Peltier Effect Device Patents (Class 136/203)
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Publication number: 20140090683Abstract: Thermoelectric devices are provided. In one embodiment, a thermoelectric device may include a glass wafer defined by conductive vias, a second wafer, and a plurality of metal film disposed between the glass wafer and the second wafer and against solid, conductive, integral, end surfaces of the conductive vias. A nanogap may be disposed between the metal film and the second wafer. The nanogap may have been created by applying a voltage extending between the conductive vias and the second wafer. Methods of forming the devices, along with methods of using the devices to transform heat energy to electricity, and for refrigeration, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Minas Tanielian
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Publication number: 20140083477Abstract: The disclosed relates to a thermoelectric device for generating electrical currents exploiting the Seebeck effect, more specifically a structural thermoelectric device which can replace a structural component of a body. The structural thermoelectric device can include a first conductor layer, a second conductor layer and located therebetween a polymer thermocouple layer having a reinforcement formed from a structural support, wherein the internal surface of the support includes at least one layer of at least one conducting polymer. The reinforcement can be is porous material with a plurality of voids, wherein the internal surfaces of the voids are coated with a conducting polymer, which is capable of providing the Peltier effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventors: Sajad Haq, Michael Dunleavy, Martyn John Hucker, Joseph Maurice Davies
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Patent number: 8669635Abstract: An electrically conductive composite material that includes an electrically conductive polymer, and at least one metal nanoparticle coated with a protective agent, wherein said protective agent includes a compound having a first part that has at least part of the molecular backbone of said electrically conductive polymer and a second part that interacts with said at least one metal nanoparticle.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Yuji Hiroshige, Hideki Minami, Norihisa Watanabe, Jun Fujita
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Patent number: 8653356Abstract: Thermoelectric devices are provided. In one embodiment, a thermoelectric device may include a glass wafer defined by conductive vias, a second wafer, and a plurality of metal film disposed between the glass wafer and the second wafer and against solid, conductive, integral, end surfaces of the conductive vias. A nanogap may be disposed between the metal film and the second wafer. The nanogap may have been created by applying a voltage extending between the conductive vias and the second wafer. Methods of forming the devices, along with methods of using the devices to transform heat energy to electricity, and for refrigeration, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Minas Tanielian
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Publication number: 20140014152Abstract: The disclosure provides a thermoelectric conversion structure and its use in heat dissipation device. The thermoelectric conversion structure includes a thermoelectric element, a first electrode and an electrically conductive heat-blocking layer. The thermoelectric element includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first electrode is located at the first end of the thermoelectric element. The electrically conductive heat-blocking layer is between the thermoelectric element and the first electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventor: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Patent number: 8628691Abstract: A nanocomposite thermoelectric conversion material includes a matrix of the thermoelectric conversion material; and a dispersed material that is dispersed in the matrix of the thermoelectric conversion material, and that is in a form of nanoparticles. Roughness of an interface between the matrix of the thermoelectric conversion material and the nanoparticles of the dispersed material is equal to or larger than 0.1 nm.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Junya Murai, Takuji Kita
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Patent number: 8604867Abstract: An energy harvesting integrated circuit (IC) includes electrical connectors, each having a portion of a first material and a portion of a second material. The first and the second materials have a thermoelectric potential. The IC includes a trace of the first material coupled to the first material of each electrical connector, and a trace of the second material coupled to the second material of each electrical connector and the first trace. A portion of the second trace extends away from a portion of the first trace. The IC has charge storing elements coupled to the first and/or second traces. The first material and the second material are heated to create an electron flow from a thermal gradient between a first zone of the heated first and second materials and a second zone of the first and the second materials away from the first zone.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventor: Henry L. Sanchez
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Patent number: 8604331Abstract: A thermoelectric material includes a compound represented by Formula 1: AaRbG3±n??Formula 1 wherein component A includes at least one element selected from a Group 1 element, a Group 2 element, and a metal of Groups 3 to 12, component R is a rare-earth element, component G includes at least one element selected from sulfur (S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te), phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), carbon (C), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), boron (B), aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), and indium (In), 0<a?1, 0<b?1, and 0?n<1.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jong-soo Rhyee, Sang-il Kim, Sang-mock Lee
