WO2011025104A1

WO2011025104A1 - Thermoelectric power generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2011025104A1
Application number: PCT/KR2010/000748
Authority: WO
Inventors: 김시호; 이석호; 유정호; 김선국; 원병철
Original assignee: 충북대학교 산학협력단
Priority date: 2009-08-27
Filing date: 2010-02-05
Publication date: 2011-03-03

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thermoelectric power generating device capable of generating power from an exhaust hole of a vehicle by using a thermoelectric element according to the Seebeck effect of a thermoelectric module. In the present invention, the exhaust hole is connected with a heat pipe having an advantage of effective heat transmission, so as to receive the internal heat from the exhaust hole of high temperature. The heat pipe has an advantage that heat conductivity thereof is superior rather than general thermal conductors. Exhaust heat of high temperature may be effectively transmitted to the thermoelectric element by designing such a heat pipe in various shapes and directly inserting the same into the vehicle exhaust hole but not to the outer wall of the vehicle exhaust hole. Therefore, the present invention provides the thermoelectric power generating device, which may effectively generate thermoelectric power by the heat discharged via the exhaust gas at the time of fuel combustion in the vehicle.

Description

Thermoelectric generator

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermoelectric generator, and more particularly, to an apparatus capable of generating thermoelectric power from an exhaust port of a vehicle using a thermoelectric element using a Seebeck effect of a thermoelectric module.

In general, thermoelectric devices are materials using electromotive force generated by electrons moving from a high place to a low place when a temperature difference occurs on both sides of the device.

Efforts to use renewable energy as a new power source for automobiles by applying high-temperature waste heat from automobiles to thermoelectric devices are currently being studied in the HEV market.

In order to utilize the waste heat from the exhaust of the car as a power source of the car, an effort to obtain a sufficient amount of energy is required, and from this point of view, it is necessary to increase the efficiency of the thermoelectric element.

In order to improve the efficiency of thermoelectric devices, the methodological aspects of device research and device incorporation are being studied in various directions.

The efficiency of commercialized thermoelectric elements was introduced with the concept of ZT and its efficiency was formulated as follows.

(

= Seebeck coefficient of material, σ: electrical resistivity, k: thermal conductivity, T: absolute temperature).

Here, the variable values of S, σ, and k are variables according to the material of the thermoelectric element, and the T value represents the temperature difference between the high temperature part and the low temperature part of the thermoelectric element.

Therefore, when the temperature difference across the thermoelectric element is large, a larger amount of energy can be produced.

At present, there are two researches on the method side to increase the efficiency of thermoelectric devices.

The first is to efficiently transfer a larger amount of thermal energy to the hot part of the thermoelectric element, and the second is to cool the cold part.

In other words, in order to increase the efficiency of the thermoelectric element, a large amount of thermal energy must be transferred to the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric element.

1 and 2 show the structure of a conventional thermoelectric generator.

1 is a method of General Motors Corporation (GM), in which a large amount of thermoelectric elements are directly attached to the outer wall of the exhaust port by changing the shape of the vehicle exhaust port.

FIG. 2 is a method of Bayeyrische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), in which oil is primarily heated using heat from an exhaust port, circulated in a polyhedron, and stacked in layers by attaching thermoelectric elements below.

A disadvantage of the two conventional approaches is that the temperature is transmitted through the vehicle exhaust vent outer wall.

In other words, the exhaust heat has the highest temperature at the center of the exhaust port, but the conventional method obtains thermal energy from the outer wall of the exhaust pipe and transfers the thermal energy to the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric element, and thus has a disadvantage in that it cannot effectively transfer a larger amount of exhaust heat to the thermoelectric element.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of efficiently generating thermoelectric power by using heat discharged through exhaust gas during fuel combustion of a vehicle.

As a result of measuring the temperature distribution of the automobile exhaust port, the temperature of the outer wall of the exhaust port was measured to be 100 to 150 占 폚.

This means that the temperature inside the exhaust port is considerably lower than the heat generated at a high temperature of 600 ° C. or higher, which means that the heat energy of the exhaust gas is not well transmitted to the outer wall of the exhaust port.

If the object receiving heat is a thermoelectric element, the efficiency of the thermoelectric element that converts heat into energy is more effective to use the exhaust heat of a high temperature, the greater the effect can be obtained by transmitting a high heat inside the exhaust port.

In the present invention, a heat pipe having a merit of effectively transferring heat in order to receive heat inside the high temperature exhaust port is grafted to the exhaust port.

The heat pipe has an advantage of superior thermal conductivity than a general thermal conductor.

