JPH11274574A - Manufacturing method of heat exchange block for thermoelectric generator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a method capable of easily forming a meandering flow path inside a heat exchange block. SOLUTION: The thermoelectric module 60 of the thermoelectric generator 10 is provided.
In a method for producing a heat exchange block in which a flow path through which a heat medium flows is formed in a meandering manner, a flow path 3 from one side 32 to the other side 33 is provided.
4, a block body 30 provided with a plurality of substantially parallel openings, and lid members 40, 4 having a heat medium inlet 50 and a heat outlet 52.
And the other side 3 of the block body 30
By attaching the lid members 40, 40 to the reference numerals 2, 33, respectively, the meandering flow path 22 that passes from the inflow port 50 to the outflow port 52 through all the flow paths 34 is formed. The heat medium inlet 50 and the heat outlet 52 may be formed directly in the outermost flow path of the block body 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a heat exchange block used in a thermoelectric generator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, thermoelectric generators that generate electric power using thermal energy such as waste heat discharged from factories, refuse incineration plants and power plants, and geothermal heat have been developed. As shown in FIG. 7, the thermoelectric generator (10) is configured by connecting alternately arranged p-type thermoelectric elements (62) and n-type thermoelectric elements (64) by electrodes (66) so as to be in series. Thermoelectric module (60)
One electrode surface faces the heat exchange block (90) on the high temperature side,
The other electrode surface is arranged so as to face the heat exchange block (92) on the low temperature side. With the heat exchange blocks (90) and (92), one electrode surface of the thermoelectric module (60) is heated,
When the other electrode surface is cooled, a so-called Seebeck effect causes a potential difference between each thermoelectric element pair, thereby generating power.

[0003] The amount of power generated by the thermoelectric generator is approximately proportional to the square of the temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side. Therefore, in order to increase the amount of power generation, it is necessary to improve the heat exchange efficiency between the thermoelectric module and the heat exchange block. In the heat exchange block, heat exchange with a heating source or a cooling source (hereinafter, referred to as a `` heat source '') is performed. There is a need to improve efficiency.

In order to increase the heat exchange efficiency between the heat exchange blocks (90) and (92) and the heat source, flow paths (94) as shown in FIG. 7 are respectively provided inside the heat exchange blocks (90) and (92). There is a thermoelectric generator in which a heat medium is formed and a heat medium is circulated between a heat source and each flow path of a heat exchange block (90) (92) to heat and cool the heat exchange block.

[0005]

In the thermoelectric generator shown in FIG. 7, since the length of each flow path (94) in the heat exchange blocks (90) and (92) is short, the heat medium is sufficient for the heat exchange block. Was discharged without heat exchange. When the flow path is short, it is necessary to increase the number of flow paths in order to sufficiently heat and cool the heat exchange block, and it is necessary to supply a large amount of heat medium according to the number. To address these problems, it is desirable to make the flow path of the heat medium meander inside the heat exchange block to increase the length of the flow path, but the thickness of the heat exchange block is generally several millimeters to several millimeters. Since it is as thin as centimeters, it was difficult to open a meandering channel inside.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a heat exchange block in which a meandering channel can be easily formed inside.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a thermoelectric module (60) of a thermoelectric generator (10).
In a method for producing a heat exchange block in which a flow path through which a heat medium flows is formed in a meandering manner, a flow path from one side surface (32) to the other side surface (33) is provided. Three
4) A block body (30) having a plurality of substantially parallel openings, and a lid member (40) (40) having a heat medium inlet (50) and an outlet (52).
Prepare one and the other side (32) of the block body (30)
By attaching the lid members (40) and (40) to (33),
A meandering channel (22) is formed from the inlet (50) to the outlet (52) through all the channels (34). The inflow port (50) and the outflow port (52) of the heat medium may be formed directly in the outermost flow path of the block body (30) instead of being provided in the lid member (40).

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 A heat exchange block (20) is composed of a block body (30) and a pair of lid members (40) (40). The block body (30) and the lid members (40) (40) are made of copper, aluminum,
Made from materials such as silver and brass. In addition, the lid member (40)
If the (40) does not directly exchange heat with the thermoelectric module (60), it is not particularly required to have thermal conductivity, and therefore may be made of a material different from that of the block body. For example, when the lid member is made of a heat insulating material, cooling of the heat medium in the lid member,
The temperature rise may be prevented.

