JP7564638B2 - Thermoelectric power generation device mounting device and mounting method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a thermoelectric generator mounting device and method used to mount a thermoelectric generator to piping.

In recent years, thermoelectric generators that generate electricity using the Seebeck effect have been widely used to recover waste heat energy that was previously discarded as electricity. The location where a thermoelectric generator is attached to recover waste heat energy, i.e., the heat source, is a pipe through which a fluid containing waste heat energy flows. When attaching a thermoelectric generator to a pipe, multiple thermoelectric generators are often placed around the pipe so that more waste heat energy can be recovered.

The pipes deform by expanding or contracting depending on the temperature of the fluid. The thermoelectric generator must maintain a state in which good heat transfer can be achieved between the thermoelectric generator and the pipes, regardless of the temperature of the fluid flowing through the pipes. For this reason, when attaching multiple thermoelectric generators to a pipe, two adjacent thermoelectric generators are connected to each other in the circumferential direction of the pipe by elastic connecting members (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 6149407

When two adjacent thermoelectric generation devices are connected with a connecting member, the more thermoelectric generation devices are attached to the piping, the more difficult it becomes to attach the thermoelectric generation devices to the piping, and the more people are required. This is because the more thermoelectric generation devices there are, the heavier the overall weight becomes and the longer the overall length becomes.

The heavier the overall weight, the more difficult it is to handle and the more people required. When attaching thermoelectric generators to a pipe, the last remaining connecting member must be attached between two thermoelectric generators with all of the thermoelectric generators positioned in the appropriate positions on the surface of the pipe. The longer the overall length, the more people are required to keep each thermoelectric generator in the appropriate position. For this reason, the more thermoelectric generators are attached to the pipe, the more difficult it is to attach the thermoelectric generators to the pipe and the more people are required.

It is possible that a malfunction may occur in one of the thermoelectric generation devices attached to the piping. In many cases, a thermoelectric generation device with a malfunction must be removed from the piping. When one or more thermoelectric generation devices are removed, some of the connecting members will not be used for connection, and all of the other thermoelectric generation devices will no longer be able to remain attached to the piping. This requires the work of reattaching all of the thermoelectric generation devices to the piping.

The pipes on which the thermoelectric generators are to be attached are not necessarily thin enough for workers to handle. In some cases, the pipes are too thick for an adult to hold. The thicker the pipes, the more thermoelectric generators that can be attached. For this reason, it is also important to make it easier to attach the thermoelectric generators to the pipes.

The present disclosure aims to provide a thermoelectric generator mounting device and mounting method that allows a thermoelectric generator to be more easily mounted on piping.

The mounting device for a thermoelectric power generation device according to the present disclosure comprises a plurality of support structures for supporting the thermoelectric power generation device in a state enabling heat transfer between the thermoelectric power generation device and the piping, a connecting mechanism for connecting adjacent support structures among the plurality of support structures, a first connecting structure attached to a support structure located at one end of the plurality of support structures, and a second connecting structure attached to a support structure located at the other end of the plurality of support structures and capable of connecting to the first connecting structure.

The mounting method for a thermoelectric power generation device according to the present disclosure includes a first step of mounting an auxiliary mounting tool to a piping, a second step of attaching one end of a hanging tool to the mounting auxiliary tool attached to the piping and vertically suspending the other end of the hanging tool, a third step of attaching a mounting device having a support structure for supporting the thermoelectric power generation device in a state enabling heat transfer between the piping and a connecting structure used for connection, to the other end of the suspended hanging tool, a fourth step of connecting both ends of the mounting device using the connecting structure to tightly fit the mounting device to the piping in an annular shape, and a fifth step of mounting the thermoelectric power generation device to the support structure of the mounting device that is attached to the piping .

This disclosure makes it easier to attach a thermoelectric generator to piping.

1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a number of thermoelectric power generation devices are attached to a pipe by the attachment device for the thermoelectric power generation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing an example of an attachment module constituting the attachment device for the thermoelectric power generation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion connecting two adjacent mounting modules. FIG. 13 shows the state after all mounting modules have been attached to the piping. 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of how to attach the mounting structure to each support structure after the mounting module is attached. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the state after all mounting structures have been attached to each support structure. 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of how to attach a thermoelectric power generation device to each mounting structure after the mounting structure is fixed to each support structure. FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the thermoelectric generator. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a thermoelectric power generation device. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a method for mounting a thermoelectric power generation device to a mounting structure. 1 is a partial perspective view of a support structure, a mounting structure, and a thermoelectric generator.

Below, embodiments of the thermoelectric power generation device mounting device and the thermoelectric power generation device mounting method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments including the modified examples shown below are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

The embodiment of the mounting method for the thermoelectric power generation device is realized by the embodiment of the mounting device for the thermoelectric power generation device. Here, the embodiment of the mounting method for the thermoelectric power generation device is explained through the explanation of the embodiment of the mounting device for the thermoelectric power generation device.

Embodiment 1.
1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a number of thermoelectric power generation devices are attached to piping by the attachment device for thermoelectric power generation devices according to the present embodiment 1. The attachment device 1 for thermoelectric power generation devices according to the present embodiment is designed to attach a thermoelectric power generation device 2 to a piping 3 through which a fluid having waste heat energy flows, and is configured by connecting a plurality of attachment modules 10. Hereinafter, the attachment device 1 for thermoelectric power generation devices will be abbreviated as "attachment device 1".

