ABSTRACT
Thermoelectric (TE) systems are solid-state heat engines that convert heat flux induced by a temperature differential into electrical power output. They are capable of the reverse process, converting electric power to cooling, heating and temperature control. Convective cycles appear to be more effective if the ratio of TE element length in the direction of current flow to effective cross-sectional diameter is large. This suggests more applicability to power generation than to cooling and heating applications. One of the original and most successful uses of TE heat engines has been primary electric power generation for spacecraft. The TE generators developed in the United States and the former USSR dominated energy conversion for spacecraft operating beyond the effective range of sun–powered photo voltaic cells. In the conventional TE configuration, both the hot-side heat source and cold-side heat rejection radiators operate at constant temperature.