The block main body (30) is formed of a plate-like body as shown in FIG. 2, and is formed from one side (32) to the other side (33).
, A plurality of substantially parallel flow paths (34) are opened. Channel
(34) may be opened with a drill or the like, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner surface may be flat, or the inner surface may be further threaded to form irregularities (38) having a larger or smaller inner diameter. (See FIG. 6). When the unevenness (38) is formed on the inner surface of the channel, the surface area is increased, and the heat exchange between the heat medium and the block body (30) can be further enhanced. Block body (30)
As shown in FIG. 3, when the lid members (40) (40) described later are attached, the ends of the flow paths (34) and (34) are connected so that all the flow paths (34) pass in series. A communication path (36) communicating with an end of an adjacent flow path is formed by cutting out between the parts.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lid member (40)
4) is a pair of elongated plate-like bodies adapted to the shape of the side surface (32) (33) of the opened block body (30), the base end (24) of the flow path of the block body (30) and At the position corresponding to the terminal end (26), an inlet (50) and an outlet (52) for the heat medium are opened, respectively. When both the proximal end (24) and the terminal end (26) of the flow path are located on one side of the block body (30), an inlet and an outlet are opened only in one lid member, and When the base end of the road is located on one side and the end is located on the other side, an inlet is provided in one lid member and an outlet is provided in the other lid member. The inflow port and the outflow port can be formed directly on the block body (30) as shown in the second embodiment.

The lid member (40) is connected to the side surface (3) of the block body (30).
2) Any size is acceptable as long as it can seal the communication path (36) opened between the flow paths of the block body (30) when attached to the (33). When the lid member (40) is attached to the block body (30) by welding as described later, the lid member (40) is slightly smaller in size than the block body (30), and the overlay welding portion (28) is It is desirable not to protrude outside than (30).

The cover member (4) is attached to the block body (30) having the above-described structure.
Attach 0). As shown in FIG. 3, the inflow port (50) and the outflow port (52) of the lid member (40) are connected to the base end (24) and the end (26) of the flow path (34).
3 and FIG. 4.
As shown in (2), the outer periphery of the contact portion is build-up welded (28). By performing the overlay welding, the lid member (40) is joined to the block body (30), and all the flow paths (34) inside the block body (30) from the inlet (50) of the lid member (40). And the heat exchange block (20) in which the meandering flow path (22) of the heat medium reaching the outlet (52) through the communication path (36) is formed. Since the outer periphery of the contact portion between the block body (30) and the cover member (40) is welded and sealed, the heat medium does not leak outside the heat exchange block. The joining between the block body and the lid member is not limited to welding, and for example, a seal member may be provided between the lid member and the block body and screwed. Further, they may be joined by brazing, bonding or the like.

A plurality of thermoelectric modules (60) and a plurality of heat exchange blocks (20) in which the meandering channels (22) are formed by the above-described method are prepared, and as shown in FIG. The thermoelectric generator (10) is manufactured by alternately stacking the heat exchange blocks (20) and the thermoelectric modules (60) and tightening them at a predetermined pressure. In addition, if necessary, an insulating plate made of alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ) or the like may be arranged to achieve electrical insulation between the heat exchange block and the thermoelectric module, or a heat insulating plate may be formed to increase thermal conductivity. Conductive grease may be applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the produced thermoelectric generator (10) is alternately made into a low-temperature side heat exchange block (20a) and a high-temperature side heat exchange block (20b) from the end side heat exchange block. In the illustrated example, the low-temperature side heat exchange block (20a) (20a)
This is because, when the high-temperature side heat exchange block is disposed outside, the high-temperature side heat exchange block is cooled by the apparatus housing and the outside air, causing heat loss.

As shown in FIG. 1, the low-temperature side heat exchange block (20a) is connected to a circulation channel (76) through which a cooling medium flows. In the circulation flow path (76), a cooling source (72) such as a fan and a feeding means (74) such as a pump are arranged in a low-temperature pipe (70).
The low-temperature pipe (70) branches on the upstream side and the downstream side of the low-temperature side heat exchange block (20a), and is connected to the respective inlets (50) and outlets (52) of the low-temperature side heat exchange block (20a). ing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the high-temperature side heat exchange block (20b) is connected to a circulation flow path (86) through which a heating medium flows. The circulation channel (86) is composed of a heating source (82) utilizing waste heat or combustion heat, and a feeding means such as a pump for circulating a heating medium.
(84) is disposed in the high temperature pipe (80). The high-temperature pipe branches at the upstream side and the downstream side of the high-temperature side heat exchange block (20b),
Each inlet (50) and outlet (5
2) is connected.