As shown in FIG. 1, the axial direction of the portion of the pipe 3 to which the mounting device 1 is attached is parallel to the vertical direction or close to the vertical direction. When mounting the mounting device 1 to such an axial pipe 3, it is necessary to maintain the vertical position of the mounting device 1. In this embodiment, this maintenance is achieved by using the mounting aid 4. The mounting aid 4 shown in FIG. 1 is a mounting band for a utility pole. The mounting device 1 is attached to the pipe 3 in a state where its vertical position is maintained by being suspended from the mounting aid 4 by a wire 5. Hereafter, the configuration of the mounting device 1, the configuration of the thermoelectric generator 2, and the method of mounting the mounting device 1 to the pipe 3 and the method of mounting the thermoelectric generator 2 to the mounting device 1 attached to the pipe 3 will be specifically described with reference to the explanatory diagrams shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 12.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a mounting module constituting a mounting device for a thermoelectric power generation device according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion connecting two adjacent mounting modules. Figure 2 shows an example in which two adjacent mounting modules 10 are connected.

Each mounting module 10 is configured by connecting a plurality of support structures 20 for supporting a predetermined number of thermoelectric power generation devices 2 in a state in which heat transfer between the tubes 3 is possible. A connecting structure 22 or 23 for connection is attached to the two support structures 20 located at both ends of the mounting module 10. As a result, the two mounting modules 10 can be connected by the connecting structures 22 and 23. The mounting module 10 can also connect the connecting structures 22 and 23 at both ends. The connecting structures 22 and 23 correspond to the first connecting structure or the second connecting structure in this embodiment. For convenience, it is assumed here that the connecting structure 22 corresponds to the first connecting structure and the connecting structure 23 corresponds to the second connecting structure.

In this embodiment, each support structure 20 supports one thermoelectric power generation device 2. The number of thermoelectric power generation devices 2 supported by the support structure 20 is not particularly limited. In other words, the number of thermoelectric power generation devices 2 may be two or more. For this reason, the support structure 20 shown in FIG. 2 is just one example, and is not limited to this example.

The support structure 20 is fabricated by assembling opposing plate-like members 201 and 202 of the same shape. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the support structure 20 has a rectangular frame shape as a whole. The positional relationship in the support structure 20 is expressed as inside the frame and outside the frame as outside. The positional relationship assuming a state where it is attached to the pipe 3 is also expressed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the surface of the plate-like member 202 facing the pipe 3 is provided with rivets 2021 that protrude from the surface toward the pipe 3 and have a convex curved surface at the portion that comes into contact with the pipe 3. Holes 2022 are provided near the rivets 2021. One plate-like member 202 has three rivets 2021 and two holes 2022. The rivets 2021 correspond to the protrusions in this embodiment.

The surface of the plate-like member 202 facing the pipe 3 corresponds to the surface of the body of the support structure 20 facing the pipe 3. When the mounting device 1 is attached to the pipe 3 by the rivets 2021, as shown in FIG. 3, this surface creates a gap between the body of the support structure 20 and the pipe 3. As a result, the support structure 20 is usually in contact with the pipe 3 only at the rivets 2021.

The mounting device 1 needs to be in a state where all mounting modules 10 are in strong contact with the pipe 3 so that heat transfer between the thermoelectric power generation device 2 and the pipe 3 can be performed well. Until this state is reached, many of the support structures 20 will change their relative positional relationship with the pipe 3. In other words, many of the support structures 20 will move their positions on the pipe 3. In this embodiment, in order to make the movement easier, in other words, to reduce the force required for the movement, a rivet 2021 is provided to separate the main body of the support structure 20 from the pipe 3. Even if there are some irregularities on the surface of the pipe 3, the rivet 2021 prevents the uneven parts from getting caught on the plate-shaped member 202, or if it cannot be avoided, the degree of the unevenness is reduced. Therefore, the rivet 2021 functions to make it easier to properly mount the mounting device 1 to the pipe 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, an L-shaped L-member 24 is attached to each end of the two plate-like members 201 on the outside. The L-member 24 is a member with holes formed at both ends. Holes are also formed at the two ends of the two plate-like members 201. As a result, the L-member 24 is attached to the plate-like member 201 by a pin 31 that passes through the two holes in the L-member 24 and the plate-like member 201, so that the L-member 24 can rotate around the pin 31 as an axis. This pin 31 is, for example, a pin with grooves formed on both ends. When grooves are formed on both ends, the pin 31 cannot be removed by the E-rings 32 attached to each groove.

The L-shaped members 24 attached to two adjacent support structures 20 are in a state where the flat portions face each other and the members can be inserted into holes provided in the facing portions. In this embodiment, the two L-shaped members 24 are connected in this state by a bolt 33, a fall prevention fitting 34, and multiple disc springs 35. All of the multiple disc springs 35 are positioned between the L-shaped member 24 located on the opposite side of the fall prevention fitting 34 and the head of the bolt 33.

One of the holes formed for the bolt 33 in each of the two L-shaped members 24 is a threaded hole, and the other is not. The non-threaded hole is formed in the L-shaped member 24 located on the head side of the bolt 33, and the threaded hole is formed in the L-shaped member 24 located on the opposite side of the head. As a result, the threaded portion of the bolt 33 is inserted from the non-threaded hole and screwed into the threaded hole. The fall prevention metal fitting 34 is screwed into the threaded portion protruding from the threaded hole. The fall prevention metal fitting 34 screwed into the threaded portion applies elastic force in the axial and radial directions of the bolt 33, preventing the bolt 33 from loosening. By preventing loosening, the bolt 33 is also prevented from falling off the two L-shaped members 24. Hereinafter, for convenience, when it is desirable to distinguish between them, the L-shaped member 24 located on the head side of the bolt 33 will be referred to as the "L-shaped member 24A" and the L-shaped member 24 located on the opposite side will be referred to as the "L-shaped member 24B".

