Patent Application
20160126442
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a thermoelectric power generator; in particular to a power generator utilizing a thermoelectric thin film capable of generating electric power in response to a temperature difference.
2. Description of Related Art
The thermoelectric effect appears as an energy conversion effect for generating electric voltage based on a temperature difference. Specifically, a thermoelectric device employing the thermoelectric effect is able to generate voltage signals when there is a temperature difference between two sides of the device. Conversely, when a voltage is applied to the thermoelectric device, a temperature difference is also produced. Therefore, the thermoelectric effect may be used to control temperature gradient by controlling the voltages, generating electric power, or measuring the temperature.
According to general applications, the thermoelectric device includes an electric loop composed of two joined metals. Since the metals are with different densities of free electrons, the electrons over a joint surface spread for eliminating the difference of the electron densities when the two metals are joined. Also, because of the spreading rate of electrons is proportional to the temperature of the joint surface, a temperature difference occurs at the joint surface. The temperature difference then induces a thermal electromotive force. The electrons will continuously spread out and flow when the temperature difference between the metals maintains. Therefore, the voltages are also generated.
A kind of thermoelectric thin film utilizing the thermoelectric effect is provided. The thin-film device includes two different metals or different types of semiconductor materials. For example, the semiconductor materials are such as P-type semiconductor and N-type semiconductor. Reference is made to
More, the connecting member 103 may be placed at a region of high temperature, and the other sides, e.g. the two floating sides of the semiconductors 101, 102, may be placed at a region of lower temperature. Therefore, a temperature difference occurs. The conductor material at the high temperature has higher thermal activation, and higher density of electrons and electron holes. The electrons and the electron holes may spread to the lower temperature. An electric potential difference is generated inside the device and a voltage signal is also formed. The thermoelectric thin film accordingly converts the energy.
In the disclosure, a thermoelectric power generator is provided. The major elements of the thermoelectric power generator are such as a thermoelectric thin-film element, which is the thin-film element capable of generating a voltage in response to a temperature difference, disposed with an electric connection interface for outputting electric signals; an energy storage element connected with the thermoelectric thin-film element via the electric connection interface, and used to receive the electric signals and convert the electric signals into energy to be stored; and an output circuit used to output the stored energy.
According to one of the embodiments, the thermoelectric thin-film element of the thermoelectric power generator is disposed with a contact interface for sensing external temperature, and the thin-film element is able to generate voltage signals in response to the temperature difference. A switch may be disposed with the thermoelectric power generator. The switch is used to control if the electric power is outputted. An output end has a driving circuit. The driving circuit drives a load element by the output electric power. The load element is exemplified to be a light-emitting element.
In order to further understand the techniques, means and effects of the present disclosure, the following detailed descriptions and appended drawings are hereby referred to, such that, and through which, the purposes, features and aspects of the present disclosure can be thoroughly and concretely appreciated; however, the appended drawings are merely provided for reference and illustration, without any intention to be used for limiting the present disclosure.
Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
According to one of the embodiments of the present invention, this disclosure is related to a thermoelectric power generator. The thermoelectric power generator introduces a thermoelectric effect to conduct energy conversion between thermal energy and electrical energy. The thermoelectric effect is such as the Seebeck effect, Peltier effect, and Thomson effect. The terminals of the two different types of conductors or semiconductors are connected to form a closed circuit. Since the thermoelectric effect leads to energy conversion, a voltage can be induced if a temperature difference occurs between the two terminals. The mentioned different types of conductors are such as two kinds of metals, and the different semiconductors are such as a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor. It is noted that a thermoelectric coefficient, also known as Seebeck coefficient, is a measure of an induced thermoelectric voltage in response to per unit of temperature difference.
In general, some factors such as the magnitude of temperature difference, property of conductor, e.g. thermoelectric coefficient, any substance influencing the conductor, or/and design of circuit may impact the thermoelectric voltage and the thermoelectric coefficient due to the thermoelectric effect. Thus the larger temperature difference may make higher thermoelectric voltage or potential difference.
The design of apparatus based on the thermoelectric effect is such as a circuit diagram of thermoelectric power generator in one embodiment shown in
The thermoelectric power generator is schematically shown in the diagram. One of the major elements thereof is such as a thermoelectric thin-film element 201. The thermoelectric thin-film element 201 is a thin-film element capable of generating voltage in response to a temperature difference. The related structure has substance which is capable of sensing a difference between an external temperature and an internal temperature. The temperature difference induces electric signals. The thermoelectric power generator includes an electric connection interface used to output electric signals. The electric connection interface is such as a circuit or line for outputting voltage signals. Via the electric connection interface, the thermoelectric thin-film element 201 is electrically connected with an energy storage element 203.
The energy storage element 203 is such as a chargeable battery. The energy storage element 203 is electrically connected with an electric connection interface, shown as a linking line, of the thermoelectric thin-film element 201. The energy storage element 203 is used to receive the electric signals, and convert the signals into energy to be stored.
While the energy storage element 203 is a chargeable battery, the element 203 is rechargeable when the electric power exhausts. The general chargeable battery is such as a super capacitor, a Nickel hydrogen battery, a Nickel-Cadmium battery, or a Lithium ion battery. However, the energy storage element 203 is not limited to any specific type of chargeable battery.
