Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of a battery is disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoelectric device in thermally-conductive contact with the battery, measuring an actual temperature of the battery, comparing the actual temperature of the battery to a reference temperature for the battery, heating the battery by operation of the thermoelectric device when the actual temperature is less than the reference temperature and cooling the battery by operation of the thermoelectric device when the actual temperature exceeds the reference temperature.

Abstract: A method of controlling engine exhaust flow through at least one of an exhaust bypass and a thermoelectric device via a bypass valve is provided. The method includes: determining a mass flow of exhaust exiting an engine; determining a desired exhaust pressure based on the mass flow of exhaust; comparing the desired exhaust pressure to a determined exhaust pressure; and determining a bypass valve control value based on the comparing, wherein the bypass valve control value is used to control the bypass valve.

Abstract: A thermoelectric augmented fuel cell system is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack for generating electrical power and a thermoelectric unit provided in thermal contact with the fuel cell stack for receiving thermal energy from the fuel cell stack and generating additional electrical power.

Abstract: A method of controlling engine exhaust flow through at least one of an exhaust bypass and a thermoelectric device via a bypass valve is provided. The method includes: determining a mass flow of exhaust exiting an engine; determining a desired exhaust pressure based on the mass flow of exhaust; comparing the desired exhaust pressure to a determined exhaust pressure; and determining a bypass valve control value based on the comparing, wherein the bypass valve control value is used to control the bypass valve.

Abstract: A method comprising flowing engine combustion exhaust through a thermoelectric device and flowing engine coolant through the thermoelectric device to provide faster engine and transmission warming (coolant, oil).

Abstract: An auxiliary electrical power supply includes a fuel combustor passively sourced with fuel for combusting fuel and a thermoelectric generator close-coupled to the combustor for converting the heat from the combustor to electric power.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of a battery is disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoelectric device in thermally-conductive contact with the battery, measuring an actual temperature of the battery, comparing the actual temperature of the battery to a reference temperature for the battery, heating the battery by operation of the thermoelectric device when the actual temperature is less than the reference temperature and cooling the battery by operation of the thermoelectric device when the actual temperature exceeds the reference temperature.

Abstract: A thermoelectric augmented hybrid electric propulsion system for a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a combustion engine and an electric motor for rotating wheels of the vehicle. A thermoelectric device having a hot side provided in thermal contact with the combustion engine is electrically connected to the electric motor. In operation, the thermoelectric device receives waste heat from the combustion engine and generates electrical power for the electric motor to augment the vehicle propulsion.

Abstract: A method for controlling temperature of a catalytic converter in an automobile exhaust system is disclosed. The method includes establishing a reference temperature for the catalytic converter, distributing a stream of exhaust gases through the catalytic converter, obtaining a measured temperature of the catalytic converter and converting thermal energy from the stream of exhaust gases into electrical energy when the measured temperature exceeds the reference temperature. An apparatus for controlling temperature of a catalytic converter in an automobile exhaust system is also disclosed.