Thermoelectric facade generator

Abstract

Thermoelectric facade generator (1) for a ventilated facade (2) of a building (3) which has a ventilation gap (4a), in particular a curtain wall facade (2) which has a ventilation gap (4b), characterized in that the thermoelectric facade generator (1) has a cylindrical geometry, in particular a cylindrical outer geometry and a cylindrical inner geometry.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a thermoelectric facade generator for a ventilated facade of a building, in particular for a curtain wall facade which has a ventilation gap.

[0002] It is known to provide panel-shaped facade generators on panels of a building's ventilated facade. For example, a corresponding building panel is known from EP 2 665 877 A1.

[0003] A disadvantage of the known systems is that the plate-shaped generators require additional special devices for heat transfer between a hot side and a cold side, such as special so-called heat pipes and special structures to achieve or maintain the required strength of the plate shape.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to improve upon the disadvantages of the known systems, or at least to provide an advantageous alternative embodiment.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1, as well as by the subject matter of claim 11 and the use according to claim 12. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] The invention is based on the fundamental idea of ​​designing a thermoelectric facade generator for a ventilated facade of a building, particularly for a curtain wall facade with a ventilation gap, such that the thermoelectric facade generator has a cylindrical geometry, in particular a cylindrical outer geometry and a cylindrical inner geometry. The cylindrical geometry enables both a very compact and robust design and a very advantageous flow path in a simple manner.

[0007] In this context, a ventilated curtain wall (also known as a rainscreen cladding system) refers specifically to a ventilated or curtain wall in construction, featuring a multi-layered exterior wall construction with non-load-bearing cladding attached to the load-bearing wall plane at a distance. The outer layer is typically intended to protect the building structure from rain, snow, sun, condensation, and strong winds, but is not usually airtight.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, a cylindrical outer casing is configured as the hot side of the thermoelectric facade generator and is designed to absorb heat introduced into the facade's ventilation gap or the ventilation cavity by solar radiation or external heat sources. This enables both particularly efficient heat absorption and a particularly robust design in a very simple manner.

[0009] In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, a cylindrical, and in particular at least partially cylindrical, inner cooling channel is arranged to directly engage with an airflow in the ventilation gap of the facade or the ventilation gap, thus transferring heat. This allows a temperature gradient across the cross-section to be particularly advantageous in accommodating the varying longitudinal expansion of the material in the facade generator. Likewise, a robust and flow-optimized design can be achieved with particular ease. The compact design enables direct heat transfer over a very short distance, thereby allowing for high thermal efficiency with a very robust construction.

[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the cylindrical inner cooling channel is configured as the inner cold side of the thermoelectric facade generator, and the thermoelectric facade generator is configured to transfer heat directly to a natural convection airflow (chimney effect). This enables particularly advantageous heat transfer within the facade generator without necessarily requiring active external cooling. In particular, it is not necessary to ensure that such active external cooling remains operational above a certain heat input without failure, as insufficient heat dissipation could otherwise lead to failure or even destruction of the facade generator.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the thermoelectric facade generator features a phase change material storage element (also known by the abbreviation PCM), particularly as an integral component of the cylindrical geometry, which preferably comprises a phase change material with a phase change temperature at the transition between the solid and liquid states between 20°C and 60°C. This allows a temperature difference between the hot side and the cold side to be stabilized with a particularly robust and heat transfer-optimized design, and smooths the power output over the course of the day. Due to the special design of the thermoelectric facade generator with the inner cold side, a phase change material with the aforementioned phase change temperature enables a particularly high overall efficiency.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the phase change material storage device is designed in a ring or cylindrical shape. This allows for both a particularly advantageous heat transfer and a particularly effective smoothing of the power output over the course of the day, as well as a particularly simple and robust design.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the thermoelectric facade generator is configured as a mechanically modular structure, enabling the mechanical serial and / or parallel coupling of several facade generator segments to form a complete unit. Alternatively or additionally, the thermoelectric facade generator includes fastening components and / or connection components or connection modules for integration into the ventilated facade, particularly into the ventilation gap of the curtain wall. Thus, the thermoelectric facade generator can not only be installed particularly easily in a ventilated facade, but also arranged particularly easily according to the respective requirements and, for example, assembled into a larger overall system.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the thermoelectric facade generator is configured as an electrically modular structure, which enables several facade generator segments to be electrically coupled in series and / or parallel to form a complete unit. This allows the thermoelectric facade generator not only to be connected electrically in a ventilated facade with particular ease, but also to be integrated particularly easily according to the respective requirements and, for example, to be combined into a larger overall system.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the thermoelectric facade generator comprises a thermoelectric material with a ZT value >1.5, in particular SnSe, PbTe, or nanostructured Bi₂Te₃ variants. These enable a particularly high efficiency and a particularly long service life in the cylindrical design. The ZT value, or the quality factor ZT, is usually calculated from the Seebeck coefficient S, the specific electrical resistance ρ, and the thermal conductivity κ.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the cylindrical outer shell and / or the cylindrical inner cooling channel comprise a thermoelectric material or are formed therefrom, or the thermoelectric facade generator has several ring-shaped thermoelectric modules. This enables particularly advantageous heat transfer with a particularly robust design or a particularly easy-to-adapt power class.

