Optimized Thermal Management Technology for Thermoelectric Generators

Yankee Scientific completed a successful Phase I program that developed Thermal Management Technologies (TMTs) for improving how heat flows through a thermoelectric generator (TEG).In the Phase II program described in this proposal Yankee will utilize the improved TMTs to design and build man-portable TEGs products with 35 W and 70 W class outputs that will provide battery charging capabilities to dismounted warfighters.The TEGs will be able to operate on multiple-fuels, with the goal of using locally sourced fuels to recharge batteries.Three main design approaches are proposed for these battery charger TEG products.First, heat pipes will be implemented to transport the high heat flux from the TEG surface to an air cooled heat sink for efficient heat dissipation.Second, a novel TEG geometry will be used to form a cylindrical shaped TEG for capturing heat from a centrally located duct.Third, an ultra-compact TEG battery charger will be designed by taking full advantage of evaporative cooling to boost the TEG power output by 70% over that possible by boiling water.