supporting component 550 , and a uniform cooling device 540 . The collector 520 is disposed opposite the thermoelectric conversion device 530, and the collector 520 can be used to collect solar energy and transfer the collected solar energy to the thermoelectric conversion device 530. The support member 550 is disposed between the thermoelectric conversion device 530 and the refrigeration device 540 and is used to support the thermoelectric conversion device 530. The cooling device 540 is disposed on a surface of the support member 550 away from the thermoelectric conversion device 530.

The heat collector 520 includes an upper substrate 510, a lower substrate 512, a frame support 516, a heat absorption structure 514, a first selective transmission layer 522, and a second selective transmission layer 524. The upper substrate 510 and the lower substrate 512 are opposite to each other. The frame bracket 516 is set Between the upper substrate 510 and the lower substrate 512. The upper substrate 510, the lower substrate 512 and the frame holder 516 together form a cavity 518. The heat absorbing structure 514 is disposed in the cavity 518 and disposed in contact with the second selective transmission layer 524. The first selective transmission layer 522 is disposed on a surface of the upper substrate 510 located in the cavity 518 , and the second selective transmission layer 524 is disposed between the lower substrate 512 and the heat absorption structure 514 .

The thermoelectric conversion device 530 is disposed on a surface of the lower substrate 512 outside the cavity 518. The thermoelectric conversion device 530 includes: at least one first electrode 532, and the first electrode 532 and the lower substrate 512 of the collector 520 are located in the cavity 518. The outer surface contact; the at least one second electrode 534, the second electrode 534 is disposed opposite to the first electrode 532; the P-type thermoelectric structure 536 and the N-type thermoelectric structure 538, the P-type thermoelectric structure 536 and the N-type thermoelectric structure 538 alternate They are arranged at intervals and alternately connected in series by the first electrode 532 and the second electrode 534.

The support member 550 is configured to support the thermoelectric conversion device 530, and further fix the P-type thermoelectric structure 536 and the N-type thermoelectric structure 538 of the thermoelectric conversion device 530, and the material thereof is glass, ceramic or a material having good thermal conductivity, such as copper. Or aluminum, etc.

The refrigeration device 540 can further reduce the temperature of the low temperature end of the thermoelectric conversion device 530 to increase the temperature difference between the high temperature end and the low temperature end, thereby further improving the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric generation device 500. The cooling device 540 can be cooled by water cooling, air cooling, or natural cooling of the heat sink. In this embodiment, the refrigeration device 540 is a water cooling device. In addition, the refrigeration device 540 can be directly disposed on the second electrode 534 of the thermoelectric conversion device 530 instead of the support member 542.

The present embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, except that the thermoelectric conversion device 530 of the present embodiment is disposed outside the heat collector 520, and the heat absorption structure 514 is directly disposed in contact with the second selective transmission layer 524.

Referring to FIG. 9 , a fourth embodiment of the present invention provides a thermoelectric generation device 600 . The thermoelectric generation device 600 includes a heat collector 620 , a thermoelectric conversion device 630 , a supporting component 650 , and a uniform cooling device 640 . The heat collector 620 is disposed opposite to the thermoelectric conversion device 630. The heat collector 620 is disposed opposite to the thermoelectric conversion device 630. The collector 620 can be used to collect solar energy and transfer the collected solar energy to the thermoelectric conversion device 630. The support member 650 is disposed between the thermoelectric conversion device 630 and the refrigeration device 640 and is used to support the thermoelectric conversion device 630. The refrigeration device 640 is disposed on the support member 650.

The heat collector 620 includes an upper substrate 610, a lower substrate 612, a frame support 616, a plurality of heat absorption structures 614, a first selective transmission layer 622, and a second selective transmission layer 624. The upper substrate 610 and the lower substrate 612 are disposed opposite to each other. The frame support 616 is disposed between the upper substrate 610 and the lower substrate 612. The upper substrate 610, the lower substrate 612 and the frame support 616 together form a cavity 618. The heat absorption structure 614 is disposed in the cavity 618 and is disposed in contact with the second selective transmission layer 624. The first selective transmission layer 622 is disposed on a surface of the upper substrate 610 located in the cavity 618, and the second selective transmission layer 624 It is disposed between the lower substrate 612 and the heat absorbing structure 614.

The thermoelectric conversion device 630 is disposed on a surface of the lower substrate 612 outside the cavity 618. The thermoelectric conversion device 630 includes: at least one first electrode 632 that is in contact with an outer surface of the substrate 612 under the collector 620; at least one second electrode 634, the second electrode 634 and the first electrode 632 The P-type thermoelectric structure 636 and the N-type thermoelectric structure 638 are alternately arranged and alternately connected in series through the first electrode 632 and the second electrode 634.

The difference between this embodiment and the thermoelectric generation device 500 of the third embodiment described above is that the thermoelectric generation device 500 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of heat absorption structures 614, and the plurality of heat absorption nodes The structures 614 are spaced apart in one plane, and each heat absorbing structure 614 is disposed adjacent to a first electrode 632 of the thermoelectric conversion device 630. This arrangement ensures that each of the first electrodes maintains good thermal contact with the heat absorbing structure, and also saves the consumption of the carbon nanotubes and saves costs.

The thermoelectric power generation device adopts a carbon nanotube structure as an endothermic structure, and the heat absorption characteristic of the carbon nanotube structure can improve the energy absorption efficiency of the heat collector, thereby further increasing the temperature of the high temperature end of the thermoelectric conversion device, so that the thermoelectricity The thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the power generation device is high.

