A Thermoelectric Heater System for Military Vehicles

Military vehicles operating in northern climates require heating equipments to assist engine starting and for crew compartments. Current fuel-burning heaters obtain their electrical power from the vehicle’s batteries, hence, the batteries’ energy is reduced at the time the starting requirements are the greatest. A thermoelectric heater system has been studied whereby heat is transferred into the coolant and electrical power required for the heater’s operation is self generated. Included in this power is sufficient electric current to trickle charge the vehicle’s batteries. A design and experimental data are described.