Thermoelectric power generation condenser

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes an inlet header configured to receive refrigerant and an outlet header configured to discharge the refrigerant. First and second tubes in fluid communication with and extending between the inlet header and the outlet header direct refrigerant from the inlet header to the outlet header. Each of the tubes has a first side and a second side. The first side of the first tube is oriented to face the second side of the second tube. A first thermoelectric generator is in thermal communication with the first side of the first tube and a second thermoelectric generator is in thermal communication with the second side of the second tube. A plurality of fins is in thermal contact with the first thermoelectric generator and the second thermoelectric generator and with a surrounding environment.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 an inlet header configured to receive refrigerant;   an outlet header configured to discharge the refrigerant;   first and second tubes in fluid communication with and extending between the inlet header and the outlet header to direct refrigerant from the inlet header to the outlet header, each of the tubes having a first side and a second side, the first side of the first tube oriented to face the second side of the second tube;   a first thermoelectric generator in thermal communication with the first side of the first tube;   a second thermoelectric generator in thermal communication with the second side of the second tube; and   a plurality of fins in thermal contact with the first thermoelectric generator and the second thermoelectric generator and with a surrounding environment.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the surrounding environment comprises air. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first thermoelectric generator and the second thermoelectric generator is electrically coupled to a fan operable to generate a stream of air across the first and second tubes. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is a condenser within a refrigeration circuit, and wherein at least one of the first thermoelectric generator and the second thermoelectric generator is electrically coupled to a component of the refrigeration circuit. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first thermoelectric generator and the second thermoelectric generator is electrically coupled to a battery. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further including a third thermoelectric generator in thermal communication with the first side of the first tube and with the plurality of fins. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tubes are microchannel tubes. 
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 an inlet header configured to receive refrigerant;   an outlet header configured to discharge refrigerant;   at least one tube in fluid communication with and extending between the inlet header and the outlet header, the at least one tube having a first side and an opposing second side and configured to pass the refrigerant from the inlet header to the outlet header;   a first thermoelectric generator in thermal communication with the first side of the at least one tube and with a surrounding environment; and   a second thermoelectric generator in thermal communication with the second side of the at least one tube and with the surrounding environment.   
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one tube is a microchannel tube. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the surrounding environment comprises air. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first thermoelectric generator and the second thermoelectric generator is electrically coupled to a fan, and further wherein the fan is at least partially powered by the at least one of the first thermoelectric generator and the second thermoelectric generator. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 11 , wherein the fan is operable to generate a stream of air across the at least one tube. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the heat exchanger is a condenser within a refrigeration circuit, and wherein at least one of the first thermoelectric generator and the second thermoelectric generator is electrically coupled to a component of the refrigeration circuit. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , further including a third thermoelectric generator in thermal communication with the first side of the at least one tube and with a surrounding environment. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchanger of  claim 14 , further including a fourth thermoelectric generator in thermal communication with the second side of the at least one tube and with a surrounding environment. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first thermoelectric generator and the second thermoelectric generator is thermally coupled to a plurality of fins, the fins disposed within the surrounding environment. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the first thermoelectric generator and the second thermoelectric generator are electrically connected in a series configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the first thermoelectric generator and the second thermoelectric generator are electrically connected in a parallel configuration. 
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a refrigerated merchandiser having a refrigeration system, the refrigeration system including a refrigerant condenser receiving compressed refrigerant from a compressor and discharging condensed refrigerant to a refrigerant evaporator, the condenser including at least one tube for directing refrigerant, the tube defining a surface area for exchanging heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding environment, the method comprising:
 operating the refrigeration system;   extracting thermal energy from the surface area;   converting the thermal energy to electrical energy; and   transferring the electrical energy to an electrical device of the refrigerated merchandiser.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein transferring the electrical energy to an electrical device of the refrigerated merchandiser means transferring the electrical energy to an electrically-powered device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the electrically-powered device is a fan operable to generate a stream of air through the condenser. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the electrically-powered device is a heater. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the electrically-powered device is a light. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the electrically-powered device is a valve of the refrigeration system. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein transferring the electrical energy to an electrical device of the refrigerated merchandiser means transferring the electrical energy to an electrical storage device.