Abstract: In a configuration to join thermoelectric elements with an electrode in a thermoelectric module, reduction in junction reliability between the thermoelectric elements and the electrode is suppressed in a high-temperature environment and in an environment in which vibration and shock are imposed as load, to efficiently transmit the outer-circumferential temperature to the thermoelectric elements. In a thermoelectric module in which a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric element are alternately arranged by aligning the surfaces thereof on the high-temperature side and the surfaces thereof on the low-temperature side, to electrically connect the thermoelectric elements in series to each other; the p-type thermoelectric elements and the n-type thermoelectric element are joined via an intermediate layer with a deformable stress relaxation electrode, to thereby absorb stress taking place during the module assembling process and the module operation by the electrode.

Abstract: There is provided a thermoelectric conversion element and a thermoelectric conversion module capable of ensuring a temperature difference between the front and the rear of the thermoelectric conversion element even in a high-temperature environment and presenting a high power generation performance. The thermoelectric conversion element including a sintered body constitutes a crystal grain laminated in a transverse direction in which a length in a longitudinal direction of the crystal grain is longer than a length in the transverse direction using at least some of crystal grains constituting the sintered body.

Abstract: Provided is a thermoelectric conversion module which achieves, in the vicinity of an element/high-temperature-side electrode bonded part, stress relaxation or strain relaxation within the element and at the bonded part, on which stress is concentrated. A thermoelectric conversion module comprising: electrodes arranged on its high-temperature side and low-temperature side; and P-type and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements connected to the electrodes via a bonding layer; wherein an area where the high-temperature-side electrode is connected to an end face of the P-type or N-type thermoelectric conversion element is smaller than an area where the low-temperature-side electrode is connected to an end face of the P-type or N-type thermoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: A production method for a thermoelectric conversion module having a thermoelectric conversion element and an electrode, which are metallurgically bonded together via a porous metal layer. The porous metal layer is made of nickel or silver and has a density ratio of 50 to 90%.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module includes: a piping for flowing a compressible fluid; high temperature electrodes which are provided on a top surface and a bottom surface of the piping and electrically insulated from the piping; thermoelectric conversion elements which are provided on the respective high temperature electrodes, each element containing at least a pair of p-type thermoelectric semiconductor and n-type thermoelectric semiconductor which are electrically connected in series with one another; low temperature electrodes which are provided on the respective thermoelectric conversion elements and electrically connect the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor in series with the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor; and a first case member for accommodating the piping, the high temperature electrodes, the thermoelectric conversion elements and the low temperature electrodes so as to form a space for flowing a refrigerant for the low temperature electrodes.

Abstract: In an airtight container in which the flow tube is arranged inside of the housing, the housing includes the movable plate part in which the deformation part having flexibility is arranged around the inner rigid part, and the thermoelectric conversion module is sandwiched between the inner solid part and inner plate part of the flow tube in the airtight container. By reducing pressure in the airtight container, the deformation part of the movable plate part deforms and the inner plate part contacts the thermoelectric conversion module in a uniformly pressed condition. The inner solid part of the movable plate part is cooled by the cooling part and the inner plate part is heated by supplying the heating fluid in the flow tube, so that the temperature difference occurs in the thermoelectric conversion module, thereby generating electricity.

Abstract: To produce a temperature difference in the thermoelectric conversion module, a tabular member of the cooling side arranged side of the thermoelectric conversion module is fitted in a uniform pressed condition on the thermoelectric conversion module. In the airtight container in which the flow tube penetrates the housing and the thermoelectric conversion module is arranged in the reduced pressure space between the housing and the flow tube, a tabular member of the cooling side of the housing corresponding to the thermoelectric conversion module is formed by the thin plate that is flexible, and the thermoelectric conversion module is sandwiched between the thin plate and the flow tube. The thin plate contacts the thermoelectric conversion module in a pressed condition by reducing pressure in the reduced pressure space, and the thin plate deforms by following the shape of the thermoelectric conversion module and fits due to its flexibility.

Abstract: In a configuration to join thermoelectric elements with an electrode in a thermoelectric module, reduction in junction reliability between the thermoelectric elements and the electrode is suppressed in a high-temperature environment and in an environment in which vibration and shock are imposed as load, to efficiently transmit the outer-circumferential temperature to the thermoelectric elements. In a thermoelectric module in which a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric element are alternately arranged by aligning the surfaces thereof on the high-temperature side and the surfaces thereof on the low-temperature side, to electrically connect the thermoelectric elements in series to each other; the p-type thermoelectric elements and the n-type thermoelectric element are joined via an intermediate layer with a deformable stress relaxation electrode, to thereby absorb stress taking place during the module assembling process and the module operation by the electrode.

Abstract: A production method for a thermoelectric conversion module having a thermoelectric conversion element and an electrode, which are metallurgically bonded together via a porous metal layer. The porous metal layer is made of nickel or silver and has a density ratio of 50 to 90%.

Abstract: In a structure for joining thermoelectric devices and electrodes in a thermoelectric module, the thermoelectric module is configured such that multiple P-type thermoelectric devices and multiple N-type thermoelectric devices are alternately disposed so as to be electrically connected in series via electrode members. A connected portion of the electrode member to the P-type thermoelectric device and a connected portion of the electrode member to the N-type thermoelectric device are made of different materials. This can suppress a considerable reduction in connection reliability between the thermoelectric devices and the electrodes even at a high temperature and efficiently transmit a peripheral temperature to the thermoelectric devices.

Abstract: Provided is a high temperature thermoelectric converting module including a plurality of p type thermoelectric elements; a plurality of n type thermoelectric elements; a plurality of electrodes; and a lead line. The plurality of p type thermoelectric elements, the plurality of n type thermoelectric elements, and the plurality of electrodes are electrically serially connected to each other, a pair of connecting lines that connects the lead line to one of the plurality of electrodes to output to the outside is further included, at least one electrode which is disposed at the high temperature side and the plurality of p type and n type thermoelectric elements are bonded with an intermediate layer therebetween. The plurality of p type and n type thermoelectric elements contain silicon as a component and the intermediate layer is formed as a layer containing aluminum and silicon and components other than silicon of the thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module has a thermoelectric conversion element and an electrode, which are metallurgically bonded together via a porous metal layer. The porous metal layer is made of nickel or silver and has a density ratio of 50 to 90%.

Abstract: A sintered fluid dynamic pressure bearing completely seals or decreases the sizes of gaps formed in pores by shrinkage when a resin impregnated therein shrinks. The fluid dynamic pressure bearings can be reliably and easily produced using fewer processes while superior quality is maintained.

Abstract: A production method for a fluid dynamic pressure sintered bearing includes: preparing a sintered bearing having a porosity of 8 to 20 vol % as a material; and controlling at least one of an overall length, an outer diameter, and an inner diameter of the sintered bearing by repressing the sintered bearing. The production method further includes: forming grooves for generating a fluid dynamic pressure on a bearing surface of the sintered bearing by performing repressing and plastic working on the sintered bearing; and sealing pores exposed on the bearing surface by infiltrating a resin into at least the pores; and barreling entire surface of the sintered bearing by magnetic barreling or electromagnetic barreling.