Power generation system for an electronic system

Abstract

An electronic system includes an electronic system cabinet housing at least one electronic system component and a power generation system. The power generation system includes a cooling system having a cooling medium that generates a cooling energy. The power generation system further includes a thermoelectric conversion element having a first side and a second side. The first side is in a heat exchange relationship with the at least one electronic system component and the second side is in a heat exchange relationship with the cooling medium. Heat energy generated by the at least one electronic system component raises a temperature of the first side and the cooling energy generated by the cooling medium lowers a temperature of the second side to establish a temperature difference. The thermoelectric conversion element produces an electro-motive force based on the temperature difference.

1 . An electronic system comprising:
 an electronic system cabinet having at least top, rear and opposing side walls defining an electronic system zone;   at least one electronic system component housed in the electronic system zone, the at least one electronic system component producing heat energy; and   a power generation system mounted to the electronic system cabinet, the power generation system including:   a main housing attached to one of the top, rear and opposing side walls of the electronic system cabinet;   a cooling system arranged within the main housing, the cooling system including a cooling medium that generates a cooling energy;   a thermoelectric conversion element arranged within the main housing, the thermoelectric conversion element having a first side and a second side, the first side being in a heat exchange relationship with the at least one electronic system component and the second side being in a heat exchange relationship with the cooling medium, wherein the heat energy generated by the at least one electronic system component raises a temperature of the first side and the cooling energy generated by the cooling medium lowers a temperature of the second side to establish a temperature difference, the thermoelectric conversion element producing an electro-motive force (EMF) based on the temperature difference; and   an air guide mounted between the electronic system zone and the thermoelectric conversion element, the air guide directing the heat energy from the at least one electronic system component toward the first side of the thermoelectric conversion element.   
   
   
       2 . The electronic system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling system includes a cooling medium conduit having a first end portion extending to a second end portion through an intermediate portion, the intermediate portion extending though the main housing adjacent the electronic system zone. 
   
   
       3 . The electronic system according to  claim 2 , wherein the cooling medium conduit is fluidly connected to at least one heat exchange member, the at least one heat exchange member adjoining the second surface of the thermoelectric conversion element. 
   
   
       4 . The electronic system according to  claim 2 , wherein the cooling system includes a cooling medium control unit, the cooling medium control unit circulating the cooling medium through the cooling medium conduit. 
   
   
       5 . The electronic system according to  claim 2 , wherein the cooling medium comprises one of water and a refrigerant. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . The electronic system according to  claim 1 , wherein the power generation system includes a plurality of heat exchange fins mounted to the first side of the thermoelectric conversion element, the plurality of heat exchange fins guiding the heat energy from the at least one electronic system onto the first side of the thermoelectric conversion element. 
   
   
       8 . The electronic system according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric conversion element is a Seebeck element. 
   
   
       9 . The electronic system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a DC/AC converter electrically connected to the thermoelectric conversion element. 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A power generation system for an electronic system, the power generation system comprising:
 a main housing;   a cooling system arranged within the main housing, the cooling system including a cooling medium that generates a cooling energy;   a thermoelectric conversion element arranged within the main housing, the thermoelectric conversion element having a first side and a second side, wherein heat energy generated by at least one electronic system component raises a temperature of the first side and the cooling energy generated by the cooling medium lowers a temperature of the second side to establish a temperature difference, the thermoelectric conversion element producing an electro-motive force (EMF) based on the temperature difference; and   an air guide directing heat energy from the at least one electronic system component toward the first side of the thermoelectric conversion element.   
   
   
       14 . The power generation system according to  claim 13 , wherein the cooling system includes a cooling medium conduit having a first end portion extending to a second end portion through an intermediate portion, the intermediate portion extending though the main housing adjacent the electronic system zone. 
   
   
       15 . The power generation system according to  claim 14 , wherein the cooling medium conduit is fluidly connected to at least one heat exchange member, the at least one heat exchange member adjoining the second surface of the thermoelectric conversion element. 
   
   
       16 . The power generation system according to  claim 14 , wherein the cooling system includes a cooling medium control unit, the cooling medium control unit circulating the cooling medium through the cooling medium conduit. 
   
   
       17 . The power generation system according to  claim 14 , wherein the cooling medium comprises one of water and a refrigerant. 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . The power generation system according to  claim 13 , further comprising: a plurality of heat exchange fins mounted to the first side of the thermoelectric conversion element, the plurality of heat exchange fins guiding the heat energy from the at least one electronic system component onto the first side of the thermoelectric conversion element. 
   
   
       20 . The power generation system according to  claim 13 , wherein the thermoelectric conversion element is a Seebeck element.