Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120248386 | THERMOELECTRIC MATERIALS HAVING POROSITY - A thermoelectric material and a method of making a thermoelectric material are provided. In certain embodiments, the thermoelectric material comprises at least 10 volume percent porosity. In some embodiments, the thermoelectric material has a zT greater than about 1.2 at a temperature of about 375 K. In some embodiments, the thermoelectric material comprises a topological thermoelectric material. In some embodiments, the thermoelectric material comprises a general composition of (Bi | 10-04-2012 |
20130037073 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING CURRENT AND INCREASING VOLTAGE IN THERMOELECTRIC SYSTEMS - A thermoelectric assembly and method are provided. The thermoelectric assembly can extend at least partially around a perimeter of a first fluid conduit. The thermoelectric assembly can include a plurality of thermoelectric sub-assemblies aligned with one another along the perimeter of the first fluid conduit. Each thermoelectric sub-assembly can include a plurality of thermoelectric elements in parallel electrical communication with one another, and a plurality of electrically insulating elements to prevent current flow in a plane perpendicular to the first direction between adjacent thermoelectric sub-assemblies. | 02-14-2013 |
20130104953 | CARTRIDGE-BASED THERMOELECTRIC SYSTEMS | 05-02-2013 |
20130146116 | THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES WITH INTERFACE MATERIALS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Thermoelectric devices with interface materials and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. A thermoelectric device can include at least one shunt, at least one thermoelectric element in thermal and electrical communication with the at least one shunt, and at least one interface material between the at least one shunt and the at least one thermoelectric element. The at least one interface material can comprise a plurality of regions comprising a core material with each region separated from one another and surrounded by a shell material. The interface material can be configured to undergo deformation under (i) a normal load between the at least one shunt and the at least one thermoelectric element or (ii) a shear load between the at least one shunt and the at least one thermoelectric element. The deformation can reduce interface stress between the at least one shunt and the at least one thermoelectric element. | 06-13-2013 |
20130255739 | PASSIVELY COOLED THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR CARTRIDGE - A system and method for generating electricity is provided, where the system includes at least one energy transmission element, such as at least one heat pipe or at least one thermosyphon, and at least one thermoelectric assembly extending around a portion of the at least one energy transmission element. | 10-03-2013 |
20130276849 | TEG-POWERED COOLING CIRCUIT FOR THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR - A system includes at least one thermoelectric generator configured to generate electricity in response to a temperature difference across at least a portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator. The system further includes at least one fluid conduit in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric generator. The at least one fluid conduit is configured to have at least one working fluid flow through the at least one fluid conduit. The system further includes at least one device configured to direct the at least one working fluid through the at least one fluid conduit. The at least one device is powered by at least a portion of the electricity generated by the at least one thermoelectric generator. | 10-24-2013 |
20130340802 | THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR FOR USE WITH INTEGRATED FUNCTIONALITY - A thermoelectric system includes at least one thermoelectric generator which includes at least one cold-side heat exchanger, at least one hot-side heat exchanger, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the at least one cold-side heat exchanger and in thermal communication with the at least one hot-side heat exchanger. The system further includes a combustible fluid, wherein the at least one cold-side heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat to the combustible fluid. | 12-26-2013 |
20140190185 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING OVERHEATING OR EXCESSIVE BACKPRESSURE IN THERMOELECTRIC SYSTEMS - A thermoelectric assembly and a method of operating a thermoelectric assembly are provided. The thermoelectric assembly includes at least one thermoelectric subassembly configured to be in thermal communication with a heat source and configured to be in thermal communication with a heat sink. The at least one thermoelectric subassembly includes at least one thermoelectric element including a hot side at a first temperature and a cold side at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The thermoelectric assembly further includes a controller in operative communication with the at least one thermoelectric subassembly. The controller is configured to adjust the first temperature by adjusting an electrical current of the at least one thermoelectric subassembly. | 07-10-2014 |