US 12,111,073 B2
Method for assembling a PV system with thermoelectric generation
Fahad G. Al-Amri, Dammam (SA)
Assigned to Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam (SA)
Filed by Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam (SA)
Filed on May 10, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/660,269.
Application 17/809,719 is a division of application No. 16/654,302, filed on Oct. 16, 2019, granted, now 11,480,350, issued on Oct. 25, 2022.
Application 18/660,269 is a continuation of application No. 18/319,672, filed on May 18, 2023, granted, now 12,013,148.
Application 18/319,672 is a continuation of application No. 17/809,719, filed on Jun. 29, 2022, granted, now 12,031,748.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/799,273, filed on Jan. 31, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0288186 A1, Aug. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. F24F 5/00 (2006.01); F24S 20/30 (2018.01); F24S 40/55 (2018.01); F28D 15/02 (2006.01); H02S 40/42 (2014.01); H10N 10/81 (2023.01)
CPC F24F 5/0046 (2013.01) [F24S 20/30 (2018.05); F24S 40/55 (2018.05); F28D 15/0233 (2013.01); H02S 40/42 (2014.12); H10N 10/81 (2023.02); F24F 2005/0067 (2013.01); F28D 2015/0225 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for assembling a PV system with thermoelectric generation, comprising:
attaching, by a thermally conductive adhesive, a plurality of thermoelectric generators to a back surface of a photovoltaic panel, wherein the back surface of the photovoltaic panel is a polymer;
attaching, by the thermally conductive adhesive, one of a plurality of micro flat heat pipes (HP) over at least one thermoelectric generator to completely cover the at least one thermoelectric generator and overhang the at least one thermoelectric generator;
attaching, by the thermally conductive adhesive, an aluminum spacer to a back surface of the photovoltaic panel adjacent each thermoelectric generator and beneath each micro flat heat pipe, wherein the thermally conductive adhesive is present as a continuous layer between the back surface of the photovoltaic panel and each thermoelectric generator of the plurality of thermoelectric generators;
connecting, by first piping, condensate water from an air conditioning evaporator to a pump;
connecting, by second piping, the pump to a first heat sink reservoir;
connecting, by third piping, the first heat sink reservoir to a second heat sink reservoir;
connecting, by fourth piping, the second heat sink reservoir to a drain;
attaching, by thermally conductive adhesive, the second piping over each first end of a first number of micro flat heat pipes; and
attaching, by thermally conductive adhesive, the fourth piping over each first end of a second number of micro flat heat pipes, the first number and the second number equaling the plurality of micro flat heat pipes;
wherein the photovoltaic panel has a front surface, a frame and at least one electrical junction box, wherein the photovoltaic panel is configured to generate electrical current from solar radiation impinging on the front surface;
the plurality of thermoelectric generators have a first side and a second side, the first side attached to the back surface, wherein each thermoelectric generator is configured to generate electrical current when the first side is at a different temperature than the second side;
wherein each micro flat heat pipe of the plurality of micro flat heat pipes is attached to an entirety of the second side of at least one of the thermoelectric generators, each micro flat heat pipe having a hot end and a cold end;
each heat sink of the plurality of heat sinks comprising a water reservoir;
the air conditioner evaporator is connected to an air conditioner having a condensate drain;
the PV system with thermoelectric generation further comprising:
a water pumping unit comprising a fluid manifold in thermal contact with the hot ends of the plurality of micro flat heat pipes and a pump fluidly coupled to each water reservoir and the condensate drain;
a battery;
a plurality of spacers, each of the spacers being provided between each of the plurality of micro flat heat pipes and the back surface only in areas of the back surface not covered by one of the thermoelectric generators, the spacers being configured to provide thermal contact between the micro flat heat pipes and the back surface in areas not covered by one of the thermoelectric generators, the thermoelectric generators being configured to provide thermal contact between the micro flat heat pipes and the back surface in areas not covered by one of the spacers, and the spacers directly contacting the back surface, the micro flat heat pipes, and the thermoelectric generators;
a controller operatively connected to the pump, the plurality of thermoelectric generators, the at least one electrical junction box and the battery, the controller comprising circuitry and at least one processor, the controller configured to:
receive electrical current from the at least one electrical junction box and the plurality of thermoelectric generators;
control a speed of the pump; and
invert the electrical current to charge the battery.