Thermoelectric generator device and method for manufacturing a thermoelectric generator device

Abstract

Thermoelectric generator device comprising a first heat transfer device (12), a second heat transfer device (14) and a thermoelectric module device (20), wherein the first heat transfer device (12) has a plurality of first heat transfer elements (16), wherein each first heat transfer element (16) is associated with a second heat transfer element (18) of the second heat transfer device (14) and a second heat transfer element (18) is arranged within each of the first heat transfer elements (16) and wherein a thermoelectric unit (22) of the thermoelectric module device (20) is arranged between the respective first heat transfer element (16) and the second heat transfer element (18), characterized in that the first heat transfer elements (16) are designed at least section by a geometric prism,wherein one base of the prism is formed as a polygon with an edge length (L1; L2) of at most 70 mm, and that the polygon is a hexagon.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a thermoelectric generator device having the features of claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a thermoelectric generator device according to claim 19.

[0003] CN 105 089 753 A also discloses a thermoelectric generator device.

[0004] US patent 2001 / 0018828A1 discloses a device for controlling fluid temperature.

[0005] US patent 2018 / 0351067A1 discloses a thermoelectric device with a housing in which a plurality of modules of thermoelectric elements are arranged.

[0006] From DE 10 2011 114 102 B4 a thermoelectric device is known which is adapted and shaped for arrangement in an exhaust system for the temporary absorption and discharge of a hot flowing exhaust gas stream from an internal combustion engine for the propulsion of a motor vehicle.

[0007] From DE 10 2012 113 229 A1 a thermoelectric generator for a vehicle is known which is mounted on an exhaust pipe through which an exhaust gas flows and produces electricity using a temperature difference between the exhaust gas and a coolant.

[0008] From EP 3 020 077 B1 a thermoelectric generator for use with a waste heat source is known.

[0009] From EP 2 854 190 B1, a device for generating electrical energy is known, comprising at least one first thermoelectric generator situated between a surface exposed to heat and a container containing a phase-change material, the container being surrounded by at least one thermally conductive element.

[0010] From DE 10 2009 058 676 A1 a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between two media in a vehicle is known.

[0011] The invention is based on the objective of providing a thermoelectric generator device which has an increased power density.

[0012] This problem is solved according to the invention by the fact that the first heat transfer elements are designed at least partially as a geometric prism, wherein a base surface of the prism is designed as a polygon with an edge length of at most 70 mm, and wherein the polygon is a hexagon.

[0013] By shaping the first (and optionally the second) heat transfer element into a polygonal (hexagonal) form with an edge length of no more than 70 mm, an increased number of first (and optionally) second heat transfer elements can be implemented on a given cross-sectional area. This allows for an increased usable area for the thermoelectric module while simultaneously enabling a more compact design of the thermoelectric generator device. In particular, this allows for a more compact design of the first heat transfer element despite the increased heat transfer area.

[0014] In particular, it may be provided that each of the at least one first heat transfer element is assigned a single second heat transfer element and / or that each of the at least one first heat transfer element contains a single second heat transfer element.

[0015] For example, combinations of at least one first heat transfer element, a second heat transfer element, and a thermoelectric unit arranged between the at least one first heat transfer element and the second heat transfer element are formed. This allows the thermoelectric generator device to be designed modularly and / or with a large number of identical parts.

[0016] For example, at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element are designed as a polygon in a cross-section.

[0017] For example, one cross-sectional plane of the cross-section is oriented parallel to the base of the geometric prism.

[0018] For example, a cross-sectional plane of the cross-section and / or the base of the geometric prism are oriented at least approximately parallel to a principal direction of a heat flow between the at least one first heat transfer element and the second heat transfer element during operation of the thermoelectric generator device.

[0019] For example, the cross-sectional plane and / or the base of the geometric prism are oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to a main flow direction of a medium flow guided through the second heat transfer device and / or through the second heat transfer element.

[0020] In particular, it can be provided that the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element extend at least approximately parallel to a longitudinal center axis. For example, this longitudinal center axis is a common longitudinal center axis of the at least one first heat transfer element and the second heat transfer element.

[0021] For example, the cross-sectional plane of the cross-section in which the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element are formed as a polygon is oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis of the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element. For example, the base of the geometric prism is oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis of the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element.

[0022] For example, the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element and / or the thermoelectric unit are arranged or designed in a rotationally symmetrical manner with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element.

[0023] The thermoelectric unit comprises, for example, one or more thermoelectric elements (e.g., six thermoelectric elements), each arranged between the at least one first heat transfer element and the second heat transfer element. For example, a number of thermoelectric elements in the thermoelectric unit corresponds to a number of edge and / or corner regions of the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element.

[0024] In particular, it may be provided that the at least one first heat transfer element is or is surrounded by a medium flow guided through the first heat transfer device. For example, a plurality of first heat transfer elements are assigned to a common flow space of the first heat transfer device.

[0025] The requirement that the second heat transfer element is arranged at least partially within the at least one first heat transfer element means, in particular, that the second heat transfer element is surrounded and / or enclosed by the at least one first heat transfer element in two of the three spatial directions. For example, the second heat transfer element is surrounded and / or enclosed by the at least one first heat transfer element in a plane oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to a longitudinal central axis of the second heat transfer element.

[0026] For example, the second heat transfer element extends over a length of at least 80% and, in particular, at least 90% of the second heat transfer element through the at least one first heat transfer element.

[0027] The base of the geometric prism, as which the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element is formed at least section by section, is to be understood as a geometric base of the prism.

[0028] In particular, it can be provided that a main flow direction of a medium flow passing through the first heat transfer device is oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to a main flow direction of a medium flow passing through the second heat transfer device. This means that the first heat transfer device and the second heat transfer device are, for example, designed as a cross-flow heat transfer device.

[0029] Alternatively, it is also possible that a main flow direction of a medium flow guided through the first heat transfer device is at least approximately parallel to a main flow direction of a medium flow guided through the second heat transfer device.

[0030] The polygon is a hexagon. By forming at least one first heat transfer element (and optionally) the second heat transfer element, at least partially, as a geometric prism with a hexagonal base, several first heat transfer elements can be arranged adjacent to each other with a particularly high area density.

[0031] By forming at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element at least sectionally as a polygonal hexagonal geometric prism, a surface usable for heat transfer of the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element scales with the square root of the total number of first heat transfer elements and / or second heat transfer elements present, as can be seen, for example, from simulations carried out.

[0032] It can be advantageous if the prism is at least partially a right prism. This allows for a symmetrical and technically simple design of the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element and / or the thermoelectric unit.

[0033] It can be advantageous if the edge length of the polygon is at least 15 mm and / or at most 50 mm. This allows for a further increase in the surface area available for heat transfer in the thermoelectric module while simultaneously maintaining a compact design for the thermoelectric generator device.

[0034] A plurality of first heat transfer elements are provided, with a second heat transfer element arranged within each of the first heat transfer elements. The first heat transfer device thus has a plurality of first heat transfer elements, and the second heat transfer device thus has a plurality of second heat transfer elements. This allows for a multitude of flow paths for a medium flow passing through the first or second heat transfer device.

