Technical area in which the invention applies

The invention belongs to the general electrotehnic, i.e. generators of electric energy or specifically converter of heat energy from the environment in which the generator is situated so that it converts the heat into electric energy in conditions of wide range of the temperature of the environment.

International Patent classification: H01L

Tehnical Problem

The problem is how to transform the existing heat energy from environment into electric energy without necessary heating material, applied in technical method in thermoelectric plants or nuclear-electric power plants, considering that each material has heat energy on themperatures which are above zero degree Calvin.

State of the art

State of art on which the innovation is based is: air-condition, refridgerator, heat-pump, thermoelement (thermocouple), Seeback's effefat, Peltier's effecat, thermoaccumulation stove, DC/ AC electric power inverter, DC/DC electric power convenor, thermoelectric switch, themperature sensor, accu-battery, eletrical switcher, relay, programator of domestic electric machine, stabilisator of electric power, electric connector, charger of accu-battery.

In thermoelectric power plants and nuclear electric power plants in the process of producting electric energy there is heating of the material which effects polution of the environment, using up coal or nuclear-atomic fuel and global earth warning.

The essence of the invention

Cooling electric energy generator is based on the conversion of heat energy of the environment into electric energy. The principal of the functioning this kind of power electric supply is in the realization of positive backward gain among different phisical nature of which one is DC voltage (from output of thermoelectric couples set as result of Seeback's effect) and the other is the difference in themperature (between

thermoaccumulative core and cooled thermo-collector possitioned in the environment). Initial start-up is given by electric energy of accu- battery which starts internal heat-pump device ( the principle of split air condition system) that the thermical energy of the environment concentrates in thermoaccumulative core and in this way producing initial themperature difference between the thermocollector and the thermoaccumulative core. The themperature difference brings to transformation of thermical energy into electric energy inside thermoelectric-couples set (Seeback effect) which results in generating DC voltage.

After initial start-up electric energy from thermoelectric couples set becomes sufficient as to stand-alone power supply for internal heat-pump device. Electric energy which is produced in thermoelectric couples set and is spent for the work of internal heat-pump device bringing to apsorption of thermal energy from environment in a triple higher quantity than the energy spent for internal heat-pump device.

In this way absorbed thermal energy is transported into thermoaccumulative core, increasing the themperature in the core as well as the themperature difference between collector and core. Positive energy backward gain realised in such way within the system results in increasing in higher quantity of thermal energy in thermoaccumulating core as well as higher difference themperature of the core and collector. When accumulated energy of cooling electric energy generator becomes higher then the energy necessary for steady functioning of internal heat-pump device, it is possible surplus energy quantity in electric energy form transport for electric power supply of consumers and additonal charging of accu-battery.

Electric power consumers take energy surplus (the difference between the thermal energy absorbed from environment and energy necessary for system functioning) from cooling electric energy generator. If electric power consumers are not connected, themperature sensor gives information abouth themperature of thermoaccumulative core to programming switcher, which in further process disconnects power supply for internal heat-pump device, to prevent overheating of the core.

Cooling electric energy generator remains in selfsupplying mode and at the same time additionaly charging the accu-battery.

Brief description of the figures

The innovation has been described in details presented in three figures:

Figure 1 presents cross section of cooling electric energy generator in the variant of internal heat-pump device of fluid type is used.

Figure 2 presents cross section of cooling electric energy generator in the variant of internal heat-pump device of Peltier's elements are used.

Figure 3 presents the extension of the case of cooling electric energy generator with electromotor-turbine , in front projection.

Detained description of the invention

a) Figure 1 presents cross section of cooling electric energy generator with internal heat- pump device 8 of fluid type, which is initially started-up by electric energy from accu- battery 10, in this way heat energy from environment is transported to cool fluid 6 (element of internal heat-pump device 8) by cooled thermal-collector 4. Heated fluid 2 (element of internal heat-pump device 8) transports thermal energy (which is previously absorbed from environment) in thermoaccumulative core 1. The energy necessary for functioning internal heat-pump device 8 is approximately just one third of the energy transported from environment to thermoaccumulative core 1, at the same time.

Accumulated thermal energy in thermo-accumulative core 1 and temperature difference between thermo-accumulative core 1 and cooling thermal-collector 4 generates DC electric voltage in thermoelement-couples set 3 (Seeback's effect).

DC electric voltage is lead by isolated electric cable 12 to programmed switcher 11 in which switcher of working mode is so suitable (accommodated) so that DC electric voltage from thermoelement-couples set 3 connects to adapter of power supply 9.

Adapter of power supply 9 converts and stabilizes electric voltage according to specifications of the factory producer of internal heat-pump device 8. Converted and stabilized electric voltage from the adapter of power supply 9 supplies internal heat-pump device 8. Internal heat-pump device 8 streams fluid 6 and 2 so that absorbed thermal energy from environment further increases thermal energy of thermal-accumulative core 1. It is necessary that all heated part of internal heat-pump device 8 to be thermically coupled by thermoconducting material with thermal-accumulative corel in order to increase energy efficiency of the system.

