Moon thermoelectric conversion device with replaceable heat storage body and use method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a moon thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body, and belongs to the technical field of moon energy and power generation. In order to solve the core problems of discontinuous energy supply, complex system maintenance and the like in the existing lunar base energy technology, the invention provides a lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body. The heat collection layer of the internal coupling heat pipe and the heat storage material internally provided with the heat conduction copper columns form a cold source and a heat source, cold and heat sources in the moon day and the moon night are exchanged, and the continuous and stable power supply capacity of the moon day period is achieved. The device upper cover of the power generation part is in threaded connection with the device inner container of the heat storage part, modular disassembly and replacement can be achieved under the condition that the multi-stage thermoelectric generator fails, and replacement of the heat storage body can also be achieved. A copper column heat conduction mode is adopted in the vertical direction, the problem that gravity reverse heat transfer performance is poor is solved, and day and night uninterrupted supply of lunar base energy is expected to be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of lunar energy and power generation technology, and in particular relates to a lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body and a method for using the same. Background Art

[0002] The construction of a lunar base, a key prerequisite for deep space exploration and extraterrestrial resource development, also faces challenges related to the extreme thermal environment and the imbalance in energy supply between day and night. The extreme temperature difference between day and night on the lunar surface, coupled with the lunar night lasting up to fourteen Earth days, renders solar power generation systems unable to operate during the lunar night and thus unable to provide continuous power output.

[0003] Existing solutions primarily rely on radioisotope thermoelectric generators and battery energy storage. However, radioisotopes pose radioactivity risks, while batteries have limited energy density and are unable to meet long-term power needs. Safety and reliability are paramount for lunar energy devices. Compared to terrestrial thermodynamic cycle systems, semiconductor thermoelectric generators, which lack rotating parts, are more suitable for lunar applications. Incorporating heat storage materials and related technologies can further enhance power generation performance.

[0004] Furthermore, semiconductor thermoelectric generators are directly exposed to cosmic rays, solar wind, and other environmental factors. The extreme temperature differences on the lunar surface exacerbate thermal stress cycles, causing accelerated aging and failure. Replacement of the entire generator unit would be prohibitively expensive. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity of the heat storage material is inefficient, making the use of heat pipes to enhance heat transfer performance difficult during the shifting hot and cold ends of the lunar day and night.

[0005] Therefore, in the mid-term stage of lunar exploration, it is urgent to develop a lunar energy system that is efficient, reliable, and modular, with functions such as efficient energy collection and continuous power supply day and night in extreme thermal environments, thereby reducing maintenance costs and resource dependence. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In response to the above-mentioned problems, the present invention proposes a lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body and a method for its use. By combining multi-stage temperature difference power generation with modular design, it solves the core problems of existing lunar base energy technology, such as discontinuous energy supply and complex system maintenance, and provides a solution for the continuous energy supply of the lunar base.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body, comprising a heat collecting layer on the device cover, a heat pipe, a multi-stage thermoelectric generator, a power supply interface, a heat conducting layer on the device cover, a heat conducting copper column, a heat storage material and a device liner. A multi-stage temperature difference generator is installed in the cavity formed by the heat-conducting layer and the heat-collecting layer of the device upper cover. The power supply interface is arranged on the heat-conducting layer of the device upper cover, and one end is connected to the multi-stage temperature difference generator. The heat pipe is evenly laid inside the heat-collecting layer of the device upper cover in a circumferential direction. The heat-conducting copper column is arranged below the heat-conducting layer of the device upper cover. The device inner liner is connected to the lower part of the heat-conducting layer of the device upper cover by threads, and the device inner liner is filled with heat storage material.

[0008] The surface of the heat-collecting layer on the upper cover of the device is coated with a coating material with high absorptivity and high emissivity. During the lunar day, it can absorb solar radiation and collect heat to the maximum extent, and transfer the heat to the multi-stage thermoelectric generator through the heat pipes buried circumferentially inside to form a hot-end heat source; during the lunar night, it can radiate heat outward to the maximum extent, and also transfer the heat from the multi-stage thermoelectric generator through the heat pipes.

