Thermoelectric Power Generation System

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a thermoelectric power generating system which has a relatively simple configuration, does not readily malfunction, and is capable of generating electricity efficiently merely through a change in the temperature of the surrounding environment, even in a location without a heat source. [Solution] A thermoelectric power generating device 13 is disposed between a heat storing body 11 which includes a phase change material 11b, and a heat absorbing / dissipating body 12 which has a greater heat dissipation rate and / or heat absorption rate than the heat storing body 11. The thermoelectric power generating device 13 is configured to generate electricity by means of a temperature difference between the heat storing body 11 and the heat absorbing / dissipating body 12. The thermoelectric power generating device 13 may be plate-shaped, with one surface in contact with the heat storing body 11 and the other surface in contact with the heat absorbing / dissipating body 12.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermoelectric power generation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various power generating devices have been developed to obtain electrical energy from thermal energy. Among these power generating devices, there is a power generating device using a pyroelectric body whose polarization changes with temperature change, which generates power by utilizing temperature changes. In order to generate power efficiently, the power generating device using a pyroelectric body is configured to forcibly apply a temperature change to the pyroelectric body, for example, by moving the pyroelectric body between a heating region such as a heat source and a cooling region (see Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example), or by rotating a rotating member to switch between a heated state and a cooled state of the pyroelectric body (see Patent Document 3, for example). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-332266 [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-55824 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2015-82929 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the power generating devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the power generation efficiency of the pyroelectric body is poor due to the temperature change of the surrounding environment alone, so the pyroelectric body is moved or a rotating member is rotated, but this requires a complex structure involving the movement and rotation movements, and there are problems in that the movement and rotation movements are likely to cause malfunctions. In addition, there is also a problem in that the pyroelectric body can only be used in places where a heat source is present, because a temperature difference is forcibly applied to the pyroelectric body.

[0005] The present invention has been made with attention to these problems, and aims to provide a thermoelectric power generation system that has a relatively simple configuration, is less likely to break down, and can generate electricity efficiently just by consuming temperature changes in the surrounding environment, even in places without a heat source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the thermoelectric power generation system of the present invention is characterized by having a heat storage body formed by storing a phase change material in a container with high thermal conductivity, a heat absorption and dissipation body having a heat dissipation rate and / or heat absorption rate faster than that of the heat storage body, and a thermoelectric power generation device arranged between the heat storage body and the heat absorption and dissipation body and configured to generate power by the temperature difference between the heat storage body and the heat absorption and dissipation body.

[0007] In the thermoelectric power generation system according to the present invention, since there is a difference in the heat dissipation rate and / or heat absorption rate between the heat storage body and the heat absorption and dissipation body, when the temperature of the surrounding environment changes, a temperature difference occurs between the heat storage body and the heat absorption and dissipation body, and this temperature difference can be utilized to generate power by the thermoelectric power generation device. In this way, the thermoelectric power generation system according to the present invention can generate power efficiently just by changing the temperature of the surrounding environment, even in a place without a heat source or a place without a temperature difference in advance.

[0008] In the thermoelectric power generation system according to the present invention, when the heat absorber has a higher heat dissipation rate than the heat storage body, a temperature difference is likely to occur between the heat storage body and the heat absorber / dissipator when the temperature of the surrounding environment drops, and power can be generated. Also, when the heat absorber / dissipator has a higher heat absorption rate than the heat storage body, a temperature difference is likely to occur between the heat storage body and the heat absorber / dissipator when the temperature of the surrounding environment rises, and power can be generated. Also, when the heat absorber / dissipator has a higher heat dissipation temperature and heat absorption rate than the heat storage body, a temperature difference occurs between the heat storage body and the heat absorber / dissipator every time the temperature of the surrounding environment changes, and power can be generated.

