Patent Description:
A thermoelectric effect is a phenomenon occurring due to the movement of electrons and holes in a material and means direct energy conversion between heat and electricity.

A thermoelectric device is a generic term of devices in which the thermoelectric effect is used and has a structure in which a P-type thermoelectric material and an N-type thermoelectric material are disposed between and bonded to metal electrodes to form a PN junction pair.

Thermoelectric devices may be divided into devices which use a change in electrical resistance according to a change in temperature, devices which use the Seebeck effect in which an electromotive force is generated due to a temperature difference, and devices which use the Peltier effect in which heating or heat absorption occurs due to current.

The thermoelectric devices have been variously applied to home appliances, electronic components, communication components, and the like. For example, the thermoelectric devices may be applied to cooling apparatuses, heating apparatuses, power generating apparatuses, and the like. Therefore, the demand for thermoelectric performance of the thermoelectric devices is gradually increasing.

Recently, there are needs to generate electricity using high temperate waste heat generated from engines of vehicles, vessels, and the like and thermoelectric devices. In this case, a duct through which a first fluid passes may be disposed at a side of a low temperature portion of the thermoelectric device, a radiation fin may be disposed at a side of a high temperature portion of the thermoelectric device, and a second fluid may pass through the radiation fin. Accordingly, electricity may be generated due to a temperature difference between the low temperature portion and the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric device, and electricity generation performance may depend on a structure of a power generating apparatus.

<CIT> discloses a DC power generation from geothermal energy for telemetry.

The present invention is directed to providing a power generating apparatus which generates electricity using a temperature difference between a low temperature portion and a high temperature portion of a thermoelectric device.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In addition, unless clearly and specifically defined otherwise by context, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein can be interpreted as having customary meanings to those skilled in the art, and meanings of generally used terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, will be interpreted in consideration of contextual meanings of the related technology.

In addition, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are considered in a descriptive sense and not to limit the present invention.

In the present specification, unless clearly indicated otherwise by the context, singular forms include the plural forms thereof, and in a case in which "at least one (or one or more) among A, B, and C" is described, this may include one or more of all combinations which can be combined with A, B, and C.

In descriptions of the components of the present invention, terms such as "first," "second," "A," "B," "a," and "b" can be used.

The terms are only to distinguish one element from another element, and an essence, order, and the like of the element are not limited by the terms.

It should be understood that, when an element is referred to as being "connected or coupled" to another element, such a description may include both a case in which the element is directly connected or coupled to another element, and a case in which the element is connected or coupled to another element with still another element disposed therebetween.

In a case in which any one element is described as being formed or disposed "on or under" another element, such a description includes both a case in which the two elements are formed or disposed to be in direct contact with each other and a case in which one or more other elements are disposed between the two elements. In addition, when one element is described as being formed "on or under" another element, such a description may include a case in which the one element is formed at an upper side or a lower side with respect to another element.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a power generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is one cross-sectional view illustrating the power generating apparatus of <FIG>, <FIG> is another cross-sectional view illustrating the power generating apparatus of <FIG>, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the power generating apparatus of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a partially enlarged view illustrating the power generating apparatus of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a power generating apparatus <NUM> includes a duct <NUM>, a first thermoelectric module <NUM>, a second thermoelectric module <NUM>, and a gas guide member <NUM>. A plurality of power generating apparatuses <NUM> may be disposed in parallel at predetermined intervals to form an electricity generation system. Although not illustrated in the drawings, a second fluid may pass between two power generating apparatuses <NUM> disposed to be spaced apart from each other at the predetermined interval. For example, the second thermoelectric module <NUM> of one power generating apparatus <NUM> and the first thermoelectric module <NUM> of another adjacent power generating apparatus <NUM> are disposed in parallel to be spaced apart from each other at the predetermined interval, and the second fluid may pass therebetween.

The power generating apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may generate electricity using a temperature difference between a first fluid flowing in the duct <NUM> and the second fluid passing outside the duct <NUM>. In the present specification, a temperature of the first fluid flowing in the duct <NUM> may be lower than a temperature of the second fluid passing radiation fins of the thermoelectric modules <NUM> and <NUM> disposed outside the duct <NUM>. In the present specification, the first fluid may also be referred as a cooling fluid, and the second fluid may also be referred as a gas or high temperature fluid.

To this end, the first thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the duct <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed on the other surface of the duct <NUM>. In this case, among both surfaces of each of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM>, a surface facing the duct <NUM> may become a low temperature portion thereof, and power may be generated using a temperature difference between the low temperature portion and a high temperature portion.

