Daniel W Allen

US Patent:

6519947, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Jul 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/919246

Inventors:

John C. Bass - La Jolla CA
Daniel T. Allen - San Diego CA
Norbert B. Elsner - La Jolla CA

Assignee:

Hi-Z Technology, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

F25B 2102

US Classification:

62 32, 62 33, 62 37

Abstract:

A low-cost thermoelectric module utilizing a greatly reduced quantity of thermoelectric material as compared to similar prior art thermoelectric modules. An egg crate design containing thermoelectric elements is utilized in the present invention. However, the walls of the egg crate in the parts of the module separating the thermoelectric elements are made thick so that the total cross sectional area of the elements is less than 75 percent of the total module cross sectional area. The spaces above and below the elements are filled with a high heat and electric conducting material such as aluminum. This produces funnel-shaped conductors funneling heat and electric current into and out of each of the thermoelectric elements. The payoff to this approach is that the heat flux through the hot and cold module surfaces can be maintained while producing the same power output with about half the thermoelectric material or less. Avoiding any significant increase in heat flux through the module surface means avoiding increases in temperature drops normally encountered at the module surfaces.

US Patent:

6527548, Mar 4, 2003

Filed:

Jun 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/176312

Inventors:

Aleksandr S. Kushch - Poway CA
Daniel Allen - La Jolla CA

Assignee:

Hi-Z Technology, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

F24H 100

US Classification:

432222, 432223, 237 123 C, 1231425 R

Abstract:

A self-powered space heater. At least one thermoelectric module is sandwiched between a hot surface of a combustion chamber of a fluid fired space heater and a room air-cooled heat exchanger for transferring heat from the space heater to room air. A blower circulates room air through the heat exchanger for the dual purpose of heating the room air and also removing heat from the heat exchanger. In a preferred embodiment two thermoelectric modules are utilized in a diesel fuel fired space heater to provide heated air for the cab of a diesel truck. Spherical self-alignment washers are used in a compression frame to apply uniform compression force to both hot and cold sides of the thermoelectric modules. The two modules provide about 25 Watts output that is more than sufficient power to operate the heater that requires about 20 Watts. Extra power can be used for other purposes such as battery charging.

US Patent:

6914343, Jul 5, 2005

Filed:

Dec 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/734336

Inventors:

Nathan D. Hiller - San Diego CA, US
John C. Bass - La Jolla CA, US
Daniel T. Allen - La Jolla CA, US

Assignee:

Hi-Z Technology, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

H01L035/28

US Classification:

290 43, 290 54, 322 29, 163205, 163208, 163212, 163210, 163209, 34087016, 340870

Abstract:

An electric generator system for producing electric power from the environmental temperature changes such as occur during a normal summer day on Earth or Mars. In a preferred embodiment a phase-change mass is provided which partially or completely freezes during the relatively cold part of a cycle and partially or completely melts during the relatively hot part of the cycle. A thermoelectric module is positioned between the phase-change mass and the environment. The temperature of the phase-change mass remains relatively constant throughout the cycle. During the hot part of the cycle heat flows from the environment through the thermoelectric module into the phase change mass generating electric power which is stored in an electric power storage device such as a capacitor or battery. During the cold part of the cycle heat flows from the phase change mass back through the module and out to the environment also generating electric power that also is similarly stored. An electric circuit is provided with appropriate diodes to switch the direction of the current between the hot and cold parts of the cycle.

US Patent:

7012554, Mar 14, 2006

Filed:

Dec 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/734319

Inventors:

Nathan D. Hiller - San Diego CA, US
John C. Bass - La Jolla CA, US
Daniel T. Allen - La Jolla CA, US

Assignee:

Hi-Z Technology, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G08G 1/123

US Classification:

340988, 342450, 342457, 136200, 136205, 701207, 701213

Abstract:

A tracking device for tracking a vehicle in which a radio transmitter is powered by heat energy of the exhaust system of an engine propelling the vehicle. A thermoelectric module is attached to a hot portion of the exhaust system. Electrical power generated by the thermoelectric module is used to power the transmitter. A preferred tracking device consists of one thermoelectric module, one transmitter, a flexible finned plate for dissipating heat, and two high Curie temperature magnets for attaching the device to the vehicle's tail pipe. The transmitter is mounted on the flexible finned plate with a thermal insulator in-between them.

