The faulty module bypass for thermoelectric generation

This paper proposes the solutions of bypassing the faulty modules for the thermoelectric generation (TEG). To obtain sufficient voltage, several TEG modules usually have to connect in series. For a single string of TEG modules, when one module fails, the output power of the whole string is lost. After comparing several low-cost bypass approaches, one bypass circuit based on the buck-boost converter is analyzed. By transferring energy among the serial modules, the terminal voltage across the serial modules can be automatically balanced. Consequently, the maximum output power can still be achieved in the remaining modules, compared to the other approaches of only bypassing the faulty module. The output power stress can be shared among the serial modules according to their output power capacity, so that the utilization of diverse cells is more effective and the lifetime of the modules is prolonged. The experimental results of a laboratory prototype demonstrate its bypass and balance features.