The first fluid introduced into the duct <NUM> may be water but is not limited thereto and may be one of various fluids having cooling performance. A temperature of the first fluid introduced into the duct <NUM> may be less than <NUM>, preferably less than <NUM>, and more preferably less than <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. A temperature of the first fluid passing through and discharged from the duct <NUM> may be higher than a temperature of the first fluid introduced into the duct <NUM>. The duct <NUM> includes a first surface <NUM>, a second surface <NUM> disposed to face the first surface <NUM> in parallel, a third surface <NUM> disposed between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>, and a fourth surface <NUM> disposed between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> and facing the third surface <NUM>, and the first fluid passes through the duct formed by the first surface <NUM>, the second surface <NUM>, the third surface <NUM>, and the fourth surface <NUM>. The first fluid is introduced through a first fluid inlet of the duct <NUM> and discharged through a first fluid outlet thereof. An inlet flange (not shown) and an outlet flange (not shown) may be further respectively disposed at a side of the first fluid inlet of the duct <NUM> and a side of the first fluid outlet thereof to facilitate introduction and discharge of the first fluid and support the duct <NUM>. Alternatively, a plurality of first fluid inlets <NUM> may be formed in a fifth surface <NUM> which is one surface of two surfaces between the first surface <NUM>, the second surface <NUM>, the third surface <NUM>, and the fourth surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> and a plurality of first fluid outlets <NUM> may be formed in a sixth surface <NUM> which is the other surface of two surfaces between the first surface <NUM>, the second surface <NUM>, the third surface <NUM>, and the fourth surface <NUM> thereof. The plurality of first fluid inlets <NUM> and the plurality of first fluid outlets <NUM> may be connected to a plurality of first fluid passing pipes <NUM> in the duct <NUM>. Accordingly, the first fluid introduced through the first fluid inlets <NUM> may pass through the first fluid passing pipes <NUM> and be discharged through the first fluid outlets <NUM>. In this case, since the first fluid may be uniformly dispersed in the duct <NUM> even when a flow rate of the first fluid is not sufficient to fully fill the duct <NUM>, or a surface area of the duct <NUM> is large, uniform thermoelectric conversion efficiency may be obtained over the entire surface of the duct <NUM>, and the inlet flange and the outlet flange may be omitted.

In this case, the first fluid inlets <NUM> may be connected to first fluid inlet pipes <NUM> through first fitting members <NUM>, and the first fluid outlets <NUM> may be connected to first fluid outlet pipes <NUM> through second fitting members <NUM>.

In this case, the first fluid inlet pipes <NUM> and the first fluid outlet pipes <NUM> may be disposed to protrude from the fifth surface <NUM> and the sixth surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM>.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, radiation fins may be disposed on an inner wall of the duct <NUM>. The number, a shape, and an area, which occupies the inner wall of the duct <NUM>, of radiation fins may be variously changed according to a temperature of the first fluid, a temperature of waste heat, a required electricity generation capacity, and the like. For example, an area of the radiation fins occupying the inner wall of the duct <NUM> may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>% of a cross sectional area of the duct <NUM>. Accordingly, high thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be obtained even without interfering with a flow of the first fluid. In this case, the radiation fins may have a shape which does not interfere with the flow of the first fluid. For example, the radiation fins may be formed in a direction in which the first fluid flows. That is, the radiation fin may have a plate shape extending from the first fluid inlet in a direction toward the first fluid outlet, and the plurality of radiation fins may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals. The radiation fins may be integrally formed with the inner wall of the duct <NUM>.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the duct <NUM> may be provided as a plurality of ducts <NUM>. For example, the ducts <NUM> may include a first duct <NUM>-<NUM> and a second duct <NUM>-<NUM> adjacent to the first duct <NUM>-<NUM>. Accordingly, since the first fluid may be uniformly dispersed in the first duct <NUM>-<NUM> and the second duct <NUM>-<NUM> even when a flow rate of the first fluid is not sufficient to fully fill the ducts <NUM>, uniform thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be obtained over the entire surface of the ducts <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the first thermoelectric module <NUM> is disposed on the first surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM>, the second thermoelectric module <NUM> is disposed on the second surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM>, and the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> are symmetrically disposed.

The first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may be coupled to the duct <NUM> using screws. Accordingly, the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may be stably coupled to the surfaces of the duct <NUM>. Alternatively, at least one of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may also be bonded to the surface of the duct <NUM> using a thermal interface material (TIM) <NUM> or <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> respectively include thermoelectric devices <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> and radiation fins <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on the thermoelectric devices <NUM> and <NUM>. In this case, a distance between the first surface <NUM> and the first radiation fin <NUM> may be greater than a distance between the first surface <NUM> and the thermoelectric device <NUM>, and a distance between the second surface <NUM> and the second radiation fin <NUM> may be greater than a distance between the second surface <NUM> and the thermoelectric device <NUM>. As described above, the duct <NUM> in which the first fluid flows is disposed on one surface of both surfaces of each of the thermoelectric devices <NUM> and <NUM>, the radiation fins <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed on the other surface of each thereof, and when the second fluid passes through the radiation fins <NUM> and <NUM>, a temperature difference between heat absorbing surfaces and radiation surfaces of the thermoelectric devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be increased and thus thermoelectric conversion efficiency may be improved. In this case, the direction in which the first fluid flows and a direction in which the second fluid flows may be different. For example, the direction in which the first fluid flows is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the second fluid flows.