By connecting the two L-shaped members 24, the two adjacent support structures 20 are connected. Therefore, the two L-shaped members 24, the pin 31, the two E-rings 32, the bolt 33, the washer 341, the fall prevention fitting 34, and the multiple disc springs 35 all correspond to the components of the connection mechanism in this embodiment. This connection mechanism connects the two support structures 20 in a changeable relative positional relationship because the L-shaped member 24 is rotatably supported by the plate-shaped member 201. Therefore, it is possible to correspond to the thickness of the diameter of the pipe 3. In addition, because the bolt 33 is passed through the hole provided in the two L-shaped members 24, the direction in which the distance between the two support structures 20 is separated is limited. The multiple disc springs 35 through which the bolt 33 is passed act on the two support structures 20 with an elastic force in a direction that reduces the distance between them. Therefore, the two support structures 20 are connected in a changeable distance between them.

Two connecting mechanisms configured as described above are attached to each of the two support structures 20. Therefore, deformation, i.e., expansion or contraction, caused by temperature changes in the pipe 3 can be accommodated by the pair of connecting mechanisms attached to each of the two support structures 20. The effects of deformation caused by temperature changes in the pipe 3 are distributed to each of the pair of connecting mechanisms, so it is possible to avoid large localized forces being applied to a specific connecting mechanism. As a result, even if a temperature change occurs in the pipe 3, all mounting modules 10 attached to the pipe 3 are always maintained in an appropriate state.

The number of connecting mechanisms attached to each of the two support structures 20 is not limited to two. In other words, the number of connecting mechanisms may be one, or may be three or more. The configuration of the connecting mechanism is also not limited to this embodiment. The hole in the L-shaped member 24B may be changed from a screw hole to a normal hole, and a nut may be used instead of or together with the anti-fall-off bracket 34.

At the end of the support structure 20 located at one end of the mounting module 10, an L-shaped member 25 is connected to the L-shaped member 24B by a bolt 33, a fall prevention metal fitting 34, and a number of disc springs 35. The L-shaped member 25 differs from the L-shaped member 24A in two ways: the portion on one side beyond the hole through which the bolt 33 is inserted is longer, and a hole 251 is formed at the end of the portion on that side. This hole 251 is intended for attaching a wire 5, as shown in FIG. 1.

A hole is also formed in the horizontally extending portion of this L-shaped member 25. The connecting structure 22 is attached to the L-shaped member 25 by a pin 31 that passes through this hole and two E-rings 32, so that the connecting structure 22 can rotate around the pin 31 as an axis.

The connecting structure 22 is configured to include corresponding plate-like members 221 of the same shape, and a plate-like member 222 attached between the two plate-like members 221. A hole is formed in the surface of the plate-like member 222 facing the plate-like member 221, and a hole is formed in the plate-like member 221 to represent the hole. The hole formed in the plate-like member 221 is, for example, a screw hole. A screw 36 with a rod tip at its tip is screwed into the screw hole, so that the rod tip protrudes into the hole in the plate-like member 222. As a result, the plate-like member 222 is supported so that it can rotate around the rod tip as an axis.

Two holes 2221 are also formed on the longitudinal side of the plate-like member 222. These holes 2221 are, for example, screw holes.

The connecting structure 22 corresponds to the first connecting structure in the narrow sense of the present embodiment. In the broad sense, the L-shaped member 24B, the L-shaped member 25, the bolt 33, the fall prevention fitting 34, and the multiple disc springs 35 also correspond to the first connecting structure.

At the end of the support structure 20 located at the other end of the mounting module 10, an L-shaped member 26 is connected to the L-shaped member 24A by a bolt 33, a fall prevention metal fitting 34, and a number of disc springs 35. The L-shaped member 26 differs from the L-shaped member 24B in two respects: the two parts extending in opposite directions in the vertical direction from the hole into which the bolt 33 is inserted are both longer, and a hole 261 is formed at the end of one of the parts. This hole 261, like the hole 251, is intended for attaching the wire 5.

The connecting structure 23 is configured to include two plate-like members 231 of the same shape, and two plate-like members 232, 233 attached between the two plate-like members 231. A hole is formed in the plate-like member 232 on the side facing the plate-like member 231, and a hole is formed in the plate-like member 231 to simulate the hole. The hole formed in the plate-like member 231 is, for example, a screw hole. A screw 36 with a rod tip at the tip is screwed into the screw hole, and the rod tip is protruded into the hole in the plate-like member 232, so that the plate-like member 232 is supported rotatably around the rod tip as an axis. The plate-like member 233 is attached to each of the two plate-like members 231 with a screw 39. Two holes 2321 are also formed on the longitudinal side of the plate-like member 232.

The connecting structure 23 corresponds to the second connecting structure in the narrow sense of the present embodiment. In the broad sense, the L-shaped member 24, the L-shaped member 26, the bolt 33, the fall prevention fitting 34, and the multiple disc springs 35 also correspond to the second connecting structure.

Since the two portions of the L-shaped member 26 that extend in opposite directions in the vertical direction from the hole into which the bolt 33 is inserted are both longer, as shown in FIG. 2, the width W1 between the plate members 221 of the connecting structure 22 is wider than the width W2 between the plate members 231 of the connecting structure 23. Therefore, both of the two plate members 231 of the connecting structure 23 can be positioned between the two plate members 221 of the connecting structure 22.

