Abstract: An annular semiconductor element for producing a thermoelectric module includes at least one groove extending in a radial direction from an internal circumferential face to an external circumferential face. An annular insulation material insulates n-doped and p-doped semiconductor elements and is accordingly disposed on a lateral face of the semiconductor elements. The insulation material has a slit which extends in the radial direction and divides the insulation material. A thermoelectric module and a method for manufacturing the thermoelectric module are also provided.

Abstract: A device for producing electrical energy from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, includes a generator with an exhaust gas inlet connection, an exhaust gas outlet connection and at least one heat exchange section therebetween. At least one flow diversion and/or flow division is provided between the exhaust gas inlet connection and the heat exchange section. The heat exchange section has a plurality of flow paths perpendicular to the exhaust gas inlet connection, to be assigned to a plurality of heat exchange units. At least a portion of the heat exchange assembly has at least one thermoelectric element and a cooling device. The at least one thermoelectric element is captively connected to the cooling device. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor element for a thermoelectric module has opposite ends and is made of an n-doped or p-doped semiconductor material and at least one foreign material. The foreign material is mixed with the semiconductor material and forms a fraction of 25 to 75 vol % of the semiconductor element. A method for producing a tubular thermoelectric module includes providing an inner tube having an axis, an inner circumferential surface and a first outer circumferential surface, alternately placing n-doped and p-doped semiconductor elements in direction of the axis, placing second electrical conducting elements radially outwardly of the semiconductor elements so that pairs of adjacent semiconductor elements are electrically conductively connected to each other at the outside to then form a second outer circumferential surface, and compressing the thermoelectric module. A motor vehicle having a thermoelectric module is also provided.

Abstract: A device and a method for producing electrical energy from an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine include a generator with an exhaust gas inlet, an exhaust gas outlet and a heat exchange portion therebetween. The heat exchange portion includes a plurality of flow paths for the exhaust gas. The flow paths are at least partially surrounded by thermoelectric elements which are in thermally conductive communication with a cooling device on a side facing away from the flow path. A motor vehicle having the device or carrying out the method, is also provided.

Abstract: A device having a heat exchanger includes a housing having a first end side and a second end side disposed along an axial direction, an inlet at the first end side and an outlet at the second end side for a fluid, a first annular channel connected to the inlet and a second annular channel upstream of the outlet, at least one outer jacket tube and at least one inner jacket tube disposed mutually concentrically and defining an intermediate space therebetween, a plurality of flow paths for the fluid extending in the axial direction in the intermediate space and interconnecting the first channel and the second channel, and at least one heat exchanger tube disposed in each of the plurality of flow paths. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.

Abstract: A device having a heat exchanger includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet for a fluid and an inner tube having a first end face extending in axial direction, an opposite second end face and a circumferential surface having openings. A plurality of heat exchanger tubes is disposed parallel to the axial direction on the outside of the circumferential surface. The housing encloses the heat exchanger tubes and the inner tube and the inlet is fluidically connected to the first end face. Guide elements are disposed between the heat exchanger tubes so that the fluid entering the inner tube through the first end face flows out across the heat exchanger tubes in radial direction starting from the inner tube. The device is used particularly for constructing a thermoelectric generator for positioning in the underbody of a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes an interrupted inner circumferential surface, an axis and an outer circumferential surface. A plurality of semiconductor elements having thermoelectric material are disposed in direction of the axis and between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface and are electrically alternately connected to each other. At least some of the semiconductor elements include at least one inner frame part or an outer frame part and at least the inner frame parts form the interrupted inner circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface also forms a cold side of the thermoelectric module and a dimensionally unstable sheath is provided at least at the interrupted inner circumferential surface. A vehicle having a plurality of thermoelectric modules is also provided.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes a cold side, a hot side and thermoelectric elements disposed between the two sides. At least one heat conducting layer is disposed between the thermoelectric elements and at least the cold side or the hot side and the heat conducting layer can be compressed. A method for producing a thermoelectric module having at least one heat conducting layer is also provided.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module extends in a longitudinal direction and includes an outer tube, an inner tube disposed within the outer tube and an interspace between the tubes. At least one first strip-shaped structure and one second strip-shaped structure are provided. The first strip-shaped structure extends from a first connection on the inner tube and the second strip-shaped structure extends from a second connection on the outer tube in opposite directions in at least one circumferential direction or in the longitudinal direction and at least partly form an overlap at least in the circumferential direction or in the longitudinal direction. At least one pair of semiconductor elements is disposed in the region of the overlap. A method for producing a thermoelectric module and a thermoelectric generator are also provided.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes an inner circumferential surface, an axis and an outer circumferential surface. A plurality of semiconductor elements is disposed with thermoelectric material in the direction of the axis and between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface and are electrically interconnected in an alternating manner. At least one part of the semiconductor elements has at least one inner frame part or an outer frame part. At least some of the inner frame parts form an interrupted inner circumferential surface or outer frame parts form an interrupted outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: A semiconductor element is formed of a thermoelectric material having at least one aperture, a first end face and an opposite second end face. A cross-sectional surface which is parallel to the first end face or to the second end face extends through the thermoelectric material and through the aperture and has an area which is at most 20% greater than the first front surface and is smaller than the second end face. A thermoelectric module having at least two semiconductor elements is also provided.