[0009] The thermoelectric power generation system according to the present invention has a relatively simple configuration having a heat storage body, a heat absorption and dissipation body, and a thermoelectric power generation device, and does not have a complex structure involving movements such as movement, rotation, etc. Therefore, failures caused by movements such as movement and rotation are unlikely to occur.

[0010] In the thermoelectric power generation system according to the present invention, the thermoelectric power generation device may be in a plate shape, with one surface in contact with the heat storage body and the other surface in contact with the heat absorption and dissipation body. In this case, the temperature of the heat storage body and the temperature of the heat absorption and dissipation body can be captured on a surface, and power generation due to the temperature difference between them can be performed efficiently.

[0011] In the thermoelectric power generation system according to the present invention, the heat storage body preferably has a substance that has little heat radiation or heat absorption within the range of temperature change of the surrounding environment in which it is used. The heat storage body preferably has a phase change material whose melting point overlaps with the range of temperature change of the surrounding environment in which it is used, such as polyethylene glycol, paraffin, propylene glycol, or potassium fluoride hydrate. The heat storage body is preferably formed by storing the phase change material in a container with high thermal conductivity, such as a metal container. In this case, since the thermal conductivity of the container is high, the temperature of the heat storage body can be efficiently transferred to the thermoelectric power generation device.

[0012] In the thermoelectric power generation system according to the present invention, the heat absorber may be made of any material having a high heat dissipation rate and / or heat absorption rate, for example, a heat sink. In this case, the heat dissipation rate and heat absorption rate can be increased, and power generation efficiency can be improved. The heat absorber may be configured to dissipate heat by utilizing the heat of vaporization of water. In this case, the heat dissipation rate can be increased.

[0013] The thermoelectric power generation system according to the present invention may have a boosting unit that boosts the voltage of the output generated by the thermoelectric power generation device. In this case, the boosted electricity can be used to operate various sensors and can be used as a power source. The boosting unit is composed of a boosting circuit such as a DC-DC converter or a charge pump.

[0014] The thermoelectric power generation system according to the present invention preferably includes a polarity adjustment unit that adjusts the polarity of the voltage of the output generated by the thermoelectric power generation device when the temperature of the heat absorption and radiation body is higher than the temperature of the heat storage body to the same polarity as the polarity of the voltage of the output generated by the thermoelectric power generation device when the temperature of the heat absorption and radiation body is lower than the temperature of the heat storage body. In this case, it is possible to utilize both the power generation output when the temperature of the heat absorption and radiation body is higher than the temperature of the heat storage body and the power generation output when the temperature of the heat absorption and radiation body is lower than the temperature of the heat storage body, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the generated electricity. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermoelectric power generation system that has a relatively simple configuration, is unlikely to break down, and is capable of generating power efficiently only by temperature changes in the surrounding environment, even in a place without a heat source. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a thermoelectric power generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the thermoelectric power generation system according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the heat absorber / dissipator is a porous body containing water. [Diagram 3] 3 is a side view showing a modification of the thermoelectric power generation system shown in FIG. 2, which has a water source and a water pipe. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2A is a circuit diagram showing a first modified example having a polarity adjustment unit of a thermoelectric power generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a circuit diagram showing a second modified example. [Diagram 5] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a configuration for an experiment to measure generated power in the thermoelectric power generation system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 6 shows the results of a measurement experiment of the power generated by the thermoelectric power generation system shown in FIG. 5, (a) a graph of the temperature T1 of the heat absorber and the temperature T2 of the phase change material, and (b) a graph of the temperature T1 of the heat absorber and the generated power (Power) P. [Figure 7]3 is a graph showing the results of a measurement experiment of the generated power when the thermoelectric power generation system shown in FIG. 2 has one pair of a thermoelectric power generation device and a heat sink and a graph showing the output from the thermoelectric power generation device (TEG Output) and the generated power (DC-DC Output). [Figure 8] 3 is a graph showing the output (TEG Output) from a thermoelectric generator, illustrating the results of a measurement experiment of generated power when there are two sets of a thermoelectric generator and a heat absorber / dissipator in the thermoelectric power generation system shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] 2 is a block diagram showing a temperature measurement system when a temperature sensor is driven using power generated by the thermoelectric power generation system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a graph showing temperature measurement results (a) indoors and (b) outdoors, using the temperature measurement system shown in FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 10 show a thermoelectric power generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a thermoelectric power generation system 10 includes a heat storage body 11, a heat absorption and dissipation body 12, and a thermoelectric power generation device 13.

