Abstract: Thermoelectric generator is a device taking advantage of the temperature difference in thermoelectric material to generate electric power, where the higher the temperature difference of the hot-cold ends, the higher the efficiency will be. However intensive thermal stress level in solar thermoelectric generator (TEG) model provoked by high heat flux is responsible for structure failure of the device, which negatively influences the expected lifecycle of thermoelectric module. Based on the fact, three-dimensional TEG models with different geometries are employed to examine the effect of the conducting strip, ceramic plate and tin soldering geometry configuration on the module's stress level. The simulation results indicate that decreasing ceramic plate thickness, shortening thermo-pins distance, reducing copper strip thickness will effectively alleviate thermal stress intensity in the module.

Key words: thermoelectric generator, thermal stress, numerical simulation, high heat flux

摘要： 太阳能热电发电系统的热端热通量过高会导致热应力过高，从而引起翘曲，危及系统的使用寿命。基于此，建立了高热通量下热电发电模块的热结构耦合数学模型，分析聚热层厚度、电偶臂间距、铜片厚度等对热电模块最大热应力的影响。数值模拟结果表明：减小聚热层厚度、减小电偶臂间距以及减小铜片厚度都能有效减小热应力。

关键词: 热电发电系统, 热应力, 数值模拟, 高热通量