[0035] In particular, a thermoelectric unit is arranged within each of the first heat transfer elements.

[0036] In particular, it may be provided that within the at least one first heat transfer element a single second heat transfer element and / or a single thermoelectric unit is arranged.

[0037] It can be advantageous if different first heat transfer elements are arranged adjacent to each other, with the respective longitudinal center axes of the adjacent first heat transfer elements being oriented at least approximately parallel to each other, and / or with the respective wall elements of the adjacent first heat transfer elements being oriented at least approximately parallel. This allows the thermoelectric generator device to be designed symmetrically and compactly.

[0038] In particular, it may be provided that adjacent edge areas and / or wall elements of adjacent first heat transfer elements are oriented at least approximately parallel to each other.

[0039] In particular, it may be provided that the respective centers of adjacent first heat transfer elements lie on the vertices of a polygon and especially a hexagon.

[0040] It can be advantageous if the shortest distance between adjacent first heat transfer elements is at least 1 mm and / or at most 10 mm. This allows for a high surface density of first heat transfer elements.

[0041] For example, the shortest distance between adjacent first heat transfer elements is approximately 5 mm.

[0042] The shortest distance between adjacent first heat transfer elements is to be understood in particular as the shortest distance between opposing wall elements of adjacent first heat transfer elements.

[0043] It can be advantageous if the first heat transfer device is a cold heat transfer device for flowing with a cold medium and / or if the second heat transfer device is a hot heat transfer device for flowing with a hot medium. For example, the hot medium could be exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine and the cold medium a cooling water flow.

[0044] For example, the first heat transfer element, at least one of which is a cold heat transfer element, is a cold heat transfer element, and the second heat transfer element is a hot heat transfer element.

[0045] A cold medium flow and a hot medium flow are both defined as media flows between which a temperature difference exists. The cold medium flow has a lower temperature than the hot medium flow.

[0046] The aforementioned problem is further solved according to the invention in the aforementioned thermoelectric generator device by the fact that the first heat transfer device has a flow chamber for which a medium flow passes through it, and that the at least one first heat transfer element is accessible to, or is subject to, a medium flow passing through the flow chamber of the first heat transfer device. This allows a thermal contact between a medium flow passing through the flow chamber and the at least one first heat transfer element to be established in a technically simple manner. For example, this allows a common flow chamber of the first heat transfer device to be assigned to several first heat transfer elements.

[0047] In particular, this further embodiment of the thermoelectric generator device has one or more features and / or advantages of the first described embodiment of the thermoelectric generator device.

[0048] In particular, it may be provided that a longitudinal central axis of the at least one first heat transfer element is oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to a main flow direction of a medium flow guided through the flow space of the first heat transfer device.

[0049] Alternatively, it is also possible that the longitudinal center axis of the at least one first heat transfer element is oriented parallel to a main flow direction of a medium flow guided through the flow space of the first heat transfer device.

[0050] In particular, it may be provided that a main flow direction of a medium flow guided through the flow space of the first heat transfer device is oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to a main flow direction of a medium flow guided through the second heat transfer device and / or through the second heat transfer element.

[0051] Alternatively, it is also possible that a main flow direction of a medium flow guided through the flow space of the first heat transfer device is oriented at least approximately parallel to a main flow direction of a medium flow guided through the second heat transfer device and / or through the second heat transfer element.

[0052] It can be advantageous if several first heat transfer elements are assigned to the flow space of the first heat transfer device and / or if several first heat transfer elements are exposed to, or actually exposed to, a flow of medium passing through the flow space of the first heat transfer device. This allows the flow space of the first heat transfer device to be used for heat exchange between the medium flow and several first heat transfer elements. In particular, this eliminates the need to provide a separate flow space and / or channel for each first heat transfer element.

[0053] In particular, it may be provided that the at least one first heat transfer element is arranged in the flow space of the first heat transfer device and / or limits the flow space of the first heat transfer device.

[0054] It can be advantageous if the flow space of the first heat transfer device is spatially contiguous. For example, the flow space of the first heat transfer device is designed as a spatially contiguous space or area. This allows a common flow space for a plurality of first heat transfer elements to be provided in a technically simple manner.

[0055] A spatially connected space is, for example, a space in which two points lying within the space can always be connected by a line segment lying completely within that space.

[0056] It can be advantageous if an interior space bounded by the at least one first heat transfer element is fluid-tightly sealed from the flow space of the first heat transfer device. This allows the thermoelectric unit and / or the second heat transfer element to be arranged within the interior space of the at least one first heat transfer element.

[0057] In particular, the flow space is arranged or formed on a side of the at least one first heat transfer element facing away from the interior of the at least one first heat transfer element.

[0058] It can be advantageous if the first heat transfer device has a heat transfer housing, wherein the flow space of the first heat transfer device is formed within an interior of the heat transfer housing. The at least one first heat transfer element is then, for example, arranged on the heat transfer housing.

[0059] In particular, it may be provided that the interior is limited by the heat transfer housing and / or that the interior is a space limited by the heat transfer housing.

[0060] In particular, the heat transfer housing may be provided with an inlet device for coupling in a medium flow and / or an outlet device for coupling out a medium flow. The inlet and outlet devices enable the coupling or coupling of fluid to / from the interior and / or flow chamber of the first heat transfer device.

[0061] For example, the inlet device is arranged at a first end of the heat transfer housing and the outlet device is arranged at a second end of the heat transfer housing, wherein the first end and the second end are spaced apart from each other, in particular in the direction of a longitudinal central axis of the heat transfer housing.

[0062] In particular, it may be provided that the heat transfer housing of the first heat transfer device has a first wall element and a second wall element spaced apart from the first wall element, wherein a longitudinal central axis of the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the first wall element and the second wall element.

[0063] In particular, it may be provided that the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the second heat transfer element are mechanically connected to the first wall element and the second wall element of the heat transfer housing.

[0064] In particular, it may be provided that the at least one first heat transfer element is sealed fluid-tight against the first wall element and the second wall element by means of a sealing device.

[0065] In particular, it may be provided that the first wall element and / or the second wall element of the heat transfer housing are flat.

[0066] For example, the first wall element and the second wall element are oriented at least approximately parallel to each other.

[0067] In one embodiment, it may be provided that the heat transfer housing of the first heat transfer device is at least partially formed by a clamping device within which one or more first heat transfer elements are clamped.

[0068] It can be advantageous if the at least one first heat transfer element is arranged in the interior of the heat transfer housing and / or extends through the interior of the heat transfer housing. This allows the at least one first heat transfer element to be surrounded by a flow of medium guided through the first heat transfer device.

[0069] In particular, it may be provided that the at least one first heat transfer element borders the interior of the heat transfer housing and / or limits the interior of the heat transfer housing.

[0070] It can be advantageous to arrange a guide device for controlling and / or regulating the flow path of a medium flow passing through the first heat transfer device in the flow chamber of the first heat transfer device and / or in an interior space of a heat transfer housing of the first heat transfer device, in which the flow chamber of the first heat transfer device is formed. This allows for the optimization of thermal contact between the medium flow and the at least one first heat transfer element.