[0009] The outer wall of the device is installed outside the inner container of the device, and a vacuum heat insulation layer is arranged between the inner container of the device and the outer wall of the device.

[0010] The inner liner and outer wall of the device are composed of lunar soil with extremely low thermal conductivity, and its thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.01W / (m·K).

[0011] Furthermore, the multi-stage temperature difference generator is made of semiconductor power generation material with a wide temperature range.

[0012] Furthermore, during the lunar day, the multi-stage thermoelectric generator uses the upper end as the hot end and the lower end as the cold end to perform thermoelectric conversion. Part of the heat absorbed by the multi-stage thermoelectric generator is converted into electrical energy through the Seebeck effect and output through the power supply interface, while the other part of the heat is transferred to the heat storage material in the inner tank of the device in the form of heat conduction through the thermal conductive layer on the upper cover of the device and the thermal conductive copper column. The heat storage material is responsible for absorbing and storing this part of the heat.

[0013] Furthermore, during the lunar day, the lower end of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator is the hot end and the upper end is the cold end for thermoelectric conversion. The heat absorbed by the heat storage material is used as a heat source and is transferred to the lower end of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator through the heat-conducting copper column and the heat-conducting layer on the upper cover of the device. Part of the transferred heat is converted into electricity by the multi-stage thermoelectric generator, and the other part is transferred to the heat collection layer on the upper cover of the device through heat conduction, and the heat is radiated outward evenly and quickly through the high-emissivity coating through the heat pipes laid inside it.

[0014] Furthermore, the heat-conducting copper column is a cylindrical structure with a gradually decreasing diameter.

[0015] A method for using the lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body, Lunar day phase: Under lunar day conditions, the heat collecting layer on the upper cover of the device acts as a heat absorber, absorbing solar energy through the high-absorption coating to increase the temperature, and the heat energy is transferred to the top of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator as a heat source through the evaporation heat absorption and capillary reflux of the heat pipe; while the bottom of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator forms a heat transfer path through the heat conductive layer on the upper cover of the device, the heat conductive copper column and the heat storage material. The heat storage material acts as a cold source to generate a temperature difference at both ends of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator to output electrical energy, which is connected to the power supply interface through the line to supply the required electricity to other devices.

[0016] A method for using the lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body, during the lunar night phase: under lunar night conditions, the heat energy at the top of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator is transferred through a heat pipe to the heat collection layer on the upper cover of the device, which radiates heat to the external deep space environment through a high-emissivity coating; the heat storage material acts as a heat source, and transfers the energy absorbed during the lunar day to the multi-stage thermoelectric generator through a heat-conducting copper column, so that a temperature difference is generated at both ends of the generator for electrical energy output, and the output line is also connected to the power supply interface to supply the required electrical energy to other devices. Compared with the prior art, the lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body and its use method described in the present invention have the following beneficial effects: (1) The present invention discloses a lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body. It utilizes a multi-stage thermoelectric generator as a thermoelectric conversion device. The heat collection layer of the internally coupled heat pipe and the heat storage material with the internally arranged heat-conducting copper columns form a cold source and a heat source. The cold and hot sources are exchanged between the lunar day and the lunar night, thereby achieving a continuous and stable power supply capability during the lunar diurnal cycle.

[0017] (2) The present invention provides a lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body. The upper cover of the power generation part and the inner shell of the heat storage part are connected by threads. In the event of failure of the multi-stage temperature difference generator, the device can be modularly disassembled and replaced, and the heat storage body can also be replaced.

[0018] (3) The lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body described in the present invention uses in-situ lunar resources to manufacture the inner liner and outer wall of the device, saving the cost of transportation between the Earth and the Moon. At the same time, the thermal conductivity of general lunar soil is extremely small, which can ensure that the heat dissipation rate of the heat storage body remains at a low level.