By designing these heat pipes in various shapes and directly inserting them into the inside of the vehicle exhaust port instead of the outer wall, high-temperature exhaust heat can be effectively transmitted to the thermoelectric element.

One example of the thermoelectric power generation apparatus provided by the present invention in order to achieve the above object is a form for generating electromotive force by transferring the heat of the vehicle exhaust port to the thermoelectric element using the Seeback effect, a thermoelectric element installed outside the exhaust port And a heat pipe connected to the thermoelectric element, and one side of the heat pipe penetrates the exhaust port and is positioned therein, so that heat in the exhaust port can be transferred to the thermoelectric element.

Here, it is preferable that the end portion of the heat pipe located inside the exhaust port is located at the center of the exhaust port.

In addition, the shape of the end portion of the heat pipe positioned inside the exhaust port may be configured in various forms, such as a 90-degree angled form toward the axial direction of the exhaust port, and an annular shape in which part thereof is opened.

Another example of the thermoelectric generator is a form in which electromotive force is generated by transferring heat from an automobile exhaust port to a thermoelectric element using a Seeback effect, and a thermoelectric element installed outside the exhaust port and a heat pipe connected to the thermoelectric element. Two thermoelectric elements are provided on both sides of the exhaust port, and the heat pipe penetrates the exhaust port, and both ends thereof are connected to the respective thermoelectric elements. Characterized in that it consists of a protrusion or semi-circular shape facing in the direction.

Another example of the thermoelectric generator is a form in which electromotive force is generated by transferring heat from an automobile exhaust port to a thermoelectric element using a Seeback effect, and a thermoelectric element installed outside the exhaust port and a heat pipe connected to the thermoelectric element. The heat pipe is passed through again after passing through the exhaust port, both ends thereof are connected to the thermoelectric element, and the middle part of the length of the heat pipe belonging to the inside of the exhaust port is characterized in that the annular form.

In addition, another example of the thermoelectric generator is a form in which electromotive force is generated by transferring heat from an automobile exhaust port to a thermoelectric element using a Seeback effect, which is connected to the thermoelectric element installed outside the exhaust port and the thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements disposed along the circumference of the exhaust port and disposed along the longitudinal direction of the exhaust port, and one side of the heat pipe extending from each thermoelectric element is located therein through the exhaust port. Each heat pipe is characterized in that it is disposed in a radial form around the exhaust port.

The thermoelectric generator provided by the present invention has the following advantages.

By using the waste heat inside the exhaust port, it is more effective to transfer the heat higher than the conventional method of transmitting the exhaust heat using the outer wall.

In addition, the efficiency can be improved by transferring a thermoelectric element after recovering a larger amount of heat using a heat pipe as a heat conductive agent.

In addition, various embodiments of the thermoelectric device may be applied to the vehicle structure according to various embodiments of the present invention.

1 is a schematic view showing the structure of a conventional thermoelectric generator in which a thermoelectric element is disposed on an outer wall of an exhaust port (GM method)

2 is a schematic view showing the structure of a conventional thermoelectric power generation device in which a thermoelectric element is heated using a catalyst (BMW method)

3 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a perspective view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a side view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a perspective view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a side view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric generator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a side view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric generator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a side view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric generator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric generator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

17 is a side view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

18 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric generator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

19 is a side view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

20 is a perspective view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

21 is a side view showing a thermoelectric generator according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

22 is a perspective view showing a thermoelectric generator according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

23 is a side view showing a thermoelectric generator according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

24 to 26 are a perspective view, a side view, and a sectional view showing a thermoelectric power generation apparatus modified from the first embodiment of the present invention.

27 to 29 are a perspective view, a side view, and a sectional view showing a thermoelectric power generation apparatus modified from the second embodiment of the present invention.

30 to 32 are a perspective view, a side view, and a sectional view of a thermoelectric power generation apparatus modified from the third embodiment of the present invention.

33 to 34 are perspective views and side views illustrating a thermoelectric power generator according to a modified eighth embodiment of the present invention.

In the present invention, a method for effectively transferring heat to a thermoelectric device using a heat pipe is described in various embodiments.

When the heat pipe is grafted to the vehicle exhaust port as in various embodiments provided by the present invention, the heat input portion of the heat pipe is heated by the exhaust heat of the vehicle generated when the vehicle is driven, and the working liquid inside the heat pipe is continuously It absorbs heat and becomes steam, which flows past the heat pipe's thermal insulation and into the heat sink's heat sink.

The steam moved to the heat dissipation portion is dissipated heat and at the same time is deprived of heat to condense back to the original working fluid.

