TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to thermoelectric power generation. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure is directed towards a system for domestic thermoelectric power generation.
BACKGROUND
In recent years, the electricity demand of the developing countries has increased exponentially due to rapid industrialization, ever growing population and huge network of railways. Conventionally, electricity is generated from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gas, diesel etc. that are the primary energy sources. However, fossil fuels are finite resources and can harm irreparably harm the environment. The burning of fossil fuels cause land degradation, water pollution, air pollution, global warming, climate change etc. Further, due to limited resources of fossil fuels, the domestic and industrial requirement of energy is not fulfilled in a reasonable extent. Though as alternate solution renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, hydroelectric etc. are used, but there are lack of infrastructure to implement such alternate solutions.
With the ongoing efforts to overcome the drawbacks associated with existing energy generation system, a number of solutions have been proposed. One such solution provides thermoelectric generator that is operated by using different heat sources. Thermoelectric generator offers a potential application by converting the waste-heat energy into electrical power. Although such thermoelectric generator partially eliminate the requirement of electricity supply based on the electricity demand. However, such thermoelectric generators do not cater to the specific requirement of generation of electricity in mass scale so as to fulfil the domestic requirement. Additionally, the existing thermoelectric generators do not provide any solution to generate electricity to run high voltage equipment and store the generated electricity in plurality of power banks. Although some other proposed solutions entirely reduce the backlogs of the conventional electricity generation system, but such solutions are not cost-effective and user-friendly.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above, and any other limitation associated with the prior arts.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides a thermoelectric generator to generate electricity from waste heat. The thermoelectric generator comprises, a heat source, a thermoelectric generating unit, a voltage regulator, and one or more power banks. The thermoelectric generator further comprises a thermal conductive plate, wherein one side of the thermal conductive plate is fixed alongside the heat source and the thermoelectric generating unit is secured to other side of the thermal conductive plate to transfer heat from the heat source to the thermoelectric generating unit. The thermoelectric generating unit further comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is coupled with the thermal conductive plate and the second region is coupled with a cooler surface. The thermoelectric generating unit generates electricity when a temperature gradient exists between the first region and the second region, wherein the first region is hotter than the second region. The voltage regulator is configured to modulate the voltage of the generated electricity based on the required output. The one or more power banks are coupled with the voltage regulator so as to recharge the one or more power banks using the modulated voltage. The heat source can be one of plurality of heat source such as cooking heat, refrigerator heat, heat from vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an architectural diagram of a thermoelectric generator to be operated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2A illustrates a first exemplary configuration of the thermoelectric generating unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, and
Figure 2B illustrates a second exemplary configuration of the thermoelectric generating unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non- exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or process that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or process. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a thermoelectric generator to generate electricity from waste heat. The thermoelectric generator comprises, a heat source, a thermoelectric generating unit, a voltage regulator, and one or more power banks. The thermoelectric generator further comprises a thermal conductive plate, wherein one side of the thermal conductive plate is fixed alongside the heat source and the thermoelectric generating unit is secured to other side of the thermal conductive plate to transfer heat from the heat source to the thermoelectric generating unit. The thermoelectric generating unit further comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is coupled with the thermal conductive plate and the second region is coupled with a cooler surface. The thermoelectric generating unit generates electricity when a temperature gradient exists between the first region and the second region, wherein the first region is hotter than the second region. The thermoelectric generating unit is manufactured from one of the materials having high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity. The voltage regulator is configured to modulate the voltage of the generated electricity based on the required output. The one or more power banks are coupled with the voltage regulator so as to recharge the one or more power banks using the modulated voltage. The heat source can be one of plurality of heat source such as cooking heat, refrigerator heat, heat from vehicle.
The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1 to 2B. In the figures, Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates a thermoelectric generator (100) for generating electric from waste heat. The thermoelectric generator (100) according to present disclosure is configured to use household waste heat as a heat source, generate electric from the waste heat, and store the generated electric in power bank. The thermoelectric generator (100) is further configured to provide a back massaging to the person sitting on the wheelchair, spray disinfectant liquid to the wheelchair and surrounding area, automatically climbing through inclined surface etc. However, it is understood by a person skilled in the art that the size and configuration of the thermoelectric generator (100) may be variable in accordance with the requirement. Any such variation/modification shall be construed to be within the scope of the present disclosure. The thermoelectric generator (100) comprises a heat source (102), a thermoelectric generating unit (104), a voltage regulator (106), and a power bank (108). The thermoelectric generator (100) further comprises a thermal conductive plate, where one side of a thermal conductive plate is fixed alongside the heat source and the thermoelectric generating unit is secured to other side of the thermal conductive plate. The thermal conducting plate is enables heat transfer from the heat source (102) to the thermoelectric generating unit (104).
