THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR

摘要

Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for constructing thermoelectric devices (TEDs). N-type elements are paired with P-type elements in an array of pairs between substrates. The paired elements are electrically connected in series by various techniques including brazing for hot side and/or also cold side connections, and soldering for cold side connections while being thermally connected in parallel. In selected embodiments, electrical and mechanical connections of the elements may be made solely by mechanical pressure.

主权项

1. A thermoelectric device for converting thermal energy to electrical energy based on temperature differences between portions of the device, comprising:
a plurality of N-type oxide ceramic elements; a plurality of P-type oxide ceramic elements, respectively paired with said plurality of N-type elements; a pair of supporting generally planar ceramic substrates, supporting a plurality of conductive traces thereon, and with said paired N-type and P-type elements received on selected of said conductive traces so as to form an array of such pairs captured between said substrates; potting material captured between said substrates inbetween said array pairs; and at least one pair of connection terminals provided on at least one of said substrates, and associated lead wires respectively connected thereto; wherein said paired elements are electrically connected in series by said conductive traces and thermally connected in parallel relative to said substrates, so that generated electricity may be conducted from such array based on temperature differences between portions of said paired elements based on the Peltier/Seebeck effect.