When the energy storage element 203 has stored energy, an output circuit 205 is provided to output the electric power. In one embodiment of the present invention, the electric power is provided to drive a light-emitting element or some other kinds of loads. For example, a light-emitting diode module is adopted to be an illuminator; and a laser module is driven to be a light beam pointer. Furthermore, the vehicle or house key, and a remote control for activating a specific device which requires small electric power may also be included.
Reference is made to
In the diagram, the shown thermoelectric power generator includes a casing 3. A switch is disposed on the casing 3. The switch is electrically connected with an internal switching element 304. The switch is provided for a user to control the energy storage element if outputting electric power.
The thermoelectric power generator has a thermoelectric thin-film element 301. The thermoelectric thin-film element 301 is a thin-film element for generating electric signals in response to the temperature difference. The thermoelectric power generator has an outward contact interface 30. The contact interface 30 may be a window allowed to be touched. The contact interface 30 may be a portion of the casing 3 if the casing 3 is made of a heat conductive material. The thermoelectric power generator is able to sense external temperature through this contact interface 30. That means the thermoelectric thin-film element 301 senses the temperature through the contact interface 30. When a temperature difference is found over the contact interface 30, the thermoelectric thin-film element 301 can generate electric signals in response to the temperature difference.
Further, the thermoelectric power generator is exemplarily disposed with an energy storage element 303 for storing energy. In practice, the energy storage element 303 is such as a chargeable battery, super capacitor, or other kinds of charging circuits. The generator is disposed with a power conversion circuit 302. The power conversion circuit 302 is electrically connected with the thermoelectric thin-film element 301 and the energy storage element 303. The power conversion circuit 302 is used to convert the electric signals generated by the thermoelectric thin-film element 301 to energy which may be stored in the energy storage element 303.
One of the functions rendered in the power conversion circuit 302 is to convert the electric signals to energy to be stored in the energy storage element 303. A power conversion circuit 302 acts as a control circuit for the energy storage element 303. According to one specific embodiment, inside the power conversion circuit 302, a boost charging circuit, a protection circuit for protecting the energy storage element 303, voltage regulator circuit, or/and direct-current conversion circuit may be included. Further, the power conversion circuit 302 is able to convert electric signals to voltage or current supplied to the energy storage element 303 in compliance with a charging procedure. The charging current is adjustable with change of the battery voltage. For example, the charging current gradually decreases as the battery voltage gets high.
The thermoelectric power generator is disposed with a switching element 304 electrically connected with the energy storage element 303. The switching element 304 electrically connects to the switch on the casing 3. The switch is provided to control the energy storage element 303 outputting electric power. This switch may be implemented as, but not limited to, a DIP switch, a push-button switch, or a knob button disposed on the casing 3.
Still further, the thermoelectric power generator has a driving circuit 305 which is used to drive the circuit for a load element 306. The driving circuit 305 may conduct, boost or adjust voltage for driving a load element 306. The driving circuit 305 is electrically connected to the switching element 304. The switching element 304, electrically connected with the energy storage element 303 and the output circuit, is used to control outputting electric power or blocking outputting electric power. The driving circuit 305 drives the load element 306 with the electric power in the energy storage element 303.
In an exemplary example, the load element 306 is a circuit component driven by the electric power generated by this thermoelectric power generator. The load element 306 can be a light-emitting element. For example, the element may be a laser module which may act as a light beam pointer. Some further applications are such as an incandescent light bulb or light-emitting diode module which is to be an illuminator.
In
It is noted that the contact interface is such a heat transmission device provided to sense temperature when a user's finger is placed on the contact interface.
The internal switching element 405 is provided for the user to switch on or off the output of electric power. The switching element 405 also controls the driving circuit 407 if outputting electric power. The driving circuit 407 is such as a driving circuit to drive a light-emitting element 409.
Reference is made to
It is worth noting that, in accordance with the circuit of the thermoelectric power generator, the generator is able to convert the change of environmental temperature into the current signals made by the electric power. The generator is able to directly output the power, or store the electric power into an energy storage element. Alternatively, the energy storage element may be used to store the remaining power other than the supplied electric power. When the energy storage element does not supply enough electric power, the generator allows the user to press his finger or utilize the change of environmental temperature to generate more power for the specific use.
To sum up, the thermoelectric power generator in accordance with the present invention incorporates a thermoelectric thin-film element to generating electric signals in response to a temperature difference based on the effect of thermoelectricity. According to one of the embodiments, the apparatus allows the user to press his finger on a contact window to produce temperature difference for generating more energy. Therefore the apparatus is able to output electric power directly, or store the energy into an energy storage element such as a capacitor or a chargeable battery in advance. The apparatus also provides a switch to control the electric power output. The thermoelectric power generator may also be a standalone apparatus to supply electric power for some specific uses.
The above-mentioned descriptions represent merely the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, without any intention to limit the scope of the present disclosure thereto. Various equivalent changes, alterations or modifications based on the claims of the present disclosure are all consequently viewed as being embraced by the scope of the present disclosure.
