Patent · US Expired

Thermoelectric generating composite functioning apparatus

US4653443A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
10References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 5, 1984
Grant dateMar 31, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 5, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/12
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A thermoelectric generating composite functioning apparatus used as a glow plug in a diesel engine has sintered semiconductor elements respectively formed in the shape of a bar of N-type and P-type thermoelectric semiconductor materials. The N-type and P-type semiconductor elements are provided oppositely with a gap between them, and their end portions are put in mutual contact to form a P-N junction. A low thermal conductivity insulator is filled in the interval between the N-type and the P-type semiconductor elements. The N-type and P-type semiconductor elements provided in the P-N junction state are contained through the insulator in a housing. Lead terminals connected to the N-type and P-type semiconductor elements are formed in the housing. The apparatus may provide heat to the combustion chamber, or generate electricity from the heat in the combustion chamber.

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