Patent · US Expired

Thermoelectric generator and method of forming same

US4276441A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
5References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 15, 1980
Grant dateJun 30, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 15, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10N10/817

Abstract

A thermoelectric device is disclosed which comprises the formation of a multiplicity of thermocouples on a substrate in a narrow strip form, the thermocouples being formed by printing with first and second inks formed of suitable different powdered metals with a proper binder or flux. The thermocouples are formed in series and the opposed coupled areas are melted to form an intermingling of the two metals and the strips may be formed in substantial lengths and rolled onto a reel, or in relatively short strip form and disposed in a side-by-side abutting relationship in substantial numbers to define a generally rectangular panel form with opposed ends in electrical connection. The method of forming the panels includes the steps of feeding a suitable substrate, either in a continuous roll or sheet form, through first and second printers to form the series connected multiplicity of thermocouples thereon. From the printers the sheet or strip passes through a melter such as an induction furnace and from the furnace it passes through a sheeter, if the strip is in roll form. The sheets are then slit into narrow strips relative to the thermocouples, printed thereon and the strips are then f…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.