Thermal Stress Analysis of a Segmented Thermoelectric Generator under a Pulsed Heat Source

The power generation and thermal stress of a segmented thermoelectric generator (TEG) under a pulsed heat source are analyzed in this paper. The distribution of thermal stress in four-part thermoelectric materials and its development over time are discussed. The influence of duty cycle on the maximum thermal stress is analyzed. The effects of welding layer thickness on thermal stress and output energy are also discussed. The results show that reducing the duty cycle can increase the amount of power generated, accompanied by an increase in thermal stress. Increasing the thickness of the welding layer can effectively reduce the thermal stress in the bismuth telluride layer. Detailed analysis of thermal stress in thermoelectric materials under pulsed heat sources with different duty cycles can provide guidance for the structural design and reliability analysis in the practical application of a TEG.