[0018] The heat storage body 11 is formed by storing a phase change material (PCM) 11b inside a metal container 11a. The container 11a is made of copper, which has high thermal conductivity. The phase change material 11b has a melting point that overlaps with the temperature change range of the surrounding environment in which it is used, and is, for example, polyethylene glycol 600 or propylene glycol when used at normal room temperature or outside air temperature. The phase change material 11b may be made of one type of material, or may be a mixture of multiple types.

[0019] The heat absorber 12 is made of a heat sink having a higher heat dissipation rate and a higher heat absorption rate than the heat storage body 11. The heat absorber 12 may be made of a material having a higher heat dissipation rate or a higher heat absorption rate than the heat storage body 11, other than a heat sink.

[0020] The thermoelectric generator (TEG) 13 is plate-shaped and disposed between the heat storage body 11 and the heat absorption / dissipation body 12. The thermoelectric generator 13 is disposed so that one surface thereof contacts one surface of the container 11a of the heat storage body 11 and the other surface thereof contacts the surface opposite to the uneven surface of the heat absorption / dissipation body 12. The thermoelectric generator 13 has a thermoelectric conversion element such as a Bi-Te type, a Pb-Te type, or a Si-Ge type, and is configured to generate electricity using the temperature difference between the heat storage body 11 and the heat absorption / dissipation body 12.

[0021] Next, the operation will be described. In the thermoelectric power generation system 10, because there is a difference in the heat dissipation rate and heat absorption rate between the heat storage body 11 and the heat absorption and dissipation body 12, when the temperature of the surrounding environment changes, a temperature difference occurs between the heat storage body 11 and the heat absorption and dissipation body 12, and this temperature difference can be utilized to generate power by the thermoelectric power generation device 13. In this way, the thermoelectric power generation system 10 can generate power efficiently just by the temperature change in the surrounding environment, even in a place without a heat source or a place without a temperature difference in advance.

[0022] The thermoelectric power generation system 10 has a relatively simple configuration having a heat storage body 11, a heat absorption and dissipation body 12, and a thermoelectric power generation device 13, and does not have a complex structure involving movements such as movement and rotation. Therefore, failures caused by movements such as movement and rotation are unlikely to occur. In the thermoelectric power generation system 10, the heat storage body 11 and the thermoelectric power generation device 13, and the heat absorption and dissipation body 12 and the thermoelectric power generation device 13 are in surface-to-surface contact with each other, so that the temperature of the heat storage body 11 and the temperature of the heat absorption and dissipation body 12 can be captured on a surface basis, and power generation can be efficiently performed using the temperature difference between them.

[0023] In the thermoelectric power generation system 10, the heat storage body 11 is formed by storing a phase change material 11b inside a copper container 11a, so that the temperature of the heat storage body 11 can be efficiently transferred to the thermoelectric power generation device 13. In addition, since the heat absorption and dissipation body 12 is formed of a heat sink, the heat dissipation rate and heat absorption rate are high, and the power generation efficiency can be improved. Therefore, the thermoelectric power generation system 10 can efficiently generate power even with a slight temperature change in the surrounding environment. In this way, since the thermoelectric power generation system 10 can generate power with a slight change in temperature, it can be used as a power source in places where solar power generation cannot be used, such as inside a container or a tunnel.

