Patent Publication Number: US-2017373326-A1

Title: Thermoelectric device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a thermoelectric device, and more particularly to a thermoelectric device having better heat conduction performance and suitability. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A thermoelectric device is capable of generating electromotive force at a temperature difference to convert thermal energy into electric energy and vice versa. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for introducing this technology into industrial waste heat and automotive waste for recycling and reusing to reduce carbon dioxide emission. When the thermoelectric device generates a reverse reaction through the power to bring the heat from the cold end to the hot end to cause the so-called thermoelectric cooling effect which can be used for heat dissipation or as a small-sized freezer. 
     With the improvement of the characteristics of thermoelectric materials and the improvement of power generation performance of thermoelectric modules, many devices using thermoelectric elements have been developed, such as portable coolers for camping, small power generation furnaces for camping, mobile refrigerators used in vehicles, CPU heat sinks for computers, waste heat recovery systems, and so on. 
     In general, a conventional thermoelectric device includes several pairs of P-N thermoelectric elements arranged regularly between two alumina ceramic substrates. Cu metal electrodes are connected with the pairs of P-N thermoelectric elements by soldering to constitute an electrical series connection. However, the conventional thermoelectric elements are designed in the form of a thin plate or a sheet, so only a single plane to get contact with a heat source and the contact with the heat source is also subject to more restrictions, resulting in poor heat conduction and poor suitability. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve these problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric device which has relatively better heat conduction performance and relatively suitability. 
     In order to achieve the aforesaid object, the thermoelectric device comprises a tubular electrode, a core rod electrode, and at least one plug. The tubular electrode is made of a conductive material and has a tubular shape with a predetermined space therein. One end of the tubular electrode is formed with a filling opening for filling an electrolyte. The core rod electrode is made of a conductive material and has a rod-like shape. The core rod electrode is inserted in the tubular electrode. The plug is configured to separate the tubular electrode from the core rod electrode and to cover the filling opening of the tubular electrode. The plug is located between the tubular electrode and the core rod electrode. The electrolyte in contact with the tubular electrode and the core rod electrode is sealed in the tubular electrode. 
     The thermoelectric device of the present invention generates an electrochemical reaction among the tubular electrode, the core rod electrode, and the electrolyte. When the tubular electrode and the core rod electrode have a temperature difference, thermal energy can be directly converted into electric energy by the redox reaction of the electrolyte, and the tubular electrode and the core rod electrode can generate electromotive force, which can be used for heat dissipation and is able to output additional electric energy. In particular, the thermoelectric device may use the structural design between the tubular electrode and the core rod electrode to provide a greater contact area with a heat source, and may be directly immersed in a heat source. The thermoelectric device has relatively better heat conduction performance and relatively suitability. 
     Preferably, a portion of the core rod electrode, extending out of the tubular electrode, is covered with an electrode cap made of a conductive material. 
     Alternatively, a portion of the core rod electrode, extending out of the tubular electrode, is sleeved with an insulating sleeve made of an insulating material. The insulating sleeve has an electrode receiving hole for exposing an end face of the core rod electrode. 
     Preferably, another portion of the core rod electrode, inserted into the tubular electrode, is sleeved with at least one support washer made of an insulating material. 
     Preferably, a portion of the core rod electrode, extending out of the tubular electrode, is covered with an electrode cap made of a conductive material, and another portion of the core rod electrode, inserted into the tubular electrode, is sleeved with at least one support washer made of an insulating material. 
     Preferably, a portion of the core rod electrode, extending out of the tubular electrode, is sleeved with an insulating sleeve made of an insulating material, the insulating sleeve has an electrode receiving hole for exposing an end face of the core rod electrode, and another portion of the core rod electrode, inserted into the tubular electrode, is sleeved with at least one support washer made of an insulating material. 
     Preferably, the electrolyte is a nanofluid mixed with a metal nanopowder. 
     Preferably, the electrolyte is a nanofluid mixed with a metal nanopowder and a surfactant. 
     Preferably, the electrolyte is a nanofluid mixed with a metal nanopowder selected from one of titanium oxide, zinc oxide and alumina. 
