Thermoelectric energy harvester

18 August 2010 Power Electronics / Power Management

Micropelt has débuted a new commercial energy harvester which can purportedly outperform primary batteries as an energy source for wireless applications. The TE-Power PROBE can fully replace or largely extend the life of batteries of modern WirelessHART, ISA100 and similar transmitters. Mounting the device to a hot side of 20°C above ambient results in a milliwatt net output, equal to about three AA cells per year. Between 25°C and 90°C 10 mW net is generated, equivalent to as much as 30 AA cells worth of energy as an annual budget for a 3 V application.

The system collects thermal energy at the most optimal hot spot in proximity to its instrument to be powered. Thus the thermoelectrically harvested power is maximised in favour of more energy and better flexibility for the connected application. The thermo-harvester with its cylindrical 52 mm diameter by 80 mm long aluminium body connects to the heat source via a threaded copper thermal input pin.

The TE-Power PROBE is offered with different levels of power conditioning, including thermo-generator DC output, externally configurable 1,6 V to 5 V, and fully regulated discrete voltages including 2,4 V, 3,6 V and 4,5 V.

For more information visit www.micropelt.com

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