Thermoelectric device

US10454013B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MICROPOWER GLOBAL LIMITED · VG

Inventors

• Thomas E. Zirkle · Tempe, US
• Robert M. Gardner · Gilbert, US
• Robert S. Kilbourn · New Braunfels, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 16, 2012
• Grant date: Oct 22, 2019
• Expiry date: Apr 6, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10N10/817

Abstract

A thermoelectric device, module, and system, and method for and method for making is provided. The thermoelectric device (200) having a first and second elements (202 and 204). The first and second elements (202 and 204) having first and second portions (206 and 208), and third and fourth portions (212 and 214) with first and second regions (210 and 216) connected between the first and second portions (206 and 208) and third and fourth portions (112 and 114), respectively. The first and second portions (206 and 208) and third and fourth portions (112 and 114) are electrically coupled though regions (210 and 216) and with thermal conductance between first and second portions (206 and 208) and third and fourth portions (212 and 214) being inhibited by regions (110 and 116), respectively. Thermoelectric element (203) having first and second electrodes (219, 221), wherein electrode (221) of the thermoelectric element (103) is electrically and thermally coupled to portion (208) and wherein the electrode (119) is electrically and thermally coupled to portion (112).