[0017] Another solution to the aforementioned problem is a facade element for a ventilated curtain wall facade of a building, designed to accommodate a thermoelectric facade generator as described above. This allows the advantages mentioned in the previous description to be utilized in a particularly simple and effective manner when constructing a facade, especially due to the robust and compact design of the thermoelectric facade generator.

[0018] Another solution to the aforementioned problem enables the use of a thermoelectric facade generator according to the preceding description in a ventilated facade of a building, in particular a curtain wall facade having a ventilation gap, especially for the electrical supply of sensors, communication modules, or low-current devices within the building or of other electrically connected consumers. This allows the significant advantages of the preceding description in generating electrical energy from a building facade in a particularly space- and resource-saving manner to be utilized in a particularly simple and durable way, especially due to the very high thermal efficiency and the compact and very robust design of the thermoelectric facade generator 1.

[0019] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0020] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the features mentioned are not limited to the number stated, so that features mentioned in the singular may well be present multiple times and features occurring multiple times may also be present in the singular.

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0022] Each schematically illustrates: Fig. 1: A stylized partial section view of a building with a ventilated curtain wall facade and three thermoelectric facade generators, Fig. 2: a detailed cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the thermoelectric facade generator, and Fig. 3: A detailed cross-sectional view of a second version of the thermoelectric facade generator.

[0023] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a stylized partial section of a ventilated curtain wall 2 of a building 3, which includes three thermoelectric facade generators 1. The three thermoelectric facade generators 1 are arranged in a ventilation gap 4a of the facade 2, specifically in a ventilation slot 4b of the curtain wall 2. The three thermoelectric facade generators 1 have a cylindrical geometry, specifically a cylindrical outer geometry and a cylindrical inner geometry (which is shown in Figure 1). Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is evident). A dashed, curved arrow indicates this in the Fig. 1 a natural convection airflow within the ventilation gap 4a or the ventilation gap 4b of the curtain wall 2 is shown.

[0024] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows the cylindrical outer geometry and also the cylindrical inner geometry of the thermoelectric facade generator 1, as they represent a cross-section through one embodiment of the thermoelectric facade generator 1. A [missing text] in the Fig. 2 and Fig. The visible cylindrical outer casing 5 is configured as the hot side of the thermoelectric facade generator 1. This cylindrical outer casing 5 is designed to absorb heat introduced into the ventilation gap 4a of the facade 2 or the ventilation gap 4b by solar radiation or external heat sources. A heat in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The cylindrical inner cooling channel 6, which is also visible, is designed to be in direct contact with an airflow in the ventilation gap 4a of the facade 2 or the ventilation gap 4b, where it is connected to the airflow in the ventilation gap 4a of the facade 2 or the ventilation gap 4b. Fig. The natural convection airflow is represented by the dashed curved arrow. The cylindrical inner cooling channel 6 serves as the inner cold side of the thermoelectric facade generator 1. The thermoelectric facade generator 1 is also designed to transfer heat directly to a natural convection airflow. This enables a compact and robust design with highly advantageous flow characteristics and heat absorption through very direct heat transfer over a very short distance, thus achieving a very high thermal efficiency with a very robust construction.

[0025] The thermoelectric facade generator 1 exhibits, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 indicates a phase change material storage device 7, which is formed as an integral part of the cylindrical geometry and comprises a phase change material with a phase change temperature (at the transition between solid and liquid states) between 20°C and 60°C. The phase change material storage device 7 is cylindrical in shape. It could also be ring-shaped, for example, by consisting of stacked phase change material rings (not shown).

