GENERATOR DESIGN
The generator uses seventy-two Hi-Z 13 bismuth-telluride
modules to convert the energy in the engines exhaust directly to
electricity. A picture of this module which is 2.1 inches square by
0.2 inch thick and contains 49 active couples in a 10 x 10 element
array is shown in Figure 1. Vacuum hot pressed materials are used
to make the thermoelements in the module.
The modules are arranged in eight groups of nine modules.
Each group of modules is mounted on a single water cooled heat sink
as shown in Figure 2. The module and heat sink assemblies are then
positioned on the octagonal outer surface of a cast steel center
support structure. This structure was sand cast from Ni Resist steel.
The interior surface of the casting is a circle about 5.75 inches in
diameter with heat transfer fins on the inside surface.
A hollow displacement body is place in the center of the
generator to force the exhaust gas flow close to the surface of the
support structure. This displacement body provided a better gas flow
distribution within the generator and can be easily changed in size to
match the exhaust gas flow rate of engines of various displacements