Thermopile Test Bench

Team ThermopilersAdrian Aspinall, Paul Sowinski, David Eld,

Michael Sotolongo,Tyler Merritt

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Thermopiles• Thermo-Electric Device• Converts Thermal Energy to Electrical

o Based on the Seebeck & Peltier Effects• Constructed from various Ceramics

o Ours are Bismuth Telluride

Problem Statement

• To design and fabricate test equipment to accurately and easily determine efficiency and electrical performance of thermopiles under an imposed temperature gradient. The device must withstand vacuum, apply axial load, and display and record relevant data

Efficiency- Experimental Determination

Qdot_in = q"in * A

Qdot_out = q"out * A 

 From 1st Law:Qdot_in - Pout = Qdot_out

Where  Pout = V2 / R

Nu=Pout / Qdot_in

Requirements

• Measure Electrical Characteristicso Impedanceo Determine Power & Efficiency

• Measure Heat Transfer • Adjust Axial Loading• Display and Record Data• Test in Vacuum 

Design

• Mechanical Systems• Thermal Systems• Electrical Systems• Software

Mechanical Systems- Loading

• DC Linear Actuator• Springs to Increase

Resolution• Load cell• Guide Rods• Load Isolation

o Heatero Cooler

  

Mechanical Systems- Vacuum

• Bell Jar• Base Plate• Vacuum Pump• Feedthroughs

Thermal Systems

• Thin Film Heater• Peltier Cooler• Water Block• Sensors

Electrical System

Software and Data Acquisition• LabVIEW• Sensors• Calculations• Control• Data Logging

Questions?