[0071] For example, the guiding device includes one or more guide elements and / or guide plates.

[0072] For example, the guide device is arranged or formed on the heat transfer housing and / or on wall elements of the heat transfer housing of the first heat transfer device.

[0073] In particular, it may be provided that the guiding device is arranged and / or designed in such a way that the medium flow is directed and / or steered onto the at least one first heat transfer element, and / or that the medium flow is directed or steered into spaces formed between first heat transfer elements.

[0074] It can be advantageous if the second heat transfer element and / or the thermoelectric unit are arranged within an interior space bounded by the at least one first heat transfer element. This allows, for example, the second heat transfer element and / or the thermoelectric unit to be arranged within the at least one first heat transfer element in a technically simple manner, and in particular, to be clamped in place.

[0075] For example, the interior space of the at least one first heat transfer element is surrounded, enclosed, and / or bounded by the at least one first heat transfer element in a plane oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to a longitudinal central axis of the at least one first heat transfer element. For example, the interior space of the at least one first heat transfer element is bounded, surrounded, and / or enclosed by the at least one first heat transfer element in two of three spatial directions.

[0076] In particular, it may be provided that a flow space for a medium flow guided through the second heat transfer element is formed in an interior space bounded by the second heat transfer element. If several second heat transfer elements are present, this provides, for example, several different flow spaces for the second heat transfer element within the second heat transfer elements. These different flow spaces of the second heat transfer element are then, in particular, not spatially connected.

[0077] It can be advantageous to arrange a surface-enhancing structure in a flow chamber of the first heat transfer device for the passage of a medium flow, and / or to arrange a surface-enhancing structure in a flow chamber of the second heat transfer device for the passage of a further medium flow. This allows for the creation of an enlarged surface area for establishing thermal contact with a medium flow passing through the first or second heat transfer device.

[0078] For example, the surface enlargement structure surrounds the at least one first heat transfer element and / or the surface enlargement structure contacts the at least one first heat transfer element thermally and / or mechanically.

[0079] For example, the surface enlargement structure is arranged within the second heat transfer element and / or the surface enlargement structure contacts the second heat transfer element thermally and / or mechanically.

[0080] The surface area enlargement structure is or includes, for example, a rib structure and / or a honeycomb structure and / or a wire structure.

[0081] It can be advantageous if the surface area enlargement structure comprises a porous medium, and in particular a metallic porous medium. This allows for a particularly large thermal contact area.

[0082] For example, the surface area enlargement structure includes an open-pore foam and / or open-pore metal foam.

[0083] In particular, it may be stipulated that the porosity of the porous medium is at least 5 and / or at most 40 ppi (pores per inch).

[0084] Here, porosity is defined by the volume of the porous material in relation to a total volume.

[0085] For example, the cell diameter of pores in the porous medium is at least 2 mm and / or at most 4 mm.

[0086] In particular, it may be provided that the thermoelectric unit is or will be clamped between the at least one first heat transfer element and the second heat transfer element.

[0087] In particular, the at least one first heat transfer element may have elastic edge regions and / or corner regions. This allows the thermoelectric unit and / or the second heat transfer element to be clamped within the at least one first heat transfer element by contracting the elastic edge regions and / or corner regions.

[0088] In particular, it may be provided that a plurality of first heat transfer elements are arranged clamped against each other by means of a clamping device. For example, the first heat transfer elements are arranged within an interior space bounded by the clamping device.

[0089] It can be advantageous if a fluid bypass device is assigned to the first heat transfer device and / or the second heat transfer device, by means of which a medium flow passing through the first heat transfer device and / or the second heat transfer device can be at least partially diverted around the thermoelectric module device. This can, for example, prevent overheating of the thermoelectric module device during operation of the thermoelectric generator device.

[0090] Bypassing the medium flow, one must in particular understand the medium flow to be guided through the first heat transfer device or the second heat transfer device with reduced thermal contact or without thermal contact with the thermoelectric module device.

[0091] In particular, the bypass device may be designed to include one or more bypass elements. A bypass element, in particular, has a flow chamber for fluid, which may be, for example, openable and / or closable.

[0092] In particular, it can be provided that a flow chamber of the bypass element is opened and / or closed depending on the temperature, or that it is openable and / or closeable. This allows the opening and / or closing of the flow chamber of the bypass element to be realized depending on the temperature of a medium flow.

[0093] For example, a temperature-dependent opening and / or closing of the flow space is realized electrically and / or mechanically, such as by bimetallic strips.

[0094] Bimetallic strips change their shape depending on the temperature, which allows for temperature-dependent, independent opening and / or closing of the flow space.

[0095] For example, the bypass element is designed in a cross-section as a polygon and in particular as a hexagon or as a circle, wherein a cross-sectional direction is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicular to a longitudinal central axis of the bypass element.

[0096] For example, the bypass element is designed, at least in sections, as a geometric and, in particular, regular geometric prism, wherein one base face of the prism is designed as a polygon and, in particular, as a hexagon. For example, an edge length of the polygon is at most 70 mm and, in particular, the edge length is at least 15 mm and / or at most 50 mm.

[0097] For example, the bypass element is designed, at least in sections, as a geometric cylinder.

[0098] For example, one or more bypass elements are assigned to the second heat transfer device.

[0099] For example, a longitudinal center axis of the bypass elements is oriented at least approximately parallel to the second heat transfer elements of the second heat transfer device.

[0100] For example, one or more bypass elements of the bypass device are arranged adjacent to the at least one first heat transfer element. For example, a respective longitudinal center axis of the bypass elements is oriented at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the at least one first heat transfer element.

[0101] For example, the bypass element(s) of the bypass device are arranged and / or attached to a heat transfer housing of the first heat transfer device.

[0102] According to the invention, a method for manufacturing a thermoelectric generator device, as mentioned above, is provided, comprising a first heat transfer device, a second heat transfer device, and a thermoelectric module device, wherein the first heat transfer device has a plurality of first heat transfer elements and wherein a second heat transfer element of the second heat transfer device is associated with each first heat transfer element, wherein in the method the second heat transfer element is arranged at least sectionally within the respective first heat transfer element, and a thermoelectric unit of the thermoelectric module device is arranged between the at least one first heat transfer element and the second heat transfer element, wherein the respective first heat transfer element is sectionally designed as a geometric prism.and wherein one base of the prism is designed as a hexagon with an edge length of at most 70 mm.

[0103] The method according to the invention has in particular one or more features and / or advantages of the thermoelectric generator device described above.

[0104] In particular, the thermoelectric generator device according to the invention can be manufactured using the method according to the invention or is manufactured using the method according to the invention.

[0105] In particular, it may be provided that the thermoelectric unit is mechanically connected to the second heat transfer element. For example, the thermoelectric unit is connected to the second heat transfer element by a material bond, such as by gluing.

[0106] It can be advantageous if the at least one first heat transfer element is clamped onto the thermoelectric unit and the second heat transfer element. For example, the thermoelectric unit and the second heat transfer element are arranged clamped within the at least one first heat transfer element.

