WO2018208025A1

WO2018208025A1 - Thermo-photovoltaic device

Info

Publication number: WO2018208025A1
Application number: PCT/KR2018/004453
Authority: WO
Inventors: 한보현; 나원산; 박진표
Original assignee: 주식회사 아모센스
Priority date: 2017-05-11
Filing date: 2018-04-17
Publication date: 2018-11-15

Abstract

Disclosed is a thermo-photovoltaic device for circulating oxygen (air), which has been preheated by radiation fins, to a combustor using a circulation fan disposed at an end in a direction toward the combustor to increase power generation efficiency while allowing miniaturization and low cost manufacturing. The disclosed thermo-photovoltaic device maximizes combustion characteristics of the combustor by disposing the radiation fins on the other surface of a thermo-photo element, performing primary pre-heating of the oxygen through heat emitted via the radiation fins when a fuel in the combustor is combusted, and performing secondary pre-heating on the oxygen, which has undergone primary preheating, by using a pre-heater and injecting the heated oxygen into the combustor.

Description

A photovoltaic device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermoelectric generator, and more particularly, to a thermoelectric generator for supplying power to small portable devices and mobile military equipment.

As the development and dissemination of small portable devices and mobile military equipment increases, various devices such as secondary batteries and small generators for power supply thereof are being developed.

In general, small mobile electronic devices, such as small portable devices and mobile military equipment, are used because they are made small in order to ensure portability. However, secondary batteries used in the present invention have a long charging time because they are composed of lithium-ion. There is a problem that the use time is short.

Recently, in order to solve the problem of the secondary battery, research / development of a small power generation device has been actively conducted, and research on a small heat engine (engine) power generator such as a micro gas turbine and a micro reciprocating engine is being conducted. have.

However, the ultra-small heat engine (engine) power generator includes a high speed moving part for converting heat into electricity, which causes excessive heat and friction loss and difficulty in microfabrication.

Accordingly, development of a small power generation apparatus capable of directly converting energy without including a dynamic device such as a miniature thermoelectric system and a miniature photovoltaic (TPV) converter, is being conducted.

The micro thermoelectric conversion device has a simple configuration including transferring heat radiation energy generated from an ultra small emitter to a photovoltaic cell through a dielectric filter to acquire electricity and cooling the device, and is easy to manufacture. Therefore, there are advantages such as convenience and low maintenance cost as power source for small mobile electronic devices.

ThermoPhotoVoltaic (TPV) is a system that converts photons generated by heat directly into energy. It consists of a control unit. The photovoltaic generator applies heat to a heat radiator using heat, and then, through black body radiation generated from the heat radiator, scans a photovoltic cell (PV) having a low energy band gap to form electrical energy.

Since thermoelectric generators have high energy density (more than 100 times the energy density per unit mass compared to lithium-ion batteries), instant charging and sufficient charging life, and non-power dynamometers, development of on-board generators with noise, environmental friendliness and emergency application As a result, it is emerging as a strong candidate for the next generation mobile power supply that will replace the existing secondary battery.

In general, conventional thermoelectric generators comprise a combustor (emitter) and a thermoluminescent element array. In this case, the thermoelectric element array is configured by arranging a plurality of thermoluminescent elements on an inner surface (that is, a combustor direction) of a base substrate having a hollow cylindrical shape. The thermoluminescent element array is disposed spaced apart from the outer circumference of the combustor by a predetermined interval, and collects the light generated by the combustion of the fuel in the combustor and converts it into electrical energy.

In a conventional thermoelectric generator, an air fan for supplying external air (that is, oxygen) used for fuel combustion is disposed at one end of the fuel inlet direction. The outside air sucked by the air fan is mixed with the fuel injected through the fuel inlet and supplied to the combustor.

In this case, in the conventional thermoelectric generator, when the external temperature is low, the external air sucked by the air fan is mixed with fuel in a state in which the external air sucked by the air fan is not preheated to the required temperature in the heat exchanger, so that combustion in the combustor does not occur smoothly, and thus the power generation efficiency decreases. There is a problem.

