Rational method for the powder metallurgical production of thermoelectric components

US11056633B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Evonik Operations GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Sascha Hoch · Bochum, DE
• Magdalena Kern · Alzenau, DE
• Patrik Stenner · Hanau, DE
• Jens Busse · Bochum, DE
• Mareike GIESSELER · Maintal, DE
• Wolfgang Deis · Heidelberg, DE
• Zeljko RAJIC · Waiblingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 6, 2017
• Grant date: Jul 6, 2021
• Expiry date: Jan 30, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B22F2998/10
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method can produce a thermoelectric component or at least a semifinished version of the thermoelectric component. The method includes: a) providing a substantially planar substrate; b) providing a pulverulent thermoelectrically active material; c) pressing the active material to form green bodies; d) inserting green bodies into through-holes of the substrate; e) arranging the substrate with the green bodies inserted therein between two substantially planar electrodes; f) contacting face ends of the green bodies with the electrodes; g) exposing the green bodies to an electric current flowing between the electrodes; h) exposing the green bodies to a pressure force acting between the electrodes; i) sintering the green bodies to form thermolegs; and k) levelling the substrate and the thermolegs accommodated therein by bringing them closer to the electrodes while maintaining the parallelity thereof.