[0024] When the thermoelectric power generation system 10 uses the heat absorption / dissipation body 12 that has a higher heat dissipation rate than the heat storage body 11 only, a temperature difference is likely to occur between the heat storage body 11 and the heat absorption / dissipation body 12 when the temperature of the surrounding environment drops, and power can be generated. When the thermoelectric power generation system 10 uses the heat absorption / dissipation body 12 that has a higher heat absorption rate than the heat storage body 11 only, a temperature difference is likely to occur between the heat storage body 11 and the heat absorption / dissipation body 12 when the temperature of the surrounding environment rises, and power can be generated.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, in the thermoelectric power generation system 10, the heat absorber 12 may be made of a porous body 12a such as cloth containing water. In this case, heat dissipation can be performed by utilizing the heat of vaporization of water. In addition, it can be relatively easily constructed by using familiar cloth or the like. In the specific example shown in Fig. 2, two sets of thermoelectric power generation devices 13 and heat absorber 12 are placed on the surface of a container 11a of one large heat storage body 11, but the number is not limited to two, and may be one set or three or more sets.

[0026] In this case, as shown in Fig. 3, a water source 21 and a water conduit 22 may be provided so that water can be constantly supplied from the water source 21 to the porous body 12a through the water conduit 22. In this case, it is possible to prevent the water in the porous body 12a from running out, and power generation can be performed continuously. The water source 21 is, for example, one present on the ground or underground, or an arbitrarily provided water tank. The water conduit 22 is, for example, a capillary.

[0027] The thermoelectric power generation system 10 may also have a boosting unit that boosts the voltage of the output generated by the thermoelectric power generation device 13. In this case, the boosted electricity can be used to operate various sensors and can be used as a power source. The boosting unit is composed of a boosting circuit such as a DC-DC converter or a charge pump.

[0028] The thermoelectric power generation system 10 may also have a polarity adjustment unit that adjusts the polarity of the voltage of the output generated by the thermoelectric power generation device 13 when the temperature of the heat absorption and radiation body 12 is higher than the temperature of the heat storage body 11 to the same polarity as the polarity of the voltage of the output generated by the thermoelectric power generation device 13 when the temperature of the heat absorption and radiation body 12 is lower than the temperature of the heat storage body 11. In this case, it is possible to use both the power generation output when the temperature of the heat absorption and radiation body 12 is higher than the temperature of the heat storage body 11 and the power generation output when the temperature of the heat absorption and radiation body 12 is lower than the temperature of the heat storage body 11, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the generated electricity. This configuration can be realized, for example, by Figs. 4(a) and (b).

[0029] That is, as shown in Fig. 4(a), a thermoelectric power generation system 10 has at least two thermoelectric power generation devices 13 and further has two boost circuits 31 as a polarity adjustment unit, the output of one thermoelectric power generation device 13 is input to one boost circuit 31, and the output of the other thermoelectric power generation device 13 is input to the other boost circuit 31 with the polarity reversed, and the outputs of the boost circuits 31 having the same polarity may be connected to each other. Note that in Fig. 4(a), when the difference between the output voltage of the upper terminal and the output voltage of the lower terminal in the figure is positive, it is referred to as "positive polarity", and when the opposite is true, it is referred to as "negative polarity".

[0030] In this case, the thermoelectric generating devices 13 are installed and used in the same place, and when the output of each thermoelectric generating device 13 is positive, the output of one thermoelectric generating device 13 is boosted by one boost circuit 31 and output, and the output of the other thermoelectric generating device 13 has an inverted polarity and is not output from the other boost circuit 31. Therefore, the output of one thermoelectric generating device 13 is output from the output terminal 32. Also, when the output of each thermoelectric generating device 13 is negative, the output of one thermoelectric generating device 13 is not output from one boost circuit 31, and the output of the other thermoelectric generating device 13 has an inverted polarity and is boosted by the other boost circuit 31 and output. Therefore, the output of the other thermoelectric generating device 13 is output from the output terminal 32. In this way, both the case where the output of each thermoelectric generating device 13 is positive polarity and the case where the output of each thermoelectric generating device 13 is negative polarity can be utilized.