In this case, referring to <FIG>, the radiation fins <NUM> and <NUM> and the thermoelectric devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled by a plurality of coupling members <NUM> and <NUM>. To this end, through holes S, through which the coupling members <NUM> and <NUM> pass, may be formed in at least some of the radiation fins <NUM> and <NUM> and the thermoelectric devices <NUM> and <NUM>. In this case, separate insulators <NUM> and <NUM> may be further disposed between the through holes S and the coupling members <NUM> and <NUM>. The separate insulators <NUM> and <NUM> may be insulators surrounding outer circumferential surfaces of the coupling members <NUM> and <NUM> or insulators surrounding inner walls of the through holes S. Accordingly, insulation distances of the thermoelectric modules can be increased.

In this case, a structure of each of the thermoelectric devices <NUM> and <NUM> may have a structure of a thermoelectric device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the thermoelectric device <NUM> includes a lower substrate <NUM>, lower electrodes <NUM>, P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM>, N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM>, upper electrodes <NUM>, and an upper substrate <NUM>.

The lower electrodes <NUM> are disposed between the lower substrate <NUM> and lower surfaces of the P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM>, and the upper electrodes <NUM> are disposed between the upper substrate <NUM> and upper surfaces of the P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM>. Accordingly, the plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and the plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> are electrically connected through the lower electrodes <NUM> and the upper electrodes <NUM>. A pair of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> disposed between the lower electrodes <NUM> and the upper electrode <NUM> and electrically connected to each other may form a unit cell.

For example, when a voltage is applied to the lower electrodes <NUM> and the upper electrodes <NUM> through lead wires <NUM> and <NUM>, the substrate, through which a current flows from the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> to the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, may absorb heat to serve as a cooling portion due to the Peltier effect, and the substrate, through which a current flows from the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> to the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, may be heated to serve as a heating portion due to the Peltier effect. Alternatively, when a temperature difference is applied between the lower electrodes <NUM> and the upper electrodes <NUM>, electric charges in the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> move to generate electricity due to the Seebeck effect.

In this case, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be bismuth-telluride (Bi-Te)-based thermoelectric legs mainly containing Bi and Te. The P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be a Bi-Te-based thermoelectric leg containing at least one among antimony (Sb), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), lead (Pb), boron (B), gallium (Ga), Te, Bi, and indium (In). For example, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may contain Bi-Sb-Te at <NUM> to <NUM> wt% which is a main material and at least one at <NUM> to <NUM> wt% among Ni, Al, Cu, Ag, Pb, B, Ga, and In with respect to a total weight of <NUM> wt%. The N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be a Bi-Te-based thermoelectric leg containing at least one among Se, Ni, Al, Cu, Ag, Pb, B, Ga, Te, Bi, and In. For example, the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may include Bi-Se-Te at <NUM> to <NUM> wt% which is the main material and at least one at <NUM> to <NUM> wt% among Ni, Al, Cu, Ag, Pb, B, Ga, and In with respect to a total weight of <NUM> wt%. Accordingly, in the present specification, the thermoelectric leg may also be referred to as a semiconductor structure, a semiconductor device, a semiconductor material layer, a conductive semiconductor structure, a thermoelectric structure, a thermoelectric material layer, and the like.

The P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be formed as bulk type or stack type thermoelectric legs. Generally, the bulk type P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or bulk type N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be formed through a process in which a thermoelectric material is heat-treated to manufacture an ingot, the ingot is grinded and screened to obtain a powder for a thermoelectric leg, the powder is sintered, and a sintered pellet is cut. In this case, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be polycrystalline thermoelectric legs. When the powder for the thermoelectric leg is sintered to form the polycrystalline thermoelectric leg, the powder may be compressed by a pressure ranging from <NUM> MPa to <NUM> MPa. For example, when the sintering is performed for the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the powder for the thermoelectric leg may be sintered at <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, preferably at <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, and more preferably at <NUM> to <NUM> MPa. In addition, when the powder for the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> is sintered, the powder for the thermoelectric leg may be sintered at <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, preferably at <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, and more preferably at <NUM> to <NUM> MPa. As described above, in the case in which the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> are the polycrystalline thermoelectric legs, strengths of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be increased. The stack type P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or stack type N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be formed in a process of coating a sheet-shaped base with a paste including a thermoelectric material to form unit members and a process of stacking and cutting the unit members.

In this case, the pair of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may have the same shape and volume or may have different shapes and volumes. For example, since electrical conduction properties of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> are different, a height or cross sectional area of the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be different from that of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>.

In this case, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape, a polygonal column shape, an elliptical column shape, or the like.

Performance of the thermoelectric device according to one embodiment of the present invention may be expressed as a figure of merit (ZT). The figure of merit (ZT) may be expressed by Equation <NUM>.

Here, α is the Seebeck coefficient [V/K], σ is electric conductivity [S/m], and α<NUM>•σ is power factor [W/mK<NUM>]. In addition, T is temperature, and k is thermal conductivity [W/mK]. k may be expressed as a•cp•ρ, and a is thermal diffusivity [cm<NUM>/S], cp is specific heat [J/gK], and ρ is density [g/cm<NUM>].