Programmed swither 11 determines modes of functioning of cooling electric energy generator on the bases of DC electric voltage from thermoelements couples set 3 as well as the information of temperature in thermal-accumulative core 1, which programmed swither 11 gets from temperature sensor 7.

Initial mode of cooling electric energy generator is conditioned by insufficient temperature difference between thermal-accumulative core 1 and cooling thermal- collector 4 results in insufficient electric voltage from thermoelements couples set 3. In this mode the energy for start-up system is supplied from accu-battery 10. Programmed swither 11 connects accu-battery 10 with adapter of power supply 9. Internal heat-pump device 8 is supplied from accu-battery 10 by adapter of power supply 9. In functioning of internal heat-pump device 8 themperature difference between thermal-accumulative core 1 and cooling thermal-collector 4 is increased. When this difference is sufficient enough that the electric voltage from thermoelements couples set 3 can supply internal heat-pump device 8 by programmed swither 11 and adapter of power supply 9 it brings to mode change. In initial mode electric energy consumer 14 is not connected with the system becouse programmed swither 11 has not connected it.

In autonomous mode of functioning of cooling electric energy generator, electric voltage from thermoelements couples set 3 is sufficient for continuously functioning cooling electric energy generator, although it is not sufficient for supply of electric energy consumer 14 as well as charging accu-battery 10. In order to system functioning not to be at risk programmed swither 11 is not connected electric energy consumer 14 to the system. Also recharging of accu-battery 10 not realized in this mode. Increasing electric voltage from thermoelements couples set 3 brings to the change of the mode. Following mode is exploitation mode.

In exploitation mode of cooling electric energy generator system energy gives the possibility of supplying electric energy consumer 14. Electric energy consumer 14 is connected to the system by programmed swither 11. Charging of accu-battery 10 is regulated by programmed swither 11 in this mode. In this mode it is better to have ballance between apsorptional thermalenergy from environment and disipation of electric energy consumer 14 (included there is disipation energy from internal heat-pump device 8 to environment because of thermical couples are not perfect, adding to all that also charging accu-battery 10). In this mode perfect energy ballance is realised in the case of equlibrated absorbed thermical energy of environment with thermal energy which electric energy consumer 14 disipates as final energy product.

Switcing mode is activated if there is energy disbalance as the result of greater quantity of absorbed thermal energy from environment in relation to the electric energy from the system to electric energy consumer 14. To prevent overheating of thermal-accumulative core 1, temperature sensor 7 gives the information abouth the temperature (thermal- accumulative core 1) to programmed swither 11, so that the system changes exploitation mode into switching mode. In switcing mode there is controlled disconnection of supply to internal heat-pump device 8. Disconnect is realized by programmed swither 11. During the course of mentioned disconnection, system gives electric energy to electric energy consumer 14. In this way there is cooling of thermal-accumulative core 1. Overheating of thermal-accumulative core 1 can bring to damage of internal heat-pump device 8. During the interval of disconnection when internal heat-pump device 8 is not supplied the system functions as charged (thermical) accumulator of electrical energy. Then thermal- accumulative core 1 is charged with thermical energy in full capacity. At the same time cooling thermal-collector 4 is cooled so that thermoelements couples set 3 has themperature difference on its rims. In this way thermoelements couples set 3 gives DC electric voltage to isolated electric cable 12.

Thermoelements couples set 3 consists of individual thermocouples 5 which are isolated by both electro-isolating and thermo-isolating material 15 (vacum can be option), programmed swither 11 is internaly supplied by accu-battery 10. Environment of cooling thermal-collector 4 can be: air, water, soil, sand or rock. In air or water environment of cooling electric energy generator can get increased power by extension case 19 (of cooling thermal-collector 4) and electromotor turbine 20 (fig.3). Power supply of electromotor turbine 20 is realised by power supply internal heat-pump device 8.

b) Fig. 2 presents cross-section cooling electric energy generator in the variant of cooling electric energy generator aplication internal heat-pump device 8 on the principal of Peltier effect. Cooling thermal-collector 4 (as a consisting part of cooling electric energy generator) conducts thermical energy from environment to cooled couples of

thermoelements 17. Cooled couples of thermoelements 17 are thermically coupled with cooling thermal-collector 4. Thermoelements couples set 18 ( consisting of

thermoelements 17) is a part of internal heat-pump device 8. Thermical energy from environment which is already mentioned is transported into thermal-accumulative core 1 by thermoelements couples set 18 (Peltier's effect). Thermoelements couples set 18 consists of different combinations of pairs of metals or semicinductors in relation to thermoelements couples set 3. Thermoelements couples set 3 and thermoelements couples set 18 have different electric voltage variations depenging on temperature variations on the rims of thermoelements couples set 3 and thermoelements couples set 18. It means if the system should function successfully it is necessary that

