Power generation device and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a power generation device and a vehicle. The power generation device comprises a flow channel body and a power generation module arranged on the flow channel body. The inner diameter of the runner body is gradually reduced in the direction from the first inlet to the first outlet; the power generation module is used for absorbing heat of the high-temperature medium in the inner cavity of the flow channel body and generating power. The runner body adopts a variable cross-section design concept, and the inner diameter is gradually reduced in the flowing direction of a high-temperature medium; at the position close to the first inlet, the high-temperature medium acting on the power generation module in unit area is reduced, heat exchange at the position close to the first inlet is correspondingly reduced, and the temperature rise of the power generation module at the position is not too high; at the position close to the first outlet, the high-temperature medium acting on the power generation module in a unit mode is increased, heat exchange at the first outlet is correspondingly improved, and the temperature of the power generation module at the position is increased; therefore, the temperature gradient in the flowing direction is integrally reduced, the temperature uniformity of the hot end of the power generation module is ensured, the power generation efficiency is improved, and the power generation module is prevented from being broken.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of thermoelectric power generation, and in particular, to a power generation device and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The thermoelectric power generation device is based on the Seebeck effect of semiconductor thermoelectric materials. It allows high-temperature medium to flow into the flow channel of the thermoelectric power generation device. One end of the power generation plate absorbs the heat of the high-temperature medium, causing a large temperature difference between the two ends of the power generation plate, thereby generating an electromotive force and forming an electric current between the two ends, thereby converting thermal energy into electrical energy and realizing the recovery and utilization of the thermal energy of the high-temperature medium.

[0003] Related technologies primarily consider creating a temperature difference between the two ends of a power generation module through various methods. However, temperature uniformity at the hot end of the module is poor, resulting in a large temperature gradient along the fluid flow direction, which leads to low power generation efficiency and, in severe cases, the risk of the power generation module fracturing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a power generation device and a vehicle to solve the problem of poor temperature uniformity at the hot end of a power generation plate.

[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, the present disclosure provides a power generation device, comprising: a flow channel body, wherein the inner diameter of the flow channel body gradually decreases from the first inlet to the first outlet; The power generation module is arranged on the flow channel body, and is used for absorbing the heat of the high-temperature medium in the inner cavity of the flow channel body and generating electricity.

[0006] Optionally, the power generation device includes a heat exchanger, which is spirally arranged in the inner cavity of the flow channel body. The heat exchange element is arranged in a direction from the first inlet to the first outlet.

[0007] Optionally, the diameter of the heat exchange element gradually decreases along a direction from the first inlet to the first outlet.

[0008] Optionally, the pitch of the heat exchange element gradually decreases along the direction from the first inlet to the first outlet.

[0009] Optionally, the diameter of the heat exchange element is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the flow channel body.

[0010] Optionally, the heat exchange element is made of metal or high-temperature resistant alloy.

[0011] Optionally, the power generation device further includes a cooling module, wherein the cooling module is disposed on an outer wall of the flow channel body, and the power generation module is disposed between the flow channel body and the cooling module.

[0012] Optionally, the power generation module and / or the cooling module are arranged in a conformal manner relative to the flow channel body.

[0013] Optionally, the cross-section of the flow channel body is a polygonal structure, and the power generation module and the cooling module are provided on each outer wall surface of the flow channel body.

[0014] Optionally, the cooling module includes a cooling plate, and the cooling plate is a trapezoidal plate that gradually decreases in size from the first inlet to the first outlet.

[0015] Optionally, the high-temperature medium in the inner cavity of the flow channel body flows along a first direction; a cooling flow channel is provided in the cooling plate, and the cooling medium in the cooling flow channel flows along a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction.

[0016] Optionally, the plurality of cooling plates are fixed to the outer wall of the flow channel body by fasteners, and the fasteners are arranged around the flow channel body and spaced apart along the first direction.

[0017] Optionally, a heat-conducting layer is provided between the first surface of the power generation module and the flow channel body; and / or a heat-conducting layer is provided between the second surface of the power generation module and the cooling module.

