(JP11032492-A)      The thermoelectric power generating apparatus includes several power generator units (20) that each includes at least one thermocouple and is capable of mutually generating an equal output voltage. A connection form switch (60) switches the electrical connection form of each power generator unit (24) between serial and parallel connection to another power generator unit. A parallel voltage measuring device (30) measures the parallel voltage when the power generator unit are connected in parallel to each other.    A connection form determination device (50) determines a connection form of all of the power generator units selected from serial connection, parallel connection, and a combination of serial and parallel connection, so as to generate thermoelectric power for a load, e.g. a vehicle battery, connected to the thermoelectric power generating apparatus, on the basis of a value of the parallel voltage measured by the parallel voltage measuring device. A broken wire detector (40) determines whether there is a wire breakage in any of the power generator units.    ADVANTAGE -   Generates optimal power according to temperature variation and temperature distribution of heat source. Avoids reduction of power generation caused by wire breakage in device.    (US6028263-A)      The thermoelectric power generating apparatus includes several power generator units (20) that each includes at least one thermocouple and is capable of mutually generating an equal output voltage. A connection form switch (60) switches the electrical connection form of each power generator unit (24) between serial and parallel connection to another power generator unit. A parallel voltage measuring device (30) measures the parallel voltage when the power generator unit are connected in parallel to each other.    A connection form determination device (50) determines a connection form of all of the power generator units selected from serial connection, parallel connection, and a combination of serial and parallel connection, so as to generate thermoelectric power for a load, e.g. a vehicle battery, connected to the thermoelectric power generating apparatus, on the basis of a value of the parallel voltage measured by the parallel voltage measuring device. A broken wire detector (40) determines whether there is a wire breakage in any of the power generator units.    ADVANTAGE -   Generates optimal power according to temperature variation and temperature distribution of heat source. Avoids reduction of power generation caused by wire breakage in device.