A Design of a Thermoelectric Energy Harvester for Minimizing Sensor Module Cost

This paper discusses a relationship between thermoelectric generator (TEG) electrical parameters, power efficiency of converters, and power consumption of loads in autonomous sensor modules. Based on the method discussed, one can determine the total number of TEG units together with the number of TE...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Electronics (Basel) 2022-10, Vol.11 (21), p.3441
Main Authors: Koketsu, Kazuma, Tanzawa, Toru
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Arrays
Charge pumps
Data transmission
Design
Design and construction
Energy conversion efficiency
Energy harvesting
Modules
Open circuit voltage
Power consumption
Power management
Sensors
Thermoelectric generators
Thermoelectricity
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Summary:This paper discusses a relationship between thermoelectric generator (TEG) electrical parameters, power efficiency of converters, and power consumption of loads in autonomous sensor modules. Based on the method discussed, one can determine the total number of TEG units together with the number of TEG arrays and the number of TEG units connected in series per array when the characteristics of TEG unit, the minimum temperature difference in operation, the power conversion efficiency of the converter and the load condition are given. A practical design flow to minimize TEG cost is proposed and demonstrated, taking the maximum open circuit voltage of TEG and the dependence of the power conversion efficiency of the converter on the input voltage of the converter into consideration. The entire system including TEG and a Dickson charge pump converter, which were designed through the proposed flow, was validated with SPICE.
ISSN:2079-9292
2079-9292
DOI:10.3390/electronics11213441