[0019] (4) The lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body described in the present invention adopts a copper column heat conduction method in the vertical direction, which solves the problem of weak gravity reverse heat transfer performance and is expected to achieve an uninterrupted day and night energy supply for the lunar base. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of the present invention, are provided to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are provided to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1This is a cross-sectional view of the lunar thermoelectric conversion device with replaceable heat storage body according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the lunar thermoelectric conversion device with replaceable heat storage body described in the present invention.

[0021] Among them, the figures are marked as: 1. heat collection layer on the upper cover of the device; 2. heat pipe; 21. heat pipe wall; 3. multi-stage temperature difference generator; 4. power supply interface; 5. heat conduction layer on the upper cover of the device; 6. heat conduction copper column; 7. heat storage material; 8. inner tank of the device; 9. vacuum insulation layer; 10. outer wall of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely explain the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention and the features therein can be combined with each other in the absence of conflict, and the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments.

[0023] See also Figure 1-2 This embodiment describes a lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body, comprising a device cover heat collection layer 1, heat pipes 2, a heat pipe wall 21, a multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3, a power supply interface 4, a device cover heat conductive layer 5, heat conductive copper pillars 6, heat storage material 7, a device liner 8, a vacuum insulation layer 9, and a device outer wall 10. The multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 is installed in the cavity formed by the device cover heat conductive layer 5 and the device cover heat collection layer 1. The power supply interface 4 is disposed on the device cover heat conductive layer 5 and connected at one end to the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3. The heat pipes 2 are evenly laid out along the circumference of the device cover heat collection layer 1. The heat conductive copper pillars 6 are disposed below the device cover heat conductive layer 5. The device liner 8 is threadedly connected below the device cover heat conductive layer 5, and the device liner 8 is filled with heat storage material 7.

[0024] The surface of the heat-collecting layer 1 on the upper cover of the device is coated with a coating material with high absorptivity and high emissivity. It can absorb solar radiation and collect heat to the maximum extent during the lunar day, and transfer the heat to the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 through the heat pipes 2 buried circumferentially inside to form a hot-end heat source; during the lunar night, it can radiate heat outward to the maximum extent, and also transfer the heat on the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 through the heat pipes 2.

[0025] The multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 is made of thermoelectric materials suitable for high and medium temperature ranges, exhibiting excellent power generation performance under high temperature conditions. The multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 in the present invention is made of semiconductor power generation materials with a wide temperature range, adapting to the extreme heat of lunar daytime and the low temperatures of lunar night. It also has a nearly cylindrical structure and is located within the device's upper cover heat collection layer 1 and the device's upper cover heat conduction layer 5, closely adhering to both.

[0026] A power supply interface 4 is arranged on one side of the heat-conducting layer 5 on the upper cover of the device. One end of the power supply interface 4 is connected to the output line of the multi-stage temperature difference generator 3, and the other end can be used for access to electrical equipment such as AC / DC transformers and batteries.

[0027] During lunar daytime, the top end of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 functions as the hot end, while the bottom end functions as the cold end, performing thermoelectric conversion. The reverse occurs during lunar night. During lunar daytime, some of the heat absorbed by the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 is converted into electrical energy through the Seebeck effect and output through the power supply port 4. The remaining heat is transferred by heat conduction through the device's upper cover thermal layer 5 and thermally conductive copper pillars 6 to the heat storage material 7 within the device's inner liner 8, where it absorbs and stores this heat. Because the device's inner liner 8 and outer wall 10 are composed of lunar soil with low thermal conductivity and feature a vacuum insulation layer 9, heat dissipation within the heat storage material 7 is minimized. During moonlit nights, the heat absorbed by the heat storage material 7 can be used as a heat source and transferred to the lower end of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 through the heat-conducting copper column 6 and the heat-conducting layer 5 on the device cover. Part of the transferred heat is converted into electricity by the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3, and the other part is transferred to the heat collection layer 1 on the device cover through heat conduction, and the heat is radiated outward evenly and quickly through the high-emissivity coating through the heat pipe 2 laid inside it.