The heat source (102) can be any element that produces or radiates heat. In one embodiment, the heat source is waste heat of house hold, wherein waste heat may be refrigerator heat, vehicle radiator heat, laptop heat, body heat etc. The heat source can be the generated heat upon cooking food in kitchen. The thermal conducting plate is attached to the heat source based on size and shape of the heat source so that the loss of waste heat can be minimized. In an example, the thermal conductive plate can be a circular object covering all the sides of an oven so that waste heat from all the sides can be transmitted to the thermoelectric generator unit.
The thermoelectric generating unit (104) is configured to receive the transmitted heat from the heat source (102) and generate electricity from the transmitted heat. The thermoelectric generating unit (104) comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is coupled with the thermal conductive plate and the second region is coupled with a cooler surface. The thermoelectric generating unit (104) generates electricity when a temperature gradient exists between the first region and the second region, wherein the first region is hotter than the second region. The thermoelectric generating unit (104) is manufactured from one of the materials having high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity.
As illustrated in Figure 2A, a p-type semiconductor i.e. a thermoelectric conversion element (p-type) (204) and an n-type semiconductor i.e. a thermoelectric conversion element (n-type) (206) legs between the heat source (102) and a heat sink with an electrical power load connected across the low-temperature ends. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric generating unit (104) can be made up of many p-type and n-type semiconductor legs connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel between a common heat source and a heat sink. The n-type and p-type semiconductors are sandwiched between copper conductive tabs. The copper tabs complete the electric circuit when connected to an external electrical load resistance. These tabs are attached to ceramic substrates such as Alumina (Aluminum Nitride). The ceramic substrates are good heat conductor and excellent electrical insulators. Hence the ceramic substrates facilitate heat transfer across the intermediate junctions and prevent any electrical current leakage. The first region of the thermoelectric generating unit is kept in contact with the heat source using commercial thermal grease to reduce thermal interface resistance. The cold side is in thermal contact with the engine coolant supply which is maintained at constant temperature of 100°C. A plate fin type heat exchanger is integrated into the thermoelectric generating unit to enhance heat transfer from a hot exhaust of the heat source to first region of the thermoelectric generating unit. As illustrated in Figure 2B, the electricity is generated due to the movement of charge carriers within the semiconductors. In doped n-type semiconductor, charge carriers are electrons and in doped p-type semiconductor, charge carriers are holes. The charge carriers diffuse away from the hot side of the semiconductor. Such diffusion leads to a buildup of charge carriers at one end. The buildup of charge creates a voltage potential that is directly proportional to the temperature difference across the semiconductor.
The thermoelectric generating unit (104) is manufactured from thermoelectric materials that generate power directly from the heat by converting temperature differences into electric voltage. The thermoelectric materials are characterized with high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity to be good thermoelectric materials. The low thermal conductivity ensures that when one side is made hot, the other side stays cold, which enables to generate a large voltage while in a temperature gradient.
The voltage regulator (106) is configured to modulate the required voltage to the power bank (108). The voltage regulator (106) is a system designed to automatically maintain a constant voltage level. The voltage regulator (106) may use a simple feed-forward design or may include negative feedback. The voltage regulator (106) may use an electromechanical mechanism, or electronic components. In an electric power distribution system, the voltage regulator (106) may be installed along distribution lines so that all power consumers like power bank receive steady voltage independent of how much power is drawn from the line.
In one embodiment, a simple voltage/current regulator can be made from a resistor in series with a diode (or series of diodes). The voltage across the diode changes only slightly due to changes in current drawn or changes in the input. The simple voltage regulator is only suitable for low voltage regulated output as the forward voltage of a diode is small. When higher voltage output is needed, a zener diode or series of zener diodes may be employed. Zener diode regulators make use of the zener diode's fixed reverse voltage, which can be quite large. Further, in electromechanical regulators, voltage regulation is easily accomplished by coiling the sensing wire to make an electromagnet. The magnetic field produced by the current attracts a moving ferrous core held back under spring tension or gravitational pull. The increasing current as a result of increased voltage, strengthens the magnetic field produced by the coil and pulling the core towards the field. The magnet is physically connected to a mechanical power switch, which opens as the magnet moves into the field. The decreasing current as a result of decreased voltage, releases spring tension or the weight of the core and causing it to retract. This closes the switch and allows the power to flow once more.