A hole is formed at the end of the plate-like member 221, which is the end opposite to the side where the L-shaped member 25 is attached. Similarly, a hole is formed at the end of the plate-like member 231, which is the end opposite to the side where the L-shaped member 26 is attached. These two holes are for connecting the two connecting structures 22, 23 so that the relative positional relationship can be changed. The two connecting structures 22, 23 are connected by passing a pin, for example a hinge pin 37, through these two holes. As a result, the two connecting structures 22, 23 are connected to each other so that they can rotate around the hinge pin 37. If a groove is formed at the end of this hinge pin 37, the hinge pin 37 can be maintained in a state of passing through the two holes using an E-ring (not shown).

To attach the mounting device 1 to the pipe 3, the overall length of the mounting device 1 must correspond to the outer periphery of the pipe 3. For this reason, the two connecting structures 22, 23 have the function of adjusting the distance between the two connecting modules 10 to be connected.

As described above, two holes 2221 are formed in the plate-like member 222, and two holes 2321 are also formed in the plate-like member 232. Of the holes in the plate-like members 222 and 232, the hole 2221 formed in the plate-like member 222 is a screw hole. As a result, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the threaded portion of the bolt 38 is inserted into the hole 2321 of the plate-like member 232, and the threaded portion is screwed into the hole 2221 of the plate-like member 222. Therefore, the distance between the two connected support structures 20 can be adjusted by adjusting the length by which the threaded portion of the bolt 38 is screwed into the hole 2221 of the plate-like member 222. The two plate-like members 222 and 232 are supported rotatably, and the plate-like members 221 and 231 are rotatably connected by the hinge pin 37 in order to make this adjustment appropriate. Both plate-like members 221 and 231 correspond to rotatably supported members in this embodiment.

The hole 2221 formed in the plate-like member 222 does not have to be a screw hole. In other words, a nut may be screwed onto the bolt 38 to adjust the distance between the plate-like member 222 and the plate-like member 232. Since both the plate-like members 222 and 232 are rotatably supported members, the bolt 38 corresponds to the adjustment member in this embodiment.

The distance adjustment using the bolts 38 is performed to ensure that all of the support structures 20 that make up the mounting device 1 are in strong contact with the pipes 3. In this state, the multiple disc springs 35 that make up each connecting mechanism exert an elastic force in a direction that widens the distance between the plate-like members 222 and 232. Therefore, simply by screwing the bolts 38 into the screw holes of the plate-like members 222, the distance between the plate-like members 222 and 232 is stably maintained.

As described above, the connecting structures 22, 23 connect the two mounting modules 10 in such a way that the distance between the support structures 20 located at the ends of the two mounting modules 10 can be adjusted. Therefore, by adjusting the distance with one or more of the connecting structures 22, 23, it is possible to accommodate the thickness of the pipe 3 to be attached. By changing the number of mounting modules 10 and further the number of support structures 20 that make up the mounting module 10, it is possible to accommodate various thicknesses of the pipe 3.

As with the connecting mechanism, the holes in the L-shaped members 24B used in the connecting structure 22 may be changed from threaded holes to normal holes, and nuts may be used in place of or together with the fall-prevention fittings 34. Similarly, the holes in the L-shaped members 26 in the connecting structure 23 may be changed from threaded holes to normal holes, and nuts may be used in place of or together with the fall-prevention fittings 34.

Figure 4 shows the state after all mounting modules have been attached to the pipe. Figure 4 also shows the wire 5 used to suspend each mounting module 10 from the mounting aid 4 in order to attach each mounting module 10 to the pipe 3. This wire 5 is attached to the hole 251 of the L-shaped member 25 or the hole 261 of the L-shaped member 26.

The mounting modules 10 are hung from the mounting aid 4 either individually or in groups of multiple connected mounting modules 10. For example, after hanging all the required mounting modules 10, the worker sequentially connects two adjacent mounting modules 10. The worker then adjusts the distance between one or more of the connected connecting structures 22, 23 so that all of the support structures 20 are in proper contact with the surface of the pipe 3. By achieving this state, the installation of all of the mounting modules 10 to the pipe 3 is completed. When this distance adjustment is performed, most of the support structures 20 move on the surface of the pipe 3. This movement of the support structures 20 on the surface of the pipe 3 can be performed with less force by the rivets 2021 provided on the plate-shaped members 202.

Figure 1 shows three mounting devices 1 attached to the pipe 3. When attaching multiple mounting devices 1 to the pipe 3, the next mounting module 10 can be attached to the pipe 3 in the same manner, using the previously attached mounting module 10 as a substitute for the mounting aid 4. Figure 1 shows the state in which all mounting modules 10 are attached to the pipe 3 by suspending each mounting module 10 by connecting the holes 251 of the same L-shaped member 25 and the holes 261 of the same L-shaped member 26 with wires 5.

Figure 5 is a diagram explaining an example of how to attach the mounting structures to each support structure after the mounting module is installed. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the state after all the mounting structures have been attached to each support structure.

The mounting structure 50 is for supporting the thermoelectric power generation device 2 on the support structure 20. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, one mounting structure 50 is attached to each support structure 20.

Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of how to attach a thermoelectric power generation device to each mounting structure after the mounting structure is fixed to each support structure. As shown in Figure 7, one thermoelectric power generation device 2 is attached to each mounting structure 50 fixed to the support structure 20.

In this manner, in this embodiment, multiple support structures 20 for supporting the thermoelectric power generation devices 2 are fabricated, and two adjacent support structures 20 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 3 are connected by a connection mechanism to form the mounting module 10. As a result, the mounting module 10 is configured by arranging multiple support structures 20 assuming the circumferential direction of the pipe 3, and connecting two adjacent support structures 20 in the circumferential direction so that the relative positional relationship can be changed. Therefore, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, each thermoelectric power generation device 2 can be supported in a position where the fins described later are vertically upwards.