In order to obtain a figure of merit of a thermoelectric element, a Z value [V/K] is measured using a Z meter, and thus the figure of merit (ZT) may be calculated using the measured Z value.

Here, each of the lower electrodes <NUM> disposed between the lower substrate <NUM> and the P-type and N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and <NUM> and the upper electrode <NUM> disposed between the upper substrate <NUM> and the P-type and N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and <NUM> may include at least one among Cu, Ag, Al, and Ni, and may have thicknesses of <NUM> to <NUM>. In a case in which the thickness of the lower electrode <NUM> or upper electrode <NUM> is less than <NUM>, an electrode function thereof is degraded, and thus electric conductivity performance thereof may be lowered, and in a case in which the thickness thereof is greater than <NUM>, resistance thereof increases, and thus conduction efficiency thereof may be lowered.

In addition, each of the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM>, which face each other, may be a metal substrate, and the thickness thereof may be <NUM> to <NUM>. In a case in which the thickness of the metal substrate is less than <NUM> or greater than <NUM>, since a radiation or thermal conductivity thereof may become excessively high, the reliability of the thermoelectric element may be degraded. In addition, in the case in which the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM> are the metal substrates, insulating layers <NUM> may be further formed between the lower substrate <NUM> and the lower electrodes <NUM> and between the upper substrate <NUM> and the upper electrode <NUM>. The insulating layer <NUM> may include a material having a thermal conductivity of <NUM> to <NUM> W/K.

In this case, sizes of the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM> may also be different. For example, a volume, thickness, or area of one of the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM> may be greater than that of the other thereof. Accordingly, the heat absorption or radiation performance of the thermoelectric element can be enhanced. Preferably, at least one among the volume, the thickness, and the area of the lower substrate <NUM> may be greater than that of the upper substrate <NUM>. In this case, in a case in which the lower substrate <NUM> is disposed in a high temperature region for the Seebeck effect or applied as a heating region for the Peltier effect, or in a case in which a sealing member for protecting the thermoelectric device, which will be described below, from the external environment is disposed on the lower substrate <NUM>, at least one among the volume, the thickness, and the area of the lower substrate <NUM> may be greater than that of the upper substrate <NUM>. In this case, the area of the lower substrate <NUM> may be greater than <NUM> to <NUM> times that of the upper substrate <NUM>. In a case in which the area of the lower substrate <NUM> is less than <NUM> times that of the upper substrate <NUM>, an effect on improving heat conduction efficiency is not high, and in a case in which the area of the lower substrate <NUM> is greater than <NUM> times that of the upper substrate <NUM>, the heat conduction efficiency may be significantly lowered, and it may be difficult to maintain a basic shape of the thermoelectric module.

In addition, a radiation pattern, for example, an irregular pattern, may also be formed on at least one surface of the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, the radiation performance of the thermoelectric element can be enhanced. In a case in which the irregular pattern is formed on a surface in contact with the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, a bonding property between the thermoelectric leg and the substrate can also be improved. The thermoelectric device <NUM> includes the lower substrate <NUM>, the lower electrodes <NUM>, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the upper electrodes <NUM>, and the upper substrate <NUM>.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, the sealing member may be further disposed between the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM>. The sealing member may be disposed between the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM> and disposed on side surfaces of the lower electrodes <NUM>, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, and the upper electrodes <NUM>. Accordingly, the lower electrodes <NUM>, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, and the upper electrodes <NUM> can be sealed from external moisture, heat, contamination, and the like.

In this case, the lower substrate <NUM> disposed on the duct <NUM> may be an aluminum substrate, and the aluminum substrate may be bonded to each of the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> by a TIM. Since the aluminum substrate has high thermal conduction performance, heat may be easily transferred between one surface of both surfaces of each of the thermoelectric devices <NUM> and <NUM> and the duct <NUM> in which the first fluid flows. In addition, when the aluminum substrate and the duct <NUM> in which the first fluid flows are bonded by the TIM, thermal conduction between the aluminum substrate and the duct <NUM> in which the first fluid flows may not be interfered with.

Referring to <FIG> again, the first fluid passes through the duct <NUM> in a first direction, and a gas may branch off in directions perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>. To this end, one gas guide member <NUM> may be disposed on each duct <NUM> or a plurality of gas guide members may be disposed on each duct <NUM> in a direction in which the second fluid is introduced. For example, in a case in which the third surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> is formed to face the direction in which the second fluid is introduced and the fourth surface <NUM> thereof is formed to face a direction in which the second fluid is discharged, the gas guide member <NUM> may be disposed at a side of the third surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM>. Alternatively, the gas guide member <NUM> may also be disposed at a side of the fourth surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> according to an aerodynamic principle.

In this case, a temperature of a gas introduced into the power generating apparatus is higher than a temperature of the gas discharged after passing through the radiation fin included in the thermoelectric module of the power generating apparatus. For example, the gas introduced into the power generating apparatus may be a gas having waste heat generated by an engine of a vehicle, vessel, or the like but is not limited thereto. For example, a temperature of the gas introduced into the power generating apparatus may be <NUM> or more, preferably <NUM> or more, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> but is not limited thereto.

