Electric power generation method using thermoelectric power generation element, thermoelectric power generation element and method of producing the same, and thermoelectric power generation device
US7560639B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 14, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1062
Abstract
The present invention provides an electric power generation method using a thermoelectric power generation element, a thermoelectric power generation element, and a thermoelectric power generation device, each of which has higher thermoelectric power generation performance than conventional ones and can be used for more applications. The thermoelectric power generation element includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are disposed to oppose each other, and a laminate that is interposed between the first and second electrodes and that is electrically connected to both the first and second electrodes, where the laminate has a structure in which Bi2Te3 layers and metal layers containing Al, Cu, Ag, or Au are laminated alternately, a thickness ratio between the metal layer and the Bi2Te3 layer is in a range of metal layer:Bi2Te3 layer=400:1 to 20:1, lamination surfaces of the Bi2Te3 layers and the metal layers are inclined at an inclination angle θ of 15° to 60° with respect to a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode oppose each other, and a temperature difference applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction in the element generates a pot…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.