The power bank (108) is configured to store the generated electricity by the thermoelectric generating unit (104). The power bank (108) can include battery, flywheel, compressed air, and pumped hydro storage. The energy capacity of the power bank (108) is expressed in megawatt-hours (MWh), and the power, or maximum output at a given time, is expressed in megawatts of electric power (MW or MWe). The power bank may be designed to provide ancillary services to a transmission system including frequency control. The power bank (108) can help the utility grid operate more efficiently depending on the extent to which the power bank (108) is deployed and reduce the likelihood of burnouts during peak demand. The power bank (108) can provide indirect environmental benefits. For example, the power bank can be used to help integrate more renewable energy into the electricity grid. The power bank (108) can also help generation facilities operate at optimal levels, and reduce use of less efficient generating units that would otherwise run only at peak times. Further, the added capacity provided by the power bank (108) can delay or avoid the need to build additional power plants or transmission and distribution infrastructure. The power bank (108) is further configured to supply electricity to one or more devices or appliances based on the required electricity.
The following paragraph(s) describe the operation of the thermoelectric generator (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The thermoelectric generator (100) can be used for generating electricity for house hold use from waste heat of cooking oven. Initially, the thermoelectric generator (100) is in a normal temperature and there is no temperature difference between the first region and the second region of the thermoelectric generating unit (104). Once the oven is lightened, the oven gradually gets hotter. A thermal conductive plate is wrapped around the heat emitting areas of the oven. The thermoelectric generating unit is further connected to the thermal conductive plate to receive transmitted heat from the cooking oven. As the oven gets hotter, the thermal conductive plate also gets hotter and conducts more heat to the thermoelectric generating unit (104). The thermoelectric generating unit (104) further converts the thermal energy to electrical energy and provides a voltage output to the voltage regulator (106). The voltage regulator (106) modulates the voltage output of the thermoelectric generating unit (104) to an acceptable voltage of the power bank (108). The one or more electrical appliances and equipment can also be connected directly with the voltage regulator in order to supply controlled voltage to the appliances and equipment. Therefore, the domestic user can use the house hold waste heat such as cooking heat, AC heat, heat from vehicle as heat source for the thermoelectric generator (100) and generate electricity based on the requirement.
Advantages of the present disclosure:
The present disclosure provides a thermoelectric generator (100) is an easy solution for solving power crisis to affordable extent and the thermoelectric generator is simple in terms on construction.
Also, the thermoelectric generator (100) generates electric from domestically generated waste heat, wherein the process of electric generation is pollution free and reduces transmission loss.
The present disclosure provides the thermoelectric generator (100) that is easy to operate for the people who are not accustomed to use of electrical appliances.
The present disclosure provides the thermoelectric generator (100) can be considered as green technology as it uses waste heat to generate electricity and also eliminates any sort of emission due to electricity generation.
In the detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.
In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
100 Thermoelectric generator
102 Heat source
104 Thermoelectric generating unit
106 Voltage regulator
108 Power bank
202 Electrode
204 P-type semiconductor
206 N-type semiconductor

Claims:

1.A thermoelectric generator (100), comprising:
a heat source (102);
a thermoelectric generating unit (104) for generating electric from heat generated by the heat source;
a voltage regulator (106) to regulate the output of the thermoelectric generating unit; and
one or more power banks (108).
2. The thermoelectric generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one side of a thermal conductive plate is fixed alongside the heat source (102) and the thermoelectric generating unit (104) is secured to other side of the thermal conductive plate to transfer heat from the heat source (102) to the thermoelectric generating unit (104).
3. The thermoelectric generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric generating unit (104) comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is coupled with the thermal conductive plate and the second region is coupled with a cooler surface.
4. The thermoelectric generator (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the thermoelectric generating unit (104) generates electricity when a temperature gradient exists between the first region and the second region, wherein the first region is hotter than the second region.
5. The thermoelectric generator (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the thermoelectric generating unit (104) is manufactured from one of the materials having high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity.
6. The thermoelectric generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the voltage regulator (106) is configured to modulate the voltage of the generated electricity based on the required output.
7. The thermoelectric generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more power banks (108) are coupled with the voltage regulator (106) so as to recharge the one or more power banks using the modulated voltage.
8. The thermoelectric generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat source (102) can be one of plurality of heat source such as cooking heat, refrigerator heat, heat from vehicle.