The gas guide member <NUM> may be disposed above the third surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> and have a shape of which a distance from the third surface <NUM> is increased in a direction toward a center between both ends of the third surface <NUM>. For example, the gas guide member <NUM> may have an umbrella or roof shape. Accordingly, the second fluid, for example, waste heat, may branch off due to the gas guide member <NUM> and may be guided to come into contact with the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> disposed on both surfaces of the power generating apparatus.

Meanwhile, in one power generating apparatus <NUM>, a width W1 between an outer side of the first radiation fin <NUM> of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and an outer side of the second radiation fin <NUM> of the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may be greater than a width W2 of the gas guide member <NUM>. In this case, the outer side of each of the first radiation fin <NUM> and the outer side of the second radiation fin <NUM> may mean a side opposite to a side facing the duct <NUM>. In this case, the first radiation fin <NUM> and the second radiation fin <NUM> may be formed in directions not to interfere with a gas flow. For example, each of the first radiation fin <NUM> and the second radiation fin <NUM> may have a plate shape extending in a second direction. Alternatively, each of the first radiation fin <NUM> and the second radiation fin <NUM> may also have a folded shape to form a flow passage in the second direction in which the gas flows. In this case, a maximum width W1 between the first radiation fin <NUM> of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second radiation fin <NUM> of the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may mean a distance between a furthest point of the first radiation fin <NUM> from the duct <NUM> and a furthest point of the second radiation fin <NUM> from the duct <NUM>, and a maximum width W2 of the gas guide member <NUM> may mean a width of the gas guide member <NUM> in a region closest to the third surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM>. Accordingly, a flow of a gas introduced in the second direction may not be interfered with by the gas guide member <NUM> and may be directly transferred to the first radiation fin <NUM> and the second radiation fin <NUM>. Accordingly, since contact areas between the gas and the first radiation fin <NUM> and the second radiation fin <NUM> are increased, amounts of heat absorbed by the first radiation fin <NUM> and the second radiation fin <NUM> from the gas can be increased and electricity generation efficiency can be improved.

Meanwhile, a thermal insulating member <NUM> and a shield member <NUM> may be further disposed between the third surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> and the gas guide member <NUM> to increase a sealing effect and a thermal insulating effect between the first thermoelectric module <NUM>, the duct <NUM>, and the second thermoelectric module <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the gas guide member <NUM>, the shield member <NUM>, the thermal insulating member <NUM>, and the third surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> may be coupled together, and accordingly, an air layer may be formed between gas guide member <NUM> and the shield member <NUM>. Due to the air layer between the gas guide member <NUM> and the shield member <NUM>, thermal insulating performance may be further improved.

Alternatively, in order to further improve the thermal insulating performance, an additional insulating member <NUM> may also be further disposed between the thermal insulating member <NUM> and the shield member <NUM>.

Alternatively, although not illustrated in the drawings, one surface of the gas guide member <NUM> may also extend to have a hollow triangular shape, and accordingly, the gas guide member <NUM> may be bonded to the shield member <NUM>.

Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first thermoelectric module <NUM> disposed on the first surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> may be provided as a plurality of first thermoelectric modules <NUM>, and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> disposed on the second surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> may be provided as a plurality of second thermoelectric modules <NUM>. Sizes and the number of the thermoelectric modules may be adjusted according to a required amount of generated electricity.

In this case, at least some of the plurality of first thermoelectric modules <NUM> disposed on the first surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> may be electrically connected, and at least some of the plurality of second thermoelectric modules <NUM> disposed on the second surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> may be electrically connected. To this end, electrical wires are connected to some of the plurality of electrodes included in the thermoelectric devices and drawn out to the outside of the thermoelectric devices and the withdrawn wires may be connected to connectors disposed outside the thermoelectric devices.

Meanwhile, the electrical wires and the connectors are weak to external heat or moisture, and in a case in which the second fluid passing through the radiation fin comes into direct contact with the electrical wires and the connectors, the electrical wires and the connectors may be damaged. Accordingly, the power generating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a shield member for covering the electrical wires and the connectors. However, in a case in which the shield member is disposed between the thermoelectric modules, the shield member may interfere with the flow passage of the second fluid. In the embodiment of the present invention, a structure of the shield member is intended to be provided that is capable of covering the electrical wire and the connector even without interfering with the flow passage of the second fluid.

The power generating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a first shield member <NUM> disposed between two adjacent first thermoelectric modules <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the plurality of first thermoelectric modules <NUM> and a second shield member (not shown) disposed between two adjacent second thermoelectric modules <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the plurality of second thermoelectric modules <NUM>.

<FIG> is a partial perspective view illustrating the power generating apparatus including the shield member according to one embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the power generating apparatus of <FIG>, <FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating a vicinity of the shield member of the power generating apparatus of <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the shield member according to one embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the shield member according to one embodiment of the present invention. Repeated contents which are the same as those of <FIG> will be omitted. For the sake of convenience in the description, an example of only the plurality of first thermoelectric modules disposed on the first surface of the duct will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a structure, which is the same as that of the plurality of first thermoelectric modules, may also be applied to the plurality of second thermoelectric modules disposed on the second surface of the duct.

