Thermoelectric Cell Structure With Orthogonal Heat and Current Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermocouples connected in series for temperature measurement experience increased internal resistance and reduced current, making it difficult to use them for thermoelectric generation due to the trade-off between voltage and current, and the lack of research on reducing internal resistance.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric generation cell structure is developed using a metal material with a temperature difference holding section and insulation films to minimize internal resistance, where heat flow and current flow are orthogonal, utilizing thin metal plates and wires with specific electrical and thermal conductivities to separate heat and electricity flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If thermocouples are connected in series for temperature measurement, then voltage increases, but internal resistance increases and current decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thermoelectric generation system into multiple independent thermocouple modules that are connected in parallel rather than series. Each module contains its own thermocouple elements (hot junction and cold junction) and can generate current independently. This segmentation allows the system to maintain low internal resistance while still achieving high voltage through parallel connection of multiple modules, thereby resolving the contradiction between voltage increase and internal resistance increase.
2Power
If thermocouples are used for thermoelectric generation, then voltage is generated, but current is insufficient due to high internal resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple thermocouple modules in parallel configuration, where each module contributes to the total current output. By combining multiple independent current-generating paths, the system achieves both high voltage (through the thermoelectric effect in each module) and high current (through parallel addition of currents), thereby resolving the contradiction between voltage generation and current insufficiency.
3Productivity
If toxic materials like Bi2Te3 are used for thermoelectric generation, then thermoelectric conversion efficiency is improved, but safety and handling become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces toxic, expensive materials like Bi2Te3 with inexpensive, safe, and readily available materials such as common metal thermocouples (e.g., copper-constantan, iron-constantan). While individual thermocouple materials have lower thermoelectric conversion efficiency compared to toxic materials, the parallel configuration of multiple modules compensates for this, achieving practical power generation while eliminating safety and handling problems associated with toxic materials.
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
This structure allows for efficient thermoelectric generation using safe and inexpensive materials, reducing internal resistance and increasing voltage while maintaining high durability and temperature measurement capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an electromotive force is generated by applying a temperature difference to two types of dissimilar metals or both ends of a semiconductor by the Seebeck effect that directly converts thermal energy into electricity
Implementation Method 2
a temperature difference holding section that maintains a temperature difference between a high temperature portion and a lower temperature portion of the metal material
Implementation Method 3
insulation films to minimize internal resistance, where heat flow and current flow are orthogonal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3(b)
Figure 4(A)~5
AI summary
[Object] To provide a thermoelectric generation cell using a safe and inexpensive general-purpose thermoelectric material. [Solving Means] A thermoelectric generation cell, including: a fire-resistant-material frame (310) that holds a plurality of stacked thermoelectric generation units in a state of being insulated from adjacent thermoelectric generation units with each other; a heating section (311) of a plurality of stacked bodies of the thermoelectric generation units, the heating section being provided to the fire-resistant-material frame; and first and second cooling insulation oil sections (312a and 312b) that are provided at both sides of the fire-resistant-material frame, the first and second cooling insulation oil portions (312a and 312b) being provided on sides of first and second cooling sections of the thermoelectric generation units, the thermoelectric generation cell having a structure in which the thermoelectric generation units are bridged while being extended between the first cooling insulation oil section, the fire-resistant-material frame, and the second cooling insulation oil section.