[0028] The device's inner liner 8 is attached to an outer wall 10, with a vacuum insulation layer 9 interposed between them, forming a double-layer cylindrical structure. Both inner liner 8 and outer wall 10 are crafted from in-situ lunar regolith, a resource with extremely low thermal conductivity. This allows the heat storage material 7 within to dissipate minimal heat, typically with a thermal conductivity of 0.01 W / (m·K), providing excellent thermal insulation.

[0029] The heat-conducting copper column 6 is a cylindrical structure with a tapered diameter, which is convenient for inserting into the heat storage material during modular assembly and disassembly, and the upper end is connected to the heat-conducting layer 5 of the device cover.

[0030] The heat-conducting layer 5 of the upper cover of the device is connected to the inner tank 8 of the device by threads. The former is the power generation part of the device, and the latter is the heat storage part of the device. When necessary, they can be replaced according to needs and modularly assembled and disassembled.

[0031] The present invention provides a method for using a lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body. The working process is as follows: Lunar day phase: Under lunar day conditions, the heat-collecting layer 1 on the device's upper cover acts as a heat absorber, absorbing solar energy through a high-absorptivity coating and raising its temperature. This heat energy is then transferred to the top of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 as a heat source through the evaporative heat absorption and capillary reflux of the heat pipe 2 and heat pipe wall 21. The bottom of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 forms a heat transfer path through the device's upper cover heat-conducting layer 5, the heat-conducting copper pillars 6, and the heat storage material 7. The heat storage material 7 acts as a cold source, creating a temperature difference across the multi-stage thermoelectric generator for electrical energy output. This is then connected to the power supply interface 4 via a line to supply the required electrical energy to other devices. When the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 is operating, the top temperature is higher, and the heat energy at its bottom is transferred to the heat storage material 7 through the heat-conducting copper pillars 6, thereby maintaining a lower temperature. The heat storage material 7 is insulated and heat-maintained by the vacuum insulation layer 9 against the low-thermal-conductivity device liner 8 and the device's outer wall 10. Moonlight phase: Under moonlit night conditions, the heat energy on the top of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 is transferred to the heat collecting layer 1 on the upper cover of the device through the heat pipe 2 and the heat pipe wall 21, and radiates heat to the external deep space environment through the high-emissivity coating; the heat storage material 7 acts as a heat source and transfers the energy absorbed during the lunar day to the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 through the heat-conducting copper column 6, so that a temperature difference is generated at both ends to output electrical energy, and is also connected to the power supply interface 4 through the output line to supply the required electrical energy to other devices.

[0032] Special circumstances: When the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 works for a long time on the lunar surface, problems such as low thermoelectric conversion efficiency or even failure may occur. However, other components such as heat storage material 7, device liner 8, device outer wall 10, etc. have a relatively long service life. In order to make the device fit the actual usage, the thermal conductive layer 5 of the device cover and the device liner 8 are connected by threads to realize modular assembly and disassembly requirements. For example, after the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 fails, only the multi-stage thermoelectric generator 3 and other components can be replaced, without replacing components such as the device liner 8 and the device outer wall 10, and the maintenance cost of the device can be further reduced. The embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are intended only to illustrate the present invention. The embodiments do not describe all details in detail, nor do they limit the present invention to the specific embodiments described. Numerous modifications and variations are possible based on the contents of this specification. These embodiments are selected and described in detail in this specification to better explain the principles and practical applications of the present invention, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize the present invention.

Claims

1. A lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body, characterized by: The device comprises a heat collecting layer (1) on the upper cover, a heat pipe (2), a multi-stage temperature difference generator (3), a power supply interface (4), a heat conducting layer (5) on the upper cover of the device, a heat conducting copper column (6), a heat storage material (7) and a device liner (8), A multi-stage temperature difference generator (3) is installed in the cavity formed by the device upper cover heat conducting layer (5) and the device upper cover heat collecting layer (1); the power supply interface (4) is arranged on the device upper cover heat conducting layer (5), and one end is connected to the multi-stage temperature difference generator (3); the heat pipe (2) is evenly laid inside the device upper cover heat collecting layer (1) along the circumferential direction; the heat conducting copper column (6) is arranged below the device upper cover heat conducting layer (5); a device liner (8) is connected below the device upper cover heat conducting layer (5) by screw thread; and the device liner (8) is filled with heat storage material (7).