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Publication number: 20130291920Abstract: The thermoelectric device includes a first set of identical unitary thereto-electric systems, each system including at least one thermocouple and the first set has at least one faulty unitary thermoelectric system. It further has devices for detecting functional unitary thermoelectric systems of the first set of unitary thermoelectric systems, and devices designed to electrically connect a second set of functional unitary thermoelectric systems chosen from the first set of unitary thermoelectric systems, in the form of an electric circuit, so that all the unitary thermoelectric systems of the electric circuit have the same current flowing through them.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicants: ST-ERICSSON SA, COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventors: Christelle Navone, Tristan Caroff, Denis Cottin
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Publication number: 20130276850Abstract: The present invention provides thermoelectric device comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, a first electrolyte composition capable of transporting cations, a second electrolyte composition capable of transporting anions and a connector comprising mobile cations and mobile anions, wherein the first electrolyte composition is connected to said first electrode by being in ionic contact and the second electrolyte composition is connected to said second electrode by being in ionic contact and said connector is in ionic contact with said first and said second electrolyte composition, such that an applied temperature difference over said electrolyte compositions or an applied voltage over said electrodes facilitate transport of ions to and/or from said electrodes via said electrolyte compositions. There is also provided a method for generating electric current and a method for generating a temperature difference.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: ACREO SWEDISH ICT ABInventors: Xavier CRISPIN, Magnus BERGGREN, Hui WANG
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Publication number: 20130276851Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoelectric device comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and conducting composition capable of conducting ions, wherein the first and second electrodes are ionically coupled via said conducting composition such that an applied temperature difference over said conducting composition or an applied voltage over said electrodes facilitate transport of ions to and/or from said electrodes via said conducting composition, and wherein said conducting composition capable of conducting ions comprises a polymeric electrolyte. There is also provided a method for generating electric current and a method for generating a temperature difference.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: ACREO SWEDISH ICT ABInventors: Xavier CRISPIN, Magnus BERGGREN, Hui WANG
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Publication number: 20130247949Abstract: A thermoelectric device based on a multilayer structure having alternate layers of metal/material mixture. The alternate layers have differing metal content. The layer structure is irradiated with ionizing radiation to produce nanoclusters in the layers. The differing metal content serves to quench the nanoclusters to isolate nanoclusters along the radiation track. The result is a thermoelectric device with a high figure of merit. In one embodiment, the multilayer structure is fabricated and then irradiated with high energy radiation penetrating the entire layer structure. In another embodiment, layers are irradiated sequentially during fabrication using low energy radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITYInventor: Daryush ILA
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Patent number: 8536439Abstract: A thermoelectric device including a first insulating substrate (A) and a second insulating substrate (B) stacked on each other. Including a first electrode (2b) formed on the upper surface of the first insulating substrate (A), a pair of second electrodes (3c, 4c) individually formed on opposite surfaces thereof and connected to each other via a through-hole (7), and a thermoelectric material (5b) provided in the form of a thin film so as to contact the first electrode (2b) and the second electrode (3c). Furthermore, including a pair of third electrodes (8b, 9b) formed on opposite surfaces of the second insulating substrate (B) and connected to each other via a through-hole (10) while one of the third electrodes (8b, 9b) is connected to the first electrode (2b).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Junichi Teraki
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Publication number: 20130220393Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for a solar cell integrating photovoltaic and thermoelectric cell elements to form a hybrid solar cell having increased efficiency and longevity by combining operation of the photovoltaic and thermoelectric elements in at least three different modes of operation to increase electrical output per unit of panel area and to increase cell life, improve performance, and provide operational benefits under different environmental conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Robert Martin Reedy, Nicoleta Sorloaica-Hickman
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Patent number: 8519253Abstract: The invention relates to a device for converting thermal energy into electrical energy with at least one thermocouple, which thermocouple comprises two thermoelectric branches (A, B) electrically connected in series, and the thermocouple has a first passage surface (F1) and a second passage surface (F) for the heat flow (Q) and for the electrical current (7, 7?). In this connection, the value of the first passage surface (F1) is less than 5% of the value of the second passage surface (F).Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Inventors: Herbert Karl Fuchs, Reinhold Koebrunner
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Patent number: 8519505Abstract: An electrically conductive composite material that includes an electrically conductive polymer, and at least one metal nanoparticle coated with a protective agent, wherein said protective agent includes a compound having a first part that has at least part of the molecular backbone of said electrically conductive polymer and a second part that interacts with said at least one metal nanoparticle.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Yuji Hiroshige, Hidekl Minami, Norihisa Watanabe, Jun Fujita
