Abstract: A device for measuring the speed or flow of a gas at a temperature different from an ambient temperature is provided, which includes: a first platform suspended by first arms above a support designed to be kept at an ambient temperature, the first arms comprising thermoelectric strips designed to supply a first voltage based on the difference between the temperatures of the first platform and the support; and a processing unit designed to supply the speed or flow measurement on the basis of the first voltage, the gas temperature and the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method is provided for partially or completely manufacturing a spacecraft in an extraterrestrial environment, thereby allowing the spacecraft to be transported from Earth in a form that is better able to withstand forces associated with a rocket launch and traversing Earth's atmosphere. Such a form may allow the spacecraft to be significantly smaller than it would need to be if it had to be in a completed form at the time of transportation. Two forms of spacecraft that may be built by such method are also disclosed. In an aspect, the disclosed devices may be configured to be manufactured, assembled, deployed, and utilized in a timely and efficient manner.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module having a first and second housing element, at least two thermoelectric elements arranged between the housing elements and are each connected electrically to one another via first or second electrical contacts or are connected electrically to an electrical circuit via first and/or second electrical contacts. The first electrical contacts are assigned to the first housing element and the second electrical contacts are assigned to the second housing element. The first housing element and/or the second housing element have at least one opening, which is covered by at least one section of the first electrical contacts and/or the second electrical contacts. The first electrical contacts and/or the second electrical contacts are connected to the first housing element and/or the second housing element.

Abstract: Provided are a battery module and a method for manufacturing the same. The battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval and stacked in parallel with each other; a plurality of heat exchange members integrally formed by connecting parts connecting between two partition walls neighboring to each other among partition walls each slid between the battery cells, respectively; and a filler applied onto the heat exchange members.

Abstract: An electrode including a first portion to be electrically coupled to a first thermoelectric leg and mechanically coupled to a first heat collector part, a second portion to be electrically coupled to a second thermoelectric leg and mechanically coupled to a second heat collector part and a flexible portion connected between the first and second portions whereby current is transmittable between the first and second thermoelectric legs.

Abstract: A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated by extracting thermal energy from a gas to condense the gas into a liquid and transferring the thermal energy to the electrically polarizable material. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material in thermal communication with a heat source, wherein the heat source is a condenser. An apparatus is also described which comprises a chamber, one or more conduits inside the chamber for conveying a cooling fluid and an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes on an outer surface of the conduit. A gas introduced into the chamber condenses on the conduits and thermal energy is thereby transferred from the gas to the electrically polarizable material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for thermal adaptation, comprising at least one surface element arranged to assume a determined thermal distribution, said surface element comprising a first heat conducting layer, a second heat conducting layer, said first and second heat conducting layers being mutually thermally isolated by means of an intermediate insulation layer, wherein at least one thermoelectric element is arranged to generate a predetermined temperature gradient to a portion of said first layer. The invention also relates to an object such as a craft.

Abstract: A method for converting heat to electricity by exploiting changes in spontaneous polarization that occur in electrically polarizable materials is described. The method uses an internally generated field to achieve poling during cycling. The internal poling field is produced by retaining residual free charges on the electrodes at the appropriate point of each cycle. The method obviates the need for applying a DC voltage during cycling and permits the use of the electrical energy that occurs during poling rather than an external poling voltage which detracts from the net energy produced per cycle. The method is not limited to a specific thermodynamic cycle and can be used with any thermodynamic cycle for converting heat to electricity by thermally cycling electrically polarizable materials. The electrical energy generated can be used in various applications or stored for later use. An apparatus for converting heat to electricity is also described.

Abstract: The thermoelectric module composed of p- and n-conducting thermoelectric material legs which are mutually connected to one another via electrically conductive contacts, is characterized by the fact that the electrically conductive contacts have on the cold and hot sides of the thermoelectric module between the thermoelectric material legs in their course at least one flexibility location which permits flexure and slight displacement of the thermoelectric material legs relative to one another.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power generator is disclosed for use to generate electrical power from heat, typically waste heat. An intermediate heat transfer loop forms a part of the system to permit added control and adjustability in the system. This allows the thermoelectric power generator to more effectively and efficiently generate power in the face of dynamically varying temperatures and heat flux conditions, such as where the heat source is the exhaust of an automobile, or any other heat source with dynamic temperature and heat flux conditions.

Abstract: Prevented is thermoelectric elements from being exposed to abnormally high temperature A thermoelectric generating device has a thermoelectric module 12 with p- and n-type thermoelectric elements 1 and 2 being connected in series, a passage 7 through which heating fluid 8 flows to heat one side of the module and a passage 10 through which cooling fluid 11 flows to cool the other side of the module 12; arranged between the passage 7 and one side of the thermoelectric module 12 is a passage 15 through which urgently cooling fluid 25 flows for prevention of the thermoelectric elements 1 and 2 from abnormally high temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to generation of electricity by high-pressure, high-enthalpy cryogenic vapor formed by absorption of heat from a geothermal heat source. The cryogen is injected into a U-tube or an open tube heat exchanger extending to the bottom of a geothermal well and thermal energy is gained by the cryogen, causing the cryogen to vaporize into high-enthalpy cryogenic vapor that returns to the surface to power a rotary vane motor that drives an electrical generator. Also, electricity is generated by a geothermal thermoelectric generator placed either underground or above ground using heat extracted from the bottom of the geothermal well via a U-tube or an open tube heat exchanger. The cryogenic vapor is capable of air-lift pumping water from the well. The electricity generated may be used to electrolyze the water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A cold junction compensation device for a thermocouple, comprising a thermostatically interface casing (1) receiving directly the wires (3, 3') of the thermocouple (2) and ensuring the interconnection of these latter with an extension cord (4). The interface casing (1) contains moreover a cold junction compensation circuit (5).