[0107] It can be advantageous if the thermoelectric unit and the second heat transfer element are clamped within the at least one first heat transfer element by means of a clamping device.

[0108] For example, the clamping device comprises one or more clamping elements, in particular elastic clamping elements. The clamping element is, for example, designed as a clamping collar.

[0109] It may be provided that a surface enlargement structure is arranged or is arranged between a clamping element of the clamping device and the at least one first heat transfer element.

[0110] It can be advantageous to connect one or more combinations of a first heat transfer element, a thermoelectric unit, and a second heat transfer element to a heat transfer housing of the first heat transfer device. For example, a material-bonded connection is created, such as by soldering or welding.

[0111] One or more wall elements of the heat transfer housing are designed, for example, as perforated sheet metal, with the combinations arranged in holes of the perforated sheet metal.

[0112] It is possible to arrange multiple combinations of a first heat transfer element, a thermoelectric unit, and a second heat transfer element within a clamping device. For example, a flow chamber for the first heat transfer element is then formed within an interior space bounded by the clamping device.

[0113] The thermoelectric generator device according to the invention can be used, for example, to utilize waste heat from fluids in a wide variety of mobile applications, processes, and systems. The thermoelectric generator device according to the invention can, for example, convert the waste heat from internal combustion engines into usable electrical energy. For example, the thermoelectric generator device according to the invention is used in motor vehicles with internal combustion engines.

[0114] In principle, it is also possible to reverse the function of the thermoelectric module device and to temper media flows passed through the first heat transfer device and / or second heat transfer device using the Peltier effect.

[0115] Unless otherwise stated, the terms "at least approximately" and "approx." mean that a value and / or a distance and / or an angle deviates by no more than 20% from the specified value and / or distance and / or angle.

[0116] If a specific ideal geometric shape is specified, this generally includes a deviation of the geometric shape of no more than 20% on average from the specified ideal geometric shape. A percentage deviation of a geometric shape from an ideal geometric shape corresponds, for example, to an average deviation of the width, length, and / or height of the geometric shape from the width, length, and / or height of the ideal geometric shape.

[0117] The following description of preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings, serves to further explain the invention. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a thermoelectric generator device; Fig. 2 a view of the thermoelectric generator device according to Fig. 1 from the top; Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of the thermoelectric generator device in a cross-section along line 2-2 according to Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a detailed view of sub-area A according to Fig. 3; Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of the thermoelectric generator device in a cross-section along line 4-4 according to Fig. 2; Fig. 6 a detailed view of sub-area B according to Fig. 5; Fig. 7 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a combination of a first heat transfer element, a thermoelectric unit and a second heat transfer element of the thermoelectric generator device; Fig. 8 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a thermoelectric generator device, wherein a plurality of guide vanes are arranged in a flow space of a first heat transfer device of the thermoelectric generator device; Fig. 9 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the thermoelectric generator device, wherein several bypass elements are assigned to a second heat transfer device of the thermoelectric generator device; Fig. 10 a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of the thermoelectric generator device, wherein a bypass element is assigned to a second heat transfer device of the thermoelectric generator device; Fig. 11 a perspective view of three combinations of each of a first heat transfer element, a thermoelectric unit and a second heat transfer element of the thermoelectric generator device, wherein the thermoelectric unit and the second heat transfer element are clamped within the first heat transfer element by means of a clamping device; Fig. 12 a side view of the in Fig. 11 combinations shown; Fig. 13 a schematic sectional view of 3 combinations of each of a first heat transfer element, a thermoelectric unit and a second heat transfer element of the thermoelectric generator device, wherein a clamping device is assigned to each combination and forces exerted by the clamping device are indicated; Fig. 14 a schematic sectional view of a partial area of ​​a combination of first heat transfer element, thermoelectric unit and second heat transfer element of the thermoelectric generator device, wherein the first heat transfer element has elastic edge areas; Fig. 15 a schematic sectional view of a plurality of combinations of first heat transfer device, thermoelectric unit and second heat transfer device, wherein the combinations are arranged clamped against each other by means of a clamping device; and Fig. 16 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a thermoelectric element of the thermoelectric generator device.

[0118] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0119] An embodiment of a thermoelectric generator device, which is in Fig. The unit shown in Figure 1 and labelled there as 10 comprises a first heat transfer device 12 and a second heat transfer device 14.

[0120] For example, the first heat transfer device 12 is a cold heat transfer device for flow with a cold medium stream, and the second heat transfer device 14 is a hot heat transfer device for flow with a hot medium stream (or vice versa). The hot medium stream is, for example, an exhaust gas stream from an internal combustion engine, and the cold medium stream is, for example, a cooling water stream.

[0121] A plurality of first heat transfer elements 16 are assigned to the first heat transfer device 12, and a plurality of second heat transfer elements 18 are assigned to the second heat transfer device 14. In each case, a single second heat transfer element 18 is spatially arranged within a first heat transfer element 16.

[0122] A thermoelectric module 20 of the thermoelectric generator device 10 has a plurality of thermoelectric units 22 ( Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) In the example shown, the thermoelectric units 22 are assigned to different first heat transfer elements 16 and second heat transfer elements 18, respectively. For example, several thermoelectric units 22 of the thermoelectric module assembly 20 are connected electrically in series and / or in parallel.

[0123] A single thermoelectric unit 22 is arranged between a first heat transfer element 16 and a second heat transfer element 18.

[0124] The thermoelectric generator device 10 has a plurality of combinations 24, wherein each combination 24 comprises a first heat transfer element 16, a second heat transfer element 18 and a thermoelectric unit 22.

[0125] The first heat transfer element 16 and / or the second heat transfer element 18 have a polygonal and, in particular, hexagonal cross-sectional area. For example, the first heat transfer element 16 and / or the second heat transfer element 18 are designed as a geometric prism with a polygonal and, in particular, hexagonal base.

[0126] The first heat transfer element 16 and / or the second heat transfer element 18 extend along a common longitudinal center axis 26. For example, the first heat transfer element 16 and / or the second heat transfer element 18 are arranged or configured concentrically and / or rotationally symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center axis 26.

[0127] With respect to a radial direction 28, which lies in a plane oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the longitudinal central axis 26, the second heat transfer element 18 has a smaller radius than the first heat transfer element 16.

[0128] For example, a cross-sectional plane of a cross-section in which the first heat transfer element 16 and / or the second heat transfer element 18 is polygonal and in particular hexagonal, is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the longitudinal central axis 26.

[0129] A space 30 is formed between the first heat transfer element 16 and the second heat transfer element 18, in which the thermoelectric unit 22 is arranged.

[0130] The first heat transfer element 16 has a plurality of wall elements 32 which define an interior space 34 of the first heat transfer element 16. The wall elements 32 define the interior space 34 in particular in a plane oriented transversely and especially perpendicularly to the longitudinal central axis 26.

[0131] The wall elements 32 are in particular flat and / or extend in a plane oriented parallel to the longitudinal central axis 26.

[0132] Different wall elements 32 of the first heat transfer element 16 are each mechanically connected to one another at a corner region 36. For example, different wall elements 32 are mechanically connected to one another in the corner region 36 by means of a connecting element 38.

