Method for fabricating a thermoelectric module with gapless eggcrate
US5856210A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 5, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N10/17
Abstract
A method for fabricating a thermoelectric module with thermoelectric elements installed in an gapless eggcrate. This gapless eggcrate provides insulated spaces for a large number of p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements. The absence of gaps in the walls of the spaces virtually eliminates the possibility of interwall shorts between the elements. Thermoelectric elements, both p-type and n-type, are inserted into the insulated spaces in the gapless eggcrate to provide the desired thermoelectric effects . Electrical connections are established on both the hot and cold sides of the module to connect the thermoelectric elements in series or parallel as desired. Normally, most or all of the elements will be connected in series. In a preferred embodiment the gapless eggcrate is formed from a high temperature plastic. P-type thermoelectric material is extruded and then sliced to form p-type thermoelectric elements, and n-type thermoelectric material is extruded and sliced to form n-type thermoelectric elements. The thermoelectric elements are loaded in the eggcrate in an arrangement to put them all in series when a metal spray is applied to the hot and cold sides. Two electrical leads a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.