Powering aircraft sensors using thermal capacitors

[0017]Embodiments disclosed herein provide electrical power for an auxiliary system in a vehicle using a thermoelectric generator deriving power from a thermal capacitor existing as a portion of a principal system having a primary function on the vehicle other than as a thermal capacitor. The thermoelectric generator is able to produce electrical power using the potential energy that exists between the temperature of the thermal capacitor and the external cold air or other external environment of the vehicle.

[0018]Using a commercial aircraft as an example vehicle in which the disclosed embodiments may be employed, such aircraft cruise at altitudes above the tropopause and extending well into the stratosphere. Air temperatures in this region of the atmosphere are nominally between −20° and −60° C. Operating altitudes even during climb and descent regularly provide significantly cooler air temperatures. Additionally, aircraft typically have large fuel tanks as a principal system having a