[0133] The thermoelectric unit 22 and the second heat transfer element 18 are arranged within the interior space 34 of the heat transfer element 16. The intermediate space 30 is arranged within the interior space 34.

[0134] Each base surface of the wall elements 32 of the first heat transfer element 16 has edge regions 40, wherein each edge region 40 is formed or arranged between two corner regions 36.

[0135] Adjacent wall elements 32 of the first heat transfer element 16 are each connected to each other at a corner area 36.

[0136] The second heat transfer element 18 has several wall elements 42 which define an interior space 44 of the second heat transfer element 18. For example, the wall elements 42 surround and / or enclose the interior space 44 in a plane oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the longitudinal central axis 26.

[0137] The interior space 44 of the second heat transfer element 18 is arranged within the interior space 34 of the first heat transfer element 16.

[0138] The wall elements 42 of the second heat transfer element 18 are in particular each planar and / or extend in particular at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal central axis 26.

[0139] Different wall elements 42 are mechanically connected to each other at corner areas 46.

[0140] A base surface of the second heat transfer element 18 has several edge regions 48, which are formed on the wall elements 42. One edge region 48 is formed between two opposite corner regions 46.

[0141] Adjacent wall elements 42 of the second heat transfer element 18 are each connected to one another at a corner area 46.

[0142] In the illustrated embodiment, the first heat transfer element 16 and the second heat transfer element 18 each have six edge regions 40 and 48 respectively in a cross-section oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the longitudinal central axis 26.

[0143] The edge regions 40 of the first heat transfer element 16 and the edge regions 48 of the second heat transfer element 18 are each aligned at least approximately parallel to each other.

[0144] The thermoelectric unit 22 is arranged between opposing wall elements 32 of the first heat transfer element 16 and wall elements 42 of the second heat transfer element 18. For example, the thermoelectric unit 22 has several thermoelectric elements 50 (e.g., six thermoelectric elements 50), with one thermoelectric element 50 being arranged between two opposing wall elements 32 and 42 of the first heat transfer element 16 and the second heat transfer element 18, respectively.

[0145] For example, the first heat transfer element 16 has six edge regions 40 and / or six wall elements 32 and / or six corner regions 36. For example, the second heat transfer element 18 has six edge regions 48 and / or six wall elements 42 and / or six corner regions 46.

[0146] In the interior space 44 of the second heat transfer element 18, a flow chamber 52 for fluid is formed, which is assigned to the second heat transfer device 14. This flow chamber 52 can be traversed by a medium flow guided through the second heat transfer device 14.

[0147] A surface area enlargement structure 54 is arranged in the interior space 44 and / or the flow space 52 of the second heat transfer element 18. For example, the surface area enlargement structure 54 comprises a rib structure and / or a honeycomb structure and / or a wire structure.

[0148] The surface structure 54 increases the surface area of ​​a contact area between a medium flow guided through the flow space 52 and the second heat transfer element 18.

[0149] For example, the surface enlargement structure 54 extends from a central area 56 and / or central area of ​​the second heat transfer element 18 to the wall elements 42.

[0150] The edge regions 40 of the first heat transfer element 16 have a length L1, with one longitudinal direction oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis 26. The edge regions 48 of the second heat transfer element 18 have a length L2, with one longitudinal direction oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis 26.

[0151] The longitudinal direction of the edge length L1 and / or the edge length L2 lies, for example, in a plane oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis 26.

[0152] In particular, all edge regions 40 of the first heat transfer element 16 have the same edge length L1 and / or all edge regions 48 of the second heat transfer element 18 have the same edge length L2. As a result, the first heat transfer element 16 and / or the second heat transfer element 18 are, for example, formed as a regular polygon and, in particular, as a regular hexagon in a cross-section oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis 26.

[0153] For example, the edge length L1 of the first heat transfer element 16 and / or the edge length L2 of the second heat transfer element 18 is at least 10 mm and / or at most 50 mm.

[0154] The first heat transfer device 12 has a heat transfer housing 58 on which the combinations 24 are arranged and / or held. For example, the first heat transfer elements 16 and / or the second heat transfer elements 18 and / or the thermoelectric units 22 are arranged on the heat transfer housing 58.

[0155] The heat transfer housing 58 defines an interior space 60 of the first heat transfer device 12. In this interior space 60, a flow chamber 62 of the first heat transfer device 12 for fluid is formed ( Fig. 3).

[0156] For example, the heat transfer housing 58 extends along a longitudinal central axis 64. For example, the heat transfer housing 58 is designed to be rotationally symmetric with respect to this longitudinal central axis 64, at least approximately.

[0157] For coupling fluid into the interior 60 and / or the flow space 62 of the first heat transfer device 12, the heat transfer housing 58 has an inlet device 66, which is arranged, for example, at a first end region 68 of the heat transfer housing 58.

[0158] To extract fluid from the flow chamber 62 and / or the interior 60, the heat transfer housing 58 includes an outlet device 70, which is arranged, for example, at a second end region 72 of the heat transfer housing 58.

[0159] The first end region 68 and the second end region 72 are, for example, spaced apart from each other in the direction of the longitudinal center axis 64 of the heat transfer housing 58. For example, the first end region 68 and the second end region 72 are arranged on opposite sides of the heat transfer housing 58.

[0160] The heat transfer housing 58 has a first wall element 74 and a second wall element 76 opposite the first wall element 74. The first wall element 74 and / or the second wall element 76 lie, for example, in a plane which is oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicular to the longitudinal center axes 26 of the first heat transfer elements 16 and / or the second heat transfer elements 18.

[0161] The first wall element 74 and the second wall element 76 are mechanically connected to each other by means of a third wall element 78.

[0162] The first wall element 74 and / or the second wall element 76 and / or the third wall element 78 are in particular designed to be flat.

[0163] For example, the inlet device 66 and / or the outlet device 70 are arranged or formed on the third wall element 78.

[0164] The interior 60 of the heat transfer housing 58 is, for example by means of the first wall element 74, the second wall element 76 and the third wall element 78, fluid-tight except for the inlet device 66 and the outlet device 70.

[0165] The first heat transfer elements 16 are mechanically connected to the heat transfer housing 58. For example, the first heat transfer elements 16 are mechanically connected to the first wall element 74 and to the second wall element 76.

[0166] The first heat transfer elements 16 extend through the interior space 60 and / or through the flow space 62. The respective interior space 34 of the first heat transfer elements 16 is fluid-tight sealed against the interior space 60 and / or the flow space 62 of the heat transfer housing 58.

[0167] During operation of the thermoelectric generator device, the first heat transfer elements 16 are surrounded by a medium flow guided through the flow chamber 62, allowing heat exchange between the medium flow and the first heat transfer elements 16 to take place.

[0168] The thermoelectric units 22 are each in thermal contact with a fluid guided through the flow chamber 62 of the first heat transfer device 12 and with a fluid guided through the flow chamber 52 of the second heat transfer device 14. The thermal contact of the thermoelectric unit 22 with the flow chamber 62 is established by means of the first heat transfer element 16, and the thermal contact of the thermoelectric unit 22 with the flow chamber 52 is established by means of the second heat transfer element 18.