In each mounting module 10, a connecting structure 22, 23 is attached to the support structure 20 located at the end. This makes it possible to attach not only one mounting module 10 to the pipe 3, but also multiple mounting modules 10 connected together and attached to the pipe 3. After all mounting modules 10 are attached to the pipe 3, a mounting structure 50 is attached to each support structure 20, and the thermoelectric power generation device 2 is attached to the mounting structure 50 fixed to the support structure 20.

By using multiple support structures 20 as a mounting module 10, the length of the mounting module 10 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 3 can be made shorter, and its weight can be reduced. Furthermore, when mounting the mounting module 10 to the pipe 3, it is not necessary to attach the thermoelectric power generation device 2, nor the mounting structure 50, to each support structure 20. The mounting aid 4 can also be easily attached to the pipe 3. For this reason, the required number of mounting modules 10 can usually be easily attached to the pipe 3 by one worker, even if the pipe 3 is too thick for one adult to carry. All mounting modules 10 can also be easily removed by one worker.

The mounting structure 50 can be attached to the support structure 20, and the thermoelectric power generation device 2 can be attached to the mounting structure 50 separately. The mounting structure 50 and the thermoelectric power generation device 2 can also be removed separately. The mounting structure 50 and the thermoelectric power generation device 2 can both be easily handled by one worker. Therefore, both the mounting of the thermoelectric power generation device 2 including the mounting structure 50 to the support structure 20 and the removal of the thermoelectric power generation device 2 including the mounting structure 50 from the support structure 20 can be easily performed by one worker. From these facts, both the mounting of the thermoelectric power generation device 2 including the mounting structure 50 to the support structure 20 and the removal of the thermoelectric power generation device 2 including the mounting structure 50 from the support structure 20 can be easily performed by one worker. As is clear from the above, the mounting device 1 including the mounting structure 50 is designed to allow one worker to mount and remove the mounting device 1 to the piping 3 as well as the thermoelectric power generation device 2.

The pipe 3 expands or contracts depending on the temperature, and the circumferential length changes. The change in the circumferential length is dispersed and absorbed by the mounting module 10 attached to the pipe 3, and the influence on the mounting structure 50 and the thermoelectric power generation device 2 is avoided or the degree of influence is kept very low. Therefore, the mounting structure 50 and the thermoelectric power generation device 2 only need to respond to the relative radial change caused by the temperature change of the pipe 3 and maintain a state in which heat transfer from the pipe 3 can be performed well. This relative radial change is very small compared to the change in the circumferential length. Therefore, even if the temperature of the pipe 3 changes, it is possible to maintain a state in which good heat transfer can be performed from the pipe 3 to the thermoelectric power generation device 2. In this embodiment, this good heat transfer is achieved by the coil springs 54 and 648 described later.

The thicker the pipe 3 to which the mounting device 1 is attached, the heavier the mounting module 10 equipped with the same number of support structures 20 must be. For this reason, it is preferable to increase or decrease the number of support structures 20 constituting the mounting module 10, taking into consideration the expected number of workers and the environment in which the pipe 3 is installed. Making multiple support structures 20 into the mounting module 10 allows the components of the mounting device 1 to be lighter and shorter, which is effective in making it easier to attach to the pipe 3.

The following describes in detail the configurations of the mounting structure 50 and the thermoelectric power generation device 2, and the mounting methods of the mounting structure 50 and the thermoelectric power generation device 2, with reference to the explanatory diagrams shown in Figures 8 to 12.

Figure 8 is an exploded view of the mounting structure. First, the configuration of the mounting structure 50 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 8.

In FIG. 8, 51 is a plate-like member that serves as the base of the mounting structure 50. The mounting structure 50 is configured by attaching four L-shaped members 52, one or more temperature adjustment plates 53, and one coil spring 54 for each L-shaped member 52 to the plate-like member 51. In this embodiment, the plate-like member corresponds to the first member, the L-shaped members 52 correspond to the second member, and the coil springs 54 correspond to the elastic member.

The L-shaped member 52 is used to attach the mounting structure 50 to the support structure 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the L-shaped member 52 has two through holes 521, 522 formed therein. The hole 521 is for attaching the L-shaped member 52 to the plate-like member 51. The plate-like member 51 also has a hole 511 formed therein for attaching the L-shaped member 52. This hole 511 is a screw hole. The L-shaped member 52 is attached to the plate-like member 51, for example, by inserting a spacer 57 into the hole 521, and then passing the spacer 57 and the coil spring 54 through the threaded portion of the bolt 56 through which the washer 58 has passed, and then screwing the threaded portion into the hole 511.

The L-shaped member 52 is attached to the plate-like member 51 with the end away from the hole 521 protruding outward from the plate-like member 51. This is because the hole 522 provided at the end is for attaching the mounting structure 50 to the support structure 20. The surface of the end where the hole 522 is formed on the plate-like member 51 side contacts the plate-like member 202 of the support structure 20, as described below. The mounting structure 50 is fixed to the support structure 20 by inserting the threaded portion of the bolt 59 into the hole 522 and screwing the inserted threaded portion into the hole 2022 of the plate-like member 202. This surface on the plate-like member 51 side is hereinafter referred to as the "contact surface."

The bolt 56 is screwed into the hole 511 with the intention of compressing the coil spring 54. The compressed coil spring 54 exerts an elastic force in the axial direction of the bolt 56, in a direction that separates the L-shaped member 52 and the plate-shaped member 51. The spacer 57 is used as a member for applying an appropriate elastic force to the coil spring 54.

