Patent ID: 7687704

Claim:
A thermoelectric generator for use with an internal combustion engine connected to an exhaust passage, the generator comprising: a catalyst device, arranged in the exhaust passage, for purging exhaust; and a first and second plurality of thermoelectric generation elements, arranged on the catalyst device, for converting thermal energy of the exhaust passing through the exhaust passage to electric energy, the first plurality of thermoelectric generation elements being arranged with a low density in a upstream portion of the catalyst device with respect to the flow of the exhaust, and the second plurality of thermoelectric generation elements being arranged with a high density in a downstream portion of the catalyst device with respect to the flow of the exhaust, wherein each of the first and second plurality of thermoelectric generation elements includes a first surface facing toward the catalyst device and a second surface opposite the first surface, the generator further comprising a cooling mechanism arranged in direct contact with the second surface for cooling the first and second plurality of thermoelectric generation elements with a cooling medium; and wherein all of the thermoelectric generation elements in the first and second plurality of thermoelectric generation elements have substantially the same size.