US 12,359,381 B2
Thermoelectric power generation on a paving machine
Conwell K. Rife, Jr., Plymouth, MN (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Brooklyn Park, MN (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Brooklyn Park, MN (US)
Filed on Oct. 7, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/495,843.
Prior Publication US 2023/0109685 A1, Apr. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. E01C 19/23 (2006.01); E01C 19/26 (2006.01); E01C 19/48 (2006.01)
CPC E01C 19/238 (2013.01) [E01C 19/264 (2013.01); E01C 19/48 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrically powered paving machine, comprising:
a hopper;
a screed assembly;
a conveying system;
one or more batteries configured to power the electrically powered paving machine;
a plurality of thermoelectric generators electrically connected to the one or more batteries;
a potential thermal energy conversion device electrically connected to the one or more batteries; and
processing circuitry, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control charging the one or more batteries using electrical energy generated by one or more of the plurality of thermoelectric generators and the potential thermal energy conversion device.