[0169] The first heat transfer element 16 is mechanically connected to the heat transfer housing 58 at an end region 80 of the first heat transfer element 16 facing the heat transfer housing 58. For example, in the example shown, the first heat transfer element 16 is mechanically connected to the first wall element 74 and / or the second wall element 76, respectively. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

[0170] An embodiment of a mechanical connection of the first heat transfer element 16 with the heat transfer housing 58 is shown in Fig. 6 shown by way of example by means of a connection of the first heat transfer element 16 with the first wall element 74 of the heat transfer housing 58.

[0171] In the example shown, the first heat transfer element 16 is connected to a protective glass element 82 at the end region 80, the protective glass element 82 being arranged between the end region 80 of the first heat transfer element 16 and the first wall element 74 of the heat transfer housing 58. For example, the protective glass element 82 is or comprises a thermal insulation element.

[0172] It may be provided that a cable duct is arranged in an area between the end area 80 and the first wall element 74 (not shown).

[0173] The protective glass element 82 is mechanically connected to the first wall element 74.

[0174] For example, a material-bonded and / or force-bonded connection is established between the first wall element 74 and the protective glass element 82 and / or between the protective glass element 82 and the first heat transfer element 16.

[0175] The thermoelectric unit 22 is connected, for example, to the first heat transfer element 16 and to the second heat transfer element 18 by means of a material bond and / or force bond.

[0176] The second heat transfer element 18 is connected to the first wall element 74 of the heat transfer housing 58, for example, by a material bond and / or a force bond.

[0177] For example, the second heat transfer element 18 is materially bonded to the first wall element 74 by means of soldering or welding.

[0178] For example, the interior space 60 and / or the flow space 62 of the first heat transfer device 12 is sealed fluid-tight against the interior space 34 of the first heat transfer element 16 by means of a sealing device 83.

[0179] The sealing device 83 is arranged, in particular, at the end region 80 of the first heat transfer element 16. For example, the sealing device 83 is arranged between the end region 80 and the protective glass element 82 and / or the heat transfer housing 58 and / or the first wall element 74.

[0180] The sealing device 83 is or comprises, for example, a static seal, which may consist, for example, of a shaped sheet metal or polymer.

[0181] For example, the sealing device 83 is arranged and / or held by means of a material-bonded and / or force-bonded connection.

[0182] The first heat transfer elements 16 and / or the second heat transfer elements 18 are arranged on the heat transfer housing 58 such that the respective longitudinal center axes 26 of different first heat transfer elements 16 and / or second heat transfer elements 18 are oriented at least approximately parallel to each other ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 3).

[0183] Opposing edge areas 40 and / or wall elements 32 of adjacent first heat transfer elements 16 are oriented in particular at least approximately parallel to each other.

[0184] Opposing wall elements 32 and / or edge areas 40 of adjacent first heat transfer elements 16 are spaced apart from each other by a distance A1. For example, the distance A1 is approximately 5 mm.

[0185] The first heat transfer element 16 has a center point 84 in a cross-section oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the longitudinal central axis 26. For example, the centers 84 of several adjacent first heat transfer elements 16 lie on the vertices of a polygon, and in particular a hexagon.

[0186] In one embodiment, the surface enlargement structure 54, which is arranged in the flow space 52 of the second heat transfer element 18, is or comprises a porous medium ( Fig. 7) For example, the porous medium is a metallic medium and / or an open-pore foam.

[0187] In particular, the cell diameter of the porous medium is approximately 3 mm. For example, the porous medium has a minimum of 5 and / or a maximum of 40 ppi (pores per inch).

[0188] Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible that a surface area enlargement structure 86 is arranged in the flow chamber 62 of the first heat transfer device 12 (indicated in Fig. 3) This surface enlargement structure 86 is, for example, designed in the same way as the surface enlargement structure 54 of the second heat transfer device 14.

[0189] The surface enlargement structure 86 surrounds the first heat transfer elements 16 of the first heat transfer device 12. For example, the surface enlargement structure 86 is in thermal and / or mechanical contact with the first heat transfer elements 16 and / or with the heat transfer housing 58.

[0190] It may be provided that a guide device 88 is arranged in the flow chamber 62 and / or in the interior 60 of the first heat transfer device 12, by means of which a flow path of a medium flow guided through the first heat transfer device 12 can be controlled and / or regulated ( Fig. 8).

[0191] For example, the guide device 88 is arranged or formed in the interior 60 on the heat transfer housing 58.

[0192] In the example shown, the guide device 88 has one or more guide elements 90, which in particular have a curved shape. For example, the guide elements 90 are designed as guide plates.

[0193] By means of the guide device 88 and / or the guide plates 90, a medium flow guided through the interior 60 and / or through the flow space 62 can be directed specifically onto the first heat transfer elements 16 and / or into spaces 92 formed between adjacent first heat transfer elements 16.

[0194] A main flow direction 94 of a medium flow guided through the first heat transfer device 12 is in Fig. 8 indicated by arrows.

[0195] At the in Fig. In the example shown in Figure 8, a main flow direction 96 of a medium flow guided through the second heat transfer device 14 and / or through the second heat transfer elements 18 is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the main flow direction 94.

[0196] In the Fig. 9 and Fig. In the 10 examples shown, the second heat transfer device 14 has a bypass device 98 for fluid. By means of this bypass device 98, a medium flow passing through the second heat transfer device 14 can be at least partially diverted around the thermoelectric module device 20 and / or the thermoelectric units 22.

[0197] No heat exchange takes place between a medium flow guided through the bypass device 98 and the thermoelectric module device 20. This prevents, for example, overheating of thermoelectric units 22 of the thermoelectric module device 20 if necessary.

[0198] The bypass device 98 has one or more bypass elements 100, which are arranged, for example, in a central area 102 and / or central area of ​​the heat transfer housing 58 and / or the interior 60 and / or the flow space 62 of the first heat transfer device 12.

[0199] The bypass element 100, for example, has a polygonal cross-section and is specifically hexagonal ( Fig. 9) or circular ( Fig. 10) formed, wherein a cross-sectional direction is oriented, for example, transversely and in particular perpendicularly to a longitudinal central axis 104 of the bypass element 100.

[0200] The longitudinal center axis 104 of the bypass element 100 is, for example, oriented at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal center axis 26 of the first heat transfer element 16 and / or the second heat transfer element 18.

[0201] For example, the bypass element 100 is designed as a polygonal and in particular a hexagonal geometric prism or as a geometric cylinder.

[0202] The bypass element 100 has a flow chamber 106 for fluid, which can be opened and / or closed, for example. The flow chamber 106 can, for example, be opened and / or closed depending on the temperature.

[0203] A temperature-dependent opening can be implemented electrically and / or mechanically, e.g., using bimetallic strips.

[0204] For example, flap elements (not shown) are provided to open and / or close the flow space 106 of the bypass element 100.

[0205] It is also possible in principle that the bypass device 98 has bypass elements which are arranged and / or run outside the heat transfer housing 58.