[0018] Optionally, the thermoelectric power generation module includes a connector, a first end of which is a universal end for connecting to a high-temperature medium generating device; and a second end of which matches the shape of the flow channel body.

[0019] Optionally, the power generation device further includes a connecting elbow, and the connecting elbow is connected to the joint through a flange.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, comprising the above-mentioned power generation device.

[0021] Optionally, the power generation device is installed between the muffler and the catalytic converter of the vehicle, and the power generation module is connected to the battery module of the vehicle.

[0022] Through the above technical solution, in the power generation device provided by the present invention, the flow channel body adopts a variable cross-section design concept, and the inner diameter gradually decreases along the flow direction of the high-temperature medium. Compared with the embodiment of equal axial diameter, at the position close to the first inlet, the high-temperature medium acting on the power generation module per unit area is reduced, and the heat exchange near the first inlet is correspondingly reduced, and the temperature rise of the power generation module here is not too high; at the position close to the first outlet, the high-temperature medium acting on the power generation module per unit area increases, and the heat exchange at the first outlet is correspondingly improved, and the temperature of the power generation module here is increased, thereby reducing the temperature gradient along the flow direction as a whole, ensuring that the hot end temperature of the power generation module is uniform, improving the power generation efficiency, and fully recovering and utilizing the heat in the high-temperature medium, while avoiding the power generation module from breaking.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following detailed description, they are used to explain the present disclosure but do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a power generation device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a power generation device (hidden shell) provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 3 It is a partially enlarged view of one end where the first outlet is located in a power generation device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a power generation device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of a power generation device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 6 It is a front view of one end where the first inlet is located in a power generation device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 7 It is a front view of one end where the first outlet is located in a power generation device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 8 It is a partially enlarged view of a power generation module on the outer wall surface of a flow channel body in a power generation device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 9 and Figure 10 It is a structural schematic diagram of a joint in a power generation device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Description of Reference Numerals 1-flow channel body; 11-first inlet; 12-first outlet; 2-power generation module; 21-first surface; 22-second surface; 3-cooling module; 31-cooling plate; 310-cooling flow channel; 311-second outlet; 312-second inlet; 4-heat exchange element; 5-shell; 6-connector; 61-first end; 62-second end; 7-fastener; 8-heat conductive layer; 9-flange; 10-connecting elbow. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following describes the specific embodiments of the present disclosure in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0035] In this disclosure, unless otherwise indicated, directional terms such as "axial" generally refer to the axis of the flow channel body in the thermoelectric power generation device provided in this disclosure. "Inside" and "outside" can refer to the inside and outside of the corresponding component outline or the inside or outside of the environment in which it is located, depending on the specific context. In addition, when the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The terms "first" and "second" used in this disclosure are intended to distinguish one element from another and do not have a sense of order or importance.

[0036] Taking the thermoelectric power generation device used for high-temperature exhaust gas from automobiles as an example, the temperature of the high-temperature exhaust gas from automobiles does not remain constant during its flow, but gradually decreases. Accordingly, the temperature of the generator sheet near the inlet of the flow channel will be higher than that near the outlet of the flow channel, resulting in uneven temperature at the hot end of the generator sheet along the direction of gas flow and a large temperature gradient along the direction of fluid flow, resulting in low power generation efficiency. In severe cases, there is a risk of generator sheet breakage.

[0037] In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides a power generation device, which provides a temperature difference power generation device based on the hot end and the cold end of the power generation module to generate an electromotive force. Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the temperature difference power generation device includes a flow channel body 1 and a power generation module 2 arranged on the flow channel body 1. The first inlet 11 and the first outlet 12 are respectively provided at both ends of the flow channel body 1. The inner diameter of the flow channel body 1 gradually decreases from the first inlet 11 to the first outlet 12. The power generation module 2 is used to absorb the heat of the high-temperature medium in the inner cavity of the flow channel body 1, increase the temperature of the hot end of the power generation module 2, increase the temperature difference between the hot end and the cold end of the power generation module 2, and use the temperature difference to generate electricity.