[0031] 4(b), the thermoelectric power generation system 10 has, as a polarity adjustment unit, four field effect transistors 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d, one amplifier 34, and one boost circuit 31. The first field effect transistor 33a has a source connected to one output of the thermoelectric power generation device 13 and a drain connected to one input of the boost circuit 31. The second field effect transistor 33b has a source connected to one output of the thermoelectric power generation device 13 and a drain connected to the other input of the boost circuit 31. The third field effect transistor 33c has a source connected to the other output of the thermoelectric power generation device 13 and a drain connected to the other input of the boost circuit 31. The drain of the fourth field effect transistor 33d is connected to the other input of the boost circuit 31, the source of the fourth field effect transistor 33d is connected to the other output of the thermoelectric power generation device 13, and the drain is connected to one input of the boost circuit 31, and the amplifier 34 has a positive input connected to one output of the thermoelectric power generation device 13, a negative input connected to the other output of the thermoelectric power generation device 13, and an output directly connected to the gates of the first field effect transistor 33a and the third field effect transistor 33c, and may be connected to the gates of the second field effect transistor 33b and the fourth field effect transistor 33d via an inversion circuit 35. In FIG. 4(b), the difference between the output voltage of the upper (one) terminal and the output voltage of the lower (other) terminal in the figure is positive and the opposite is called "positive polarity", and "negative polarity", respectively.

[0032] In this case, when the output of the thermoelectric generator 13 is positive, a voltage is applied to the gates of the first field effect transistor 33a and the third field effect transistor 33c by the positive output of the amplifier 34, and a current flows between the source and drain of the first field effect transistor 33a and the third field effect transistor 33c. In addition, since no voltage is applied to the gates of the second field effect transistor 33b and the fourth field effect transistor 33d, no current flows between the source and drain of the second field effect transistor 33b and the fourth field effect transistor 33d. Therefore, the output of the thermoelectric generator 13 is input as it is to the boost circuit 31, boosted, and output with positive polarity. Also, when the output of the thermoelectric generating device 13 is negative polarity, no voltage is applied to the gates of the first field effect transistor 33a and the third field effect transistor 33c due to the negative output of the amplifier 34, so that no current flows between the source and drain of the first field effect transistor 33a and the third field effect transistor 33c. Also, a voltage is applied to the gates of the second field effect transistor 33b and the fourth field effect transistor 33d, so that a current flows between the source and drain of the second field effect transistor 33b and the fourth field effect transistor 33d. Therefore, the polarity of the output of the thermoelectric generating device 13 is inverted and input to the boost circuit 31, where it is boosted and output as positive polarity. In this way, both the case where the output of the thermoelectric generating device 13 is positive polarity and the case where it is negative polarity can be utilized. EXAMPLES

[0033] Using the thermoelectric power generation system 10 shown in FIG. 1, the generated power was measured when the ambient temperature was changed. In the experiment, the size of the container 11a of the heat storage body 11 was 5 cm×5 cm×3 cm, and polyethylene glycol 600 (melting point: 15° C. to 25° C.) was used as the phase change material 11b. In addition, the thermoelectric power generation device 13 used had a thermal resistance of 1.79 K / W. As shown in FIG. 5, the experiment was performed by storing the thermoelectric power generation system 10 inside a thermostatic chamber 41 and intermittently changing the temperature inside the thermostatic chamber 41 between 5° C. and 35° C. During the experiment, the temperature T1 of the heat absorption and dissipation body 12 was measured by the thermocouple 42, and the temperature T2 of the phase change material 11b was measured by the thermocouple 43. In addition, the output voltage from the thermoelectric power generation device 13 was measured by a voltmeter 44 across a load resistor of 12Ω, and the generated power P was calculated. It is to be noted that the temperature T1 of the heat absorber 12 is considered to be substantially the same as the temperature inside the thermostatic chamber 41 since the heat absorber 12 has a high heat dissipation rate and a high heat absorption rate.

