Patent ID: 6028263
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A thermoelectric power generating apparatus, comprising:a plurality of power generator units, each power generator unit including at least one thermocouple and being capable of mutually generating an equal output voltage;a connection form switch for switching an electrical connection form of each one of the power generator units with respect to another of the power generator units between a serial connection and a parallel connection;a parallel voltage detector for measuring a parallel voltage when the plurality of power generator units are connected in parallel to each other;a connection form detector for determining the connection form of all of the power generator units, the connection form being one of three forms consisting of a serial connection, a parallel connection, and a combination of the serial and parallel connections, so as to generate a thermoelectric power according to a load connected to the thermoelectric power generating apparatus on the basis of a value of the parallel voltage measured by the parallel voltage detector; anda broken wire detector for detecting an occurrence of a wire breakage in each of the power generator units.