A method is provided for producing an electrically-powered device and/or component that is embeddable in a solid structural component, and a system, a produced device and/or a produced component is provided. The produced electrically powered device includes an attached autonomous electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly structure configured to transform thermal energy at any temperature above absolute zero to an electric potential without any external stimulus including physical movement or deformation energy. The autonomous electrical power source component provides a mechanism for generating renewable energy as primary power for the electrically-powered device and/or component once an integrated structure including the device and/or component is deployed in an environment that restricts future access to the electrical power source for servicing, recharge, replacement, replenishment or the like.

An electric generator device is provided that includes a thermoelectric array, a base plate, and an electric power output. The thermoelectric array may include a hot side portion and a cold side portion. The base plate may be configured to receive heat from a heat source to be transferred to the hot side portion of the thermoelectric array. The electric power output may be electrically coupled to the thermoelectric array. The thermoelectric array may be configured to convert a temperature differential into an electric voltage for output to the electric power output. The power generation housing may be configured to hold a heat rejection substance that absorbs heat from the cold side portion of the thermoelectric array to facilitate generation of the temperature differential between the hot side portion and the cold side portion of the thermoelectric array.

A thermoelectric energy harvesting device including a first thermal-coupling interface, a second thermal-coupling interface, and a membrane. The membrane arranged between the first thermal-coupling interface and the second thermal-coupling interface and connected to the first thermal-coupling interface by a supporting frame. A thermal bridge between the second thermal-coupling interface and a thermal-coupling portion of the membrane. A thermoelectric converter on the membrane configured to supply an electrical quantity as a function of a temperature difference between the thermal-coupling portion of the membrane and the supporting frame.

A method is provided for producing an electrically-powered device and/or component that is embeddable in a solid structural component, and a system, a produced device and/or a produced component is provided. The produced electrically powered device includes an attached autonomous electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly structure configured to transform thermal energy at any temperature above absolute zero to an electric potential without any external stimulus including physical movement or deformation energy. The autonomous electrical power source component provides a mechanism for generating renewable energy as primary power for the electrically-powered device and/or component once an integrated structure including the device and/or component is deployed in an environment that restricts future access to the electrical power source for servicing, recharge, replacement, replenishment or the like.

A method for forming a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element is provided. A configuration of the energy harvesting element causes the energy harvesting element to autonomously generate renewable energy for use in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. The energy harvesting element includes a first conductor layer, a low work function layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductor layer that are particularly configured in a manner to promote electron migration from the low work function layer, through the dielectric layer, to the facing surface of the second conductor layer in a manner that develops an electric potential between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. An energy harvesting component is also provided that includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.

A device for use within pipelines, such as an inline inspection tool, includes a renewable power system. The renewable power system includes at least one of a thermoelectric generator or a pressure-based power generator. The thermoelectric generator produces electricity by consuming thermal energy from the heat of the product in the pipeline such as oil or gas. The pressure-based power generator operates by using a rotary connection axis for a turbine which drives an alternator to generate electrical energy. The device may combine both type of generators with a unified power system including regulators, high density batteries, battery chargers, cooling system.

A heat pump that includes a thermoelectric device(s) and a heat sink having a raised portion with a top surface for thermally coupling with a planar face of the thermoelectric device(s). The raised portion of the heat sink includes an outer periphery and a raised central region surrounded by a void region to provide more uniform thermal conductivity when clamped within an assembly. The raised central region is shaped in an any shape corresponding to a shape of uneven thermal conductivity due to clamping pressure applied to the heat sink. The void region can be substantially contiguous and entirely circumscribe the central raised region. The device can optionally include discrete supports formed of a less thermally-conductive material within the void region. The supports can be elastomeric, such as O-rings, and disposed within pockets defined within the void region.

A heat-flux sensor includes first and second pieces made of different materials and arranged to constitute a contact junction for generating electromotive force in response to a temperature difference between the first and second pieces. The heat-flux sensor includes a first electric conductor connected to the first piece and a second electric conductor connected to the second piece so that the electromotive force is detectable from between ends of the first and second electric conductors. The mass and the heat capacity of the second piece are significantly greater than those of the first piece so that a heat-flux across the contact junction causes a temperature difference between the first and second pieces but no significant temperature change in the second piece. Thus, the electromotive force caused by the temperature difference is indicative of the heat-flux.

According to one embodiment, a power generation element includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a first member, and a second member. The first member includes a first crystal and is provided between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first crystal has a wurtzite structure. The second member is separated from the first member and is provided between the first member and the second conductive layer. A <000-1> direction of the first crystal has a component from the first member toward the second member.

Methods and systems are provided for using thermoelectric generators to recover waste heat from and diagnose turbocharger systems. In one example, a method may include adjusting one or more engine operating parameters based on an amount of current generated from one or more thermoelectric generators coupled to a turbocharger.