[0034] The experimental results are shown in Figures 6(a) and (b). As shown in Figure 6(a), it was confirmed that the temperature T1 of the heat absorber 12 changes intermittently in quick response to the temperature change inside the thermostatic chamber 41, whereas the temperature T2 of the phase change material 11b changes slowly, lagging behind the change in the temperature T1 of the heat absorber 12. Also, as shown in Figure 6(b), it was confirmed that the generated power (Power) P shows a peak every time the temperature T1 of the heat absorber 12 changes, and the peak becomes large when the temperature changes within the range of the melting point (transformation point) of the phase change material 11b. It was also confirmed that the generated power P corresponds to the difference between T1 and T2 shown in Figure 6(a). EXAMPLES

[0035] The thermoelectric power generation system 10 shown in FIG. 2 was used to measure the power generation. In the experiment, the size of the container 11a of the heat storage body 11 was 5 cm×5 cm×3 cm, and polyethylene glycol 600 (melting point: 15° C. to 25° C.) was used as the phase change material 11b. The thermoelectric power generation device 13 used had a thermal resistance of 1.79 K / W. The heat absorption and dissipation body 12 used a cloth with a size of 1 cm×1 cm. Only one set of the thermoelectric power generation device 13 and the heat absorption and dissipation body 12 was used. The experiment was performed in a room with a constant temperature, and the output of the thermoelectric power generation device 13 and the power generation from the boost circuit (DC-DC Converter) connected to the thermoelectric power generation device 13 were measured when water droplets were dropped on the cloth of the porous body 12a.

[0036] The experimental results are shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, it was confirmed that when water droplets were dropped, a temperature difference was generated between the heat absorption and dissipation body 12 and the heat storage body 11, so that an output (TEG Output) was obtained from the thermoelectric power generation device 13 and electric power (DC-DC Output) was generated. It was also confirmed that as time passes, the water in the heat absorption and dissipation body 12 evaporates, so the temperature difference between the heat absorption and dissipation body 12 and the heat storage body 11 becomes smaller, and both the output from the thermoelectric power generation device 13 and the generated electric power gradually decrease.

[0037] The same thermoelectric power generation device 13 and heat absorber 12 as those used in the experiment in Fig. 7 were used in two sets, and the output of the thermoelectric power generation device 13 was measured in the same manner. The experimental results are shown in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 8, as in Fig. 7, it was confirmed that when water droplets were dropped, an output (TEG Output) was obtained from the thermoelectric power generation device 13, and the output from the thermoelectric power generation device 13 gradually decreased over time. In addition, compared to Fig. 7, it was confirmed that the output from the thermoelectric power generation device 13 was approximately doubled because two sets of the thermoelectric power generation device 13 and heat absorber 12 were used. EXAMPLES

[0038] A temperature sensor was driven using the power generated by the thermoelectric power generation system 10 shown in Fig. 1, and temperature measurement experiments were carried out indoors and outdoors. In the experiment, the size of the container 11a of the heat storage body 11 was 5 cm x 5 cm x 3 cm, and polyethylene glycol 600 (melting point: 15°C to 25°C) was used as the phase change material 11b. The thermoelectric power generation device 13 used had a thermal resistance of 1.79 K / W.

[0039] A temperature measurement system 50 is shown in Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, the output of the thermoelectric power generation device 13 of the thermoelectric power generation system 10 is boosted by a boost circuit 31, rectified by a supercapacitor (electric double layer capacitor) 51, and then the voltage value is adjusted by a DC-DC converter 52 and supplied to a temperature sensor 54 via a timer 53. In addition, the measurement value of the temperature sensor is converted into a digital signal and temporarily stored in a memory 55, and then converted into a transmission signal by a signal processor 56 and wirelessly transmitted from an RF front end 57 through an antenna 58 to a personal computer.

