We analysed the steady state performance of a segmented annular thermoelectric generator (SATEG). The thermoelectric leg consists of high-, medium- and low-temperature thermoelectric materials joined in series and its cross-sectional area is asumed to be constant. The simplified solution of current in an SATEG and the optimized external resistance corresponding to maximum output power and maximum conversion efficiency are performed. This is more convenient for engineering application than the exact solution. Numerical results calculated based on the simplified solutions agree well with the exact solutions. It is found that the output power and conversion efficiency of an SATEG are not bounded by its segments and can be higher than those of each segment through the proper selection of material combination and segment’s length. A design guideline for segmented thermoelectric generators (STEGs) based on figure of merit of high-, medium- and low-temperature thermoelectric segments is proposed. This study will be helpful for the optimization design of STEG devices.

我们分析了分段环形热电发电机（SATEG）的稳态性能。热电腿由串联连接的高温，中温和低温热电材料组成，其横截面积假定为恒定。执行了SATEG中电流的简化解决方案以及对应于最大输出功率和最大转换效率的优化外部电阻。对于工程应用而言，这比确切的解决方案更为方便。基于简化解计算的数值结果与精确解非常吻合。据发现，SATEG的输出功率和转换效率不被其限定的段，并且可以比每个段的通过的材料组合和分段的长度的适当选择更高。根据高，中，低温热电段的品质因数，提出了分段热电发电机的设计指南。该研究将为STEG设备的优化设计提供帮助。