Thermoelectric generator, thermoelectric generation method, electrical signal detecting device, and electrical signal detecting method

摘要

A thermoelectric generation method using a thermoelectric generator includes: placing a thermoelectric generator in a temperature-changing atmosphere; drawing to outside a current that is generated due to a temperature difference between first and second support members when the temperature of the second support member is higher than that of the first support member, and that flows from a second thermoelectric conversion member to a first thermoelectric conversion member, using first and second output sections as a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively; and drawing to outside a current that is generated due to a temperature difference between the first and second support members when the temperature of the first support member is higher than that of the second support member, and that flows from a fourth thermoelectric conversion member to a third thermoelectric conversion member, using third and fourth output sections as a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively.

主权项

1. A thermoelectric generator, comprising:
(A) a first support member; (B) a second support member disposed opposite the first support member; and (C) a first thermoelectric conversion element disposed between the first support member and the second support member,
wherein a relation τSM1≠τSM2 is established, where τSM1 is a thermal response time constant of the first support member, and τSM2 is a thermal response time constant of the second support member, andwherein the first thermoelectric conversion element includes a first thermoelectric conversion member A of p-type conductivity in contact with the second support member at a first surface and which has a second surface opposite the first surface, and a first thermoelectric conversion member B of n-type conductivity in contact with the first support member at a first surface and which has a second surface opposite the first surface and that is made of a material different from that of the first thermoelectric conversion member A, the first thermoelectric conversion member A and the first thermoelectric conversion member B being completely aligned with each other at a first interface between the second surface of the first thermoelectric conversion member A and the second surface of the first thermoelectric conversion member B, and disposed in direct contact with each other along an entirety of the first interface.