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Title: Method of operating a thermoelectric generator

Abstract

A method for operating a thermoelectric generator supplying a variable-load component includes commanding the variable-load component to operate at a first output and determining a first load current and a first load voltage to the variable-load component while operating at the commanded first output. The method also includes commanding the variable-load component to operate at a second output and determining a second load current and a second load voltage to the variable-load component while operating at the commanded second output. The method includes calculating a maximum power output of the thermoelectric generator from the determined first load current and voltage and the determined second load current and voltage, and commanding the variable-load component to operate at a third output. The commanded third output is configured to draw the calculated maximum power output from the thermoelectric generator.

Inventors:
;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC (Detroit, MI)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1107803
Patent Number(s):
8575788
Application Number:
13/029,523
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC (Detroit, MI)
DOE Contract Number:  
FC26-04NT42278
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

Citation Formats

Reynolds, Michael G, and Cowgill, Joshua D. Method of operating a thermoelectric generator. United States: N. p., 2013. Web.
Reynolds, Michael G, & Cowgill, Joshua D. Method of operating a thermoelectric generator. United States.
Reynolds, Michael G, and Cowgill, Joshua D. Tue . "Method of operating a thermoelectric generator". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1107803.
@article{osti_1107803,
title = {Method of operating a thermoelectric generator},
author = {Reynolds, Michael G and Cowgill, Joshua D},
abstractNote = {A method for operating a thermoelectric generator supplying a variable-load component includes commanding the variable-load component to operate at a first output and determining a first load current and a first load voltage to the variable-load component while operating at the commanded first output. The method also includes commanding the variable-load component to operate at a second output and determining a second load current and a second load voltage to the variable-load component while operating at the commanded second output. The method includes calculating a maximum power output of the thermoelectric generator from the determined first load current and voltage and the determined second load current and voltage, and commanding the variable-load component to operate at a third output. The commanded third output is configured to draw the calculated maximum power output from the thermoelectric generator.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2013},
month = {11}
}