2. The lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the heat collecting layer (1) on the upper cover of the device is coated with a coating material with high absorptivity and high emissivity. During the lunar day, it can absorb solar radiation to the maximum extent and collect heat, and conduct the heat to the multi-stage thermoelectric generator (3) through the heat pipe (2) buried in the inner circumference to form a hot end heat source; during the lunar night, it can radiate heat outward to the maximum extent, and also transfer the heat on the multi-stage thermoelectric generator (3) through the heat pipe (2).

3. The lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body according to claim 1, characterized in that: An outer device wall (10) is installed outside the device inner liner (8), and a vacuum heat insulation layer (9) is provided between the device inner liner (8) and the device outer wall (10).

4. The lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The device inner liner (8) and the device outer wall (10) are composed of lunar soil with extremely low thermal conductivity, and the thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.01 W / (m·K).

5. The lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-stage temperature difference generator (3) is a wide temperature range semiconductor power generation material.

6. The lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body according to claim 1, characterized in that: During the lunar day, the upper end of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator (3) is the hot end and the lower end is the cold end to perform thermoelectric conversion. A part of the heat absorbed by the multi-stage thermoelectric generator (3) is converted into electrical energy through the Seebeck effect and output through the power supply interface (4), and the other part of the heat is transferred to the heat storage material (7) in the inner tank (8) of the device through the heat conductive layer (5) and the heat conductive copper column (6) in the form of heat conduction. The heat storage material (7) is responsible for absorbing and storing this part of the heat.

7. The lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body according to claim 1, characterized in that: During the lunar day, the lower end of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator (3) is the hot end and the upper end is the cold end for thermoelectric conversion. The heat absorbed by the heat storage material (7) is used as a heat source and is transferred to the lower end of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator (3) through the heat-conducting copper column (6) and the heat-conducting layer (5) on the upper cover of the device. Part of the transferred heat is converted into electricity by the multi-stage thermoelectric generator (3), and the other part is transferred to the heat collection layer (1) on the upper cover of the device in the form of heat conduction, and the heat is radiated outward evenly and quickly through the high-emissivity coating through the heat pipe (2) laid inside the device.

8. The lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-conducting copper column (6) is a cylindrical structure with a gradually decreasing diameter.

9. A method for using the lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: Lunar day phase: Under lunar day conditions, the heat collecting layer (1) on the upper cover of the device acts as a heat absorber, absorbing solar energy through the high absorption rate coating to increase the temperature, and the heat energy is transferred to the top of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator (3) as a heat source through the evaporation heat absorption and capillary reflux of the heat pipe (2); and the bottom of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator (3) forms a heat transfer path through the heat conductive layer (5) on the upper cover of the device, the heat conductive copper column (6) and the heat storage material (7). The heat storage material (7) acts as a cold source to generate a temperature difference at both ends of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator to output electrical energy, and is connected to the power supply interface (4) through the line to supply the required electrical energy to other devices.

10. A method for using the lunar thermoelectric conversion device with a replaceable heat storage body according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: Moon night stage: Under moon night conditions, the heat energy on the top of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator (3) is transferred to the heat collecting layer (1) on the upper cover of the device through the heat pipe (2), and radiates heat to the external deep space environment through the high emissivity coating; the heat storage material (7) acts as a heat source and transfers the energy absorbed during the moon day to the multi-stage thermoelectric generator (3) through the heat-conducting copper column (6), so that a temperature difference is generated at both ends of the multi-stage thermoelectric generator (3) for electrical energy output, and is also connected to the power supply interface (4) through the output line to supply the required electrical energy to other devices.

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