[0038] Here, it should be noted that the fluid in the flow channel body 1 is not limited to the high-temperature exhaust gas of the automobile, but can also be high-temperature wastewater discharged from a thermal power plant, etc., which are collectively referred to as "high-temperature medium" here. Any high-temperature fluid that can provide heat and increase the temperature of the hot end of the power generation module 2 falls within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Specifically, the recovery of heat from the high-temperature exhaust gas of an automobile will be used as an example for a detailed introduction below.

[0039] In the temperature difference power generation device provided by the present invention, the flow channel body 1 adopts a variable cross-section design concept, and the inner diameter gradually decreases along the direction of fluid flow; compared with the embodiment of equal diameter, at the position near the first inlet 11, the fluid acting on the power generation module 2 per unit area is reduced, and the heat exchange near the first inlet 11 is correspondingly reduced, and the temperature increase of the power generation module 2 here is not too high; at the position near the first outlet 12, the fluid acting on the power generation module 2 per unit area increases, and the heat exchange at the first outlet 12 is correspondingly improved, thereby increasing the temperature of the power generation module 2 here; thereby reducing the temperature gradient along the flow direction as a whole, ensuring that the hot end temperature of the power generation module 2 is uniform, improving the power generation efficiency, and fully recycling and utilizing the heat in the automobile exhaust, while avoiding the power generation module 2 from breaking.

[0040] Furthermore, to address the large temperature difference at the hot end of power generation module 2, the thermoelectric power generation device provided herein also includes a heat exchanger 4, which can be disposed in a spiral configuration within the inner cavity of flow channel body 1; heat exchanger 4 is arranged along the direction from first inlet 11 to first outlet 12. When vehicle exhaust flows through heat exchanger 4, it generates a certain amount of pre-swirl along its spiral direction. Near the inner wall of flow channel body 1, this pre-swirl reduces the velocity and temperature gradients within the boundary layer, enhancing heat transfer while also generating secondary vortices and improving the heat transfer coefficient.

[0041] In the present disclosure, the diameter of the heat exchanger 4 gradually decreases from the first inlet 11 to the first outlet 12 to match the variable-cross-section flow channel body 1. That is, the heat exchanger 4 adopts a variable-diameter design, similar to the variable-cross-section design concept of the flow channel body 1, and can also reduce the temperature difference at the hot end of the power generation module 2. The heat exchanger 4 can be a spring as shown in the figure, or a spiral fin designed on the inner wall of the flow channel body 1. The heat exchanger 4 can be made of metal or a high-temperature resistant alloy, such as precipitation-strengthened nickel-based high-temperature alloy or Inconel 718 alloy. The high-temperature exhaust gas will not have any impact on the shape and performance of the heat exchanger 4, and this disclosure does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2As shown, the cross-section of the flow channel body 1 is a polygonal structure, for example, it can be a regular hexagon as shown in the figure. Compared with the more conventional circular tube, the cross-section of the flow channel body 1 is designed to be a regular hexagonal structure. The power generation module 2 and the cooling module 3 described below can be conveniently installed on each outer wall surface of the flow body 1, which facilitates the contact between the power generation module 2 and the cold and hot media, reduces the contact thermal resistance, and improves the power generation efficiency. In the embodiment of the flow channel body 1 with a regular hexagonal cross-section and a tapered shape, it gradually tapers along the first direction at an inclination of 2.5°, which refers to the angle between the line connecting the midpoints of the multiple regular hexagons of the flow channel body 1 and the horizontal direction. The wall thickness of the flow channel body 1 can be 2 mm, the length can be 250 mm, and the diameter of the inscribed circle at the first inlet 11 can be 20 mm.

