Thermoelectric power generation systems

Abstract

Representative configurations for improved thermoelectric power generation systems to improve and increase thermal efficiency are disclosed.

1 . A thermoelectric power generation system comprising: 
 a plurality of thermoelectric elements, wherein a working medium in thermal communication with at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements collects heat from the at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, and wherein after collecting said heat, the working medium collects heat from a heat source and then dispenses at least a portion of its heat to at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, thereby generating power; and    at least one electrical system that transfers the power from the plurality of thermoelectric elements.    
   
   
       2 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the working medium is solid.  
   
   
       3 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the working medium is fluid.  
   
   
       4 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises a combusted portion of the working medium.  
   
   
       5 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the working medium is a combination of fluid and solid.  
   
   
       6 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements are configured to allow the working medium to pass through them.  
   
   
       7 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 6 , wherein at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements are porous.  
   
   
       8 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements are configured to allow convective heat transport by the working medium.  
   
   
       9 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power generation controller.  
   
   
       10 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 9 , wherein the power generation controller controls the speed of working medium movement.  
   
   
       11 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of heat exchangers, wherein at least some of the heat exchangers are in thermal communication with at least some of the thermoelectric elements.  
   
   
       12 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least some of the heat exchangers provide thermal isolation in a direction of working medium movement.  
   
   
       13 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one thermoelectric element of the plurality of thermoelectric elements is configured to allow convective heat transport by the working medium, and at least a plurality of other thermoelectric elements of the plurality of thermoelectric elements are configured to provide thermal isolation in a direction of working medium movement.  
   
   
       14 . The thermoelectric power generation system of  claim 13 , wherein the working medium comprises a working fluid that convects heat through the at least one of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, and is thereby heated.  
   
   
       15 . A method of generating power with a thermoelectric power generation system, the method comprising: 
 moving a working medium to be in thermal communication with a plurality of thermoelectric elements;    transferring heat into the working medium from the at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements;    adding further heat to the working medium;    dispensing heat from the working medium to at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, thereby generating power.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein adding further heat comprises combusting a portion of the working medium.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein adding further heat comprises solar heating the working medium.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising passing the working medium through at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising convecting heat with the working medium.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising controlling the power generation to match a criterion.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said criterion is efficiency.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising controlling the speed of movement of the working medium.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising thermally isolating at least some of the thermoelectric elements in a direction of working media movement.