Thermoelectric Module Sheath for Simpler Liquid Cooling Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoelectric modules require complex and precise assembly to ensure good contact between tubes and thermoelectric elements, limiting design freedom and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric module with a hermetically sealed, electrically insulating sheath surrounding thermoelectric elements, allowing a liquid cold fluid to establish thermal contact without circulating through complex cold tubes, and a heat exchanger design that integrates both hot and cold circuits for efficient heat exchange and power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex stack of tubes and thermoelectric elements is used to ensure good thermal contact, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cold plate as an intermediary component between the thermoelectric elements and the cold fluid circulation system. This cold plate provides a large thermal contact area that ensures efficient heat transfer from the thermoelectric elements to the cold fluid, eliminating the need for complex tube stacks while maintaining reliable thermal contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold plate serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermal conductor for heat exchange, provides structural support for mounting thermoelectric elements, and defines the circulation path for cold fluid. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise and complicated assembly is performed to ensure good contact between tubes and thermoelectric elements, then thermal contact quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: thermoelectric elements, cold plate, hot fluid circulation system, and insulation layers. Each module can be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing the precision requirements for final assembly compared to a monolithic tube-stack structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold plate acts as a standardized interface component that simplifies assembly. Thermoelectric elements are mounted on the cold plate using standard mounting techniques, and the cold plate itself is assembled with the hot fluid circulation system using conventional joining methods, reducing the need for highly precise custom fittings.
3Reliability
If cold fluid circulates through a stack of cold tubes, then heat exchange is achieved, but design freedom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cold plate provides a universal interface for heat exchange that can be adapted to various applications and geometries. The cold fluid circulation system can be configured in different ways (external reservoirs, internal channels, spray systems) while maintaining the same basic thermoelectric module design, greatly increasing design freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold fluid circulation path is extracted from the thermoelectric module itself and can be implemented as a separate, customizable system. This allows the thermoelectric elements and cold plate to be designed independently from the specific cold fluid circulation configuration, enabling greater versatility in system design.
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 simplifies assembly, enhances design flexibility, and achieves efficient heat exchange and power generation by utilizing a liquid cold fluid, reducing the complexity of the thermoelectric device and improving integration into motor vehicle exhaust gas recirculation systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one thermoelectric element allowing the generation of an electric current from a temperature gradient applied between two of its active faces
Implementation Method 2
the sheath is arranged to establish thermal contact between a liquid, said cold, of lower temperature than that of the first fluid, and the other of said active faces
Implementation Method 3
a first circuit, called hot, capable of allowing the circulation of a first fluid in heat exchange relationship with one of said active faces
Implementation Method 4
the circulation of a first fluid in heat exchange relationship
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a thermoelectric module (1), comprising at least one thermoelectric element (3) allowing the generation of an electric current from a temperature gradient applied between two of its active faces (4a, 4p), a first so-called hot circuit (2) able to allow the flow of a first fluid in a heat exchange relationship with one of said active faces and a sheath (8) surrounding said thermoelectric elements (3) and said hot circuit (2) such that the sheath (8) is arranged to establish thermal contact between a so-called cold liquid with a temperature lower than that of the first fluid, and the other of said active faces and to hermetically separate said cold liquid on the one hand and said thermoelectric element(s) (3) and said hot circuit (2) on the other hand. The invention also relates to a thermoelectric device comprising at least one module as described and a heat exchanger comprising such a device.