Deformable Thermoelectric Generator Membrane for Heat Source Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoelectric generators face difficulties in achieving reliable mechanical and thermal contact with heat sources, leading to implementation challenges, performance issues, and potential membrane deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A deformable polyimide membrane with thermoelectric tracks of alternating N and P doping types, featuring slits, a central hole, and a thermally conductive layer, allows for flexible contact with heat sources, enhancing mechanical and thermal coupling and robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid membrane is used to maintain structural stability, then mechanical strength is improved, but thermal contact with the heat source deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a rigid membrane to a deformable membrane that can dynamically adapt its shape to maintain reliable thermal contact with the heat source. The deformable membrane flexes and conforms to the heat source surface, ensuring consistent thermal coupling while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength through appropriate material selection and structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the membrane by selecting materials and designing structures that provide controlled deformability. This allows the membrane to change its physical state from rigid to flexible under thermal loading, enabling it to adapt to heat source geometry variations while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the membrane is made highly deformable to improve thermal contact, then thermal contact efficiency is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the membrane's physical parameters by selecting materials with appropriate elastic moduli and thicknesses that balance deformability and stability. The membrane is designed to be sufficiently deformable to conform to the heat source while maintaining enough structural rigidity to prevent collapse or excessive deformation under operational loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining different layers or materials with complementary properties. This allows the membrane to exhibit both deformability for thermal contact and stability for structural support, with each layer contributing specific mechanical or thermal properties to achieve the desired balance.
3Productivity
If thermoelectric tracks are placed close together to increase power output, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible thin-film fabrication techniques to create thermoelectric tracks on the deformable membrane. This approach enables precise positioning of tracks through advanced thin-film deposition and patterning methods, allowing closely spaced tracks to be manufactured with high precision while maintaining the flexibility needed for thermal contact.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables a thermoelectric generator with improved efficiency and robustness, capable of maintaining effective thermal contact even with moving heat sources, thereby increasing conversion efficiency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
the central parts of the membrane being intended to be in mechanical and thermal contact with a heat source
Implementation Method 2
a thermoelectric generator, converting thermal energy into electricity
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to an electricity generator comprising a suspended membrane (202) resting on a frame (104), the membrane bearing alternating thermoelectric tracks (110) connected in series and each having one end on the frame and one end on a central part of the membrane, wherein the membrane is deformable, the central parts of the membrane being intended to be in mechanical and thermal contact with a heat source (130).