[0043] In embodiments where the heat exchanger 4 is designed as a spring, before the heat exchanger 4 is installed in the flow channel body 1, the spring's diameter can be greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the flow channel body 1. The spring can be installed in the inner cavity of the flow channel body 1 with an interference fit, preventing it from loosening when high-temperature media flows through the heat exchanger 4. The spring, a flow-guiding structure attached to the flow channel body 1, can be made of a high-temperature alloy spring that can withstand high-temperature exhaust gas. The ratio of the spring's diameter to the inner diameter of the flow channel body 1 is between 1.05 and 1.15, meaning the spring's diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the flow channel body 1, ensuring an interference fit. The spring's leading and trailing ends can be welded to the inner wall of the flow channel body 1 to secure it stably within the inner cavity of the flow channel body 1, preventing it from moving with the flow of high-temperature exhaust gas. Furthermore, the spring design of the heat exchanger 4 allows the spring to generate secondary vortices near the inner wall of the flow channel body 1, improving heat exchange efficiency near the wall. In the embodiment where the heat exchange element 4 is a spiral fin, the diameter of the fin may be equal to the inner diameter of the flow channel body 1 .

[0044] In the present disclosure, the spring wire diameter is d1, and the inner diameter of the end portion of the flow channel body 1 where the first outlet 12 is located is d2. The ratio of d1 to d2 is between 0.05 and 0.15, preferably 0.1. The spring wire diameter and the inner diameter of the flow channel body 1 can be designed accordingly. The spring wire diameter, diameter, and thread pitch are fixed parameters during spring design and are not further explained or limited herein.

[0045] In the present disclosure, the pitch of the heat exchange element 4 gradually decreases from the first inlet 11 to the first outlet 12. The pitch gradually decreases along the direction of the hot fluid flow. Here, "pitch" refers to the distance between corresponding points on two adjacent spiral lines in the first direction, that is, the distance between the two threads. The purpose of the design of gradually decreasing pitch is to reduce the temperature rise near the first inlet 11 and to increase the temperature rise near the first outlet 12, thereby reducing the temperature difference at the hot end of the power generation module 2.

[0046] In the thermoelectric power generation device provided by the present disclosure, the flow channel body 1 is designed as a regular hexagonal structure with a gradually shrinking cross-section along the direction of fluid flow. A heat exchanger 4 with a variable diameter and decreasing pitch is installed within the flow channel body 1. When high-temperature automobile exhaust flows through, it generates pre-swirl along the spiral direction of the heat exchanger 4. This rotation near the inner wall of the flow channel body 1 can reduce the velocity gradient and temperature gradient layer within the boundary layer, increasing the heat transfer effect while generating secondary eddies, further improving the heat transfer coefficient. Along the flow direction of the hot fluid, the cross-section of the flow channel body 1 gradually shrinks, while the diameter and pitch of the heat exchanger 4 gradually decrease. As a result, heat transfer between the hot fluid and the wall of the flow channel body 1 is continuously enhanced, the temperature difference along the flow path is gradually reduced, and the uniformity of the temperature distribution at the hot end of the power generation module 2 is improved, thereby improving the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module. At the same time, the regular hexagonal structure facilitates reducing the thermal resistance between the power generation module 2 and the cold and hot fluids, further improving power generation efficiency.

[0047] The power generation module 2 can be made of semiconductor thermoelectric material, converting thermal energy into electrical energy based on the temperature difference between the two sides, achieving thermoelectric power generation. The above discussion primarily focuses on reducing the temperature difference at the hot end of the power generation module 2. To reduce the temperature of the cold end, the thermoelectric power generation device provided herein also includes a cooling module 3, which is located on the outer wall of the flow channel body 1. The power generation module 2 is located between the flow channel body 1 and the cooling module 3, with the hot flow channel body 1 and the cold cooling module 3 on either side of the power generation module 2. The cooling module 3 can reduce the temperature of the cold end in various ways, including water cooling or air cooling, thereby lowering the cold end temperature, increasing the temperature difference between the cold and hot ends, and improving power generation efficiency. The flow channel body 1 can be made of materials commonly used in exhaust pipes, such as 304 stainless steel. The cooling medium in the cooling module 3 can be provided separately or as cooling water from the engine cooling water tank, both of which fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure. The power generation module 2 can be made of any of bismuth telluride-based thermoelectric materials, lead sulfide-based thermoelectric materials, cobalt antimonide-based thermoelectric materials, or perovskite oxide-based thermoelectric materials.