[0026] The thermoelectric facade generator 1 is designed with a mechanical and electrical modular structure, which is only possible here by the in Fig. Figure 1 shows a mechanically serial coupling of three segments to form a complete body. The three segments are also electrically coupled in series (not shown in the figures). Also not shown in the figures is the fact that a thermoelectric material with a ZT value >1.5, here SnSe, is used in the thermoelectric facade generator 1.

[0027] The statements of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 differ particularly in the number and size of the thermoelectric modules used. 8.

[0028] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a thermoelectric facade generator 1, which has forty-five ring-shaped thermoelectric modules 8. This enables a particularly cost-effective design.

[0029] In Fig. 3 shows a thermoelectric facade generator 1, which has twelve ring-shaped thermoelectric modules 8, which, however, in comparison to the design according to Fig. They are 2 larger. This allows for a particularly robust construction.

[0030] In both versions, the ring-shaped thermoelectric modules 8 are electrically coupled to each other, except for two of the ring-shaped thermoelectric modules 8, which are accordingly set up on one side to tap the electrical energy.

[0031] As in the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the facade 2 is made up of 3 facade elements, each of which is designed to accommodate a thermoelectric facade generator 1 (not shown), so that the facade can still be erected very easily, especially due to the compact and robust design of the thermoelectric facade generator 1.

[0032] If, for example, solar radiation introduces heat into the ventilation gap 4a or the ventilation cavity 4b, the thermoelectric facade generator 1 can be used to supply electricity to, for example, sensors, communication modules, or low-power devices within the building 3, or to other electrically connected consumers. Due to the very high thermal efficiency and the compact and robust design of the thermoelectric facade generator 1, this energy can be used particularly effectively and for a long time. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 thermoelectric facade generator 2 ventilated facades 3 buildings 4a Rear ventilation 4b Ventilation gap 5 cylindrical outer shell 6 cylindrical inner cooling channel 7 Phase Change Material Storage 8 thermoelectric module QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2 665 877 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Thermoelectric facade generator (1) for a ventilated facade (2) of a building (3) which has a ventilation gap (4a), in particular a curtain wall facade (2) which has a ventilation gap (4b), characterized by , that the thermoelectric facade generator (1) has a cylindrical geometry, in particular a cylindrical outer geometry and a cylindrical inner geometry. [2] Thermoelectric facade generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that a cylindrical outer shell (5) is set up as the hot side of the thermoelectric facade generator (1), and is set up to absorb heat introduced into the ventilation gap (4a) of the facade (2) or the ventilation gap (4b) by solar radiation or external heat sources. [3] Thermoelectric facade generator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a cylindrical inner cooling channel (6) is provided to be in direct heat transfer with an airflow in the ventilation gap (4a) of the facade (2) or the ventilation gap (4b). [4] Thermoelectric facade generator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cylindrical inner cooling channel (6) is configured as the inner cold side of the thermoelectric facade generator (1), and that the thermoelectric facade generator (1) is configured to transfer heat directly to a natural convection airflow. [5] Thermoelectric facade generator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it has a phase change material storage element (7), in particular as an integral part of the cylindrical geometry, which most preferably comprises a phase change material with a phase change temperature (solid / liquid) between 20°C and 60°C. [6] Thermoelectric facade generator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the phase change material storage (7) is ring-shaped or cylindrical. [7] Thermoelectric facade generator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it is designed to have a mechanically modular structure which allows for mechanical serial and / or parallel coupling of several facade generator segments to form a complete body, and / or that it has fastening components and / or connection components or connection modules for integration into the ventilation gap (4a) of the facade (2), in particular into the ventilation gap (4b) of the curtain wall (2). [8] Thermoelectric facade generator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that it is designed to have an electrically modular structure that allows for electrically serial and / or parallel coupling of several facade generator segments to form a complete body. [9] Thermoelectric facade generator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it includes a thermoelectric material with a ZT value >1.5, especially SnSe, PbTe or nanostructured Bi2Te3 variants. [10] Thermoelectric facade generator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cylindrical outer shell (5) and / or the cylindrical inner cooling channel (6) comprises or is formed from a thermoelectric material, or the thermoelectric facade generator (1) has several ring-shaped thermoelectric modules (8). [11] Facade element for a ventilated curtain wall (2) of a building (3), characterized by, that it is equipped to accommodate a thermoelectric facade generator (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 10. [12] Use of a thermoelectric facade generator (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10 in a ventilated facade (2) of a building (3), in particular a curtain wall (2) which has a ventilation gap (4a) or a ventilation gap (4b), especially preferably for the electrical supply of sensors, communication modules or low-current devices within the building (3) or of other electrically connected consumers.

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