The plate-shaped member 51 is designed to contact the surface of the pipe 3 on the side opposite to the side on which the L-shaped member 52 is attached. When the plate-shaped member 51 is attached to the support structure 20, it is necessary for the plate-shaped member 51 to always be in contact with the surface of the pipe 3. Therefore, when the mounting structure 50 is attached to the support structure 20, the coil spring 54 is further compressed. By further compressing the coil spring 54 and attaching the mounting structure 50 to the support structure 20, even if the distance between the contact surface of the L-shaped member 52 and the surface of the pipe 3 changes after the attachment, the length of the coil spring 54 also changes by the amount of the change. Therefore, the state in which the plate-shaped member 51 is pressed against the surface of the pipe 3 is always maintained by the coil spring 54. Since this state can always be maintained, appropriate heat transfer between the pipe 3 and the plate-shaped member 51 is always maintained.

The thermoelectric generator 2 is attached to the same side of the plate-shaped member 51 as the L-shaped member 52. The thermoelectric conversion module of the thermoelectric generator 2 is a module in which a large number of thermoelectric elements that convert thermal energy into electric energy are connected. The thermoelectric elements have a usable temperature range. The temperature adjustment plate 53 is located between the plate-shaped member 51 and the thermoelectric generator 2, and relays heat transfer between the plate-shaped member 51 and the thermoelectric generator 2. The temperature of the temperature adjustment plates 53 that are in contact with the thermoelectric generator 2 among the temperature adjustment plates 53 arranged between the plate-shaped member 51 and the thermoelectric generator 2 decreases as the number of the temperature adjustment plates 53 increases. For this reason, the temperature adjustment plates 53 are used as necessary to operate the thermoelectric elements within the usable temperature range. As a result, the temperature adjustment plates 53 are not essential parts of the mounting structure 50.

The material used for the temperature adjustment plates 53 is not particularly limited. Not only the number of temperature adjustment plates 53 but also the material used for the temperature adjustment plates 53 may be determined so that the temperature adjustment plates 53 in contact with the thermoelectric power generation device 2 are at an appropriate temperature. This is because the thermal conductivity differs depending on the material. Since it is only necessary to adjust the amount of heat transferred to the thermoelectric power generation device 2 using the temperature adjustment plates 53 as a whole, multiple types of temperature adjustment plates 53 with different thermal conductivities may be prepared and different types of temperature adjustment plates 53 may be used in combination. When multiple types of temperature adjustment plates 53 with different thermal conductivities are prepared, even if the maximum temperature of the pipe 3 differs from the expected temperature, it can be easily accommodated by combining the temperature adjustment plates 53.

As shown in FIG. 8, the temperature adjustment plate 53 has one hole 531 at each of two opposing ends, and one hole 532 on each side of the hole 531. The hole 531 is for attaching the temperature adjustment plate 53 to the plate-shaped member 51. A total of two holes 532 are for attaching the thermoelectric power generation device 2 to the plate-shaped member 51. The plate-shaped member 51 also has holes formed in accordance with the arrangement of the holes 531 and 532. The formed holes are screw holes. As a result, the temperature adjustment plate 53 can be attached to the plate-shaped member 51 by inserting the tip of a bolt 55 into the hole 531 and screwing the threaded portion of the bolt 55 into the hole in the plate-shaped member 51. The method of attaching the thermoelectric power generation device 2 will be described later.

Figure 9 is an exploded view of a thermoelectric power generation device. Next, referring to Figure 9, we will explain in detail the thermoelectric power generation device 2 that is assumed to be attached to the mounting device 1.

In FIG. 9, 61 is a thermoelectric conversion module. 62 and 63 are both heat conductive media. The heat conductive medium 62 is a part that comes into contact with the plate-like member 51 or the temperature adjustment plate 53. The two thermoelectric conversion modules 61 are arranged side by side along the surface of the heat conductive medium 62 between the two heat conductive media 62 and 63.

The thermally conductive medium 63 is disposed between the thermoelectric conversion module 61 and the cooling section 64. Therefore, the cooling section 64 is a component for dissipating heat transferred from the pipe 3 via the thermoelectric conversion module 61.

As shown in FIG. 9, the cooling unit 64 is configured by sandwiching and fixing four heat pipes 643 between a plate-shaped member 641 and a plate-shaped member 642 with one end bent at a right angle or an angle close to a right angle. The plate-shaped member 641 has, for example, four grooves formed therein for stably fixing the heat pipes 643 individually. One heat pipe 643 is placed in one groove. Due to this groove, the plate-shaped member 641 has a thicker shape than the plate-shaped member 642.

The grooves formed in the plate-like member 641 prevent the heat pipes 643 from being crushed in an inappropriate state. They also increase the contact area with the heat pipes 643. A large number of fins 644 are attached to the four heat pipes 643. This allows the cooling unit 64 to efficiently dissipate heat transferred via the thermally conductive medium 63 through the heat pipes 643 and the large number of fins 644.

A support member 646 for maintaining the arrangement of the fins 644 is attached to the bent portion of the plate-like member 642 using a bolt 6401. The plate-like members 641, 642, and 645 are integrated using a bolt 6403 and a nut 6404.

Four bolts 647 are fixed to the plate-like member 645. Four holes are formed in the plate-like member 645 through which the four bolts 647 pass. The threaded portion of each bolt 647 is inserted into the hole in the plate-like member 645 from the side opposite the plate-like member 642, and protrudes from the plate-like member 645. Each bolt 647 is fixed to the plate-like member 645 by screwing a nut 6402 into the protruding threaded portion. A coil spring 648 is inserted into the threaded portion of each fixed bolt 647.