Referring to <FIG>, the plurality of first thermoelectric modules <NUM> are disposed on the first surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM>. Each of the plurality of first thermoelectric modules <NUM> includes the thermoelectric device <NUM> disposed on the first surface <NUM> and the radiation fin <NUM> disposed on the thermoelectric device <NUM>. In addition, each of the first thermoelectric modules <NUM> includes electrical wires <NUM> drawn out from the thermoelectric device <NUM> and connectors <NUM> connected to the electrical wires <NUM>. In this case, the electrical wires <NUM> may correspond to the lead wires <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>.

The electrical wires <NUM> drawn out from one thermoelectric device <NUM>-<NUM> included in one first thermoelectric module <NUM>-<NUM> and the electrical wires <NUM> drawn out from a thermoelectric device <NUM>-<NUM> of the other first thermoelectric module <NUM>-<NUM> adjacent thereto may be connected to the connectors <NUM>.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the first shield member <NUM> may be disposed between one first thermoelectric module <NUM>-<NUM> and the other first thermoelectric module <NUM>-<NUM> adjacent thereto and may cover the electrical wires <NUM> and the connectors <NUM> disposed between the one first thermoelectric module <NUM>-<NUM> and the other first thermoelectric module <NUM>-<NUM> adjacent thereto. Accordingly, the electrical wires <NUM> and the connectors <NUM> may be disposed between the first surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> and the first shield member <NUM>.

In this case, an insulating member <NUM> is further disposed between the first surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> and the first shield member <NUM>. Accordingly, since insulation between the first fluid in the duct <NUM> and the second fluid on the first shield member <NUM> can be maintained, the electricity generation performance of the power generating apparatus can be maximized.

For example, the insulating member <NUM> may be disposed between the first surface <NUM> and the electrical wires <NUM> and the connectors <NUM>. Alternatively, the insulating member <NUM> may be disposed on the first surface <NUM> and side surfaces of the electrical wires <NUM> and the connectors <NUM>. In this case, the insulating member <NUM> may not be disposed between the electrical wires <NUM> and the connector <NUM> and the first shield member <NUM>. That is, holes through which the electrical wires <NUM> and the connectors <NUM> pass may also be formed in the insulating member <NUM>. Accordingly, since a height of the first shield member <NUM> due to the insulating member <NUM> is not increased, an effect of the insulating member <NUM> on a flow of the second fluid can be removed.

Accordingly, the second fluid passing through the power generating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may flow to sequentially pass through the first radiation fin <NUM>-<NUM> of one first thermoelectric module <NUM>-<NUM> of two adjacent first thermoelectric modules <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, the first shield member <NUM>, and the second radiation fin <NUM>-<NUM> of the other first thermoelectric module <NUM>-<NUM> of two adjacent first thermoelectric modules <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. The direction in which the second fluid flows may be the second direction perpendicular to the first direction in which the first fluid is introduced and discharged from the duct <NUM>.

Similarly, a second shield member <NUM> may be disposed between one second thermoelectric module <NUM> and the other second thermoelectric module <NUM> adjacent thereto and may cover the electrical wires and the connectors between one second thermoelectric module <NUM> and the other second thermoelectric module <NUM> adjacent thereto. Accordingly, the electrical wires and the connectors may be disposed between the second surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM> and the second shield member. In the present specification, for the sake of convenience in the description, the first shield member <NUM> is mainly described, but a structure which is the same as a structure of the first shield member <NUM> may also be applied to the second shield member <NUM>.

In this case, the first shield member <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a first face <NUM> and a second face <NUM> having a height higher than a height of the first face <NUM>. In addition, the first shield member <NUM> may further include a third face <NUM> having a height higher than the height of the first face <NUM> and lower than the height of the second face <NUM>. In this case, the first face <NUM> may be disposed at the height which is lower than or equal to that of a lower surface <NUM> of the radiation fin <NUM>. In the present specification, the height may mean a distance in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the duct <NUM> with respect to the surface of the duct <NUM>. In the case in which the first shield member <NUM> is disposed between two adjacent first thermoelectric modules <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, the first face <NUM> of the first shield member <NUM> may be symmetrically formed between two first thermoelectric modules <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Accordingly, the second fluid passing through the first radiation fin <NUM>-<NUM> can be introduced into the second radiation fin <NUM>-<NUM> along the first shield member <NUM> in a state in which a flow thereof is not interfered with.

In addition, the third face <NUM> may be disposed at the height higher than that of the electrical wire <NUM>, and the second face <NUM> may be disposed at the height higher than those of electrical wire <NUM> and the connector <NUM>. For example, the second face <NUM> may be disposed at a maximum height, which is less than <NUM> times, preferably less than <NUM> times, and more preferably less than <NUM> times a height difference H between the lower surface <NUM> and an upper surface <NUM> of the radiation fin <NUM>, from the lower surface <NUM> of the radiation fin <NUM>. Accordingly, since an area, which is covered by the second face <NUM>, of each of the first radiation fin <NUM>-<NUM> and the second radiation fin <NUM>-<NUM> may be minimized, the flow of the second fluid may not be interfered with.