This condensed working fluid is moved to the heat input part by capillary action, and this cycle is performed again.

This is the principle of heat pipes incorporated in automobiles.

Although the shape of the heat pipes of the various embodiments provided by the present invention is different, the principle of transferring heat therein is the same.

3 to 5 are cross-sectional views, perspective views, and side views showing a thermoelectric generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, a "1" shaped heat pipe is shown here.

The thermoelectric element 11 is installed outside the vehicle exhaust port 10, and one side of the heat pipe 12 is connected to one side of the thermoelectric element 11.

In particular, the heat pipe 12 may include a heat input part 14 heated by exhaust heat, a heat generating part 16 transferring heat to the thermoelectric element 11, and a section between the heat input part 14 and the heat generating part 16. It consists of the heat insulation part 15 which comprises.

The other side of the heat pipe 12 penetrates one wall surface of the exhaust port 10 and is located therein, so that the heat in the exhaust port can be transferred to the thermoelectric element.

Of course, the exhaust port through portion at this time may be sealed to prevent the exhaust heat or the exhaust gas from leaking.

At this time, the end portion of the heat pipe 12 located inside the exhaust port 10 is located in the center of the highest temperature in the exhaust port 10, it is preferable to be able to absorb the exhaust heat more efficiently. Do.

In addition, a cooling device 17 is provided on the other side of the thermoelectric element 11, for example, on the opposite side to the portion where the heat pipe 12 is connected, so that the thermoelectric element 11 is not overheated and its temperature is appropriately maintained. It is desirable to be able to control it.

Here, a plurality of the heat pipes 11 may be provided in one thermoelectric element 11, and each of the heat pipes 11 may be disposed in parallel with each other along a longitudinal direction of the exhaust port 10.

Accordingly, the heat energy of the heat pipe 12 receiving the exhaust heat from the heat input part 14 releases heat from the heat generating part 16 via the heat insulating part 15, and transfers heat inside the exhaust port to the thermoelectric element 11. Done.

As shown in FIG. 5, the heat pipe 12 penetrates the exhaust port 10 so that the heat input part 14 is positioned therein, and the size of the heat input part 14 is limited to its length according to the diameter of the exhaust port cylinder. It can change without putting.

The length of the heat insulating part 15 which transfers the heat of the heat input part 14 to the heat generating part 16 is not limited to the length in the other embodiment of the present invention, and the thermoelectric element 11 or the cooling device ( The shape or length may vary depending on the position of 17).

The heat generating unit 16 is a portion that transfers heat to the thermoelectric element 11, and its size and shape may be changed according to the size of the thermoelectric element 11.

In order to control the amount of heat supplied to the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric element 11, the length of the heat generating portion 16 may be increased or shortened.

Among all the embodiments applied to the present invention, the number of heat pipes inserted into the exhaust port may be changed depending on the number of thermoelectric elements 11, the amount of heat supplied to the thermoelectric element 11, and the length of the exhaust port 10. Do.

6 to 8 are cross-sectional views, perspective views, and side views showing a thermoelectric generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 6 to Fig. 8, a "L" shaped heat pipe is shown here.

An end portion of the heat pipe 12 positioned at the center of the exhaust port 10 is formed to be 90 ° in the axial direction of the exhaust port 10.

That is, the heat pipe 12 was made in the shape of "L" and inserted into the center of the inside of the automobile exhaust port.

In consideration of the fact that the center has the most amount of heat among the exhaust ports inside the car, the heat pipe 12 is formed in an “L” shape so that the existing exhaust port 10 can be easily inserted without cutting. It has advantages

The advantage of not having to cut the exhaust port when inserting the heat pipe 12 into the exhaust port of the existing vehicle represents the ease of operation, and has the advantage that the first embodiment also has.

9 to 11 are cross-sectional views, perspective views, and side views showing a thermoelectric power generator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figs. 9 to 11, the heat pipe in the form of a "T" is shown here.

Two thermoelectric elements 11 are provided at both sides of the vehicle exhaust port 10, for example, at positions facing each other with the exhaust port 10 interposed therebetween, and the heat pipe 12 at this time is connected to the exhaust port 10. Both ends thereof are connected to each thermoelectric element 11 while penetrating, and the middle portion of the length belongs to the inside of the exhaust port 10.

At this time, the middle portion of the length of the heat pipe 12 belonging to the inside of the exhaust port 10 is provided with a protrusion 13 facing in the exhaust port axial direction.

