Abstract: A current generator is disclosed located in a temperature gradient between a heat source region and a heat sink region. The generator comprises a first continuous material having thermoelectric characteristics and having a repetitive shape with one portion extending between the source and sink and the other portion between the sink and source, and a second material having thermoelectric characteristics electrically connected with only one of said first or second portions of the first material. A thermopile is thus formed and plating techniques can be employed to connect the second material to the first material in the repetitive first or second portions of the first material. In this way, the thermopile is formed of a repetitive series of thermocouples.

Abstract: A thermocouple and thermopile formed of conductor elements. The conductors are joined at thermocouple junctions, with the junction areas being relatively large compared with the normal cross-sectional area of the conductor elements. By providing large cross-sectional areas of the thermocouple junctions, reduction in resistance and heat concentration is achieved, so that the resulting thermocouple and thermopile may easily be used for solar energy collection to produce an electrical current and voltage related to the available solar energy.

Abstract: Energy storage is accomplished for use with a thermoelectric generator in which thermopiles are provided. The source of solar energy irradiates upon the latent heat storage device to enable the heat to be stored at a relatively constant temperature to serve as the source of heat for a greater period of time than that which the solar source is providing energy. Apparatus is provided to enhance the temperature gradient in which the thermopile is located in order to increase the thermoelectric energy generated.