Warfighter Portable Power Generation using Heat Pipes

The energy harvesting potential of thermoelectric materials has been significantly increased over the last several years. However, while research efforts have demonstrated new thermoelectrics with significantly improved material conversion efficiencies, little work has been done to develop commercially viable thermoelectric energy harvesting systems with both high system-level efficiencies and power densities. Prime Research (PRLC) proposes the development of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) that incorporates state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials within an innovative low-thermal resistance and flexible heat pipe network. Using both the physics of phase transition heat pipes operate as flexible thermal superconductors, efficiently transferring large heat flows to and from the thermoelectric module. Connected to the heat pipes are versatile and rugged hot and cold side heat exchangers to enable thermal harvesting from a variety of sources. The opportunistic TEG harvester is capable of efficiently converting waste heat into power from a wide range of waste heat sources, including vehicles and machinery, as well as primary heat sources including campfires and virtually any fuel oil burner, such as a cook stove or portable heater. The portable power solution will address military applications at all scales and large commercial markets for home emergency power and outdoor recreation.