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Patent number: 8500852Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems, and devices for carrying out sorption (adsorption and absorption) for separating and/or purifying fluid mixtures are disclosed. Medical oxygen generators, dehumidifying units, sorptive heat pumps, ozone generators and Peltier devices are also disclosed. The sorption methods involve pressure swing operation of at least two sorption units. Energy from the desorbing and decompressing fluid is substantially recovered and used within the system.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Separation Design Group, LLCInventor: S. Douglas Galbraith
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Publication number: 20130192654Abstract: A thermoelectric module and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The thermoelectric module includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements disposed between first and second substrates opposite to each other and including a metal electrode, the plurality of thermoelectric elements are formed by alternately arranging n-type and p-type thermoelectric semiconductor elements doped with nano particles, and the thermoelectric module includes a thermoelectric element doped with nano particles and connected in series through a metal electrode of upper and lower insulating substrates. Thereby, a thermoelectric index can increase without a high production cost and thus a thermoelectric module having excellent efficiency can be manufactured.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventor: Jong Bae Shin
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Publication number: 20130186447Abstract: A system for adaptive cooling and energy harvesting comprising at least one thermoelectric device capable of acting as a thermoelectric cooler and as a thermoelectric generator, a hierarchical multiple-level control system, and electronics controlled by the control system and connected to the thermoelectric device. The electronics selectively configure the thermoelectric device in at least in a thermoelectric cooler operating mode and in a thermoelectric generation operating mode. The thermoelectric device can incorporate quantum-process and quantum-well materials for higher heat transfer and thermoelectric generation efficiencies. The invention provides for thermoelectric devices to additionally operate in temperature sensing mode. The hierarchical control system can comprise a plurality of control system, each of which can operate in isolation and can be interconnected with additional subsystems associated with other hierarchical levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
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Publication number: 20130186446Abstract: A thermoelectric device includes a plurality of thin-film thermoelectric elements. Each thin-film thermoelectric element is a Seebeck-Peltier device. The thin-film thermoelectric elements are electrically coupled in parallel with each other. The thermoelectric device may be fabricated using conventional semiconductor processing technologies and may be a thin-film type device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.Inventor: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
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Patent number: 8492642Abstract: A system which can efficiently control the temperature of the battery module, and also can easily control the temperature in the intense environment by actively adapting the exterior environment. The system for controlling temperature of a secondary battery module includes a housing receiving a plurality of unit batteries. The housing has an inlet and an outlet. A heat transfer member is in contact with the unit batteries. The heat transfer member has a portion exposed to a heat transfer medium duct formed inside the housing, and a temperature controller is mounted in the heat transfer member to control temperature of the unit batteries.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tae-Yong Kim
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Publication number: 20130180561Abstract: Disclosed herein include nanocomposites with improved thermoelectric performance. Also disclosed herein include methods of manufacturing and methods of using such nanocomposites.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: G. Jeffrey Snyder, Yanzhong Pei
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Patent number: 8487178Abstract: A thermoelectric material including a body centered cubic filled skutterudite having the formula AxFeyNizSb12, where A is an alkaline earth element, x is no more than approximately 1.0, and the sum of y and z is approximately equal to 4.0. The alkaline earth element includes guest atoms selected from the group consisting of Be, Mb, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra and combinations thereof. The filled skutterudite is shown to have properties suitable for a wide variety of thermoelectric applications.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventor: David Joseph Singh
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Publication number: 20130174884Abstract: A transverse thermoelectric device includes a superlattice body, electrically conductive first and second contacts, and first and second thermal contacts. The superlattice body extends between opposite first and second ends along a first direction and between opposite first and second sides along a different, second direction. The superlattice body includes alternating first and second layers of crystalline materials oriented at an oblique angle relative to the first direction. The electrically conductive first contact is coupled with the first end of the superlattice and the electrically conductive second contact is coupled with the second end of the superlattice. The first thermal contact is thermally coupled to the first side of the superlattice and the second thermal contact is thermally coupled to the second side of the superlattice. A Seebeck tensor of the superlattice body is ambipolar.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2013Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: Northwestern UniversityInventor: Northwestern University
