Solid state thermoelectric power converter

Abstract

High efficiency conversion of heat energy to electrical energy is achieved using a ring of metallic components and anodically sliced, reduced barriers, high purity n-type and p-type semiconductor wafers. Energy produced by heating one set of fins and cooling another set is extracted from a ring of bismuth telluride based n-type wafers and antimony telluride based p-type wafers using make-before-break control of MOSfet switch banks. Standard AC frequencies and DC output result from rectification of make-before-break high frequency switched very high currents in the ring and a DC to AC converter. Solar energy stored in porcelain fragments extends the time that solar energy can be used as the heat source for the thermoelectric generator device.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 259,922 that is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 154,757, filed May 23, 2002, entitled “Torus Semiconductor Thermoelectric Device” published Nov. 27, 2003.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This invention relates to a circular array of semiconductor and conductive elements that comprise a high efficiency thermoelectric generator device. Energy generated by a temperature differential between hot and cold fins of the thermoelectric generator device is more efficiently converted to electrical energy by a combination of both high efficiency semiconductor elements and a high frequency direct current to direct current switching component. When combined with an H-bridge the combination produces alternating current output of various standard voltages and frequencies. Improved cooling efficiency is obtained by increasing the surface area of the cold fins. This is accomplishe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a heat source and a thermoelectric generator that use a ring of components to produce energy. The heat source can be any combustible material or waste heat from other sources. The thermoelectric generator has a ring of coupons with thermoelectric coupons arranged in a ring. The coupons have metallic hot and cold fins that are connected to form a closed current loop. The hot fins are heated by the hot gases produced from the combustion of the fuel. The hot gases pass over the hot fins and induce high currents. The cold fins are designed to reduce losses and the direction of current flow is controlled to match the electrical demand. The invention also includes a takeoff apparatus that extracts energy from the high current flow without interrupting current flow or the direction of current. The takeoff has a unique design to accommodate high-temperature resistive heating. The invention also includes a shortened cold fin to maintain physical symmetry and insulating material to reduce heat transfer. The power takeoff upconverter is controlled by a circuit board with a pulse width modulator chip and multiple inverted MOSfet drivers. The invention provides a more efficient and reliable way to produce energy.

Problems solved by technology

Thermoelectric generator devices have been used for many years for specific applications where the simplicity of design warrants their use despite low energy conversion efficiency.

Images