thermoelements 5 are differene in supstance from thermoelements 17. So that in this way thermoelements couples set 3 has more intensive Seeback's effect within the range of operating themperatures in thermal-accumulative core 1 and cooling thermal-collector 4. In this range thermoelements couples set 18 must have more intensive Peltier's effect. Initial mode of cooling electric energy generator is conditioned by insufficient electric voltage from thermoelements couples set 3 when electric voltage is in the range of zero volt and the voltage sufficient enough to produce stable electric current through thermoelements couples set 18 (it means to supply internal heat-pump device 8). Initial mode is determinated and activated by programmed swither 11. In initial mode accu- battery 10 supplies thermoelements couples set 18 by power adapter 9. Programmed swither 11 switches all connections in this process. Thermoelements couples set 18 transports thermical energy from cooling thermal-collector 4 into thermal-accumulative core 1 with application of Peltier's effect. Temperature of cooling thermal-collector 4 begins to decrease. In this way environment gives thermical energy to cooling thermal- collector 4. Thermoelements couples set 18 concentrates thermical energy from environment into thermal-accumulative core 1. Temperature of thermal-accumulative core 1 begins to increase on the base of accumulated thermical energy. Temperature difference between thermal-accumulative core 1 and cooling thermal-collector 4 increase which further results in electric voltage on isolated cable 12 from thermoelements couples set 3. When electric voltage on isolated cable 12 is increased enough so the system changes mode from initial to autonomous.

In autonomous mode programmed swither 11 depending on intensity of electric voltage on isolated electric cable 12 (from thermoelements couples set 3) connects adapted supply for thermoelements couples set 18. Thermoelements couples set 18 is supplied from thermoelements couples set 3, instead from accu-battery 10 as initial source of electric energy. Thermoelements couples set 3 spends thermical energy from thermal- accumulative core 1 for supply thermoelements couples set 18. Thermoelements couples set 18 increases thermical energy in thermal-accumulative core 1 adding thermical energy from environment in much more quantity than thermoelements couples set 3 spends thermical energy from thermal-accumulative core 1. In this way, the process is in the positive backward gain . For this effect to be efficient it is necessary to make a careful choice of the combinations both of metal thermocuoples pairs or semiconductors thermal couples pairs, in production of thermoelements couples set 3 as well as thermoelements couples set 18. Thermoelements couples set 3 needs to maximize Seeback's effect and minimize Peltier's effect, as well as , thermoelements couples set 18 needs to maximize Peltier's effect and minimize Seeback's effect, on rims of thermoelements couples set 3 and thermoelements couples set 18 within the range of operating themperatures in thermal-accumulative core 1 and cooling thermal-collector 4. With further increasing thermical energy in thermal-accumulative core 1, temperature difference between thermal-accumulative core 1 and cooling thermal-collector 4 also increases resulting in increasing electric voltage on output of thermoelements couples set 3. Further absorption of thermal energy from environment increases energy in cooling electric energy generator. In the following time interval cooling electric energy generator can export surplus energy to electric energy consumer 14, which is equvivalent to the difference of absorbed energy from environment and energy necessary for cooling electric energy generator functioning including energy for charging accu-battery 10. Exploitation mode follows autonomous mode. Exploitation mode is based on intesity of electric voltage in thermoelements couples set 3 so that programmed swither 11 conducts electric voltage from isolated electric cable 12 (of thermoelements couples set 3) to connector 13 for supplying electric energy consumer 14. Recharging accu-battery is also regulated by programmed swither 11. In this mode it is better to have ballance between absorptional thermal energy from environment and the energy exported to electric energy consumer 14 (including energy needed for recharging accu-battery 10). Perfect energy ballance can be realized in the case of equalization of thermal energy absorbed from environment by cooling thermal-collector 4 with thermal energy which electric energy consumer 14 disipates as final energy product (when accu-battery 10 is previously charged). In order to prevent overheating of thermal-accumulative core 1, information abouth maximum alowed temperature of thermal-accumulative core 1, temperature sensor 7 sends to programmed swither 11. Then system changes mode into switcing mode. In switcing mode in time intervals when thermoelements couples set 18 is not supplied with electric energy the system operates like charged (thermal-accumulated) accumulator of electric energy. During the mentioned intervals thermal-accumulative core 1 is charged with maximal thermal energy alowed by the system and at the same time cooling thermal-collector 4 is cooled so that thermoelements couples set 3 has neded temperature difference on its rims, so that isolated electric cable 12 gives necessary DC electric voltage for suppying electric energy consumer 14 (and if needed charging accu-battery 10). The environment of cooling thermal-collector 4 can be air , water, and if it is situated under the ground : soil, rock or sand. In air and water environment the power can be increased rapidly by electromotor turbine 20 situated in extensional case 19 of cooling thermal-collector 4, fig. 3. Supplying of electromotor turbine 20 is realized within power supply internal heat-pump device 8. Cooling electric energy generator in variant of internal heat-pump device 8 Peltier's type has much more wider temperature range compared to cooling electric energy generator in variant of internal heat-pump device 8 fluid type.