Thermoelectric modules and thermoelectric elements
US5969290A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49206
Abstract
The invention provides a thermoelectric element produced by placing a powder of thermoelectric material over an electrode plate first and then an electrode plate over the power to form superposed layers, and thereafter sintering the powder with a pressure applied thereto perpendicular to the superposed layers. The electrode plates and the thermoelectric material are joined into an integral assembly before fabricating a thermoelectric module. The invention provides a thermoelectric module which is produced by arranging p-type thermoelectric elements and n-type thermoelectric elements alternately in a row at a predetermined interval, each of the elements comprising a thermoelectric material provided between and joined to a pair of opposed electrode plates, and interconnecting pairs of spaced adjacent upper electrode plates and pairs of spaced adjacent lower electrode plates alternately by brazing to electrically connect the p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements in series. Another thermoelectric module of the invention is fabricated by preparing a plurality of submodules each comprising p-type thermoelectric elements and n-type thermoelectric elements arranged alternately in an el…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.