US Patent:

20030112145, Jun 19, 2003

Filed:

Dec 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/025129

Inventors:

Daniel Allen - San Diego CA, US
John Bass - La Jolla CA, US

International Classification:

G08B017/00

US Classification:

340/584000

Abstract:

A thermoelectric fire alarm system capable of generating electric power. A thermoelectric device is compressed between a heat absorbing plate and a cold side heat sink. A fire heats the plate. A phase change material is provided to absorb heat at an approximately constant temperature to keep the cold side heat sink relatively cold to provide at least a temporary temperature differential across the thermoelectric device allowing the device to generate sufficient electric power to activate an alarm identifying the fire.

US Patent:

49633198, Oct 16, 1990

Filed:

Feb 15, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/480462

Inventors:

Daniel T. Allen - La Jolla CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G21D 700

US Classification:

376463

Abstract:

A support is provided for use in a thermionic converter to support an end an emitter to keep it out of contact with a surrounding collector while allowing the emitter end to move axially at its temperatures changes. The emitter end (34) is supported by a spring structure (44) that includes a pair of Belleville springs, and the spring structure is supported by a support structure (42) fixed to the housing that includes the collector. The support structure is in the form of a sandwich with a small metal spring-engaging element (74) at the front end, a larger metal main support (76) at the rear end that is attached to the housng, and with a ceramic layer (80) between them that is bonded by hot isostatic pressing to the metal element and metal main support. The spring structure can include a loose wafer (120) captured between the Belleville springs.

US Patent:

49275992, May 22, 1990

Filed:

Jul 6, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/376071

Inventors:

Daniel T. Allen - La Jolla CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G21C 700

US Classification:

376321

Abstract:

A support is provided for use in a therminonic converter to support an end of an emitter to keep it out of contact with a surrounding collector while allowing the emitter end to move axially as its temperature changes. The emitter end (34) is supported by a spring structure (44) that includes a pair of Belleville springs, and the spring structure is supported by a support structure (42) fixed to the housing that includes the collector. The support structure is in the form of a sandwich with a small metal spring-engaging element (74) at the front end, a larger metal main support (76) at the rear end that is attached to the housing, and with a ceramic layer (80) between them that is bonded by hot isostatic pressing to the metal element and metal main support. The spring structure can include a loose wafer (120) captured between the Belleville springs.

US Patent:

60190981, Feb 1, 2000

Filed:

Jan 20, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/009045

Inventors:

John C. Bass - La Jolla CA
Daniel T. Allen - La Jolla CA

Assignee:

Hi-Z Technology, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

F24H 900

US Classification:

126344

Abstract:

A self-powered combustion furnace unit. A combustion furnace providing circulating hot fluid heating is equipped with a thermoelectric generator comprised of a plurality of thermoelectric modules mounted on the furnace. The heat from the combustion provides a high temperature hot side heat source for the thermoelectric modules and the fluid of the circulating hot fuid system provides the cold side heat sink for the thermoelectric modules. Electric power produced by the thermoelectric modules powers a motor driving a pump which circulates the circulating hot fluid. In a preferred embodiment low cost, high temperature thermoelectric modules are provided which comprise thermoelectric elements installed in injection molded eggcrates. The thermoelectric modules are held in close contact with the hot side heat exchanger and the cold side heat sink with a spring force such as that provided by Belville springs. The eggcrate is molded from a high temperature plastic with ridges provided for extra strength and tapered walls to permit ease of installation of the thermoelectric elements and stop tabs assure correct positioning of the elements.