Thermoelectric device with surface conforming heat conductor
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United States of America Patent
Stats
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Jan 19, 2010
Grant Date -
Nov 30, 2006
app pub date -
Jul 7, 2005
filing date -
May 25, 2005
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
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Abstract
A quickly attachable electric generator device for producing electric power from surfaces of hot or cold pipes. The invention provides a thermoelectric unit which includes a pedestal comprised of a material with high thermal conductivity on which a thermoelectric module is located. The pedestal includes a heat transfer element made to conform to a hot or cold cylindrical surface. The module also includes a module-to-air heat transfer element and the thermoelectric module is compressed between the air-to-module element and the pedestal. This element is referred to as a heat sink when energy is extracted from a hot surface and is referred to as a heat source when energy is flowing from the air and a cold surface. In preferred embodiments the heat transfer element is a thin flexible heat conductor that conforms to the hot or cold surface of various shapes and serves as a heat transfer conduit to transfer heat to or from a rigid portion of the pedestal. Electric energy is generated from the heat flowing through the module.
First Claim
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Family
| Country | kind | publication No. | Filing Date | Type | Sub-Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | A1 | US20060266403 | May 25, 2005 | Patent | Application |