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Patent number: 8481842Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing Peltier modules, each of which comprises several Peltier elements that are arranged between at least two substrates. The substrates are made of an electrically insulating material at least on the sides facing the Peltier elements while being provided with contact areas on said surfaces. The contact areas, to which the Peltier elements are connected by means of terminal sure during the production process, are formed by metallic areas.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Curamik Electronics GmbHInventor: Jürgen Schulz-Harder
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Patent number: 8471139Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module which has a P-type thermoelectric conversion material and an N-type thermoelectric conversion material electrically connected to each other. The P-type thermoelectric conversion material and the N-type thermoelectric conversion material are joined with insulating material particles (ceramic spherical particles) interposed therebetween, so as not to be electrically connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takanori Nakamura, Shuji Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20130125948Abstract: In a thermoelectric conversion module, each of a p-type element and an n-type element is configured by aligning a plurality of particles in series and connecting the particles to each other. Around a connection part in which the particles are connected to each other, a protrusion is protruded. The protrusion has a shape of continuously extending around the entire periphery of the connection part. The protrusion may be partly interrupted, but in such a case, a circumferential length of one interrupted portion is less than one half of the periphery of the connection part.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2012Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicants: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and TechnologyInventors: Yasuhiro KAWAGUCHI, Hideo YUMI, Hiroki KITANO, Kenta TAKAGI, Kimihiro OZAKI
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Publication number: 20130104951Abstract: The thermoelectric module includes a first electric path including a first set of thermocouples electrically connected in series. It further includes a second electric path including a second set of thermocouples electrically connected in series, the number of thermocouples of the second set being smaller than the number of thermocouples of the first set.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Inventors: Guillaume Savelli, Philippe Coronel, Marc Plissonnier
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Publication number: 20130087179Abstract: Provided is a thermoelectric module applied to an energy storage device cooling system to increase the cooling efficiency. The thermoelectric module includes P-type thermoelectric elements and N-type thermoelectric elements disposed alternately, a metal electrode provided between each P-type thermoelectric element and each N-type thermoelectric element, a heat absorbing plate connected to a bottom side of the metal electrode located between the P-type thermoelectric element and the N-type thermoelectric element, and a heat emitting plate connected to a top side of the metal electrode located between the N-type thermoelectric element and the P-type thermoelectric element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2012Publication date: April 11, 2013Inventors: Dong Hyeok Choi, Yong Suk Kim, Sung Ho Lee
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Publication number: 20130081663Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoelectric module, there is provided a thermoelectric module including a metal layer surface treated for securing roughness at one surface thereof and a top substrate and a bottom substrate made of an insulating film formed on the surface treated one surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventors: Ju Hwan YANG, Kang Heon Hur, Sung Ho Lee, Dong Hyeok Choi
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Publication number: 20130081662Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thermoelectrical device includes providing a substrate and also forming at least one deep trench into the substrate. The method further includes forming at least one thermocouple which comprises two conducting paths, wherein a first conducting path comprises a first conductive material and a second conducting path comprises a second conductive material, such that at least the first conducting path is embedded in the deep trench of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Donald Dibra
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Publication number: 20130081664Abstract: In one embodiment, a thermoelectric device includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged in a substantially polygonal pattern. The substantially polygonal pattern has more than four sides. The device includes a first dielectric plate coupled to the thermoelectric elements and a second dielectric plate coupled to the thermoelectric elements. The device also includes a first set of fins coupled to the first dielectric plate and a second set of fins coupled to the second dielectric plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventors: Mark C. Woods, Overton L. Parish, IV
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Publication number: 20130074898Abstract: Thermoelectric cooling systems are disclosed that utilize the Thomson effect. The disclosed systems can be used, for example, in cryogenic applications. In one aspect, a system is provided for thermoelectric cooling. The system comprises a pair of semiconductor elements, a cold plate and a hot plate. The pair of semiconductor elements comprises a P-type semiconductor element having a first carrier concentration and an N-type semiconductor element having a second carrier concentration. The first carrier concentration is functionally graded over the P-type semiconductor element and the second carrier concentration is functionally graded over the N-type semiconductor element. Each semiconductor element has a cold end and a hot end. The cold plate is thermally coupled to the cold ends of the P-type semiconductor elements and the N-type semiconductor element. The hot plate is thermally coupled to the hot ends of the P-type semiconductor element and the N-type semiconductor element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventor: G. Jeffrey Snyder
