The thermoelectric generating unit 1 generates electric power by a temperature difference between the cold side and the hot side. The heating part 4 is composed of a plate-like hollow member 4a and a tubular member 4b. The hollow member 4a is provided along a hot-side surface of the thermoelectric transducer 2, and forms a plate-like cavity 40a inside. The tubular member 4b forms a tubular cavity 40b which communicates the plate-like cavity 40a, with the two open ends of the tubular member 4b being positioned distantly from each other and connected to the plate-like hollow member 4a. The tubular member 4b is heated from outside by a hot fluid. The plate-like cavity 40a and the tubular cavity 40b form a circulation path 40 in which a heating medium charged in the cavities 40a, 40b circulates.

The thermoelectric generating unit 1 generates electric power by a temperature difference between the cold side and the hot side. The heating part 4 is composed of a plate-like hollow member 4a and a tubular member 4b. The hollow member 4a is provided along a hot-side surface of the thermoelectric transducer 2, and forms a plate-like cavity 40a inside. The tubular member 4b forms a tubular cavity 40b which communicates the plate-like cavity 40a, with the two open ends of the tubular member 4b being positioned distantly from each other and connected to the plate-like hollow member 4a. The tubular member 4b is heated from outside by a hot fluid. The plate-like cavity 40a and the tubular cavity 40b form a circulation path 40 in which a heating medium charged in the cavities 40a, 40b circulates.

Heat from a rotating prime mover(s) driving a fluid shear pump, heat from the prime mover and any exhaust heat generated by the prime mover is collected. The heat energy collected from all of these sources is transmitted through heat exchangers to a fluid where heat energy is desired. This fluid heating process is performed in the absence of an open flame.

Heat from a rotating prime mover(s) driving a fluid shear pump, heat from the prime mover and any exhaust heat generated by the prime mover is collected. The heat energy collected from all of these sources is transmitted through heat exchangers to a fluid where heat energy is desired. This fluid heating process is performed in the absence of an open flame.

A chemical heat storage apparatus includes a reactor including a reaction material that generates heat by chemically reacting with a reaction medium and desorbs the reaction medium by storing heat; a reservoir that stores the reaction medium; a feed pipe connecting the reactor with the reservoir; a valve provided in the feed pipe that opens and closes a flow path of the reaction medium; a pressure sensor that detects pressure in the reservoir; and a leakage determination unit that determines whether the reaction medium is leaking from the reactor. Leakage is determined if the pressure in the reservoir detected by the pressure sensor is lower than an abnormality determination threshold after an abnormality determination time has elapsed after the valve has opened to perform a heat generating reaction in which the reaction medium is fed from the reservoir to the reactor.

A chemical heat storage apparatus includes a reactor including a reaction material that generates heat by chemically reacting with a reaction medium and desorbs the reaction medium by storing heat; a reservoir that stores the reaction medium; a feed pipe connecting the reactor with the reservoir; a valve provided in the feed pipe that opens and closes a flow path of the reaction medium; a pressure sensor that detects pressure in the reservoir; and a leakage determination unit that determines whether the reaction medium is leaking from the reactor. Leakage is determined if the pressure in the reservoir detected by the pressure sensor is lower than an abnormality determination threshold after an abnormality determination time has elapsed after the valve has opened to perform a heat generating reaction in which the reaction medium is fed from the reservoir to the reactor.

An exhaust heat recovery device comprises an exhaust pipe, a shell member, a heat exchange portion, an inflow portion, a valve, a driving portion that generates a driving force for driving the valve, and a transmitting portion that transmits the driving force generated by the driving portion to the valve. The driving portion comprises an expansion portion that expands when an external electrical signal is inputted thereto, and a linearly moving portion that extends according to expansion of the expansion portion.

An exhaust heat recovery device comprises an exhaust pipe, a shell member, a heat exchange portion, an inflow portion, a valve, a driving portion that generates a driving force for driving the valve, and a transmitting portion that transmits the driving force generated by the driving portion to the valve. The driving portion comprises an expansion portion that expands when an external electrical signal is inputted thereto, and a linearly moving portion that extends according to expansion of the expansion portion.

A valve apparatus that opens/closes a flow path for fluids. The valve apparatus comprises a tubular valve seat, and a valve. The valve comprises a valve body and a peripheral part. The peripheral part extends around an outer circumference of the valve seat from a periphery of the valve body towards upstream of the flow path for fluids.

A valve apparatus that opens/closes a flow path for fluids. The valve apparatus comprises a tubular valve seat, and a valve. The valve comprises a valve body and a peripheral part. The peripheral part extends around an outer circumference of the valve seat from a periphery of the valve body towards upstream of the flow path for fluids.