Thermoelectric element, method of fabricating the same, and thermoelectric module employing the same
US6617504B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N10/01
Abstract
A method of fabricating a thermoelectric element of enhanced thermoelectric performance is provided by improving the preparation of thermoelectric material and employing hot plastic working in combination. The method comprises the step (a) of mixing and heat-melting a raw material of a predetermined composition; the step (b) of turning the heat-melted material 106 into microglobules by either of scattering and spraying, and then quenching the microglobules, thereby providing a globular powdery thermoelectric material; and the step (c) of plastically deforming the thermoelectric material in a hot condition, thereby to bring crystal grains of the thermoelectric material into a crystal orientation affording an excellent figure of merit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.