The length of the protruding threaded portion of bolt 647 is longer than the axial length of coil spring 648. Each threaded portion is inserted into a hole 651 formed in plate-shaped member 65 with a step. The length of the threaded portion protruding from hole 651 in the axial direction of coil spring 648 can be adjusted by screwing nut 653 into it. This is to apply an elastic force to coil spring 648 in a direction that pushes thermoelectric conversion module 61, with plate-shaped member 65 as the base point.

Two holes 652 are formed in each of the ends of the plate-like member 65 that face each other in the width direction, i.e., in the circumferential direction of the pipe 3. These holes 652 are for attaching the thermoelectric power generation device 2 to the mounting structure 50. The threaded portion of a bolt 654 is inserted into each hole 652 from the outside in the radial direction of the pipe 3, and a spacer 655 is inserted into the inserted portion of the threaded portion. The threaded portion of the bolt 654 is inserted into the hole 532 of the temperature adjustment plate 53 and screwed into the hole of the plate-like member 51.

The holes 532 are provided at the ends of the plate-like member 65 that face each other in the width direction. Therefore, the spacer 655 maintains a constant distance between the end and the temperature adjustment plate 53. As a result, the spacer 655 limits the elastic force acting on the coil spring 648 so that the thermoelectric conversion module 61 is pushed toward the piping 3 with an appropriate force. For this reason, the nut 653 is screwed into the threaded portion of the bolt 647 so that the axial length of the coil spring 648 is longer. The nut 653 is not used to adjust the elastic force acting on the coil spring 648.

By inserting the threaded portion of the bolt 647 into the hole 651, the thermoelectric generator 2 is positioned by the plate-shaped member 65 in all directions except the radial direction of the pipe 3. From this, in a broad sense, the mounting structure in this embodiment can include the plate-shaped member 65, the coil spring 648, the bolt 654, and the spacer 655 in addition to the mounting structure 50.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a thermoelectric power generation device. Figure 10(a) is a perspective view from the outside in the radial direction of the pipe 3, and Figure 10(b) is a perspective view from the inside in the radial direction of the pipe 3. As shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the thermoelectric power generation device 2 is assembled by the plate-shaped member 65 so that it can be attached to the mounting structure 50.

Figure 11 is a diagram explaining a method for mounting a thermoelectric generator to a mounting structure. Figure 12 is a partial perspective view of the support structure, mounting structure, and thermoelectric generator. In Figure 12, the mounting structure 50 and the thermoelectric generator 2 are shown in cross-section, and a portion of the mounting module 10 is shown in perspective.

As shown in FIG. 11, the thermoelectric power generation device 2 is attached to the mounting structure 50 by inserting the threaded portion of the bolt 654 into the hole 652 and the spacer 655 in that order, then inserting the threaded portion into the hole 532 and screwing the threaded portion into the hole 511 provided in the plate-like member 51. After attachment, the thermoelectric conversion module 61 of the thermoelectric power generation device 2 is pressed against the temperature adjustment plate 53 by the appropriate elastic force of the spacer 655 and the coil spring 648.

The mounting structure 50 is attached to the support structure 20 before the thermoelectric power generation device 2 is attached. As shown in FIG. 12, the mounting is performed by inserting the threaded portion of the bolt 59 through a hole 522 provided in the L-shaped member 52 and screwing the threaded portion protruding from the hole 522 into a hole 2022 formed in the plate-shaped member 202. The bolt 59 is omitted in FIG. 12.

The plate-like member 51 of the mounting structure 50 is pressed against the pipe 3 by the coil spring 54. The spacer 57 ensures that the plate-like member 51 is pressed against the pipe 3 with an appropriate force. As a result, even if the distance between the surface of the pipe 3 and the contact surface of the L-shaped member 52 changes due to the temperature of the pipe 3, the plate-like member 51 is maintained in a state of being pressed against the surface of the pipe 3 by the coil spring 54.

The radial length of the plate-shaped member 51, the L-shaped member 52, and the spacer 57 on the pipe 3 affects the force with which the plate-shaped member 51 is pressed against the surface of the pipe 3. However, each length is relatively short. Therefore, the change in each length due to the temperature of the pipe 3 is within a small range. As a result, the plate-shaped member 51 always maintains a state of being pressed against the surface of the pipe 3 with an appropriate pressure, regardless of the temperature of the pipe 3.

On the other hand, in the thermoelectric power generation device 2, the thermoelectric conversion module 61, together with the two heat conductive media 62, 63 that sandwich the thermoelectric conversion module 61, is pressed against the plate-shaped member 51 by the coil spring 648. The spacer 655 ensures that the thermoelectric conversion module 61 and the two heat conductive media 62, 63 are pressed with an appropriate force. For the same reason as the plate-shaped member 51, the thermoelectric conversion module 61 and the two heat conductive media 62, 63 are always maintained in a state of being pressed against the plate-shaped member 51 with an appropriate pressure, regardless of the temperature of the piping 3.

In this embodiment, the thermoelectric power generation device 2 is attached to the support structure 20 via the mounting structure 50, also for the purpose of protecting the thermoelectric conversion module 61. If the temperature of the pipe 3 falls within the usable range of the thermoelectric conversion module 61, the mounting structure 50 may be omitted from the configuration. If the mounting structure 50 is not used, the thermoelectric power generation device 2 may be supported by the support structure 20, for example, by screwing the threaded portion of the bolt 654 inserted into the hole 652 of the plate-like member 65 into the hole 2022 of the plate-like member 202.

The connecting structures 22, 23 are structures for connecting both ends of one mounting module 10, or for connecting to another mounting module 10. The configuration of these connecting structures 22, 23 can be modified in various ways. The connecting structures 22, 23 may be existing distance-adjustable parts or structures to which modules can be attached. In other words, the connecting structures 22, 23 do not have to be capable of changing the distance between the two support structures 20.

