Thermoelectric Generator Heat Diffuser for Uniform Flame Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoelectric generators face inefficiencies in heat absorption due to irregular and uneven flame patterns from heat-treating furnaces, leading to incomplete temperature distribution on heat-receiving plates, which hampers effective power generation.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric generator design featuring a heat-receiving plate with a heat diffuser and absorber, covered by a structure that introduces and diffuses high-temperature combustion gas evenly across the plate, ensuring uniform heating through a heat inlet and outlet system, and utilizing heat pipes for isothermalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple heat-receiving plate is used without additional heat distribution components, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature distribution uniformity on the heat-receiving plate deteriorates due to irregular flame patterns
Solution Approach 1:
A heat diffuser is introduced as an intermediary component between the flame source and the heat-receiving plate. The heat diffuser receives irregular flame input and transforms it into uniform heat distribution across the plate surface, mediating between the unstable flame and the requirement for uniform temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-receiving plate is divided into multiple sections with independent heating zones. Each section can be independently controlled to achieve uniform temperature distribution across the entire plate, addressing the irregular flame patterns by segmenting the heating area
2Use of energy by moving object
If fins are added to enhance heat absorption, then the heat absorption efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases and the reliability is insufficient due to irregular flame nature
Solution Approach 1:
The heat diffuser acts as a mediator that pre-processes the flame before it reaches the heat-receiving plate, creating uniform heat distribution that enhances absorption efficiency without requiring complex fin structures
Solution Approach 2:
The heat diffuser creates a copied or replicated uniform heat pattern across the plate surface, transforming the irregular flame pattern into a uniform distribution that reliably heats the entire plate area
3Device complexity
If the flame directly touches the heat-receiving plate without diffusion, then the device structure is simplified, but the temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates and power generation efficiency is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The heat diffuser is positioned as an intermediary layer between the flame and the heat-receiving plate, transforming irregular flame contact into uniform heat distribution across the plate, thereby enabling efficient power generation without excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The heat diffuser changes the physical parameters of heat transfer by distributing the concentrated flame energy across a larger area of the heat-receiving plate, transforming the temperature distribution parameter from irregular to uniform
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 design enables efficient and even heating of the heat-receiving plate, enhancing thermal energy absorption and conversion into electricity, regardless of the irregularity of the flame source, thereby improving power generation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The thermoelectric generation module generates electric power with Seebeck effect based on a temperature difference between the heat-receiving plate and the cooling plate
Implementation Method 2
the heat diffuser diffuses the combustion gas introduced through the heat inlet along the heat-receiving surface
Implementation Method 3
the heat absorber absorbing a heat of the high-temperature combustion gas diffused by the heat diffuser
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoelectric generator includes a heat-receiving plate having a heat-receiving surface for receiving flame and high-temperature combustion gas, a thermoelectric generation module disposed at a surface of the heat-receiving plate opposite the heat-receiving surface, a cooling plate disposed at a side of the thermoelectric generation module opposite the heat-receiving plate, a cover disposed to cover the heat-receiving surface and including a heat inlet for introducing the flame and the high-temperature combustion gas and a heat outlet for discharging the temperature-reduced combustion gas introduced through the heat inlet, a heat diffuser provided on the heat-receiving surface at a position corresponding to the heat inlet and configured to diffuse the combustion gas introduced through the heat inlet along the heat-receiving surface, and a heat absorber provided on the heat-receiving surface to surround the heat diffuser and configured to absorb the heat of the high-temperature combustion gas diffused by the heat diffuser.