[0206] The manufacture of the thermoelectric generator device 10 works as follows: To form the combinations 24 of first heat transfer element 16, second heat transfer element 18 and thermoelectric unit 22, the thermoelectric unit 22 is first connected to the second heat transfer element 18.

[0207] For example, the thermoelectric elements 50 of the thermoelectric unit 22 are arranged on a side 108 facing away from the interior 44 of the second heat transfer element 18. The thermoelectric elements 50 are arranged, for example, on the edge regions 48 of the second heat transfer element 18.

[0208] In particular, the thermoelectric elements 50 are connected to the second heat transfer element 18 by means of a material bond, such as by gluing.

[0209] The first heat transfer element 16 is then clamped onto the thermoelectric unit 22 arranged on the second heat transfer element 18. The thermoelectric unit 22 and / or the second heat transfer element 18 are, in particular, clamped within the first heat transfer element 16.

[0210] For clamping the thermoelectric unit 22 and / or the second heat transfer element 18 within the first heat transfer element 16, a clamping device 110 is assigned to the first heat transfer element 16.

[0211] At the in Fig. In the example shown in Figure 7, the clamping device 110 has one or more receiving elements 112 for screw elements 114, wherein the receiving elements 112 are arranged or formed, for example, on the connecting elements 38 arranged in the corner areas 36.

[0212] By screwing in the screw elements 114, the wall elements 32 are pulled together, so that the wall elements 32 are pressed and / or clamped against the thermoelectric unit 22 and / or the second heat transfer element 18.

[0213] During the Fig. 11 and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the clamping device 110 has one or more clamping elements 116 which are arranged or are arranged on a side 118 of the first heat transfer element 16 facing away from the interior 34 of the first heat transfer element 16.

[0214] For example, the clamping element 116 is designed as a clamping clamp, which can be pressed against the first heat transfer element 16 and / or against the side 118.

[0215] By means of the clamping element 116, in particular a clamping force and / or an elastic clamping force can be exerted to clamp the first heat transfer element 16 against the thermoelectric unit 22 and / or the second heat transfer element 18.

[0216] It may be provided that a surface enlargement structure 120 is arranged or is arranged between the clamping element 116 and the side 118 of the first heat transfer element 16. This surface enlargement structure 120 has, for example, one or more features of the surface enlargement structure 86.

[0217] For example, the surface enlargement structure 120 comprises a porous medium, such as a metal foam, and / or a wire device.

[0218] One function of the clamping device 110 is described in Fig. Figure 13 is shown schematically. By means of the clamping device 110 and / or the clamping element 116, a force is exerted on the first heat transfer element 16 on the thermoelectric unit 22 and / or on the second heat transfer element 18, which is directed in the direction of the interior 34 of the first heat transfer element 16.

[0219] One direction of the forces exerted by means of the clamping device 110 and / or the clamping element 116 is in Fig. 13 represented by arrows 122.

[0220] The combinations 24 produced in this way are then arranged on the heat transfer housing 58 of the first heat transfer device 12.

[0221] For example, the first wall element 74 and / or the second wall element 76 are designed as perforated sheet metal into which the combinations 24 can be inserted.

[0222] The combinations 24 are then connected to the heat transfer housing 58. For example, a material-bonded connection is made, e.g. by welding.

[0223] During a session in the Fig. 14 and Fig. In the variant of the thermoelectric generator device 10 shown in Figure 15, a plurality of combinations 24 are held together by means of a clamping device 124. The combinations 24 are clamped against each other by means of the clamping device 124 and / or clamped within the clamping device 124.

[0224] At the in Fig. In the variant shown in Figure 15, a heat transfer housing 125 of the first heat transfer device 12 is formed, for example, at least partially, by means of the clamping device 124. The clamping device 124 and / or the heat transfer housing 125 define an interior space 126 in which the flow chamber 62 of the first heat transfer device 12 is formed. The combinations 24 are arranged within the interior space 126 and / or the flow chamber 62.

[0225] For example, a surface enlargement structure 128 is arranged in the interior space 126 and / or in the flow chamber 62, which is designed similarly to the surface enlargement structure 54 and / or 86 described above and in particular has one or more features of the surface enlargement structure 54 and / or 86 described above. In particular, the surface enlargement structure 128 surrounds the combinations 24, and / or the surface enlargement structure 128 is in thermal and / or mechanical contact with the combinations 24.

[0226] The clamping device 124, for example, has a screw element 130 by means of which the clamping device 124 can be tightened and / or a clamping force exerted by the clamping device 124 can be adjusted.

[0227] It may be provided that the corner areas 36 and / or the connecting elements 38 of the first heat transfer elements 16 are elastically designed (see, for example, Fig. 14 and Fig. 15).

[0228] For example, the first heat transfer element 16 has a compensating element 132, which is arranged particularly in the corner area 36.

[0229] For example, the compensating element 132 is part of the connecting element 38, or the connecting element 38 is designed as a compensating element 132.

[0230] For example, the compensating element 132 is or comprises an elastic element and / or an elastic shaft element.

[0231] It can be provided that adjacent corner regions 36 of adjacent first heat transfer elements 16 are each mechanically connected to one another by means of a connecting element 134. This connecting element 134 is, for example, designed as an elastic element.

[0232] By means of the compensating elements 132 and / or the connecting elements 134, in particular an elastic clamping of the first heat transfer elements 16 and / or combinations 24 can be realized, for example by means of and / or within the clamping device 124.

[0233] An embodiment of a thermoelectric element 50 of the thermoelectric module device 20 is shown in Fig. Figure 16 shows a schematic sectional view. This thermoelectric element 50 has a first wall element 136 and a second wall element 138 opposite the first wall element 136. The first wall element 136 makes surface contact with the first heat transfer element 16, and the second wall element 138 makes surface contact with the second heat transfer element 18 (or vice versa).

[0234] The first heat transfer element 16, the second heat transfer element 18, the first wall element 136 and the second wall element 138 are each made of a material with high and in particular metallic thermal conductivity.

[0235] The first wall element 136 and the second wall element 138 have, in particular, flat sides.

[0236] The first wall element 136 and the second wall element 138 are made of an electrically insulating material.

[0237] In an interior space 140 formed between the first wall element 136 and the second wall element 138, n-conductors 142 and p-conductors 144 are arranged alternately, with adjacent n-conductors 142 and p-conductors 144 being electrically connected to each other via an electrically conductive bridge 146. The bridge 146 is, for example, made of a metallic material.

[0238] During operation of the thermoelectric generator device 10, a temperature difference and / or a heat flow exists between the first wall element 136 and the second wall element 138 (indicated by an arrow 148). Fig. 16) A usable electrical current can be generated from this via the Seebeck effect.

[0239] The thermoelectric generator device 10 works as follows: In the operation of the thermoelectric generator device 10, a first medium flow, for example a cold medium flow, is passed through the first heat transfer device 12 and a second medium flow, for example a hot medium flow, is passed through the second heat transfer device 14.

[0240] The first heat transfer elements 16, arranged in the flow chamber 62 of the first heat transfer device 12, are surrounded by the cold medium flow. This results in the formation of a cold side on the first heat transfer elements 16 and / or on the first wall elements 136 of the thermoelectric elements 50, which are in thermal contact with the first heat transfer elements 16.