[0040] The results of measuring the temperature indoors and outdoors are shown in Figures 10(a) and (b), respectively. As shown in Figure 10, the daily changes in temperature were captured both indoors and outdoors, and it was confirmed that power was being supplied to the temperature sensor. Note that the data loss during the night from the second to third day in Figure 10(a) (the area surrounded by the dashed line in the figure) is due to the personal computer going into standby mode and not receiving data. Also, the spike-shaped peak during the day in Figure 10(b) is due to direct sunlight hitting the temperature sensor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10 Thermoelectric power generation system 11 Heat storage body 11a Container 11b Phase change materials 12 Heat sink / radiator 13 Thermoelectric power generation device 12a Porous body 21 Water source 22 Water Pipe 31 Boost circuit 32 Output terminal 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d Field effect transistors 34 Amplifier 35 Inverting circuit 41 Constant temperature bath 42, 43 Thermocouple 44 Voltmeter 50 Temperature Measurement System 51 Supercapacitor 52 DC-DC converter 53 Timer 54 Temperature Sensor 55 Memory 56 Signal processor 57 RF Front End 58 Antenna

Claims

1. A heat storage body comprising a copper container and a phase change material stored therein; A heat absorbing and absorbing body having a higher heat dissipation rate and / or heat absorption rate than the heat storage body; a thermoelectric power generation device disposed between the heat storage body and the heat absorption and dissipation body and configured to generate electricity using a temperature difference between the heat storage body and the heat absorption and dissipation body; A thermoelectric power generation system comprising:

2. 2. The thermoelectric power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric power generation device is in the form of a plate, one surface of which is in contact with the heat storage body and the other surface of which is in contact with the heat absorption and dissipation body.

3. 3. The thermoelectric power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the heat storage body is formed by storing the phase change material in a metal container.

4. 4. The thermoelectric power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the heat absorber / dissipator is a heat sink.

5. 4. The thermoelectric power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the heat absorber is configured to dissipate heat by utilizing heat of vaporization of water.

6. 6. The thermoelectric power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a booster section for boosting a voltage of the output generated by the thermoelectric power generation device.

7. The thermoelectric power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a polarity adjustment unit that adjusts the polarity of the output voltage generated by the thermoelectric power generation device when the temperature of the heat absorber is higher than the temperature of the heat storage body to the same polarity as the polarity of the output voltage generated by the thermoelectric power generation device when the temperature of the heat absorber is lower than the temperature of the heat storage body.

8. The thermoelectric generating device comprises two the polarity adjustment unit has two boost circuits, The output of one thermoelectric generator is input to one boost circuit, and the output of the other thermoelectric generator is connected to the other boost circuit with the polarity reversed, and the outputs of the boost circuits are connected to each other with the same polarity.

8. The thermoelectric power generation system according to claim 7.

9. the polarity adjustment unit includes a first field effect transistor, a second field effect transistor, a third field effect transistor, a fourth field effect transistor, an amplifier, and a boost circuit; the first field effect transistor has a source connected to one output of the thermoelectric power generation device and a drain connected to one input of the boost circuit; the second field effect transistor has a source connected to the one output of the thermoelectric power generation device and a drain connected to the other input of the boost circuit; the third field effect transistor has a source connected to the other output of the thermoelectric power generation device and a drain connected to the other input of the boost circuit; the fourth field effect transistor has a source connected to the other output of the thermoelectric power generation device and a drain connected to the one input of the boost circuit; the amplifier has a positive input connected to the one output of the thermoelectric power generation device, a negative input connected to the other output of the thermoelectric power generation device, and an output connected to gates of the first field effect transistor and the third field effect transistor, and connected to gates of the second field effect transistor and the fourth field effect transistor via an inverting circuit; 8. The thermoelectric power generation system according to claim 7.

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