In this case, the heat insulating part 15 and the heat generating part 16 of the heat pipe 12 are each present, which has a characteristic of heating a larger amount of the thermoelectric element 11 to both sides.

12 to 14 are cross-sectional views, perspective views, and side views showing a thermoelectric generator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figs. 12-14, the heat pipe is shown here in the form of an annulus with a part open.

That is, the heat pipe portion positioned inside the exhaust port 10 is formed in an annular shape with a part open, and the annular shape at this time is arranged concentrically with the exhaust port 10.

Here, the heat pipe portion belonging to the inside of the exhaust port 10 may be applied to the "U" shape in addition to the annular shape.

The heat pipe 12 having the annular shape is designed in a circular shape to fit the inner wall of the exhaust port 10 in order to receive a larger amount of heat energy.

The fact that the heat pipe 12 can be heated more easily has a merit of transferring a larger amount of thermal energy to the thermoelectric element 11.

15 to 17 are cross-sectional views, perspective views, and side views illustrating a thermoelectric generator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figs. 15 to 17, an example of a modification of the shape of the heat pipe provided in the fourth embodiment is shown here.

The heat pipe 12 is formed in an annular shape in the middle of the length located in the exhaust port 10, both ends thereof are connected to the heat transfer element (11).

That is, the heat pipe 12 passes through the exhaust port 10 and then exits again, and both ends thereof are connected to the thermoelectric element 11, and the length of the heat pipe 12 belonging to the inside of the exhaust port 10 at this time. The middle part takes the form of an annulus.

In this case, the heat insulating part 14 and the heat generating part 16 are provided in two, respectively, so that a larger amount of the thermoelectric element 11 can be heated to both sides.

18 and 19 are perspective views and side views illustrating a thermoelectric generator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 20 and 21 are perspective views and side views illustrating a thermoelectric generator according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 21, an example in which a "1" shaped heat pipe and an "L" shaped heat pipe are inserted into the exhaust port in various directions is shown.

For example, a plurality of thermoelectric elements 11 are arranged along the circumference of the exhaust port 10 and are arranged along the longitudinal direction, and one side of each heat pipe 12 extending from each thermoelectric element 10 is an exhaust port. Penetrates 10 and is positioned therein.

The heat pipes 12 may be disposed in a radial shape with respect to the exhaust port 10 as a whole.

Of course, the end of each heat pipe 12 at this time, that is, the end located inside the exhaust port 10 may be located in the center of the exhaust port 10, or 90 toward the axial direction of the exhaust port 10 ° may be in a bent form.

The advantage of this structure is that it is possible to insert a larger number of heat pipes 12 than the insertion of heat pipes 12 arranged in a line in the exhaust port 10 of the same area, the thermoelectric element 11 Can be placed in multiple directions, which can be less affected by the structure of the car.

22 and 23 are perspective and side views illustrating a thermoelectric generator according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figs. 22 and 23, a heat pipe form similar to that of the third embodiment is shown here.

For example, two thermoelectric elements 11 are provided on both sides of the exhaust port 10, and the heat pipes 12 pass through the exhaust port 10 at both ends thereof and are connected to the respective thermoelectric elements 11. .

In addition, the middle part of the length of the heat pipe 12 belonging to the inside of the exhaust port 10 is formed in a semi-circular shape.

In this case, since the heat insulating part 15 and the heat generating part 16 of the heat pipe 12 are present in two, respectively, the thermoelectric element 11 can be heated at both sides with a greater amount of heat.

Of course, the semi-circular shape of the heat pipe 12 at this time also takes the form arranged concentrically along the inner wall in the exhaust port (10).

The sizes, lengths, and angles of the heat input part, the heat insulating part, and the heat generating part of all the above-described embodiments are not limited and may be changed.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, although the position of the heat generating unit 16 is designed to be lower than that of the heat input unit 14, the condensate may be heated in the heat generating unit 16 to increase the thermal conductivity of the heat pipe. It is preferable that the position of the heat generating portion 16 is higher than the position of the heat input portion 14 as shown in FIGS. 24 to 40 so as to better return by the action of gravity and capillary force.

24 to 26 are the first embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 27 to 29 are the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 30 to 32 are the third embodiment of the present invention. 34 is a view showing that the position of the heat generating portion 16 is designed to be higher than the position of the heat input portion 14 in the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

At this time, the heat pipe shown in FIGS. 30 to 32 is modified from the third embodiment, and the thermoelectric element 11 is provided at both sides of the vehicle exhaust port 10 facing each other. The pipe 12 is arranged in a horizontal state as a whole, and both ends thereof are connected to the thermoelectric element 11, and a protrusion 13, which is a middle portion of the length, belongs to the inside of the exhaust port 10. The bottom pipe extending toward both sides of the center is designed to have an approximately "Y" shape inclined upward, so that the condensate can be well returned along the inclined surface from the heat generating portion 16 to the heat input portion 14.