1 Thermoelectric power generation device mounting device, 2 Thermoelectric power generation device, 3 Pipe, 4 Mounting auxiliary tool, 5 Wire, 10 Mounting module, 20 Support structure, 22 Connection structure (first connection structure), 23 Connection structure (second connection structure), 24 L-shaped member (part of the connection mechanism), 25 L-shaped member, 26 L-shaped member, 31 Pin (part of the connection mechanism), 32 E-ring (part of the connection mechanism), 33 Bolt (part of the connection mechanism), 34 Fall prevention metal fitting (part of the connection mechanism), 35 Belleville spring (part of the connection mechanism), 36 Screw, 37 Hinge pin, 38 Bolt (adjustment member), 39 Screw, 50 Mounting structure, 51 Plate-shaped member (first member), 52 L-shaped member (second member), 54 Coil spring (elastic member), 222 Plate-shaped member (rotatably supported member), 232 Plate-shaped member (rotatably supported member), 2021 Studs.

Claims (10)

a plurality of support structures for supporting the thermoelectric power generation device in a state in which heat transfer between the thermoelectric power generation device and the piping is possible;
A connecting mechanism that connects adjacent support structures among the plurality of support structures;
a first connecting structure attached to a support structure located at one end of the plurality of support structures;
a second connecting structure attached to a support structure located at the other end of the plurality of support structures and capable of being connected to the first connecting structure;
Equipped with
The support structure has a mounting portion to which a hanging tool used for vertical suspension is attached,
The hanging tool has one end attached to an auxiliary mounting tool or other mounting device attached to the piping, and the other end attached to the mounting portion for suspending at least the support structure. a plurality of support structures for supporting the thermoelectric power generation device in a state in which heat transfer between the thermoelectric power generation device and the piping is possible;
A connecting mechanism that connects adjacent support structures among the plurality of support structures;
a first connecting structure attached to a support structure located at one end of the plurality of support structures;
a second connecting structure attached to a support structure located at the other end of the plurality of support structures and capable of being connected to the first connecting structure;
Equipped with
The support structure includes a protruding portion that protrudes from a main body of the support structure toward the pipe in a radial direction of the pipe, and a portion that contacts the pipe has a convex curved surface.
Mounting device for thermoelectric generator. a plurality of support structures for supporting the thermoelectric power generation device in a state in which heat transfer between the thermoelectric power generation device and the piping is possible;
A connecting mechanism that connects adjacent support structures among the plurality of support structures;
a first connecting structure attached to a support structure located at one end of the plurality of support structures;
a second connecting structure attached to a support structure located at the other end of the plurality of support structures and capable of being connected to the first connecting structure;
Equipped with
The connecting mechanism limits a direction in which the distance between the adjacent support structures to be connected increases, and applies an elastic force in a direction in which the distance decreases, thereby connecting the adjacent support structures in a manner that allows the distance to be changed.
Mounting device for thermoelectric generator. The coupling mechanism includes a plurality of disc springs;
The connecting mechanism applies the elastic force by the plurality of disc springs.
The mounting device for a thermoelectric generator according to claim 3 . The plurality of support structures , the connection mechanisms for the adjacent support structures, the first connection structure, and the second connection structure are defined as a mounting module, and the first connection structure and the second connection structure, which are provided on different mounting modules, are connected to each other to provide a plurality of mounting modules.
The mounting device for a thermoelectric generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . a mounting structure to which the thermoelectric power generation device is attached so as to be supported by the support structure;
The mounting device for a thermoelectric generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a plurality of support structures for supporting the thermoelectric power generation device in a state in which heat transfer between the thermoelectric power generation device and the piping is possible;
A connecting mechanism that connects adjacent support structures among the plurality of support structures;
a first connecting structure attached to a support structure located at one end of the plurality of support structures;
a second connecting structure attached to a support structure located at the other end of the plurality of support structures and capable of being connected to the first connecting structure;
Equipped with
a mounting structure to which the thermoelectric power generation device is attached so as to be supported by the support structure;
Further comprising:
The mounting structure includes:
a first member that relays heat transfer between the thermoelectric power generation device and the piping and to which the thermoelectric power generation device can be attached;
a second member for attaching the mounting structure to the support structure;
an elastic member that exerts an elastic force in a direction to increase a distance between the first member and the second member when the mounting structure is attached to the support structure using the second member;
A mounting device for a thermoelectric power generation device comprising: The mounting device for a thermoelectric power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the multiple support structures are attached in close contact with the piping and support the thermoelectric power generation device on a surface opposite to the surface in close contact with the piping. The first connecting structure and the second connecting structure each include a rotatably supported member, and the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are connected to each other in an adjustable manner such that the distance between the members is adjustable by an adjustment member that adjusts the distance between the members.
The mounting device for a thermoelectric generator according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A first step of attaching the attachment aid to the piping;
a second step of attaching one end of a hanging tool to the mounting auxiliary tool attached to the piping and vertically suspending the other end of the hanging tool;
a third step of attaching a mounting device having a support structure for supporting the thermoelectric power generation device in a state in which heat transfer between the thermoelectric power generation device and the piping is possible and a connection structure used for connection, to the other end of the suspended hanging tool;
a fourth step of connecting both ends of the mounting device using the connecting structure to closely fit the mounting device to the pipe in an annular shape;
a fifth step of mounting the thermoelectric generator to the support structure of the mounting device, the support structure being attached to the piping;
A method for mounting a thermoelectric generating device comprising:

Images