In this case, an area of the third face <NUM> may be greater than an area of the second face <NUM>. That is, the second face <NUM> may be formed to cover the connector <NUM>, and an entire region excluding the first face <NUM> and the second face <NUM> may be the third face <NUM>. As illustrated in the drawings, the first face <NUM> may be formed along the first radiation fin <NUM>-<NUM> and the second radiation fin <NUM>-<NUM>. In addition, the second face <NUM>-<NUM> may be formed to cover a first connector connected to the electrical wire, which is drawn out from one first thermoelectric module <NUM>-<NUM> and has one polarity of a first polarity and a second polarity, and a second connector connected to the electrical wire drawn out from the other first thermoelectric module <NUM>-<NUM> and having one polarity of the first polarity and the second polarity. In addition, the second face <NUM>-<NUM> may be formed to cover a third connector connected to the electrical wire, which is drawn out from one first thermoelectric module <NUM>-<NUM> and having the other polarity of the first polarity and the second polarity, and a fourth connector connected to the electrical wire drawn out from the other first thermoelectric module <NUM>-<NUM> and having the other polarity of the first polarity and the second polarity. As described above, the second face <NUM> may include a plurality of second faces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> spaced apart from each other. In this case, the first connector and the second connector may be one connector or separate connectors, and the third connector and the fourth connector may be one connector or separate connectors.

In addition, an entire region excluding the first face <NUM> and the second face <NUM> of the first shield member <NUM> may be the third face <NUM>. In the case in which the second face <NUM> includes the plurality of second faces spaced apart from each other, the third face <NUM> may be disposed between two spaced second faces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Accordingly, since an area of the second face <NUM> may be minimized, the first shield member <NUM> may not interfere with a gas passage from the first radiation fin <NUM>-<NUM> to the second radiation fin <NUM>-<NUM>.

Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first shield member <NUM> includes a first connecting face <NUM> connecting the first face <NUM> and the third face <NUM> and a second connecting face <NUM> connecting the third face <NUM> and the second face <NUM>.

In this case, the first connecting face <NUM> may be inclined at an angle θ1 greater than <NUM>° and less than <NUM>°, preferably greater than <NUM>° and less than <NUM>°, and more preferably greater than <NUM>° and less than <NUM>° with respect to the first face <NUM>. Similarly, the second connecting face <NUM> may be inclined at an angle θ2 greater than <NUM>° and less than <NUM>°, preferably greater than <NUM>° and less than <NUM>°, and more preferably greater than <NUM>° and less than <NUM>° with respect to the second face <NUM>. Accordingly, a gas passing through the first radiation fin <NUM>-<NUM> may be introduced into the second radiation fin <NUM>-<NUM> along the first shield member <NUM> without great resistance.

Meanwhile, in the case in which the third face <NUM> is disposed between two adjacent second faces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, a second connecting face <NUM>-<NUM> and a second connecting face <NUM>-<NUM> may be symmetrically disposed to connect the third face <NUM> to the second face <NUM>-<NUM> and the third face <NUM> to the second face <NUM>-<NUM>, respectively.

Hereinafter, a simulation result of a gas flow when the shield member according to the embodiment of the present invention is used will be described.

<FIG> is a set of a top view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a shield member according to a comparative example, <FIG> is a view illustrating a height difference between the shield member and a radiation fin according to the comparative example of <FIG>, and <FIG> are views illustrating a flow of a gas passing through the shield member according to the comparative example;.

<FIG> is a set of a top view and a cross-sectional view illustrating the shield member according to the embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a view illustrating a height difference between the shield member and the radiation fin according to the embodiment of <FIG>, and <FIG> are views illustrating a flow of a gas passing through the shield member according to the embodiment of <FIG>.

In this case, a simulation was performed under conditions in which, on the basis of the first surface <NUM> of the duct <NUM>, a height difference between a lower surface and an upper surface of the radiation fin is <NUM>, and a height of a connector <NUM> is <NUM>, and a height of an electrical wire <NUM> is <NUM>, and a height of an insulating member is <NUM>, and a thickness of the shield member is <NUM>.

According to the comparative example of <FIG>, a gap between the shield member and the connector was set as <NUM>, a gap between the shield member and the electrical wire was set as <NUM>, and accordingly, it was seen that a fin open height of the radiation fin, that is, a height difference between an upper surface of the shield member and the upper surface of the radiation fin was <NUM>, a fin open area of the radiation fin, that is, an area of the open radiation fin from the upper surface of the shield member to the upper surface of the radiation fin was <NUM>% of a maxim fin open area of the radiation fin, that is, an open area from the lower surface to the upper surface of the radiation fin.

