Thermoelectric Generator System

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric generator system that can improve the cooling efficiency of the cooling fins and has excellent power generation efficiency. [Solution] A thermoelectric generator system having a thermoelectric generator that generates electricity using a plate-shaped thermoelectric element 1, the system includes a heat source 3 that heats one side of the thermoelectric element 1, a plurality of air-cooled cooling fins 2 that cool the other side of the thermoelectric element, a thermoelectric generator having the same, and an exhaust pipe 4 that extends in the vertical direction and is configured to blow inflow air 5 to the cooling fins, and collects the exhaust air after cooling and discharges it upward.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an air-cooled thermoelectric power generation technology that uses solar heat, and Patent Document 2 discloses an air-cooled thermoelectric power generation technology that uses heat generated by burning a mixed gas in a combustion chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 080475 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-164876 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, the cooling fins installed as a cooling configuration are connected in the vertical direction, and the air heated by the lower fins flows through the upper fins, resulting in poor cooling efficiency.In addition, an exhaust drive fan is provided, which requires energy to drive.

[0005] In Patent Document 2, a thermoelectric element is arranged to sandwich a heat input section, and a fin section equipped with a cooling fan is provided on the outside. As with the above, energy is required to drive the fan.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric generator system that can improve the cooling efficiency of the cooling fins and has excellent power generation efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The thermoelectric generator system of the present invention is a thermoelectric generator system including a thermoelectric generator that generates electricity using a plate-shaped thermoelectric element, the thermoelectric generator including a heat source that heats one surface of the thermoelectric element and an air-cooled cooling fin that cools the other surface of the thermoelectric element, A plurality of the thermoelectric generators are arranged in a vertical direction, and The cooling fins individually configured to blow cooling air, extending in a vertical direction; A plurality of the thermoelectric generators Recover the cooled air By natural convection It is characterized by being equipped with an exhaust pipe that discharges upward. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermoelectric generator system in which the cooling efficiency of the cooling fins can be improved and the power generation efficiency can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a thermoelectric generator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows another configuration of the thermoelectric generator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 shows the basic configuration of a thermoelectric generator system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 shows another example of the configuration of the thermoelectric generator system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 shows another example of the configuration of the thermoelectric generator system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 shows another example of the configuration of the thermoelectric generator system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a top view showing another example of the configuration of the thermoelectric generator system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a top view showing another example of the configuration of the thermoelectric generator system according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the thermoelectric generator of the present invention will be described. The embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention, and for clarity of explanation, some omissions and simplifications have been made. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. Unless otherwise specified, each component may be singular or plural.

[0013] In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the position, size, shape, range, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may not represent the actual position, size, shape, range, etc. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the position, size, shape, range, etc. disclosed in the drawings. [Example]

[0014] The air-cooled thermoelectric generator of this embodiment will be described using Figure 1. A heat exchanger 3, which serves as a heat source, and cooling fins 2 are arranged to sandwich a thermoelectric element 1. For example, a Peltier module or the like is used for the thermoelectric element 1, and electricity is generated by the temperature difference between the two sides (high-temperature side and low-temperature side). In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 3 is arranged as the heat source, but other heat sources may be used. A high-temperature medium such as hot water is circulated through the heat exchanger 3, which has piping, to heat one side of the thermoelectric element 1. In addition, an air-cooled cooling fin 2 is arranged on the other side of the thermoelectric element 1. Air is circulated through this cooling fin 2 to cool the other side of the thermoelectric element 1. This configuration creates a temperature difference between the two sides of the thermoelectric element 1, allowing electricity to be generated.

[0015] Another configuration of the thermoelectric generator used in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Thermoelectric elements 1 are arranged on both sides of a heat exchanger 3, which is a heat source. Cooling fins 2 are arranged on both outer sides of this thermoelectric element 1. In other words, the cooling fins 2, thermoelectric element 1, heat exchanger 3, thermoelectric element 1, and cooling fins 2 are stacked in this order. With this configuration, electricity can be efficiently generated by multiple thermoelectric elements 1 using a single heat source.