In summary, the present invention has indeed met the requirements of the invention patent, and has filed a patent application according to law. However, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it is not possible to limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Equivalent modifications or variations made by persons skilled in the art in light of the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

300‧‧‧Thermal power generation unit

310‧‧‧Upper substrate

312‧‧‧lower substrate

314‧‧‧heat absorbing structure

316‧‧‧Border bracket

318‧‧‧ cavity

320‧‧‧ Collector

322‧‧‧First selective transmission layer

324‧‧‧Second selective transmission layer

326‧‧‧Carrier

330‧‧‧Thermal conversion device

332‧‧‧First electrode

334‧‧‧second electrode

336‧‧‧P type thermoelectric structure

338‧‧‧N type thermoelectric structure

340‧‧‧ Refrigeration device

Claims (22)

A thermoelectric power generation device comprising: a heat collector, the heat collector comprising at least one heat absorbing structure; a thermoelectric conversion device, the thermoelectric conversion device being disposed opposite to the heat absorbing structure of the heat collector; The heat absorbing structure comprises at least one carbon nanotube structure, which is a photothermal conversion device for converting sunlight into heat energy and transferring the converted heat energy to the thermoelectric conversion device. The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotube structure is at least one carbon nanotube array, one carbon nanotube membrane, one nano carbon pipeline structure or one carbon nanotube membrane and nai A combination of rice carbon pipeline structures. The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 2, wherein the carbon nanotube film comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes, and the plurality of carbon nanotubes are connected end to end and arranged in a preferred orientation in one direction or in a plurality of directions. The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 2, wherein the carbon nanotube film comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes intertwined by van der Waals force, or mutually attracted by van der Waals force and parallel to The surface of the carbon nanotube structure. The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 2, wherein the carbon nanotube structure is a nanocarbon line-like structure, and the nanocarbon line-like structure is folded or wound into a layered structure. The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 2, wherein the carbon nanotube structure is a plurality of carbon-carbon line-like structures, and the plurality of carbon-carbon line-like structures are disposed in parallel with each other, cross-arranged or woven into a network structure. The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the heat absorbing structure further comprises a substrate in which the carbon nanotube structure is uniformly distributed. A thermoelectric generation device, comprising a heat collector comprising a cavity and at least one heat absorbing structure, the heat absorbing structure being disposed inside the cavity; a thermoelectric conversion device, the thermoelectric conversion device being disposed inside the cavity, and the heat collector The thermoelectric conversion device is disposed opposite to the heat absorbing structure of the heat collector; and the improvement is that the heat absorbing structure comprises at least one carbon nanotube structure, wherein the carbon nanotube structure is a photothermal conversion device for converting sunlight into Thermal energy and transfer of the converted thermal energy to the thermoelectric conversion device. The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 8, wherein the thermoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, a plurality of P-type thermoelectric structures, and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric structures, the plurality of P-type thermoelectric structures and a plurality of N The thermoelectric structures are alternately arranged and alternately connected in series by the first electrode and the second electrode, and the heat absorbing structure is disposed opposite to the first electrode of the thermoelectric conversion device. The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 9, wherein the heat collector comprises a plurality of separate heat absorbing structures, and each of the heat absorbing structures is opposite to and thermally coupled to a first electrode of the thermoelectric conversion device. The thermoelectric power generation device of claim 9, wherein the thermoelectric generation device further comprises a carrier disposed between the heat absorbing structure and the first electrode, and thermally coupled to the heat absorbing structure and the first electrode coupling. The thermoelectric power generation device of claim 9, wherein the thermoelectric generation device further comprises a coherent cooling device disposed on a surface of the collector outside the cavity and opposite to the second electrode of the thermoelectric conversion device Settings. The thermoelectric power generation device of claim 8, wherein the thermoelectric generation device further comprises a light selective transmission layer disposed on a surface of the heat collector located in the cavity and opposite to the heat absorption structure The spacing is arranged to block the heat absorbing structure from radiating far infrared rays outside the cavity. A thermoelectric generation device, comprising a heat collector comprising a cavity and at least one heat absorbing structure, the heat absorbing structure being disposed inside the cavity; a thermoelectric conversion device disposed in the cavity of the heat collector And the thermoelectric conversion device is thermally coupled to the heat absorbing structure of the heat collector; the improvement is that the heat absorbing structure comprises at least one carbon nanotube structure, and the carbon nanotube structure is a photothermal conversion device for The sunlight is converted into heat and the converted heat is transferred to the thermoelectric conversion device. A thermoelectric power generation device comprising: a heat collector comprising a heat absorbing structure; a thermoelectric conversion device thermally coupled to the heat absorbing structure of the heat collector; and the improvement is that the heat absorption The structure comprises a carbon nanotube film structure comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes, wherein the carbon nanotube structure is a photothermal conversion device for converting sunlight into heat energy, and The converted thermal energy is transferred to the thermoelectric conversion device. The thermoelectric generation device according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes are arranged in a preferred orientation in one direction and are parallel to a surface of the carbon nanotube film-like structure. The thermoelectric generation device according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes are arranged in a preferred orientation in one direction and perpendicular to a surface of the carbon nanotube film-like structure. The thermoelectric generation device according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes are mutually attracted by van der Waals force to form a plurality of nanocarbon pipelines which are arranged in parallel, crosswise or woven into a mesh shape. structure. The thermoelectric generation device according to claim 15, wherein the carbon nanotube film structure further comprises a matrix in which the carbon nanotubes are uniformly distributed. The thermoelectric generation device according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes are arranged in an unfixed direction, and the number of the carbon nanotubes arranged in each direction is substantially equal. The thermoelectric generation device of claim 20, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes pass through Van der Waals The forces are intertwined, mutually attracted, and substantially parallel to the surface of the carbon nanotube film structure. The thermoelectric generation device according to claim 15, wherein the carbon nanotube film structure is isotropic.