[0048] In the embodiment in which the flow channel body 1 adopts a variable cross-section design, the power generation module 2 and / or cooling module 3 placed on the flow channel body 1 are arranged in a conformal manner relative to the flow channel body 1. As for "conformal arrangement", as the name implies, the shape of the power generation module 2 and / or cooling module 3 can be designed according to the shape of the flow channel body 1. In the embodiment in which the cross section of the flow channel body 1 is circular, the power generation module 2 and the cooling module 3 can also be designed as a structure attached to the outer wall surface, with a circular cross section and a gradually decreasing axial diameter. In the embodiment in which the cross section of the flow channel body 1 is a regular hexagon, a power generation module 2 and a cooling module 3 can be provided on each outer wall surface of the flow channel body 1. The power generation module 2 and the cooling module 3 can respectively be plate-like structures provided on the outer wall surface, and the width of the power generation module 2 and the cooling module 3 gradually decreases in the direction from the first inlet 11 to the first outlet 12. The present disclosure includes an embodiment in which one of the power generation module 2 and the cooling module 3 is arranged in a conformal manner with the flow channel body 1, and also includes an embodiment in which both are arranged in a conformal manner with the flow channel body 1. The power generation module 2 and cooling module 3 follow the contours of the flow channel body 1 and do not protrude beyond the outer wall of the flow channel body 1, facilitating the fixing of the cooling module 3 on different outer walls and ensuring integrity. The cooling module 3 also adopts a gradually decreasing width design to ensure temperature uniformity at the cold end.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the cooling module 3 includes a cooling plate 31 provided on each outer wall surface of the flow channel body 1 . The cooling plate 31 can be constructed as a trapezoidal plate that gradually decreases in size from the first inlet 11 to the first outlet 12 .

[0050] In this disclosure, Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the high temperature medium in the inner cavity of the flow channel body 1 flows along the first direction; a cooling channel 310 is provided in the cooling plate 31, and the cooling medium in the cooling channel 310 flows along the second direction, which is opposite to the first direction. Figure 2As shown, a second inlet 312 and a second outlet 311 are provided at each end of the cooling plate 31, respectively. The second inlet 312 is located on the side of the first outlet 12, and the second outlet 311 is located on the side of the first inlet 11. A cooling channel 310 is provided within the cooling plate 31, extending from the second inlet 312 to the second outlet 311. Each cooling plate 31 has a second inlet 312 and a second outlet 311 at each end. The flow direction of the cooling medium within the cooling channel 310 is opposite to the flow direction of the hot fluid within the channel body 1. Freshly introduced low-temperature cooling medium is provided at the first outlet 12, where heat exchange is less frequent, while pre-heated cooling medium is provided at the first inlet 11, where heat exchange is more frequent. This ensures a temperature difference between the hot and cold ends along the fluid flow direction. The cooling channel 310 within the cooling plate 31 can be designed in a variety of ways, including multiple parallel straight channels or serpentine channels. Any flow path from the second inlet 312 to the second outlet 311 falls within the scope of this disclosure.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of cooling plates 31 are fixed to the outer wall of the flow channel body 1 by fasteners 7; the fasteners 7 are arranged around the flow channel body 1 and are spaced apart along the first direction. The fasteners 7 can be structures such as a hoop, a clamp, a strap, etc., which can stably fix the plurality of cooling plates 31 on each outer wall surface of the flow channel body 1 to form a tight whole. In other embodiments, the cooling module 3 can also be welded or fixed to the outer wall surface of the flow channel body 1 by fasteners. The thermoelectric power generation device provided by the present disclosure also includes a shell 5, and the above-mentioned components are all arranged in the shell 5. The shell 5 provides constraint fixation and protection for the internal structure.