In addition, in the conventional thermoelectric generator, a heat radiation fan for discharging the air heated by the heat generated from the heat radiation fins disposed on the outer circumference of the thermoelectric element array to the outside is installed at the other end of the combustor direction.

In this case, the conventional thermoelectric generator has a problem that the power generation efficiency is lowered because the driving power of the air fan and the heat radiation fan is supplied with the electric energy converted in the thermoelectric element array.

In addition, in the conventional thermoelectric generator, since the air fan and the heat dissipation fan are disposed at both ends, the manufacturing cost increases and miniaturization is difficult.

On the other hand, in the conventional thermoelectric generator, since the thermoelectric element array is disposed outside the combustor, the thermoelectric element array is deformed due to the high temperature generated in the combustor during power generation, which causes a problem in that power generation efficiency and product life are reduced.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, by circulating oxygen (air) preheated by the heat radiating fins to the combustor through a circulation fan disposed at the end of the combustor direction, miniaturization and low cost An object of the present invention is to provide a photovoltaic device capable of being manufactured.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photovoltaic device that maximizes a product life while maintaining power generation efficiency by preventing deformation of a thermoelectric device array due to heat generated in a combustor. .

In order to achieve the above object, a photovoltaic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel inlet through which fuel is injected, an oxygen inlet through which oxygen is injected, a fuel introduced through a fuel inlet, and a first transfer line for transferring oxygen introduced into the oxygen inlet. Is disposed on the outer periphery of the first transfer line, a preheater for preheating the fuel and oxygen transported through the first transfer line, a combustor for generating heat and light by burning the fuel and oxygen preheated in the preheater, the outer periphery of the combustor It includes a thermoelectric element array for converting light generated by the combustor into electrical energy and a circulation fan for blowing oxygen preheated by the heat conducted in the thermoelectric element array to be injected into the oxygen inlet.

In order to achieve the above object, a photovoltaic device according to another embodiment of the present invention is disposed along a circumference of a combustor and a combustor that generates heat and light by burning fuel, and converts light generated by the combustor into electrical energy. An element array, wherein the thermoelectric element array includes a base substrate, a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged on one surface of the base substrate and a heat insulating member formed on one surface of the base substrate.

According to the present invention, the photovoltaic device has an effect of maximizing combustion characteristics by increasing the temperature of oxygen used for fuel combustion by injecting oxygen preheated by the heat radiation fin into the oxygen inlet through a circulation fan. That is, the photovoltaic device has an effect of maximizing combustion efficiency by increasing the temperature of the combustor by supplying oxygen preheated by the heat dissipation fin to the combustor (that is, emitter) by the preheater. .

In addition, the photovoltaic device performs heat dissipation and oxygen injection through a single fan (that is, a circulation fan), thereby miniaturizing a product compared to a conventional thermoelectric power generation device having a heat radiation fan for heat radiation and an air fan for oxygen injection. While there is an effect that can minimize the manufacturing cost.

In addition, the photovoltaic device generates heat by minimizing the power consumption of the photovoltaic device compared to the conventional photovoltaic device having a heat radiating fan and an air fan by performing heat radiation and oxygen injection through one fan (that is, a circulation fan). There is an effect that can maximize the efficiency. That is, since the photovoltaic device drives only the circulating fan using the generated power, the heat generating fan and the air fan are driven using the generated power, thereby minimizing power consumption compared to the conventional photovoltaic device, thereby maximizing power generation efficiency. It has an effect.

In addition, the heat generating apparatus has an effect of preventing deformation of the heat generating element array due to the high temperature generated in the combustor by disposing the heat insulating member on one surface of the base substrate.

In addition, the thermal photovoltaic device may be disposed on one surface of the base substrate to prevent deformation of the thermal photovoltaic device array, thereby preventing the collection efficiency of the thermal photovoltaic device from being lowered, thereby maximizing product life while minimizing the reduction in power generation efficiency.