When the feeding means (74) and (84) are operated, the cooling medium and the heating medium flow through each of the circulation channels (76) and (86). Cooling source
The cooling medium cooled by (72) passes through the low-temperature pipe (70) from the feeding means (74), and flows from the inlet (50) of the low-temperature side heat exchange block (20a) to the low-temperature side heat exchange block (20a). The low-temperature side heat exchange block (20a) is cooled while passing through the meandering flow path (22) inside, and is discharged from the outlet (52) to the low-temperature pipe (70).
The heating medium heated by the heating source (82) is supplied to the feeding means (8
4) through the high-temperature pipe (80) and the high-temperature side heat exchange block (2
0b) through the meandering flow path (22) inside the high-temperature side heat exchange block (20b) from the inlet (50) of the high-temperature side heat exchange block (20).
b) is heated and discharged from the outlet (52) to the high-temperature pipe (80).

The low-temperature side heat exchange block (20a) is cooled,
When the high-temperature-side heat exchange block (20b) is heated, a potential difference is generated between the thermoelectric element pairs of each thermoelectric module (60) to generate power.

In the above embodiment, the low-temperature side heat exchange block (2
The present invention is applied to both the heat exchange block (0a) and the high-temperature side heat exchange block (20b) to form the meandering flow path (22). However, it goes without saying that the invention can be applied to only one of the heat exchange blocks.

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the communication passage (36) is formed by cutting off the passages of the block body (30). The second embodiment is an embodiment in which a communication groove (46) connecting the flow paths of the block body (30) is formed in the lid members (40). The description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

The block main body (30) is formed from a plate-like body as shown in FIG. 5, and is formed from one side (32) to the other side (33).
, A plurality of substantially parallel flow paths (34) are opened.
Each flow path (34) may be opened with a drill or the like so that the inner surface is flat (see FIG. 2), or the inner surface is further threaded to have an inner diameter as shown in FIG. Large and small irregularities (38) may be formed. Unevenness (3
By forming 8), the surface area of the flow path can be increased, so that the heat exchange efficiency between the heat medium and the block body can be increased. The heat exchange efficiency can be improved for other heat exchange blocks in which the flow path through which the heat medium flows is formed by forming the unevenness on the inner surface of the flow path. As shown in FIG. 6, when the meandering flow path (22) is formed in the block body (30), the end portions of the outermost flow path serving as the base end (24) and the end (26) of the flow path In the vicinity, an inlet (50) and an outlet (52) for the heat medium are directly opened, respectively. In addition, the inlet and the outlet are the same as those in the first embodiment.
Similarly to the above, the cover member (40) may be formed.

The lid members (40) and (40) are elongated plate-like members formed slightly smaller than the shapes of the side surfaces (32) and (33) of the block body (30) where the flow path (34) is opened. And the block body (30)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, adjacent flow paths communicate with each other so that all flow paths (34) of the block body (30) communicate in series with the surface (48) contacting the The communication groove (46) is recessed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the communication groove (46) formed in the lid member (40) is opposed to the end of the flow path (34) (34) of the block body (30) so as to coincide with the end. And the outer periphery of the contact portion is weld-welded (28). By applying build-up welding,
The lid member (40) is joined to the block body (30), and all the flow paths (34) and the lid member (40) inside the block body (30) are recessed from the inlet (50) of the block body (30). A heat exchange block (20) having a meandering flow path (22) for a heat medium through all the provided communication grooves (46) to the outlet (52) of the block body (30).
Is produced.

The obtained heat exchange blocks (20) are alternately stacked with the thermoelectric modules (60) as shown in FIG. 1 to form a thermoelectric generator (10). Hereinafter, as in the first embodiment, the inflow port
(50), the outlet (52) can be connected to the pipes (70) and (80) to generate power.

