Cylindrical thermoelectric cells

Patent · Tue Jul 20 04:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:7369165

Hed, A Z

A thermoelectric system is described including a thermoelectric device comprising a plurality of thermoelectric cells each cell comprising (i) an inner annulus member having an imaginary axis; (ii) an outer annulus member coaxial with the inner member and having an inner wall separated from the inner member by an annular space; (iii) a plurality of thermocouples positioned in the annular space, each thermocouple comprising a leg of p-semiconductive material and a leg of n-semiconductive material, each leg having two ends and being radially directed relative to said axis, each leg being in thermal contact with the inner annulus member at one of its ends and being electrically connected to the other leg of its thermocouple at the same end, with the p-type leg of one couple connected to the n-type leg of an adjacent couple at the ends nearest the outer annulus member; the cells arranged side-by-side along their axis, the system further comprising a source of DC power electrically connected to each thermocouple of each cell and pump means to flow a continuous stream of liquid through the inner annulus member and to return the same stream of liquid in the opposite direction over the outer annulus member.

• Assignee: Implemed, Inc., Brookline, MA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5228923; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-626986
• OSTI ID: 7369165
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300301* -- Thermoelectric Generators-- Design & Development
ANNULAR SPACE
CONFIGURATION
DC SYSTEMS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
MATERIALS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
N-TYPE CONDUCTORS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
P-TYPE CONDUCTORS
POWER SUPPLIES
POWER SYSTEMS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SPACE
THERMOCOUPLES
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS