Thermoelectric module, heat exchanger, exhaust system and internal combustion engine

US9748465B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Jörg Oesterle · Laichingen, DE
• Arnulf Spieth · Biberach an der Riß, DE
• Andreas Resch · Pettenbach, AT
• Herve Tchamgoue · Eßlingen, DE
• Sebastian Leicht · Bisingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 21, 2013
• Grant date: Aug 29, 2017
• Expiry date: Jun 27, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E20/14

Abstract

A thermoelectric module (13), for converting thermal energy into electric energy, includes a plurality of leg pairs (26), which have each a p-doped semiconductor leg (27) and an n-doped semiconductor leg (28), which are contacted with one another electrically via metal bridges (29). At least one electrically insulating ceramic plate (30), which is arranged on a hot side (18) of the thermoelectric module (13) or on a cold side (19) of the thermoelectric module (13) and is flatly in contact with metal bridges (29) associated with this side (18, 19) and is fastened thereto. The pressure stability of the thermoelectric module (13) can be improved if the respective ceramic plate (30) is segmented, so that a plurality of ceramic plate segments (31) are arranged next to each other, which are each flatly in contact with a plurality of metal bridges (29) and are fastened thereto.