Thermoelectric generator panel and cooling device therefor

A thermoelectric generator panel and heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger, in a preferred form, is comprised of a water compartment or chamber, fixed relative to the normally cool side of a solar panel, comprised of a substantial plurality of substrate strips, each strip carrying a plurality of thermocouples, printed in series, and in metallic inks, along one side of the respective strips. Terminal tabs are provided on opposed ends of each strip of thermocouples which are electrically interconnected, in parallel, and a voltage regulator, connected between the panel strips and a pump, serves to energize the pump when the voltage reaches a predetermined voltage level, to circulate water from any suitable source, such as ground water, through the water chamber to enhance the cooling of the normally cool side of the thermocouple panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
The present invention pertains to a thermoelectric generator, and more 
particularly to a thermoelectric generator comprised of a plurality of 
thermocouples, printed in series in metallic inks, respectively or 
otherwise formed along the length of each of a plurality of substrate 
strips, which are disposed in a face-to-back relation, and are connected 
in parallel to define a panel. A first, normally hot side of the panel is 
glazed with a suitable sealant, such as Dow-Corning Silicone material. 
A second or cool side of the panel is provided with a water chamber, sized 
to substantially cover the second, normally cool side of the panel. A 
control device, such as a voltage regulator, is electrically connected to 
the thermocouple strips and when the voltage reaches a predetermined 
level, the control device energizes a pump to circulate water, from any 
suitable source, through the water chamber to enhance the cooling of the 
normally cool side of the panel to produce a maximum amount of electrical 
energy. 
Therefore, the principal object of the invention is to provide a heat 
exchanger, fixed to the normally cool side of a thermoelectric generator 
panel, to enhance the cooling thereof to produce a maximum amount of 
electrical energy therefrom.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED FORM OF THE INVENTION 
With reference to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, a thermocouple 
generator strip, indicated generally at 10, includes a plurality of 
thermocouples 12, disposed in series along an appropriate substrate strip 
14, generally defining a pulsed square wave form. The thermocouples are 
formed of vertically spaced apart legs such as 16 and 18 with oppositely 
projecting top and bottom couples 20, 22 connecting between pairs of legs 
16, 18 in a manner so as to produce the pulsed wave form. The thermocouple 
design 12 is printed on the substrate strips, utilizing a first 
particulated metal, such as copper, mixed with a suitable binder or flux, 
and printed on the substrate to define the first legs 16, and a second 
particulated metal, such as constantan is printed on the strip 14 to 
define the second legs 18 and the couples 20, 22. The couples 20 define 
the normally hot edge 24, and couples 22, the normally cool edge 26. The 
strip 14 is then subjected to a suitable heat source to melt the 
particulated metals into solid masses, causing an intermingling of the 
overlying constantan and copper in the couples 20 and 22. 
A pair of terminal tabs 28, 30 coated with the first metal, such as copper, 
electrically connects to end first legs 16, and extend outwardly from 
opposed upper side edge portions of strip 14. 
With reference to FIG. 2, a second substrate strip, designated at 50, is 
identical with strip 10, and all reference numerals are the same with 
prime designations, with the exception of the end terminals tabs 52, 54, 
which extend outwardly from opposed lower side portions of strips 50 and 
are similarly copper coated, and electrically connected to first legs 16'. 
The terminal tabs 28, 30 of first strips 10, and 52, 54 of second strips 
50, extend respectively down from the top edges of strips 10, and up from 
the bottom edges of strips 50 for a distance of less than one-half of the 
heights thereof to define a space 56 therebetween, FIG. 4. 
To enhance the temperature differential between the opposed end couples 20, 
22 and 20', 22', the strips 10 and 50 are alternated as illustrated in 
FIGS. 3 and 4. Very substantial numbers of each strip 10 and 50 are 
stacked together in a face-to-back relation to define a panel as indicated 
at 80 in FIG. 5. 
All of the strips 10 are electrically interconnected in parallel at 58, 60 
in FIG. 4 through termical tabs 28, 30, and the strips 50 are simularly 
interconnected at 62, 64 through terminal tabs 52, 54. The electrical 
connection of the strips 10 and 50 are both series and parallel to effect 
the desired voltage and current requirements. 
A voltage regulator 70 is connected at 72, 74 in lead 66, and an electric 
water pump 76, FIG. 4, is electrically connected at 78, 79 to voltage 
regulator 70 to conduct the electric current through pump 76, above a 
substantially predetermined voltage level, to energize said pump 76 to 
circulate water W from any suitable source, (not shown) through a conduit 
82 into an inner chamber 84 of a housing 86, secured by any suitable means 
to the normally cool side 88, FIG. 7, of panel 80. From inner chamber 84, 
the water is discharged through a conduit 90. The discharged water may be 
returned to its source for recirculation, or, in the use of ground water, 
it may be used for irrigation purposes, while providing the electricity 
for operation of the pump 76. The thermocouple side of panel 80 is glazed 
with a suitable synthetic material as at 92 to increase the efficiency of 
the panel and for protective purposes. 
While a preferred form of the instant invention has been herein disclosed, 
it will be evident to those skilled in the art, that various changes and 
modifications can be made therein without departing from the true spirit 
of the invention as defined in the appended claims.