[0025]

According to the present invention, the meandering channel (22) can be formed inside the heat exchange block (20) by an extremely simple method. By forming the meandering flow path (22), the flow path can be lengthened, so that the heat exchange efficiency between the heat exchange block (20) and the heat medium can be increased, and the thermoelectric generator (1
The power generation amount of 0) can be increased. Also, since the lid member (40) and the block body (30) can prevent the leakage of the heat medium from the heat exchange block (20) to the outside simply by joining the outer periphery of the contact portion by welding or the like, the flow path A seal is not particularly required at the communication portion between the flow path and the flow path, and the manufacturing operation can be simplified. Furthermore, if the unevenness (38) whose inner diameter changes greatly is formed on the inner surface of the flow path (34), the surface area can be increased, so that the efficiency of heat conversion with the heat medium can be increased.

The description of the above embodiments is for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the appended claims or reducing the scope thereof. Further, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric generator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a heat exchange block.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a heat exchange block.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the heat exchange block.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the heat exchange block.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the heat exchange block.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional thermoelectric generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (10) Thermoelectric generator (20) Heat exchange block (22) Meandering channel (30) Block body (40) Lid body (50) Inlet (52) Outlet (60) Thermoelectric module

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A thermoelectric module (60) of a thermoelectric generator (10).
In a method of producing a heat exchange block in which a flow path through which a heat medium flows is formed in a meandering manner, a flow path (a passage from one side (32) to the other side (33)) is provided. A plurality of block bodies (30) are provided substantially parallel to each other, and a lid member (40) (40) having an inlet (50) and an outlet (52) for a heat medium is prepared, and the block body (30) One and the other side (32) (33)
By attaching lid members (40) and (40) respectively to each other, a meandering channel (22) is formed from the inflow port (50) to all the flow paths (34) to the outflow port (52). A method for producing a heat exchange block for a thermoelectric generator. 2. A block main body (30) having a cover member (40) attached to one end of a flow passage adjacent to an end of the flow passage so that all flow passages (34) communicate in series. A communication passage (36) is opened between the end and the end, and the lid member (40) is provided with a heat passage at a position corresponding to the base end (24) and the end (26) of the flow path connected in series. The method for producing a heat exchange block for a thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein an inlet (50) and an outlet (52) for the medium are respectively opened. 3. The lid member (40) includes adjacent flow passages (34) such that all flow passages (34) of the block body (30) pass in series.
A communication groove (46) communicating the ends of (34) is recessed, and the flow of the heat medium is provided at positions corresponding to the base end (24) and the end (26) of the flow path connected in series. The method for producing a heat exchange block for a thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein the inlet (50) and the outlet (52) are respectively opened. 4. A thermoelectric module (60) of a thermoelectric generator (10).
In a method of producing a heat exchange block in which a flow path through which a heat medium flows is formed in a meandering manner, a flow path (a passage from one side (32) to the other side (33)) is provided. 34) are opened substantially in parallel, one of the outermost flow paths is provided with a heat medium inlet (50), and the other outermost flow path is provided with a heat medium flow path. A block body (30) having an outlet (52) and a pair of lid members (40) and (40) are prepared, and one and the other side surfaces (32) and (33) of the block body (30) are respectively provided with lid members (30). (40) By attaching the (40), a meandering channel (22) is formed from the inflow port (50) to the outflow port (52) through all the flow paths (34), and the thermoelectric generator is characterized by being formed. Method of making a heat exchange block for use. 5. A block main body (30) having one of the flow passages adjacent to the end of the flow passage so that all the flow passages (34) communicate in series when the cover member (40) is attached. The method for producing a heat exchange block for a thermoelectric generator according to claim 4, wherein a communication passage (36) is opened between the end and the end. 6. The lid member (40) includes adjacent flow passages (34) such that all flow passages (34) of the block body (30) pass in series.
5. The method for producing a heat exchange block for a thermoelectric generator according to claim 4, wherein a communication groove (46) for communicating the ends of the (34) is formed in a concave shape. 7. The cover member (40) is formed to be slightly smaller than the mounting side surfaces (32) and (33) of the block body (30).
The lid member (40) is attached to the block body (30) by welding (28) the outer periphery of the contact portion between the (30) and the lid member (40). A method for producing the heat exchange block for a thermoelectric generator according to the above. 8. The heat for a thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the flow path (34) of the block body (30) has irregularities (38) whose inner diameter changes. How to make a replacement block.