[0052] In the present disclosure, there can be multiple power generation modules 2, each of which is laid out sequentially along the first direction on each outer wall surface of the flow channel body 1. Multiple power generation modules 2 located on the same outer wall surface are connected in parallel; multiple power generation modules 2 located on different outer walls and in the same temperature range (corresponding positions along the first direction of the flow channel body 1) are connected in series. Power generation modules 2 on different outer walls and in the same temperature range generate the same amount of electricity and can be connected in series, ensuring the safety and reliability of the connection. When the hot end temperature is 250°C and the cold end temperature is 30°C, calculations show that each power generation module 2 generates 5.85W. The tiny amount of electricity generated by the power generation modules 2 is collected on the DC bus and then converted into electrical energy through a DC / DC converter. This energy can be supplied to the vehicle's electrical devices, such as mobile phones, power banks, and display screens, thereby saving energy and realizing the use of waste heat in the vehicle for power generation.

[0053] In addition, in the related art, there is thermal resistance between the fluid and the power generation module 2. The temperature difference between the hot and cold ends of the power generation module 2 is significantly smaller than the temperature difference between the hot and cold fluids, which will further restrict the improvement of power generation efficiency. Figure 8 As shown, a heat-conducting layer 8 is provided between the first surface 21 of the power generation module 2 and the flow channel body 1; and / or, a heat-conducting layer 8 is provided between the second surface 22 of the power generation module 2 and the cooling module 3. That is to say, in the present disclosure, a heat-conducting layer 8 can be provided between one of the first surface 21 and the flow channel body 1, and between the second surface 22 and the cooling module 3, and the other can be in direct contact; of course, a heat-conducting layer 8 can also be provided between both, both of which fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure. The heat-conducting layer 8 can be a heat-conducting material such as a thermal adhesive, a thermal pad, or an indium sheet. Taking thermal adhesive as an example, it not only plays a role in heat transfer, but also plays a role in bonding and fixing. The two sides of the power generation module 2 are bonded tightly to the outer wall of the flow channel body 1 and the wall of the cooling module 3 respectively through the heat-conducting layer 8, and at the same time, it can play a role in reducing the contact thermal resistance between the hot and cold fluids and the power generation module 2.

[0054] Furthermore, considering that the cross section of the flow channel body 1 in the present disclosure is a polygonal structure, while the cross section of conventional joints or pipes is circular, in order to facilitate connection with the exhaust pipe, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the thermoelectric power generation module includes a connector 6 connected to the first inlet 11. The first end 61 of the connector 6 is a universal end for connecting to a high-temperature medium generating device. The second end 62 of the connector 6 matches the shape of the flow channel body 1. In this embodiment, the second end of the connector 6 has a regular hexagonal cross-section, while the first end has a circular cross-section. Even if the flow channel body 1 is designed as a polygonal structure, it will not affect the connection between the thermoelectric power generation device and the exhaust pipe. The cross-section of the second end 62 can be designed based on the cross-section of the flow channel body 1 and is not limited here.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, the thermoelectric power generation device further includes a connecting elbow 10, which is connected to the joint 6 via a flange 9. The connecting elbow 10 here can be a connecting elbow of a car muffler, or a separately added connecting elbow, which is used to adjust the arrangement angle of the thermoelectric power generation device and can be connected to any appropriate position.

[0056] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, comprising the thermoelectric power generation device described above. The vehicle has all the beneficial effects of the thermoelectric power generation device described above, which will not be described in detail here.

