Thermoelectric pumping apparatus

Abstract

A thermoelectric pumping apparatus for use with a heating device includes a water receptacle. A thermoelectric device includes a “cool” side coupled to the receptacle and an opposed “hot” side, the thermoelectric device generating current upon a temperature differential between the cool and hot sides. A conduction member is proximate the hot side and in selective communication with the heating device. A spring is positioned between a top side of the conduction member and receptacle, the spring being movable between a compressed configuration at which the conduction member is in thermal communication with the hot side of the thermoelectric device and an extended configuration at which the top side of the conduction member is not in thermal communication with the hot side of the thermoelectric device. A water pump is in fluid communication with the water in the receptacle and selectively energized by the thermoelectric device to output the water.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A thermoelectric fountain apparatus for use with a wood or gas stove, the thermoelectric fountain apparatus comprising:
 a liquid receptacle having a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, said bottom wall and said side wall configured to selectively retain a volume of water; a thermoelectric device having a “cool” side coupled to an exterior surface of said bottom wall of said liquid receptacle and an opposed “hot” side, said thermoelectric device configured to generate electrical current in accordance with a temperature differential between said cool side and said hot side thereof; a conduction member having a top side proximate said hot side of said thermoelectric device and an opposed bottom side in communication with the stove; 
 an electric water pump submerged in the water retained in said liquid receptacle and in electrical communication with said thermoelectric device, said water pump being energized by current generated by said thermoelectric device such that said water pump pumps the water retained in said liquid receptacle when energized; 
 a tube having an inlet in fluid communication with said water pump and an opposed outlet displaced from said water pump, wherein said water pump is submerged in the water retained in said liquid receptacle such that the water retained in said liquid receptacle is pumped through said tube to said outlet when said water pump is energized and so that the hottest water is prevented from stratifying at said bottom of said liquid receptacle and to encourage greater mixture of hotter and cooler water, which increases temperature differential and improves electrical efficiency of said thermoelectric device; 
 a fountain member situated proximate said liquid receptacle, said fountain member being in communication with said outlet of said tube such that water pumped through said tube is communicated to said fountain member wherein water is pumped out on said fountain member which increases an evaporation rate of the water and causes the water to cool down more rapidly, thereby-reducing the temperature at the “cool” side of said thermoelectric device and increases the temperature differential which improves an electrical efficiency of said thermoelectric device. 
 
     
     
       2. The thermoelectric fountain apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a voltage regulator in operative electrical communication with said water pump such that said thermoelectric device is electrically connected to said voltage regulator and said voltage regulator is electrically connected to said water pump, said voltage regulator being configured to output a predetermined quantity of electricity to said water pump regardless of an amount of voltage received by said voltage regulator. 
     
     
       3. The thermoelectric fountain apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of bolts spaced apart on said top side of said conduction member, said plurality of bolts configured to bear against said bottom wall of said liquid receptacle at said compressed configuration. 
     
     
       4. The thermoelectric fountain apparatus as in  claim 2 , further comprising an electronics module electrically connected to said voltage regulator, said electronics module having a USB port configured to selectively dock an auxiliary electronic device and selectively transfer electricity generated by said thermoelectric device to said auxiliary electronic device. 
     
     
       5. The thermoelectric fountain apparatus as in  claim 4 , wherein said auxiliary electronic device is taken from the group including a fan, a lighting device, a mister, a fogger, a battery recharger, and a phone recharger. 
     
     
       6. The thermoelectric fountain apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for providing an alert if a water level in said liquid receptacle falls below a predetermined level. 
     
     
       7. The thermoelectric fountain apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising: a spring member sandwiched between said top side of said conduction member and said exterior surface of said bottom wall of said liquid receptacle, said spring member being movable between a compressed configuration at which said top side of said conduction member is in thermal communication with said hot side of said thermoelectric device and an extended configuration at which said top side of said conduction member is not in thermal communication with said hot side of said thermoelectric device;
 wherein said spring member is automatically moved to said compressed configuration when a predetermined volume of water is retained in said liquid receptacle; 
 wherein said spring member includes a plurality of spaced apart compression springs, each compression spring being normally biased toward said extended configuration when less than a predetermined weight is received thereon and that is compressed toward said compressed configuration by the weight of the water retained in said liquid receptacle. 
 
     
     
       8. The thermoelectric fountain apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said thermoelectric device is electrically connected to said water pump with wires. 
     
     
       9. The thermoelectric fountain apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said water pump is positioned adjacent to but not in direct contact with said bottom wall of said liquid receptacle so as to prevent said water pump from being damaged by high heat of said bottom wall.