Thermoelectric-Based Power System for Unmanned-Air-Vehicle/Microair-Vehicle Applications

摘要

In this research program, new high-temperature, high-efficiency microthermoelectric generator modules are developed and integrated onto unmanned microair-vehicle (MAV) propulsion systems. A 1 x 1 x 0.2 cm module that produces up to 800 mW at a module thermoelectric efficiency of 6 to 7% (compared to 4% for commercially available modules) is demonstrated. The module is successfully integrated with small internal combustion engines used by developmental MAV vehicles. The maximum installed power output and power density for one of these miniature thermoelectric-generator modules was shown to be 380 mW and 210 mW/g, respectively. At this power density, TEGs outperform modern primary lithium batteries for system endurance requirements greater than 20 min. Although there is still room for improvement, significant first steps were achieved during this research. One of the main innovations undertaken in this program was the development and integration of a small, high-performance TEG module into a system used outside of a laboratory setting. Although many advances in thermoelectric materials have been made in the past five years, little work has been performed in the area of practical research toward advanced applications of these materials outside of micropower applications. It is hoped that this work has contributed to the advancement of thermoelectric devices by focusing on the application of this technology to small-unmanned aircraft.