[0057] The thermoelectric power generation device provided by the present disclosure is installed between the muffler and the catalytic converter of the vehicle. The thermoelectric power generation device can be connected to the connecting elbow 10 of the muffler through the flange 9, the first outlet 12 is connected to the catalytic converter, and the power generation module 2 is connected to the car battery. The high-temperature exhaust gas coming out of the muffler enters the inner cavity of the flow channel body 1 through the connecting elbow 10 and the joint 6 to the first inlet 11. During the flow in the flow channel body 1, the high-temperature fluid generates pre-swirl along the spiral direction of the heat exchange element 4. The rotation near the wall can reduce the velocity gradient and temperature gradient layer in the boundary layer, increase the heat transfer effect, and generate secondary vortexes, so that the heat transfer coefficient is further improved, and the fluid heat transfer effect will continue to increase. This design changes the high-temperature flow channel structure inside the thermoelectric power generation device and enhances the heat transfer with the wall during the flow of the hot fluid. At the same time, the flow channel body 1 adopts a variable cross-section, the heat exchange element 4 adopts a variable diameter, and the pitch gradually decreases, which weakens the large temperature gradient along the fluid flow direction due to the decrease in exhaust gas temperature. The temperature distribution uniformity of the hot end of the temperature difference power generation module is improved, the efficiency of using automobile exhaust waste heat to generate electricity is improved, and the heat in automobile exhaust is fully recovered and utilized.

[0058] In addition, the present disclosure also takes into account the thermal resistance problem between the cold and hot fluids and the power generation module 2. A heat conductive layer 8 is added on both sides of the power generation module 2 to reduce the contact thermal resistance between the fluid and the power generation module 2, so that the temperature difference on both sides of the power generation module 2 is closer to the actual temperature difference between the cold and hot fluids, which can effectively improve the efficiency of temperature difference power generation and has the characteristics of simple structure and low cost.

[0059] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present disclosure, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solutions of the present disclosure, and these simple modifications all fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0060] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any appropriate manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present disclosure will not further describe various possible combinations.

[0061] In addition, the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be arbitrarily combined, and as long as they do not violate the concept of the present disclosure, they should also be regarded as the contents disclosed by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A power generation device, characterized in that: include: a flow channel body, wherein the inner diameter of the flow channel body gradually decreases in a direction from the first inlet to the first outlet; A power generation module is provided on the flow channel body and is used to absorb heat from the high-temperature medium in the inner cavity of the flow channel body and generate electricity.

2. The power generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: include: A heat exchange element is spirally arranged in the inner cavity of the flow channel body, wherein the heat exchange element is arranged along the direction from the first inlet to the first outlet.

3. The power generation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The diameter of the heat exchange element gradually decreases from the first inlet to the first outlet.

4. The power generation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pitch of the heat exchange element gradually decreases from the first inlet to the first outlet.

5. The power generation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heat exchange element is made of metal or high-temperature resistant alloy.

6. The power generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A cooling module is provided on the outer wall of the flow channel body, and the power generation module is provided between the flow channel body and the cooling module.

7. The power generation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The power generation module and / or the cooling module are arranged relative to the flow channel body.

8. The power generation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cross section of the flow channel body is a polygonal structure, and the power generation module and the cooling module are provided on each outer wall surface of the flow channel body.

9. The power generation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cooling module includes a cooling plate configured as a trapezoidal plate gradually decreasing in a direction from the first inlet to the first outlet.

10. The power generation device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The high-temperature medium in the inner cavity of the flow channel body flows along a first direction; a cooling flow channel is provided in the cooling plate, and the cooling medium in the cooling flow channel flows along a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction.

11. The power generation device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The plurality of cooling plates are fixed to the outer wall of the flow channel body by fasteners. The fasteners are arranged around the flow channel body and spaced apart along the first direction.

12. The power generation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: A heat conducting layer is provided between the first surface of the power generation module and the flow channel body; and / or, A heat conducting layer is provided between the second surface of the power generation module and the cooling module.

13. The power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: include: A connector, wherein the first end of the connector is a universal end, and is used to connect to a high-temperature medium generating device; The second end of the joint matches the shape of the flow channel body.

14. The power generation device according to claim 13, characterized in that: Also includes: A connecting elbow is connected to the joint through a flange.

15. A vehicle, characterized in that: A power generation device comprising the power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15, characterized in that The power generation device is installed between the muffler and the catalytic converter of the vehicle, and the power generation module is connected to the battery module of the vehicle.

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