Abstract:
A system (10) for rapidly changing the temperature of a fluid between an inlet (14) and an outlet (16), the system (10) including a heat exchanger unit (36) connected between the inlet (14) and the outlet (16) and having a first member (52) interleaved with a second member (60) such that a passageway (84) is defined between the first (52) and second (60) members for the fluid to flow through; thermoelectric means (22) linked to one or both the first and second members (52, 60) for altering the temperature of the fluid; a source of electrical energy (20) connected to the thermoelectric means (22); control means (18) linked to the thermoelectric means (22); a first temperature sensor (26) for measuring the temperature of the fluid input to the heat exchanger unit at the inlet (14); a second temperature sensor (28) for measuring the temperature of the fluid output from the heat exchanger unit (36) at the outlet (16);wherein said control means (18) controls the amount of energy drawn by the thermoelectric means (22) to change the temperature of the fluid to match a predetermined temperature difference At of the fluid between the inlet (14) and the outlet (16) or the temperature of the fluid at the outlet (16) based on signals received from each of the first and second temperature sensors (26, 28).
Abstract:
This invention pertains to a field of conversion of heat energy into electric that by means of semiconductor thermoelectric generators. Gist: Thermoelectric generator comprising at least one layer of semiconducting material Sm1+xLnyS based on samarium sulfide SmS doped with atoms of the lanthanide family and current contacts; wherein the aforementioned layer is placed between the said contacts. Technical results of the invention include an increase of generated voltage (thermal electromotive force) to 5 V, increase of maximal electric power to several hundred μW owing to a reduction of the internal resistance in a thermoelectric generator capable of operating without temperature gradient.
Abstract:
Technologies are generally described herein for multistage thermal flow devices and methods effective to transfer thermal energy between a heat source and a heat sink having different surface areas and thermal energy flow characteristics. Some example multistage thermal flow devices may include multiple stages of heat transfer pumps utilizing electrocaloric effect material with thermal collection devices between stages. The heat flux associated with heat transfer pumps of consecutive stages may increase to concentrate the thermal energy through the multistage thermal flow device or may decrease to diffuse the thermal energy through the multistage thermal flow device.
Abstract:
A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated by extracting thermal energy from a gas to condense the gas into a liquid and transferring the thermal energy to the electrically polarizable material. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material in thermal communication with a heat source, wherein the heat source is a condenser. An apparatus is also described which comprises a chamber, one or more conduits inside the chamber for conveying a cooling fluid and an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes on an outer surface of the conduit. A gas introduced into the chamber condenses on the conduits and thermal energy is thereby transferred from the gas to the electrically polarizable material.
Abstract:
Examples are generally described that include a substrate, an electrocaloric effect material at least partially supported by the substrate, and a thermal diode at least partially supported by the electrocaloric effect material.