Crossword clues for thermopile
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Thermopile \Ther"mo*pile\, n. [Thermo- + pile a heap.] (Physics) An instrument of extreme sensibility, used to determine slight differences and degrees of heat. It is composed of alternate bars of antimony and bismuth, or any two metals having different capacities for the conduction of heat, connected with an astatic galvanometer, which is very sensibly affected by the electric current induced in the system of bars when exposed even to the feeblest degrees of heat.
Wiktionary
n. An electronic device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy. Usually constructed using a series-combination of thermocouples.
WordNet
n. a kind of thermometer for measuring heat radiation; consists of several thermocouple junctions in series
Wikipedia
A thermopile is an electronic device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy. It is composed of several thermocouples connected usually in series or, less commonly, in parallel.
Thermopiles do not respond to absolute temperature, but generate an output voltage proportional to a local temperature difference or temperature gradient.
Thermopiles are used to provide an output in response to temperature as part of a temperature measuring device, such as the infrared thermometers widely used by medical professionals to measure body temperature. They are also used widely in heat flux sensors (such as the Moll thermopile and Eppley pyrheliometer) and gas burner safety controls. The output of a thermopile is usually in the range of tens or hundreds of millivolts. As well as increasing the signal level, the device may be used to provide spatial temperature averaging.
Thermopiles are also used to generate electrical energy from, for instance, heat from electrical components, solar wind, radioactive materials, laser radiation or combustion. The process is also an example of the Peltier Effect (electric current transferring heat energy) as the process transfers heat from the hot to the cold junctions.
Usage examples of "thermopile".
An ordinary thermopile in effect, but that each element is about one ten millionth of an inch in diameter, and weighs about one ten billionth of an ounce.
An ordinary thermopile in effect, but that each element is a-bout one ten millionth of an inch in diameter, and weighs about one ten billionth of an ounce.
Faron had discovered the reactors in a vault beneath the main level, where they supplied heat to an extensive bank of thermopiles which still delivered a trickle of power to the equipment.
Highly efficient large-scale thermopiles produce electricity directly.