Method of manufacturing a thermoelectric generator and thermoelectric generator thus obtained

US7723606B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• IMEC · BE

Inventors

• Paolo Fiorini · Brussels, BE
• Vladimir Leonov · Leuven, BE
• Sherif Sedky · Giza, EG
• Chris Van Hoof · Leuven, BE
• Kris Baert · Leuven, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 1, 2005
• Grant date: May 25, 2010
• Expiry date: Nov 21, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10N10/01

Abstract

A thermoelectric generator (TEG) and a method of fabricating the TEG are described. The TEG is designed so that parasitic thermal resistance of air and height of legs of thermocouples forming a thermopile can be varied and optimized independently. The TEG includes a micromachined thermopile sandwiched in between a hot and a cold plate and at least one spacer in between the thermopile and the hot and/or cold plate. The TEG fabrication includes fabricating the thermopiles, a rim, and the cold plate.