The University of Texas System

Matthew J Hall

Li Shi

A thermoelectric power generator for converting thermal energy into electrical energy. The thermoelectric power generator includes a heat exchanger configured to extract thermal energy from an exhaust gas stream. The heat exchanger includes fins in contact with a boundary of the heat exchanger, where the fins are directly connected to a first set of thermoelectric modules. A second set of thermoelectric modules are directly connected to the boundary of the heat exchanger. The first and second sets of thermoelectric modules are configured to convert the thermal energy to electrical energy. By eliminating the metal wall that previously existed between the thermoelectric modules and the fins, the thermoelectric power generator improves the heat transfer between the exhaust gas and the thermoelectric modules, eliminates the thermal fatigue failures at the bond between the metal wall and the thermoelectric modules as well as allows for a higher density of thermoelectric modules.

Heat exchanger for thermoelectric power generation with the thermoelectric modules in direct contact with the heat source

An apparatus to detect particulate matter. The apparatus includes a sensor electrode, a shroud, and a heater. The electrode measures a chemical composition within an exhaust stream. The shroud surrounds at least a portion of the sensor electrode, exclusive of a distal end of the sensor electrode exposed to the exhaust stream. The shroud defines an air gap between the sensor electrode and the shroud and an opening toward the distal end of the sensor electrode. The heater is mounted relative to the sensor electrode. The heater burns off particulate matter in the air gap between the sensor electrode and the shroud.

Particulate matter sensor with a heater

A sensor to detect particulate matter. The sensor includes a first rigid tube, a second rigid tube, a detection surface electrode, and a bias surface electrode. The second rigid tube is mounted substantially parallel to the first rigid tube. The detection surface electrode is disposed on an outer surface of the first rigid tube. The detection surface electrode is disposed to face the second rigid tube. The bias surface electrode is disposed on an outer surface of the second rigid tube. The bias surface electrode is disposed to face the detection surface electrode on the first rigid tube. An air gap exists between the detection surface electrode and the bias surface electrode to allow particulate matter within an exhaust stream to flow between the detection and bias surface electrodes.

Rigid particulate matter sensor

A sensor may be used to measure particulate mass concentration in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. The sensor may include a signal electrode and a detector electrode at least partially enclosed within a sensor body. The sensor may continuously measure the particulate mass concentration in the exhaust of the internal combustion engine. Continuously measuring the particulate mass concentration may produce a time-resolved measurement of the particulate mass concentration. In certain embodiments, the sensor may be coupled to a feedback control system that may adjust operating conditions of the internal combustion engine.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Matthew J Hall