In addition, the thermal photovoltaic device has an effect of minimizing thermal light loss by blocking heat absorbed or radiated to an area other than the thermal device by forming an insulating member on one surface of the base substrate.

In addition, the photovoltaic device has an effect of maximizing the combustion efficiency of the combustor by increasing the temperature in the combustor by forming a heat insulating member on one surface of the base substrate to reflect heat generated in the combustor in the direction of the combustor.

1 and 2 are views for explaining a photovoltaic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a view for explaining the discharge line of FIG.

4 to 7 are views for explaining the thermoelectric element array of FIG.

8 and 9 are views for explaining the circulation fan of FIG.

Hereinafter, the most preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. . First of all, in adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same reference numerals are used as much as possible even if displayed on different drawings. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related well-known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 and 2, the photovoltaic device 100 includes a fuel inlet 110, an oxygen inlet 120, a first transfer line 130, a preheater 140, a combustor 150, and an exhaust line 160. ), A thermoelectric element array 170, a circulation fan 180, and a second transfer line 190.

In this case, the photovoltaic device 100 may be divided into a first body 200 and a second body 300.

The first body 200 may include a fuel inlet 110, an oxygen inlet 120, a portion of the first transfer line 130, a preheater 140, a portion of the discharge line 160, and a portion of the second transfer line 190. May include some.

The second body 300 may include a combustor 150, the remaining part of the discharge line, the thermoelectric element array 170, the circulation fan 180, and the remaining part of the second transfer line 190.

Here, in FIGS. 1 and 2, in order to easily explain the photovoltaic device 100, the first body 200 and the second body 300 are separately formed and then coupled, but the coupling is not limited thereto. The 200 and the second body 300 may be integrally formed.

The fuel inlet 110 is a fuel for generating a light source that is a hot light source. The fuel inlet 110 is formed in the form of a pipe. One end of the fuel inlet 110 is connected to an external fuel supply source (not shown). Fuel injected from the fuel supply source through the fuel inlet 110 is introduced into the first transfer line 130 connected to the other end of the fuel inlet 110. Here, as an example, the fuel inlet 110 receives fuel such as H 2 and NH.

In the oxygen inlet 120, oxygen transferred through the second transfer line 190 is input. At this time, the oxygen inlet 120 is first preheated by the heat dissipation fin 176 to receive the oxygen transferred through the second transfer line 190.

The first transfer line 130 transfers the injected fuel and oxygen to the combustor 150. That is, the first transfer line 130 is formed in a pipe shape. One end of the first transfer line 130 is connected to the fuel inlet 110 and the oxygen inlet 120. The other end of the first transfer line 130 is connected to the combustor 150. The first transfer line 130 transfers fuel and oxygen introduced through the fuel inlet 110 and the oxygen inlet 120 to the combustor 150.

The preheater 140 secondary preheats the fuel and oxygen transferred through the first transfer line 130. That is, the preheater 140 is disposed on the outer circumference of the first transfer line 130. The preheater 140 preheats the fuel and oxygen which are conveyed through the first transfer line 130. At this time, the preheater 140 raises the temperature of the oxygen preheated by the heat dissipation fin 176 through the second preheating and transfers the oxygen to the combustor 150. Here, the preheater 140 is an example of a recuperator.

The combustor 150 burns fuel supplied through the first transfer line 130 to generate light (light) and heat. To this end, the combustor 150 mixes fuel and oxygen transferred through the first transfer line 130. The combustor 150 burns mixed fuel (ie, fuel mixed with oxygen) to generate light (light) and heat.

For example, the combustor 150 may include a mixer (not shown) for mixing fuel and oxygen connected to the first transfer line 130, a chamber (not shown) into which the mixed fuel mixed in the mixer is introduced, and a combustion bar disposed in the chamber. (Not shown).