Abstract: Cylindrical battery cell vessels are coupled together in plural sets by pairs of half-shell sleeves. The sleeves conduct heat preferentially in an axial direction. Each sleeve set is mounted onto a heat rejection plate for direct radiation to space. Each satellite of a set of spacecraft has a North and/or South-facing region for mounting the heat rejection plates of the requisite number of cells. Each plate may be fitted with an optical solar reflector (OSR) for reflecting insolation, and for radiating heat energy.

Abstract: An assembly for permitting temperature measurements at a large number of locations within a vessel, which assembly has a spreader-reducer for compacting a significantly large number of thermocouple cables into a relatively small volume so as to permit passage through one or more vessel nozzles. The thermocouple cables each has a heat expansion portion as well as a seat, thereby permitting a series of horizontal arrays of thermocouple junctions positioned at different depths within the vessel.

Abstract: A temperature regulator is provided which includes a temperature sensor, a temperature regulating unit, a cold junction temperature measuring device and a double-wall insulating partition. Temperatures measured by the temperature sensor are compensated with the temperatures measured by the cold junction temperature measuring device. Since the double-wall insulating partition insulates the cold junction measuring device from the heat generated inside the temperature regulating unit, the cold junction measuring device can correctly measure the temperature of the cold junction.

Abstract: A temperature probe using a first thermocouple junction at the end of a metal tip for measuring the temperature of an object is also provided with a second thermocouple junction on the metal tip at a predetermined distance from the first thermocouple for detecting heat flow in the tip from the first thermocouple toward the second thermocouple. Electronics responsive to both themocouples drive a heater which maintains the second thermocouple at substantially the same temperature as the first thermocouple, thereby to eliminate heat loading by the probe on the object being measured. A single adjustable resistance temperature detector electronically connected in series with the metal tip is used to calibrate the probe and compensate for errors in the temperature readings of the first and second thermocouples. The resistance temperature detector is made up of a wire located in the handle of the probe and is adjusted by stretching the wire to reduce its diameter and bulk resistance.

Abstract: A temperature controller comprises a temperature controller body having a positioning hollow raised portion and a plurality of pins, and a socket having a positioning recessed portion corresponding to the raised portion, a plurality of connection terminals for external wiring and pin holes corresponding to the plurality of pins. The socket is formed with a communication hole to face only receptacle members connected to thermocouple connecting external terminal, among receptacle members embedded in the pin holes, to the recessed portion. The raised portion of the temperature controller body houses therein a temperature sensitive element for compensating the temperature of the thermocouple and is formed with a communicating hole in communication with the recessed portion.

Abstract: A temperature controller utilizing a thermocouple having hot and cold junctions including a housing, a control circuit unit mounted in the interior of the housing, a cold junction compensation element, and a plug having a projecting hollow guide-pin and a plurality of projecting terminal-pins surrounding the guide-pin. The hollow guide-pin has an opening communicating with the exterior of the housing and the cold junction compensation element is positioned in the hollow guide pin.

Abstract: The invention provides an array of spaced thermocouples inserted into the kiln as a unit to provide the temperature profile of the kiln on a continuous basis. The output signals from the thermocouples are multiplexed and displayed on a CRT device. A horizontal line across the face of the CRT screen provides a temperature reference for the profile when a digital thermometer is driven with the horizontal line generating voltage. To reproduce a desired temperature profile, the invention provides a temperature profile synthesizer comprising a resistor-ladder network and a voltage source for simulating the small voltages developed by the temperature monitoring thermocouples in the array. By displaying the synthesized temperature profile on the CRT at the same time that the actual measured temperature profile is being displayed, the kiln can be more easily controlled to provide the desired synthesized profile.

Abstract: 0.degree.COLD JUNCTION COMPENSATOR PROVIDES THE ELECTRICAL EQUIVALENT OF AN ICE-BATH REFERENCE THERMOCOUPLE, AT A SELECTED TEMPERATURE, FOR EXAMPLE O.degree. C. Input connectors, for engagement with conventional thermocouple units, form thermocouple junctions with conductors connected to a battery-operated Wheatstone bridge circuit adapted to supply an equal and opposite voltage output compensating for variations in the thermocouple junction output at different ambient temperatures. The compensator may be included in a module having input sockets or input plugs to coact with plugs or sockets of conventional thermocouple units. The compensator and battery may be encapsulated, or an accessible switch may be included in the battery circuit.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device having constant voltage characteristics over an extended temperature range.