Heat to a.c. conversion using thermoelectric generators and tunnel diodes

Abstract

Single-cell lead telluride thermoelectric generators when operated between 600 and 50°C generate approximately 1W of electric power. However, the output voltage of the generator for a matched load is of the order of 120 mV and the current is of the order of 8 A. The output of such a single-cell thermoelectric generator can be converted into high-voltage low-current power by using a high-current tunnel diode as a d.c. to a.c. converter.