The discharge line 160 discharges the exhaust gas generated during the combustion of the mixed fuel in the combustor 150 to the outside of the photovoltaic device 100. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the discharge line 160 is formed in a pipe shape that is formed along the outer circumference of the combustor 150, the preheater 140, and the first transfer line 130. The discharge line 160 transfers the exhaust gas A generated by the combustor 150 and discharges it to the discharge port. Here, in FIG. 3, the preheater 140 is disposed in the discharge line 160, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the discharge line 160 may be formed along the outer circumference of the preheater 140.

The thermal element array 170 is disposed along the outer circumference of the combustor 150. The thermoelectric element array 170 generates power using light generated by the combustor 150. At this time, since the thermoelectric element 174 has a good power generation efficiency when the temperature is low, the thermoelectric element array 170 is disposed spaced apart from the combustor 150 by a predetermined interval.

Referring to FIG. 4, the thermoelectric element array 170 includes a base substrate 172, a plurality of thermoelectric elements 174, and heat dissipation fins 176.

The base substrate 172 is composed of a rectangular flat plate. In this case, the base substrate 172 may be formed of a resin material used for a metal substrate of a metal material or a general circuit board.

The plurality of light emitting elements 174 are arranged in a matrix on one surface of the base substrate 172. That is, the plurality of luminescent elements 174 are arranged in a matrix on one surface of the base substrate 172 disposed in the direction of the combustor 150 to condense the light generated by the combustion of the fuel in the combustor 150 and convert the light into electrical energy. do. Here, the thermoelectric element 174 may be thermophotovoltaic (TPV).

The heat dissipation fin 176 is disposed on the other surface of the base substrate 172. The heat dissipation fin 176 absorbs heat from the plurality of light emitting elements 174 through heat conduction and releases the heat to the outside. That is, since the thermal element 174 has a good power generation efficiency when the temperature is low, the heat radiation fin 176 is disposed on the other surface opposite to one surface of the base substrate 172 on which the thermal element 174 is formed, the thermal element The heat generated at 174 is released.

The thermal element array 170 is formed in a cylindrical shape through deformation of the base substrate 172. In this case, the thermoelectric element array 170 is configured by arranging a plurality of thermoelectric elements 174 on an inner surface (ie, the combustor 150 direction) of the base substrate 172 having a hollow cylindrical shape. The thermal element array 170 is disposed spaced apart from the outer circumference of the combustor 150 by a predetermined interval.

On the other hand, since the base substrate 172 is formed of a metal material or a resin material, deformation (for example, shrinkage or expansion) may occur due to a high temperature generated during fuel combustion of the combustor. The flatness of the base substrate 172 is lowered when deformation due to high temperature occurs.

Since the light emitting element 174 is disposed on one surface of the base substrate 172, when the flatness of the base substrate 172 is lowered, the light collection efficiency is lowered. That is, when the flatness of the thermoelectric element 174 decreases due to the deformation of the base substrate 172, the heat dissipation characteristic is lowered, and the surface temperature of the thermoelectric element 174 increases. The thermoluminescent element 174 is deteriorated in optical characteristics (ie, condensing efficiency) as the surface temperature increases. For this reason, in the heat generating apparatus 100, as the light collecting efficiency of the heat generating element 174 is lowered, the power generating efficiency is lowered.

Therefore, in order to increase the life of the product while maintaining a constant power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic device 100, it is necessary to prevent deformation of the base substrate 172 due to heat generated from the combustor 150.

5 to 7, the thermoelectric element array 170 may further include a heat insulating member 178 formed on one surface of the base substrate 172. 6 and 7 show that the base sheet 172 is in a flat state in order to easily explain the formation position of the heat insulating member 178.

When the heat insulating member 178 is disposed on the surface of the light emitting element 174, the light collecting efficiency of the light emitting element 174 is lowered because the light is refracted, absorbed, or reflected by the heat insulating member 178.

