Resonant Thermoelectric Generator

A thermoelectric generator comprises an electrical circuit having two or more thermocouple junctions ( 600, 615 ), a switch ( 620 ), a controller ( 640 ), and a series resonant circuit consisting of a capacitor ( 625 ) and an inductor in the form of a transformer ( 630 ). The thermocouple junctions operate between two temperature reservoirs ( 605, 610 ) operating at temperatures T 2 and T 1 , respectively, that are sufficiently different to enable the circuit to supply power to a load ( 635 ). Using sense lines ( 650, 655 ) the controller forces the switch to advance to the next throw at the proper time, forcing the circuit to operate at or near resonance. With each operation of the switch, one junction at a time is connected to the resonant circuit, while one or more junctions are left in an open-circuit condition. By allowing the temporarily disconnected junctions sufficient time to reach thermal equilibrium with the temperature reservoirs, isothermal equilibrium is achieved. By reversing the polarity of each subsequently-connected junction, electrons in the thermally-equilibrated junctions experience a very rapid adiabatic expansion or compression when each junction is connected. The result is a thermoelectric generator that operates with an efficiency that is greater than the prior-art. Power regulation is accomplished through adjustments to the strength of the load and the temperatures of the reservoirs.