     Preferably, the electrolyte is a nanofluid mixed with a semiconductor nanopowder selected from one of lead telluride, bismuth telluride, cadmium telluride, and silicon germanium alloy. 
     Preferably, the electrolyte is a nanofluid mixed with a graphene nanopowder. 
     Preferably, the electrolyte is a nanofluid mixed with a metal nanopowder selected from one of titanium oxide, zinc oxide and alumina and a surfactant. 
     Preferably, the electrolyte is a nanofluid mixed with a semiconductor nanopowder selected from one of lead telluride, bismuth telluride, cadmium telluride, and silicon germanium alloy and a surfactant. 
     Preferably, the electrolyte is a nanofluid mixed with a graphene nanopowder and a surfactant. 
     Preferably, the electrolyte is pure water mixed with 2 wt % of titanium oxide, 2 wt % of emulsifier, and 2 wt % of dispersant. 
     Preferably, the tubular electrode is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy. 
     Preferably, the core rod electrode is a carbon rod. 
     Preferably, the electrode cap is formed of copper or copper alloy. 
     Preferably, the insulating sleeve is formed of Teflon. 
     Preferably, the electrolyte is sealed inside the tubular electrode under a negative pressure environment. 
     Preferably, the support washer is integrally formed with the insulating sleeve. 
     Preferably, the support washer is provided with outer threads, and the tubular electrode is provided inner threads. 
     The thermoelectric device of the present invention may be used for heat dissipation and is able to output additional electric energy, and may use the structural design between the tubular electrode and the core rod electrode to provide a greater contact area with a heat source, and may be directly immersed in a heat source, so that it has relatively better heat conduction performance and relatively suitability. In particular, the overall structural design is beneficial for nanorizing a material used for redox, with a more positive and reliable means to enhance the thermal efficiency of the thermoelectric device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention in a use state; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     The present invention is to provide a thermoelectric device  30  which has relatively better heat conduction performance and relatively suitability. As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 , the thermoelectric device  30  of the present invention comprises a tubular electrode  31 , a core rod electrode  32 , and at least one plug  33 . 
     The tubular electrode  31  is made of a conductive material and has a tubular shape with a predetermined space  311  therein. One end of the tubular electrode  31  is formed with a filling opening  312  for filling an electrolyte  37 . In an embodiment, the tubular electrode  31  is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy. 
     The core rod electrode  32  is made of a conductive material and has a rod-like shape. The core rod electrode  32  is inserted in the tubular electrode  31 . In an embodiment, the core rod electrode  32  may be a carbon rod. 
     The plug  33  is configured to separate the tubular electrode  31  from the core rod electrode  32  and to cover the filling opening  312  of the tubular electrode  31 . The plug  33  is located between the tubular electrode  31  and the core rod electrode  32 . The electrolyte  37  is in contact with the tubular electrode  31  and the core rod electrode  32  and sealed in the tubular electrode  31 . 
     In principle, the thermoelectric device  30  of the present invention generates an electrochemical reaction among the tubular electrode  31 , the core rod electrode  32 , and the electrolyte  37 . When the tubular electrode  31  and the core rod electrode  32  have a temperature difference, thermal energy can be directly converted into electric energy by the redox reaction of the electrolyte, and the tubular electrode  31  and the core rod electrode  32  can generate electromotive force, which can be used for heat dissipation and is able to output additional electric energy. The electric energy can be transmitted to an electrical apparatus  10  or a storage device. The discharged thermal energy is converted into electric energy for recycling and reusing. 
     In particular, the thermoelectric device  30  may use the structural design between the tubular electrode  31  and the core rod electrode  32  to provide a greater contact area with a heat source, and may be directly immersed in a heat source. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the thermoelectric device  30  of the present invention is inserted through the wall of a waste liquid discharge pipe  20  to be directly immersed in the high temperature waste liquid  21 . In addition to increasing the contact with the high temperature waste liquid  21 , it is less likely to be obstructed by the wall of the waste liquid discharge pipe  20 , so that it has relatively better heat conduction performance and relatively suitability. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 , the thermoelectric device  30  of the present invention may further include an electrode cap  34  for covering a portion of the core rod electrode  32 , extending out of the tubular electrode  31 . The electrode cap  34  is made of a conductive material. This increases the convenience of the wiring between the thermoelectric device  30  and the application circuit. In the implementation, the electrode cap  34  may be formed of copper or copper alloy. 