Thus, the heat insulating member 178 is formed on one surface of the base substrate 172, but is formed so as not to cover the surface of the light emitting element 174 disposed on one surface of the base substrate. That is, the heat insulating member 178 is formed on one surface of the base substrate 172, but is formed only in an area where the plurality of light emitting elements 174 are not formed.

For example, the heat insulating member 178 is made of a resin material having high ductility and no deformation at high temperature, such as silver epoxy or polyimide.

Insulating member 178 is formed on the base substrate 172 through the printing of the silver paste, and then is formed by etching the region in which the thermal element 174 is disposed. In this case, the thermoelectric element 174 is disposed on the base substrate 172 on which the heat insulating member 178 is formed.

Of course, the heat insulating member 178 may be formed by printing a silver paste on the base substrate 172 on which the light emitting element 174 is disposed.

The heat insulating member 178 may minimize heat light loss by blocking heat absorbed or radiated to a region other than the heat light emitting device 174.

In addition, the heat insulating member 178 may reflect the heat generated from the combustor 150 in the direction of the combustor 150 to increase the temperature in the combustor 150 to maximize the combustion efficiency of the combustor 150.

The thermal element array 170 is formed in a cylindrical shape through deformation of the base substrate 172. In the thermoelectric element array 170, a plurality of thermoelectric elements 174 are disposed on an inner surface of the base substrate 172 (ie, in the direction of the combustor 150) formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. In this case, the thermoelectric element array 170 is disposed spaced apart from the outer circumference of the combustor 150 by a predetermined interval.

In the thermoelectric element array 170, a heat insulating member 178 is disposed on an inner surface of the base substrate 172 (that is, the combustor 150 direction). At this time, the heat insulating member 178 is formed in the spaced space between the thermal element 174 to prevent the deformation of the base substrate 172 due to the high temperature generated in the combustor 150.

The circulation fan 180 circulates oxygen (ie, air) located in the space around the heat dissipation fin 176 to the oxygen inlet 120 through the second transfer line 190. That is, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the circulation fan 180 is disposed in the other direction of the combustor 150 to blow oxygen C toward the combustor 150. At this time, the circulation fan 180 rotates to circulate the oxygen (C; primary air) preheated by the heat discharged from the heat dissipation fin 176 to the oxygen inlet 120 through the second transfer line 190. Let's do it. As a result, the fuel B and the oxygen C injected into the fuel inlet 110 are supplied to the combustor 150 through the first transfer line 130. At this time, the oxygen preheated by the heat dissipation fin 176 is primarily preheated. (Ie, air) is introduced into the oxygen inlet 120 through the second transfer line 190 by the circulation fan 180.

As such, the photovoltaic device 100 injects oxygen preheated by the heat dissipation fin 176 into the oxygen inlet 120 through the circulation fan 180, thereby increasing the temperature of oxygen used in fuel combustion to increase combustion characteristics. It has the effect of maximizing. That is, the heat generating apparatus 100 supplies the oxygen preheated by the heat dissipation fin 176 to the combustor 150 (that is, the emitter) by the preheater 140, and thus the combustor 150. By increasing the temperature of the combustion effect can be maximized.

In addition, the photovoltaic device 100 performs heat radiation and oxygen injection through one fan (that is, the circulation fan 180), thereby providing a conventional photovoltaic power generation device including a heat radiation fan for heat radiation and an air fan for oxygen injection. Compared to the device 100, while miniaturizing the product, it is possible to minimize the manufacturing cost.

In addition, the photovoltaic device 100 performs heat radiation and oxygen injection through one fan (that is, the circulation fan 180), so that heat is generated compared to the conventional photovoltaic device 100 having a heat radiation fan and an air fan. Minimizing the power consumption of the power generation device 100 has the effect of maximizing power generation efficiency. That is, since the photovoltaic device 100 drives only the circulating fan 180 by using the generated power, it uses the generated power to drive the heat dissipation fan and the air fan, thereby consuming more power than the conventional photovoltaic device 100. There is an effect that can maximize the power generation efficiency by minimizing.

