US 12,342,720 B2
Thermoelectric generator system and method
Jia Li, Singapore (SG); Seok Woo Lee, Singapore (SG); and Vincent B. Gill, Singapore (SG)
Assigned to Rolls-Royce plc, London (GB)
Filed by Rolls-Royce plc, London (GB)
Filed on Sep. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/244,774.
Claims priority of application No. 2214251 (GB), filed on Sep. 29, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0114790 A1, Apr. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. H10N 10/13 (2023.01); F01D 15/10 (2006.01); F02C 6/08 (2006.01); H10N 10/17 (2023.01)
CPC H10N 10/13 (2023.02) [F01D 15/10 (2013.01); F02C 6/08 (2013.01); H10N 10/17 (2023.02); F05D 2260/606 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermoelectric generator system comprising:
a thermoelectric generator;
a vortex tube comprising a flow input configured to receive an input of compressed gas and to separate the compressed gas into a hot flow discharged from a first output of the vortex tube, and a cold flow discharged from a second output of the vortex tube;
a sensor system configured to determine a first parameter indicative of a temperature of the hot flow, a second parameter indicative of a temperature of the cold flow and a third parameter indicative of a temperature of a third fluid flow;
a radiator system comprising:
a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger disposed on opposing sides of the thermoelectric generator; and
a tube system configured to separately direct the hot flow, the cold flow and the third fluid flow towards a switch arrangement, wherein the switch arrangement is configured to receive each of the hot flow, the cold flow and the third fluid flow, and to be moveable between:
a first configuration in which the cold flow is directed to the second heat exchanger and the hot flow is directed to the first heat exchanger;
a second configuration in which the cold flow is directed to the second heat exchanger and the third fluid flow is directed to the first heat exchanger; and
a third configuration in which the third fluid flow is directed to the second heat exchanger and the hot fluid is directed to the first heat exchanger;
the thermoelectric generator system further comprising a control unit configured to control the configuration of the switch arrangement based on the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter.