Interferometric Analysis of Thermomechanical Deformations in Thermoelectric Generators
In thermoelectric applications, optimized thermal contacts are essential to enable efficient and homogeneous flow of heat currents. Thermomechanical stresses may lead to surface deformation, which alters the thermal contact. As a result, the heat current density is reduced and no longer homogeneous. Also an undesired temperature gradient perpendicular to the heat flow develops, and hence this temperature gradient again causes thermomechanical stresses. The described thermomechanical problems are particularly important in applications where high operating temperatures and hence large temperature differences are used. Also, system durability is a crucial aspect, especially in applications where thermal cycles occur (i.e., in the field of waste heat regeneration of car combustion engines). We describe a measuring technique to detect and evaluate the influence of these deformations. To analyze the surface and external points of contact of a thermoelectric generator (TEG), a measurement setup based on speckle interferometry is used. Temperature gradients as well as small surface deflections in the μm range have to be measured simultaneously. Therefore, an optical as well as a thermography camera are used to create a holistic image of the deformation and to analyze the influence of this deformation on the TEG structure.