The second transfer line 190 is formed along the outer circumference of the heat dissipation fin 176 and the preheater 140 to transfer the oxygen blown by the circulation fan 180 to the oxygen inlet 120. That is, referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the oxygen preheated by the heat dissipation fin 176 is blown to the combustor 150 by the circulation fan 180 and introduced into the second transfer line 190. It is transferred to the oxygen inlet 120 through the second transfer line 190.

Although a preferred embodiment according to the present invention has been described above, modifications can be made in various forms, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications and modifications without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention. It is understood that it may be practiced.

Claims

A fuel inlet through which fuel is injected;

An oxygen inlet port through which oxygen is introduced;

A first transfer line configured to transfer fuel introduced into the fuel inlet and oxygen introduced into the oxygen inlet;

A preheater disposed on an outer circumference of the first transfer line and preheating fuel and oxygen transferred through the first transfer line;

A combustor which generates heat and light by burning fuel and oxygen preheated in the preheater;

A thermoelectric element array disposed at an outer circumference of the combustor to convert light generated by the combustor into electrical energy; And

And a circulation fan for blowing oxygen preheated by the heat conducted from the thermoelectric element array and injecting the oxygen into the oxygen inlet.
The method of claim 1,

And a second transfer line disposed on an outer circumference of the combustor, the preheater, and the thermoelectric element array, to transfer the oxygen blown by the circulation fan to the oxygen inlet.
The method of claim 1,

The thermoelectric element array,

Base substrate;

A plurality of thermoelectric elements spaced apart from each other on one surface of the base substrate; And

And a heat dissipation fin disposed on the other side of the base substrate.
The method of claim 3,

The circulation fan injects oxygen in the space where the heat dissipation fin is disposed to the oxygen inlet through a second transfer line,

Oxygen injected into the oxygen inlet is preheated by the heat radiation fins first pre-heating device.
The method of claim 1,

One end of the combustor is connected to the first transfer line, the other end of the heat generating device is disposed apart from the circulation fan.
The method of claim 1,

One end of the first transfer line is connected to the fuel inlet and the oxygen inlet, and the other end of the first transfer line is connected to the combustor.
A combustor that burns fuel and generates heat and light; And

It is disposed along the outer periphery of the combustor, and includes a thermoelectric element array for converting light generated in the combustor into electrical energy,

The thermoelectric element array,

Base substrate;

A plurality of luminescent elements arranged in a matrix on one surface of the base substrate; And

The photovoltaic device comprising a heat insulating member formed on one surface of the base substrate.
The method of claim 7, wherein

The heat insulating member

Is formed on one surface of the base substrate disposed in the direction of the combustor,

A photovoltaic device formed in a region other than the region in which the plurality of thermoelectric elements are formed.
The method of claim 7, wherein

The heat insulating member is a photovoltaic device of one selected from silver (Ag) epoxy and polyimide.
The method of claim 7, wherein

The photovoltaic device array further includes a heat radiation fin disposed on the other surface of the base substrate.
The method of claim 7, wherein

A fuel inlet through which fuel is injected;

An oxygen inlet port through which oxygen is introduced;

A first transfer line configured to transfer fuel introduced into the fuel inlet and oxygen introduced into the oxygen inlet;

A circulation fan for blowing oxygen preheated by the heat conducted from the thermoelectric element array and introducing the oxygen into the oxygen inlet; And

And a second transfer line disposed at an outer circumference of the combustor and the thermoelectric element array to transfer oxygen blown by the circulation fan to the oxygen inlet.
The method of claim 11,

The circulation fan is

Oxygen in the space in which the heat dissipation fin disposed on the other side of the base substrate is placed into the oxygen inlet through the second transfer line,

Oxygen injected into the oxygen inlet is preheated by the heat radiation fins first pre-heating device.