     The thermoelectric device  30 , as shown in  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 7 , may further include an insulating sleeve  35  fitted on a portion of the core rod electrode  32 , extending out of the tubular electrode  31 . The insulating sleeve  35  is made of an insulating material. The insulating sleeve  35  has an electrode receiving hole  351  for exposing an end face of the core rod electrode  32  so as to increase the convenience and safety of the wiring between the thermoelectric device  30  and the application circuit. The insulating sleeve  35  may be formed of Teflon. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 7 , the thermoelectric device  30  may further include at least one support washer  36 . The support washer  36  is fitted on a portion of the core rod electrode  32 , inserted into the tubular electrode  31 . The support washer  36  is made of an insulating material. The support washer  36  may be integrally formed with the insulating sleeve  35 . Furthermore, the support washer  36  is provided with outer threads, and the tubular electrode  31  is provided with inner threads, so that the insulating sleeve  35  can be locked in the tubular electrode  31  to improve the stability and reliability of the thermoelectric device  30 . 
     Of course, the thermoelectric device includes the electrode cap made of a conductive material to cover a portion of the core rod electrode, extending out of the tubular electrode; or the thermoelectric device includes the insulating sleeve made of an insulating material to cover a portion of the core rod electrode, extending out of the tubular electrode, and the insulating sleeve has the electrode receiving hole for exposing the end face of the core rod electrode; the thermoelectric device may further include at least one support washer made of an insulting material and fitted on a portion of the core rod electrode, inserted into the tubular electrode. 
     It is worth mentioning that the products of the thermoelectric device of the present invention have been completed. After a series of performance analysis and thermoelectric performance tests, the electrolyte containing nanometer metal powders (particles) have better thermal conductivity than pure water and seawater. In the actual redox reaction, the higher the ambient temperature, the higher the chemical reaction rate increases with the temperature, and the higher the electric energy. If the pressure decreases, the phase change point of the liquid-gas conversion is lower. That is, the lower the pressure in the tubular electrode, the better the thermal performance 
     In other words, the electrolyte of the thermoelectric device of the present invention is sealed inside the tubular electrode under a negative pressure environment. Preferably, the electrolyte is a nanofluid mixed with a metal nanopowder. Preferably, the electrolyte is a nanofluid mixed with a metal nanopowder and a surfactant. The surfactant may consist of a pre-set proportion of emulsifier and dispersant, thereby increasing the suspension stability of the nanofluid. 
     The electrolyte may be a nanofluid mixed with a metal nanopowder selected from one of titanium oxide, zinc oxide and alumina; a nanofluid mixed with a semiconductor nanopowder selected from one of lead telluride, bismuth telluride, cadmium telluride, and silicon germanium alloy; a nanofluid mixed with a graphene nanopowder; a nanofluid mixed with a metal nanopowder selected from one of titanium oxide, zinc oxide and alumina and a surfactant; a nanofluid mixed with a semiconductor nanopowder selected from one of lead telluride, bismuth telluride, cadmium telluride, and silicon germanium alloy and a surfactant; a nanofluid mixed with a graphene nanopowder and a surfactant. In a preferred embodiment, the electrolyte may be pure water mixed with 2 wt % of titanium oxide, 2 wt % of emulsifier, and 2 wt % of dispersant. 
     Compared to the prior art, the thermoelectric device of the present invention may be used for heat dissipation and able to output additional electric energy, and may use the structural design between the tubular electrode and the core rod electrode to provide a greater contact area with a heat source, and may be directly immersed in a heat source, so that it has relatively better heat conduction performance and relatively suitability. In particular, the overall structural design is beneficial for nanorizing a material used for redox, with a more positive and reliable means to enhance the thermal efficiency of the thermoelectric device. 
     Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.