Thermoelectric Pellet Sidewall Electrodes for Thermal Lensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoelectric generators face challenges in cost per watt compared to other power generation methods due to the inherent thermoelectric properties of semiconductor materials and the cost of manufacturing heat exchangers, limiting their widespread adoption for clean energy production.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric generator design that incorporates metal sidewalls on semiconductor pellets to modify thermal gradients, increasing the effective area of the thermoelectric effect by introducing three-dimensional isotherm curvature, enhancing heat transfer and electrical current generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional flat electrode design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but power output is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the electrode design by creating a lens-shaped (convex) electrode surface that contacts the semiconductor pellet. This curved geometry focuses thermal energy onto a smaller area of the pellet, increasing the thermal gradient and thereby enhancing the thermoelectric effect to generate higher power output compared to flat electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional flat electrode contact to a three-dimensional lens-shaped electrode structure. This dimensional change allows the electrode to focus thermal energy through its curved surface, creating a concentrated thermal pathway that increases power generation efficiency
2Power
If semiconductor pellet volume is increased, then power output increases, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lens-shaped electrode creates a non-uniform thermal distribution within the semiconductor pellet, concentrating thermal energy in specific regions rather than distributing it uniformly. This local concentration of thermal quality allows the smaller pellet volume to achieve higher local thermal gradients, thereby maintaining high power output without increasing overall device size
3Power
If heat transfer area is increased, then thermal energy conversion improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens-shaped electrode combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the electrical contact and the thermal focusing element. By merging the electrical connection function with the thermal concentration function, the design improves heat energy conversion efficiency without adding separate manufacturing steps or components
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 significantly increases power output by up to 60% without altering the pellet's volume, leveraging the thermal lensing effect to enhance heat energy conversion into electrical energy.
Implementation Method 1
modifying the electrode geometry adjacent to the semiconductor pellet used in the component assembly of a thermoelectric module... introducing three-dimensional isotherm curvature... leveraging the thermal lensing effect to enhance heat energy conversion into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
Thermoelectric modules can be used for alternative power generation in the Seebeck mode to convert a heat flux into an electrical flux
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary thermoelectric devices and methods are disclosed herein. Thermoelectric generator performance is increased by the shaping isothermal fields within the bulk of a thermoelectric pellet, resulting in an increase in power output of a thermoelectric generator module. In one embodiment, a thermoelectric device includes a pellet comprising a semiconductor material, a first metal layer surrounding a first portion of the pellet, and a second metal layer surrounding a second portion of the pellet. The first and second metal layers are configured proximate to one another about a perimeter of the pellet. The pellet is exposed at the perimeter. And the perimeter is configured at a sidewall height about the pellet to provide a non-linear effect on a power output of the thermoelectric device by modifying an isotherm surface curvature within the pellet. The device also includes a metal container thermally and electrically bonded to the pellet.