[0016] Fig. 3 shows the basic configuration of a thermoelectric generator system according to this embodiment. This thermoelectric generator system includes the thermoelectric generator described in Fig. 2 and an exhaust pipe 4 that extends in the vertical direction and discharges exhaust air 6 upward. In this embodiment, the thermoelectric generator described in Fig. 2 will be used, but the thermoelectric generator described in Fig. 1 or the like may also be used.

[0017] Here, inlet air 5 flows individually into each cooling fin 2 of the thermoelectric generator. The air that has cooled and passed through each cooling fin 2 is collected in the exhaust stack 4 as heated exhaust air 6. In the exhaust stack 4, the high-temperature exhaust air 6 is discharged upward by natural convection. In other words, the difference in specific gravity between the air heated by the cooling fins 2 and the surrounding air causes the heated air to move upward. This upward movement of air within the exhaust stack 4 generates an air flow from the inlet to the outlet in the cooling fins 2, thereby enhancing the air cooling of the cooling fins 2. As the air cooling effect improves, the temperature difference between both sides of the thermoelectric element 1 increases, and the generator output increases. In other words, the heated air within the exhaust stack 4 rises due to the chimney effect, generating a draft force that causes a continuous flow of cooling air to the cooling fins 2.

[0018] One way to improve the air-cooling effect would be to increase the heat capacity and cooling area of ​​the cooling fins 2, but this would require the cooling fins 2 to be larger, increasing material costs. In this embodiment, the air-cooling effect is improved and the generator output is increased without increasing the size of the cooling fins 2. In this embodiment, the difference in specific gravity between the air heated by the cooling fins 2 and the surrounding air in the exhaust stack 4 causes the heated air to move upward, making the flow from the incoming air to the outgoing air smooth.

[0019] As a means for maintaining the internal temperature in the exhaust stack 4, for example, a heat insulating material may be provided, and by maintaining the air temperature inside the exhaust stack 4, the air may be made to move more easily upward. Also, a heater may be provided as a heating means for heating the internal temperature in the exhaust stack 4. As a means for maintaining the temperature or a heating means, the medium after heat exchange in the heat exchanger or various types of exhaust heat can be used. By doing so, the chimney effect can be enhanced, making it easier for the air to move upward. Furthermore, a blower or the like may be used to increase the air-cooling effect, thereby increasing the power generator output. [Example]

[0020] 4 shows another example of the configuration of the thermoelectric generator system according to this embodiment. Two thermoelectric generators are stacked vertically. However, more than two thermoelectric generators may be stacked vertically.

[0021] The inlet air 5 is configured to flow individually into each cooling fin 2, so that cool air flows in. The outlet air 6 is collected in the exhaust stack 4 and discharged upward.

[0022] In this embodiment, the same effects as in the other embodiments can be obtained, and power can be generated efficiently using multiple thermoelectric generators. Furthermore, in the thermoelectric generator system shown in Fig. 4, the air heated by the four cooling fins 2 flows into the exhaust pipe 4 and moves upward, further smoothing the flow from the inlet air to the outlet air. Furthermore, since multiple thermoelectric generators are arranged vertically, the installation area of ​​the equipment can be reduced.

[0023] In this embodiment, multiple thermoelectric generators are arranged in the vertical direction, but multiple thermoelectric generators may be arranged in the horizontal direction (for example, in the depth direction or front direction in the drawing).Furthermore, multiple thermoelectric generators may be arranged in both the vertical and horizontal directions. [Example]

[0024] FIG. 5 shows another example of the configuration of the thermoelectric generator system according to this embodiment. Thermoelectric generators are arranged facing each other with an exhaust stack 4 in between. This is an example of a multiple-unit arrangement in the horizontal direction. The generators are arranged so that air flows from both sides to the exhaust stack 4 in the middle. It is also possible to arrange four thermoelectric generators in a cross shape when viewed from above, with the exhaust stack 4 located in the center of the cross, and so that air flows from the periphery to the central exhaust stack 4.