Abstract: A device for generating electric energy includes at least one heated heat-conducting main body, at least one projection and thermoelectric elements laterally attached to the at least one projection. A thermoelectric efficiency of each thermoelectric element and a heat output of the at least one projection are matched to each other.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device includes at least one first flow duct, at least one second flow duct, at least one first carrier layer associated with the at least one first flow duct and at least one second carrier layer associated with the at least one second flow duct, at least one intermediate space between the first carrier layer and the second carrier layer and a plurality of p and n-doped semiconductor elements disposed in the at least one intermediate space and electrically interconnected. A relative first thermal expansion of the first carrier layer and a relative second expansion of the second carrier layer are equal under operating conditions. Suitable materials are provided for the first and second carrier layers that promote the use of such thermoelectric devices in exhaust systems of a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle having thermoelectric devices and a method for manufacturing a thermoelectric device are also provided.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material contains fibers and a method for producing a thermoelectric material uses fibers. The fibers, in this case, in particular, perform the function of influencing thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, tensile strength and/or extensibility of the thermoelectric material. The thermoelectric material is used, in particular, in thermoelectric generators which are used, for example, in motor vehicles for converting thermal energy from the exhaust gas into electrical energy.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device or thermoelectric generator (TEG) includes at least one exhaust line having an inlet and an outlet. At least one first tube bundle is a thermoelectric generator module and has tubes with outer surfaces forming the exhaust line in the thermoelectric generator module. At least one further tube bundle is a heat exchanger and has tubes with inner surfaces forming the exhaust line in the heat exchanger. A method for operating a thermoelectric device and a motor vehicle having a thermoelectric device are also provided.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator includes a plurality of thermoelectric devices, through which an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine flows in succession. Each thermoelectric device forms at least one hot flow path for the exhaust gas and at least one cold flow path for a coolant. A plurality of p-doped and n-doped insulated semiconductor elements are connected in a targeted manner between the flow paths. At least part of the semiconductor elements in at least one of the thermoelectric devices are fixed to a flexible medium.

Abstract: A device and a method for producing electrical energy from an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine include a generator with an exhaust gas inlet, an exhaust gas outlet and a heat exchange portion therebetween. The heat exchange portion includes a plurality of flow paths for the exhaust gas. The flow paths are at least partially surrounded by thermoelectric elements which are in thermally conductive communication with a cooling device on a side facing away from the flow path. A motor vehicle having the device or carrying out the method, is also provided.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device contains at least one module having a first carrier layer and a second carrier layer, an interspace disposed between the first carrier layer and the second carrier layer, and an electrical insulation layer disposed on each of the first carrier layer and on the second carrier layer toward the interspace. The thermoelectric device further has a plurality of p and n-doped semiconductor elements, which are arranged alternately in the interspace between the insulation layers and are alternately electrically connected to one another.

Abstract: A module for a thermoelectric generator includes first and second ends, at least one inner tube and one outer tube disposed around the outside of the inner tube and at least one thermoelectric element disposed between the inner and outer tubes. The inner and outer tubes are each electrically insulated from the at least one thermoelectric element. At least one electrically conductive first contact is provided on each of the first and second ends, for electrically conductively connecting the at least one thermoelectric element to an electrical conductor. The module can conduct a fluid or coolant flow through the module from the first end to the second end. An electrical conductor, a thermoelectric generator, a motor vehicle and a method for producing a module, are also provided.

Abstract: A component of an exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine includes at least one housing with an inlet and an outlet for an exhaust gas and at least one inflow and one outflow for a medium. The component has a heat exchanger around which the exhaust gas can flow. The heat exchanger has a first thermal mass and a catalytic converter body through which the exhaust gas can flow. The catalytic converter body has a second thermal mass. A motor vehicle having a component and a method for operating a component, are also provided.