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Patent number: 8404959Abstract: A thermoelectric device includes a plurality of thin-film thermoelectric elements. Each thin-film thermoelectric element is a Seebeck-Peltier device. The thin-film thermoelectric elements are electrically coupled in parallel with each other. The thermoelectric device may be fabricated using conventional semiconductor processing technologies and may be a thin-film type device.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.Inventor: William B. Donley
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Publication number: 20130061900Abstract: A thermoelectric device absorbs heat from an object coming into contact with a heat absorber, moves the heat absorbed via a thermoelectric module to a radiator, and radiates the heat from the radiator. The support member has a lower surface that is bonded to a radiator upper surface, and a side surface that is placed so as to face the side surface of the heat absorber. The support member forms a tilling region between the support member and the side surface, and a sealing member fills the filling region. The thermoelectric module is placed in an internal space 3 which is formed by the heat absorber, the radiator, the support member and the sealing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: Yamaha CorporationInventor: TAKAHISA TACHIBANA
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Patent number: 8390113Abstract: A pressing member is prevented from being damaged by heat, heat dissipation through the pressing member on the higher-temperature side and reduction in thermoelectric conversion efficiency due to it are suppressed, and good electrical conduction is achieved even if thermoelectric conversion elements and electrodes are not cemented through a binder. A lower-temperature side electrode 6 is projecting toward a higher-temperature side substrate 8 and the lower-temperature side electrode 6 is formed with slope faces 6a, 6b, and an angle ? of each of the slope face to a surface of a lower-temperature side substrate 7 is an acute angle.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, LimitedInventors: Yoshinari Sawabe, Yuichi Hiroyama
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Patent number: 8378205Abstract: A thermoelectric effects materials based energy transduction device, for selectively providing conversions between electrical and thermal energies having interleaved n-type conductivity material layers having thermoelectric effects properties and a first plurality of p-type conductivity material layers each having thermoelectric effects properties. There is a first plurality of passageway structures each being thermally conductive and each having passageways therethrough extending between two sides thereof with such a passageway structure from this first plurality thereof positioned between members of each overlapped pair of succeeding layers.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Tobias H. Sienel
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Publication number: 20130037071Abstract: A thermoelectric module which has at least one thermoelectric element for converting energy between thermal energy and electrical energy. The at least one thermoelectric element has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The thermoelectric module further has a first electrode, the first electrode having at least a first region which is arranged directly on the first surface and a second electrode, the second electrode having at least a second region which is arranged directly on the second surface. At least one of the first region and the second region has a metal alloy which exhibits an Invar effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co, KGInventors: Joachim Gerster, Alberto Bracchi, Michael Müller
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Publication number: 20130037070Abstract: A novel and effective structure of a stackable element (A1,A2) or more generally adapted to be associated modularly to other similar elements to form a septum of relatively large dimensions for a Seebeck/Peltier thermoelectric conversion device, may be fabricated with common planar processing techniques. The structure basically consists of a stack (A1, A2) of alternated layers of a first dielectric material (2), adapted to be deposited in films of thickness lesser than or equal to about 50 nm, of low heat conductivity and which is etchable by a solution of a specific chemical compound, and of a second dielectric material (3) of low heat conductivity that is not etched by the solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2010Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: Consorzio Delta Ti ResearchInventors: Dario Narducci, Elena Lonati
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Patent number: 8373057Abstract: A thermoelectric element includes at least one thermopair and a pn-junction. The thermopair has a first material with a positive Seebeck coefficient and a second material with a negative Seebeck coefficient. The first material is selectively contacted by way of a conductor with the p-side of the pn-junction, and the second material is selectively contacted by way of a conductor with the n-side of the pn-junction.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Inventor: Gerhard Span
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Publication number: 20130014796Abstract: There are provided a thermoelectric element and a thermoelectric module that are manufacturable at low cost, suffer little from deterioration in thermoelectric characteristics even after a long period of use, and excel in durability. A thermoelectric element of the invention includes a columnar thermoelectric element main body, an insulating layer disposed on a periphery of the thermoelectric element main body, and a metal layer disposed on an end face of the thermoelectric element main body, the metal layer covering an end face of the insulating layer. Accordingly, a reaction with a solder is prevented and high thermoelectric characteristics is maintained even during a long period of use.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATIONInventor: Kenichi Tajima