[0025] In this embodiment, the same effects as in the other embodiments can be obtained, and power can be generated efficiently by a plurality of thermoelectric generators. In this embodiment, a plurality of thermoelectric generators may be further arranged in the vertical direction. [Example]

[0026] FIG. 6 shows another example of the configuration of a thermoelectric generator system according to this embodiment. This is an example of piping in which a heat exchanger 3, which is a heat source, is arranged extending in the vertical direction. In the thermoelectric generator system of this embodiment, the heat exchanger 3, thermoelectric element 1, and cooling fins 2 are arranged from the back in the depth direction of the drawing. By arranging the heat source in this way, the components of the heat source can be simplified. Inlet air 5 flows into the cooling fins 2 individually. The air that has passed through the cooling fins 2 after cooling is sent to the exhaust stack 4, as in the previous embodiment, and the high-temperature exhaust air 6 is discharged upward in the exhaust stack 4 by natural convection.

[0027] Figure 7 is a top view of the thermoelectric generator system of Figure 6. A heat medium flows inside the heat exchanger 3, which serves as a heat source. To maintain the temperature, the heat exchanger 3 is surrounded by a heat insulating material. It is attached with mounting brackets 8, sandwiching the thermoelectric element 1, and heats one side of the thermoelectric element 1. Inlet air 5 flows into the cooling fins 2 individually, and outlet air 6 is sent to the exhaust pipe 4. Note that the heat exchanger 3, which is the heat source, is arranged to extend vertically, but it may also be arranged to extend horizontally.

[0028] Figure 8 is a top view of another example of the thermoelectric generator system of Figures 6 and 7. A heat source plate 30 is used as the heat source. Similar to the heat exchanger 3 of Figure 6, the heat source plate 30 is arranged extending in the vertical direction. It is attached with mounting brackets 8 sandwiching the thermoelectric element 1, and heats one side of the thermoelectric element 1. To maintain the temperature, the periphery of the extending arrangement in the vertical direction is covered with a heat insulating material. Inlet air 5 flows into the cooling fins 2 individually, and outlet air 6 is sent to the exhaust stack 4.

[0029] In this embodiment, the same effects as in the other embodiments can be obtained, and power can be generated efficiently by a plurality of thermoelectric generators. In this embodiment, a plurality of thermoelectric generators may be arranged in the horizontal direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1...thermoelectric element, 2...Cooling fins, 3...Heat exchanger, 4...Exhaust pipe, 5...inlet air, 6...exhaust air, 7...Insulation material, 8...Mounting bracket, 30…Heat source flat plate

Claims

1. A thermoelectric generator system including a thermoelectric generator that generates electricity using a plate-shaped thermoelectric element, The thermoelectric generator comprises: a heat source that heats one surface of the thermoelectric element; an air-cooled cooling fin for cooling the other surface of the thermoelectric element; A plurality of the thermoelectric generators are arranged in a vertical direction, a cooling fin configured to individually blow cooling air to the cooling fins of the plurality of thermoelectric generators; A thermoelectric generator system comprising an exhaust pipe extending in a vertical direction and recovering air used to cool the thermoelectric generators and discharging the air upward by natural convection.

2. 10. The thermoelectric generator system of claim 1, The thermoelectric generator includes a heat exchanger serving as a heat source between the two plate-shaped thermoelectric elements; two air-cooled cooling fins for cooling the thermoelectric elements are provided on both sides of the two plate-shaped thermoelectric elements opposite to the heat exchanger; A thermoelectric generator system characterized in that cooling air is blown individually to each of the two cooling fins, and that an exhaust pipe is provided to collect and discharge the air after cooling.

3. 10. The thermoelectric generator system of claim 1, At least two of the thermoelectric generators are arranged horizontally; A thermoelectric generator system characterized in that the exhaust stack is configured to recover cooled air from the plurality of cooling fins and discharge it upward.

4. 10. The thermoelectric generator system of claim 1, A thermoelectric generator system characterized in that the exhaust stack is provided with a maintaining means for maintaining an internal temperature.

5. 10. The thermoelectric generator system of claim 1, A thermoelectric generator system characterized in that the exhaust stack is provided with a heating means for increasing the temperature inside the exhaust stack.

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