According to the embodiment of <FIG>, a gap between the shield member and the connector was set as <NUM>, a gap between the shield member and the electrical wire was set as <NUM>, and accordingly it was seen that a pin open height of radiation fin from the third face was <NUM>, a pin open height of the radiation fin from the second face is <NUM>, and a fin open area of the radiation fin is <NUM>% of a maximum fin open area of the radiation fin.

Accordingly, when the shield member according to the embodiment of the present invention is used, since the fin open area of the radiation fin is increased, a problem in that a gas flow is interfered with by the shield member can be minimized.

Particularly, a gas flow in a structure illustrated in <FIG> was simulated, <FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating a pressure vector of a gas flowing in a region A of <FIG>, and <FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating a pressure streamline of the gas flowing in the region A. In addition, a gas flow in a structure illustrated in <FIG> was simulated, <FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating a pressure vector of a gas flowing in a region A of <FIG>, and <FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating a pressure streamline of the gas flowing in the region A of 18A.

In <FIG>, a distribution of pressure vectors in a region A1 (in which the gas passes through the radiation fin) was <NUM>. 493e+<NUM> to <NUM>. 495e+<NUM> Pa, a distribution of pressure vectors in a region A2 (in which the gas passes through the shield member) was about <NUM>. 488e+<NUM> Pa, and a distribution of pressure vectors in a region A3 (in which the gas passes through the radiation fin) was about <NUM>. 490e+<NUM> Pa. In addition, in <FIG>, a distribution of pressure streamlines in the region A1 (in which the gas passes through the radiation fin) was <NUM>. 493e+<NUM> to <NUM>. 495e+<NUM> Pa, a distribution of pressure streamlines in the region A2 (in which the gas passes through the shield member) was about <NUM>. 488e+<NUM> Pa, and a distribution of pressure streamlines in the region A3 (in which the gas passes through the radiation fin) was about <NUM>. 490e+<NUM> Pa.

In addition, in <FIG>, a distribution of pressure vectors in a region A1 (in which the gas passes through the radiation fin) was <NUM>. 493e+<NUM> to <NUM>. 495e+<NUM> Pa, a distribution of pressure vectors in a region A2 (in which the gas passes through the shield member) was about <NUM>. 490e+<NUM> Pa, and a distribution of pressure vectors in a region A3 (in which the gas passes through the radiation fin) was about <NUM>. 490e+<NUM> Pa.

In addition, in <FIG>, a distribution of pressure streamlines in the region A1 (in which the gas passes through the radiation fin) was <NUM>. 493e+<NUM> to <NUM>. 495e+<NUM> Pa, a distribution of pressure streamlines in the region A2 (in which the gas passes through the shield member) was about <NUM>. 490e+<NUM> Pa, and a distribution of pressure streamlines in the region A3 (in which the gas passes through the radiation fin) was about <NUM>. 490e+<NUM> Pa.

Accordingly, in the case in which the shield member according to the embodiment of the present invention is used, a gas passing through two adjacent thermoelectric modules can flow more smoothly.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, a power generating apparatus with high electricity generation performance can be obtained. Particularly, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the power generating apparatus of which assembly is simple and the electricity generation performance is high can be obtained by reducing the number of using components and an occupying volume.

In addition, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the power generating apparatus of which heat conduction efficiency to a thermoelectric device is improved can be obtained. In addition, according to the embodiments of the present invention, an electricity generation capacity can be adjusted by adjusting the number of power generating apparatuses.

In addition, according to the embodiments of the present invention, an area at which a second fluid comes into contact with a radiation fin of a thermoelectric module can be maximized, and thus, electricity generation efficiency can be maximized. of the radiation fin, that is, an area of the open radiation fin from the upper surface of the shield member to the upper surface of the radiation fin was <NUM>% of a maxim fin open area of the radiation fin, that is, an open area from the lower surface to the upper surface of the radiation fin.

In addition, according to the embodiments of the present invention, an area at which a second fluid comes into contact with a radiation fin of a thermoelectric module can be maximized, and thus, electricity generation efficiency can be maximized.

Claim 1:
A power generating apparatus comprising:
a duct (<NUM>) through which a first fluid passes;
a first thermoelectric module (<NUM>-<NUM>) and a second thermoelectric module (<NUM>-<NUM>) disposed on a first surface (<NUM>) of the duct (<NUM>) to be spaced apart from each other;
a connector (<NUM>) disposed between the first thermoelectric module (<NUM>-<NUM>) and the second thermoelectric module (<NUM>-<NUM>) on the first surface (<NUM>) of the duct (<NUM>); and
a shield member (<NUM>) disposed on the connector (<NUM>) on the first surface (<NUM>) of the duct (<NUM>),
characterized by an insulating member (<NUM>) disposed between the first surface (<NUM>) and a lower surface of the shield member (<NUM>),
wherein the shield member (<NUM>) includes a first face (<NUM>) having a first height with respect to the first surface (<NUM>) of the duct (<NUM>) and a second face (<NUM>) having a second height with respect to the first surface (<NUM>) of the duct (<NUM>), and
wherein the second height is greater than the first height.