Method and apparatus for fabricating a thermoelectric array

US4493939A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Varo Inc. · US

Inventors

• T. Allen Blaske · Plano, US
• Terry J. Hendricks · Saline, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 31, 1983
• Grant date: Jan 15, 1985
• Expiry date: Oct 31, 2003

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49146

Abstract

A method and apparatus for fabricating a thermoelectric device includes forming a matrix board (12) with an array of orifices (100) formed therein. A plurality of P-type thermoelements (96) are formed and then a vacuum chuck (92) is utilized to dispose alternating ones of the elements (96) into the alternating ones of the orifices (100). A plurality of N-type elements (108) is formed and a vacuum chuck (104) is utilized to dispose alternating ones of the elements (108) into the remaining orifices (100) of the matrix (12). This forms an assembled array (52). A plurality of conductive tabs (114) is placed onto the P-type elements (98) and N-type elements (108) by a vacuum chuck (116). A second set of conductive tabs (120) is disposed on the opposite side of the assembled array by a vacuum chuck (124). A solder flow oven (54) and a solder flow oven (76) are utilized to reflow the solder on the tabs between the two operations. After connecting the tabs, the assembly (78) is moved to an epoxy station (80) to form an epoxy layer around the peripheral surfaces thereof to form a void (146) in the center portion thereof.