[0241] The hot medium flow, guided through the second heat transfer device 14, flows through the second heat transfer elements 18. This creates a hot side on the second heat transfer elements 18 and / or on the second wall elements 138 of the thermoelectric elements 50 which are in thermal contact with the second heat transfer elements 18.

[0242] As a result, a temperature difference forms between the first wall element 136 and the second wall element 138, which results in a heat flow from the second wall element 138 to the first wall element 136.

[0243] By means of the thermoelectric module device 20, a usable electric current is generated via the Seebeck effect. Reference symbol list L1 route length L2 route length A1 distance 10 thermoelectric generator device 12 first heat transfer device 14 second heat transfer device 16 first heat transfer element 18 second heat transfer element 20 thermoelectric module device 22 thermoelectric unit 24 combinations 26 Longitudinal center axis 28 radial direction 30 space 32 wall element 34 Interior 36 Corner area 38 Connecting element 40 edge area 42 wall element 44 Interior 46 Corner area 48 edge area 50 thermoelectric element 52 Flow chamber 54 Surface magnification structure 56 Middle range 58 heat transfer housings 60 Interior 62 Flow chamber 64 Longitudinal center axis 66 Entrance facilities 68 first end range 70 Exit facility 72 second end range 74 first wall element 76 second wall element 78 third wall element 80 End range 82 Protective glass element 83 Sealing device 84 Center point 86 Surface magnification structure 88 Guidance device 90 Guide plate 92 space 94 Main flow direction 96 Main flow direction 98 Bypass facility 100 bypass element 102 Middle range 104 Longitudinal center axis 106 Flow space Page 108 110 clamping device 112 Recording element 114 Screw element 116 Clamping element Page 118 120 surface magnification structure 122 Arrow 124 Clamping device 125 heat transfer housings 126 Interior 128 Surface magnification structure 130 screw element 132 Compensating element 134 Connecting element 136 first wall element 138 second wall element 140 interior 142 n-conductor 144 p-conductor 146 Bridge 148 Arrow

Claims

[1] Thermoelectric generator device comprising a first heat transfer device (12), a second heat transfer device (14) and a thermoelectric module device (20), wherein the first heat transfer device (12) has a plurality of first heat transfer elements (16), wherein each first heat transfer element (16) is associated with a second heat transfer element (18) of the second heat transfer device (14) and a second heat transfer element (18) is arranged within each of the first heat transfer elements (16) and wherein a thermoelectric unit (22) of the thermoelectric module device (20) is arranged between each first heat transfer element (16) and the second heat transfer element (18), characterized by, that the first heat transfer elements (16) are formed at least sectionally as a geometric prism, wherein a base of the prism is formed as a polygon with an edge length (L1; L2) of at most 70 mm, and that the polygon is a hexagon. [2] Thermoelectric generator device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the second heat transfer elements (18) are formed at least sectionally as a geometric prism, wherein one base of the prism is formed as a hexagon. [3] Thermoelectric generator device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the prism is at least piecewise a right prism. [4] Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that one edge length (L1; L2) of the polygon is at least 15 mm and / or at most 50 mm. [5] Thermoelectric generator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that different first heat transfer elements (16) are arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the respective longitudinal center axes (26) of the adjacent first heat transfer elements (16) are oriented at least approximately parallel to each other and / or wherein the respective wall elements (32) of the adjacent first heat transfer elements (16) are oriented at least approximately parallel to each other. [6] Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a shortest distance (A1) between adjacent first heat transfer elements (16) is at least 1 mm and / or at most 10 mm. [7] Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the first heat transfer device (12) is a cold heat transfer device for flow through with a cold medium stream and / or that the second heat transfer device (14) is a hot heat transfer device for flow through with a hot medium stream. [8] Thermoelectric generator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first heat transfer device (12) has a flow space (62) for the flow of a medium flow through the first heat transfer device (12) and that the respective first heat transfer element (16) can be or is flowed around by a medium flow guided through the flow space (62) of the first heat transfer device (12). [9] Thermoelectric generator device according to claim 8, characterized by, that several first heat transfer elements (16) are assigned to the flow space (62) of the first heat transfer device (12) and / or that several first heat transfer elements (16) can be or are surrounded by a medium flow guided through the flow space (62) of the first heat transfer device (12). [10] Thermoelectric generator device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by , that the flow space (62) of the first heat transfer device (12) is spatially connected. [11] Thermoelectric generator device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by , that an interior space (34) bounded by the respective first heat transfer element (16) is fluid-tight sealed against the flow space (62) of the first heat transfer device (12). [12] Thermoelectric generator device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by, that the first heat transfer device (12) has a heat transfer housing (58; 125), wherein the flow space (62) of the first heat transfer device (12) is formed in an interior space (60) of the heat transfer housing (58; 125). [13] Thermoelectric generator device according to claim 12, characterized by , that the respective first heat transfer element (16) is arranged in the interior (60) of the heat transfer housing (58; 125) and / or extends through the interior (60) of the heat transfer housing (58; 125). [14] Thermoelectric generator device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized by, that in the flow space (62) of the first heat transfer device (12) and / or in an interior space (60) of a heat transfer housing (58; 125) of the first heat transfer device (12), in which the flow space (62) of the first heat transfer device (12) is formed, a guide device (88) for controlling and / or regulating a flow path of a medium flow guided through the first heat transfer device (12) is arranged. [15] Thermoelectric generator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the second heat transfer element (18) and / or the thermoelectric unit (22) are arranged within an interior space (34) bounded by the respective first heat transfer element (16). [16] Thermoelectric generator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a surface enlargement structure (54; 128) is arranged in a flow space (58) of the first heat transfer device (12) for the flow of a medium stream through the first heat transfer device (12) and / or that a surface enlargement structure (86) is arranged in a flow space (52) of the second heat transfer device (14) for the flow of a further medium stream through the second heat transfer device (14). [17] Thermoelectric generator device according to claim 16, characterized by , that the surface enlargement structure (86) comprises a porous medium and in particular a metallic porous medium. [18] Thermoelectric generator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a bypass device (98) for fluid is associated with the first heat transfer device (12) and / or the second heat transfer device (14), by means of which a medium flow guided through the first heat transfer device (12) and / or through the second heat transfer device (14) can be at least partially diverted past the thermoelectric module device (20). [19] A method for manufacturing a thermoelectric generator device comprising a first heat transfer device (12), a second heat transfer device (14) and a thermoelectric module device (20), wherein the first heat transfer device (12) has a plurality of first heat transfer elements (16) and wherein a second heat transfer element (18) of the second heat transfer device (14) is associated with each first heat transfer element (16), wherein the second heat transfer element (18) is arranged at least section by section within the respective first heat transfer element (16) and a thermoelectric unit (22) of the thermoelectric module device (20) is arranged between the at least one first heat transfer element (16) and the second heat transfer element (18), wherein the respective first heat transfer element (16) is section by section formed as a geometric prism,and wherein one base of the prism is formed as a hexagon with an edge length (L1; L2) of at most 70 mm.

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