Abstract: A thermoelectric energy harvesting system may include a thermoelectric generator and an electronics module. The thermoelectric generator may produce a voltage in response to a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator and generate power when coupled to a load. The system may include a housing mounted on top of the thermoelectric generator. The housing may include a cavity containing the electronics module. The electronics module may condition the power generated by the thermoelectric generator. The cavity may be enclosed by an inner surface of the housing. A radiation shield may cover at least a portion of the inner surface and may block radiative heating of the cavity from the housing.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator module for a wearable thermoelectric generator assembly may include a top heat coupling plate and a bottom heat coupling plate each having a head formed on an outer surface of the heat coupling plate and thermally conductive strips formed on an inner surface. At least one thermoelectric foil may be interposed between the top and bottom heat coupling plate. A perimeter band may circumscribe the perimeter edges of the top and bottom heat coupling plate and encapsulate the thermoelectric foil. The head of at least one of the top and bottom heat coupling plate may protrude beyond upper and/or lower surfaces of the perimeter band.

Abstract: A power management system for an energy harvesting device configured to provide a source voltage. The power management system may include a conditioning and control circuit configured to perform an initialization process by accumulating energy from the source voltage until an output voltage becomes regulated for a load. The power management system may include a priming circuit configured to supplement the source voltage during a load period upon actuation of a power management switch which may cause the transferring of a priming charge from a low-leakage energy storage element to the conditioning and control circuit. The conditioning and control circuit may combine the priming charge with the energy accumulating from the source voltage. The initialization process may cause the output voltage for the load to become regulated during the load period following actuation of the power management switch.

Abstract: A variable-thermal-resistance mounting system may include a cylinder coupled to a heat source, or heat load and a rod movably engaged to the cylinder and coupled to a remaining one of the heat source and heat load. The rod may be coupled to a heat load. The rod may be axially slidable relative to the cylinder between a collapsed position and an extended position in a manner causing a change in heat flow between the heat source and the heat load such that the warm-side temperature of the heat load is initially set at a substantially optimal value.

Abstract: A self-optimizing energy harvester comprises a thermoelectric generator coupling to a thermal source, producing a source voltage greater than a minimum start-up voltage, where the thermoelectric generator drives a boost circuit and a feedforward circuit, delivering power to a load. A conventional boost circuit has a maximum output power only at the input voltage for which a fixed set point resistor is chosen. The feedforward circuit dynamically optimizes the boost circuit according to a dynamic set point resistance, thus increasing output power for a wide range of input voltages, relative to using a fixed reference resistor. The dynamic set point resistance is the sum of a variable resistance and a reference resistance. A sample element forms a differential voltage between the source and input voltage elements, and the variable resistance corresponds to the differential voltage. A reference resistor is chosen to establish the minimum start-up voltage.

Abstract: A thermoelectric energy harvesting system may include a thermoelectric generator that may produce a voltage in response to a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator may be captured between the housing and the base member. The system may include at least one mechanical fastener coupling the housing to the base member and including a shoulder spacer formed of thermally-insulating material and positioned under the mechanical fastener.

Abstract: A wearable thermoelectric generator system thermoelectric generator may include a thermoelectric generator, a heat collector, and a heat exchanger. The heat collector may be configured to be placed in contact with a skin surface of a wearer. The heat exchanger may be configured to be exposed to ambient air. The thermoelectric generator may be mounted between the heat collector and the heat exchanger. The thermoelectric generator may be electrically connected to a load. The load may be packaged separately from the thermoelectric generator.

Abstract: A self-optimizing energy harvester comprises a thermoelectric generator coupling to a thermal source, producing a source voltage greater than a minimum start-up voltage, where the thermoelectric generator drives a boost circuit and a feedforward circuit, delivering power to a load. A conventional boost circuit has a maximum output power only at the input voltage for which a fixed set point resistor is chosen. The feedforward circuit dynamically optimizes the boost circuit according to a dynamic set point resistance, thus increasing output power for a wide range of input voltages, relative to using a fixed reference resistor. The dynamic set point resistance is the sum of a variable resistance and a reference resistance. A sample element forms a differential voltage between the source and input voltage elements, and the variable resistance corresponds to the differential voltage. A reference resistor is chosen to establish the minimum start-up voltage.

Abstract: A thermoelectric energy harvesting system may include a thermoelectric generator and an electronics module. The thermoelectric generator may produce a voltage in response to a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator and generate power when coupled to a load. The system may include a housing mounted on top of the thermoelectric generator. The housing may include a cavity containing the electronics module. The electronics module may condition the power generated by the thermoelectric generator. The cavity may be enclosed by an inner surface of the housing. A radiation shield may cover at least a portion of the inner surface and may block radiative heating of the cavity from the housing.

Abstract: A thermoelectric energy harvester comprises a cyclic energy input terminal supplying heat energy in a first part of the cycle to a thermal storage reservoir through a low thermal resistance generator. During a second part of the cycle, the thermal storage reservoir returns stored heat energy to the environment through an independent thermal circuit and a higher thermal resistance thermoelectric generator.

Abstract: A wrapped thermoelectric power source having an inner and an outer insulator is provided within a housing formed, at least partially, by an upper and lower thermal transfer elements. The thermoelectric power source including a plurality of coupled pairs of thin film materials possessing thermoelectric properties, the pairs disposed on a flexible substrate and electrically coupled in any series/parallel combination, with the flexible substrate wrapped around an inner thermal insulator. The thermoelectric power source may be sized such that at least a portion of an electronics module may be disposed at least partly within the inner thermal insulator. The electronics module is electrically coupled to the thermoelectric power source, and includes components for voltage regulation and/or power conditioning.