Similarly, the heat pipes shown in Figs. 39 to 40, modified from the eighth embodiment, also extend to both sides about a semi-circular heat input portion 14 which is assigned to the inside of the exhaust port 10 at the middle portion of the length. It is configured to be inclined upward toward the heat generating portion 16 side.

In the above, certain preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been illustrated and described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may vary without departing from the spirit of the technical idea of the present invention described in the claims below. It will be possible to change this.

Claims

The electromotive force is generated by transferring the heat of the vehicle exhaust port to the thermoelectric element using the Seeback effect. The thermoelectric element 11 installed outside the exhaust port 10 and the heat pipe connected to the thermoelectric element 11. (12), wherein one of the heat pipes (12) is located through and through the exhaust port (10), so that heat in the exhaust port can be transferred to the thermoelectric element.
The thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the heat pipe (12) located inside the exhaust port (10) is located at the center of the exhaust port (10).
3. The thermoelectric power generation system of claim 1, wherein an end portion of the heat pipe 12 positioned inside the exhaust port 10 is formed to be 90 ° in an axial direction of the exhaust port 10. Device.
3. The thermoelectric power generation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat pipe portion located inside the exhaust port (10) is formed in an annular shape with a portion thereof open.
The electromotive force is generated by transferring the heat of the vehicle exhaust port to the thermoelectric element using the Seeback effect. The thermoelectric element 11 installed outside the exhaust port 10 and the heat pipe connected to the thermoelectric element 11. And a plurality of thermoelectric elements 11 are provided on both sides of the exhaust port 10, and the heat pipes 12 pass through the exhaust port 10, and both ends thereof are connected to each thermoelectric element 11. Connected, the thermoelectric power generation device, characterized in that the protruding portion (13) directed in the axial direction of the exhaust port is provided in the middle portion of the length of the heat pipe (12) belonging to the inside of the exhaust port (10).
The thermoelectric generator according to claim 5, wherein the middle part of the length of the heat pipe (12) belonging to the inside of the exhaust port (10) has a semicircular shape.
The electromotive force is generated by transferring the heat of the vehicle exhaust port to the thermoelectric element using the Seeback effect. The thermoelectric element 11 installed outside the exhaust port 10 and the heat pipe connected to the thermoelectric element 11. And a heat pipe 12 which passes through the exhaust port 10 and then exits again and is connected to the thermoelectric element 11 at both ends thereof, and which belongs to the inside of the exhaust port 10. 12) the middle portion of the length of the thermoelectric power generation device, characterized in that formed in the form of a ring.
The electromotive force is generated by transferring the heat of the vehicle exhaust port to the thermoelectric element using the Seeback effect. The thermoelectric element 11 installed outside the exhaust port 10 and the heat pipe connected to the thermoelectric element 11. And a plurality of thermoelectric elements 11 disposed along the circumference of the exhaust port 10 and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the exhaust port 10 and extending from each thermoelectric element 10. One side of the pipe (12) penetrates the exhaust port (10) is located therein, each heat pipe (12) characterized in that arranged in a radial form around the exhaust port (10).
8. The thermoelectric power generation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an end portion of the heat pipe (12) located inside the exhaust port (10) is located at the center of the exhaust port (10).
10. The thermoelectric power generation system according to claim 7 or 9, wherein an end portion of the heat pipe 12 positioned inside the exhaust port 10 is formed to be turned 90 ° toward the axial direction of the exhaust port 10. Device.
The thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric element (11) comprises a cooling device (17).
The thermoelectric element (11) according to any one of claims 1, 5, 7, and 8, wherein the heat pipe (12) allows the condensate to return well from the heat absorbing portion to the heat generating portion by gravity. Thermoelectric power generation device characterized in that one side of the heat pipe (12) connected to the () is formed higher than the other side of the heat pipe (12) belonging to the inside of the exhaust port (10).
The thermoelectric element of claim 5 or 6, wherein the thermoelectric element 11 is provided on both left and right sides of the exhaust port 10, and the heat pipe 12 of the heat pipe 12 belonging to the inside of the exhaust port 10. The thermoelectric power generation device, characterized in that both ends are formed to be inclined upward at a predetermined angle toward the other side of the heat pipe (12) connected to each thermoelectric element (11) from one side.