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Publication number: 20130014516Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoelectric module. The thermoelectric module includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a diffusion prevention layer, and a thermoelectric device, wherein each of the first and second substrates is stacked with: a heat radiation layer performing heat generation reaction or heat adsorption reaction when power is applied to the thermoelectric module; an insulating layer formed on one surface of the heat radiation layer and formed in a first square wave pattern having a first protrusion part and a first groove part; and an electrode layer buried into the first groove part formed on a surface of the insulating layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ju Hwan Yang, Dong Hyeok Choi, Sung Ho Lee, Sung Kwon Wi
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Patent number: 8341950Abstract: Systems and methods for converting engine heat energy to electricity using a thermoelectric conversion device are provided herein. One example system may include an engine heat source, a thermoelectric conversion device for converting heat into electricity, and a heat pipe. The heat pipe is positioned so that when the temperature of the engine exhaust is too high, the excess heat may be transferred away from the thermoelectric conversion device to the heat sink via the heat pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Karl Bidner, Robert Jay Natkin, Shane Elwart, Gopichandra Surnilla
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Publication number: 20120318317Abstract: An enormous order-dependent quantum enhancement of thermoelectric effects in the vicinity of higher-order interferences has been discovered in the transmission spectrum of nanoscale junctions. Significant enhancements due to both transmission nodes and resonances across such junctions are exemplified by single-molecule junctions (SMJs) based on 3,3?-biphenyl and polyphenyl ether (PPE). Thermoelectric devices employing such SMJs offer superior efficiency and performance. Moreover, the enhanced thermoelectric response is not limited to only SMJs, but may be obtained from any junction exhibiting transmission nodes or resonances arising from coherent electronic transport.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of ArizonaInventors: Charles A. Stafford, Justin P. Bergfield
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Patent number: 8309838Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided that can be used for cooling, heating, and power generation. A first region of the semiconductor structure has a first length and comprises a first semiconductor material doped at a first concentration with a first dopant. A second region is disposed adjacent to the first region so as to define a first interface, has a second length which is longer than the first length, and comprises a second semiconductor material doped at a second concentration with a second dopant. At least one of the first material, second material, first concentration, second concentration, first length, second length, first dopant, and second dopant is selected to create, at the first interface, a forward electrical potential step having a barrier height dependent at least in part on an average temperature (T) of the semiconductor structure, e.g., a range of approximately 3-10 ?BT, where ?B is the Boltzmann constant.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventor: Gang Chen
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Publication number: 20120279542Abstract: A multilayered stack useful for constituting a Seebeck-Peltier effect electrically conductive septum with opposite hot-side and cold-side metallizations for connection to an electrical circuit, comprises a stacked succession of layers (Ci) of electrically conductive material alternated to dielectric oxide layers (Di) in form of a continuous film or of densely dispersed nano and sub-nano particles or clusters of particles of oxide; at least the electrically conductive layers having mean thickness ranging from 5 to 100 nm and surface irregularities at the interfaces with the dielectric oxide layers of mean peak-to-valley amplitude and mean periodicity comprised between 5 to 20 nm. Various processes adapted to build a multilayered stack of these characteristics are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Consorzio Delta Ti ResearchInventors: Dario Narducci, Gianfranco Cerofolini, Elena Lonati
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Patent number: 8294020Abstract: Energy harvesting devices, wherein one illustrative embodiment includes a crease beam, a thermoelectric element disposed in thermally-conductive contact with the crease beam and a heat exchanger disposed in thermally-conductive contact with the thermoelectric element. An energy harvesting system and a method of harvesting electrical power are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bradley J. Mitchell, Trevor M. Laib
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Patent number: 8283194Abstract: A method for applying at least one layer, selected from diffusion barriers, further protective layers, adhesion promoters, solders and electrical contacts, onto thermoelectric materials, is characterized by the fact that the at least one layer is rolled or pressed onto the thermoelectric material at a temperature at which the thermoelectric material is flowable.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Frank Haass, Madalina Andreea Stefan, Georg Degen
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Publication number: 20120247524Abstract: Disclosed is an article having: a porous thermally insulating material, an electrically conductive coating on the thermally insulating material, and a thermoelectric coating on the electrically conductive coating. Also disclosed is a method of forming an article by: providing a porous thermally insulating material, coating an electrically conductive coating on the thermally insulating material, and coating a thermoelectric coating on the electrically conductive coating. The articles may be useful in thermoelectric devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Debra R. Rolison
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Patent number: 8258393Abstract: A thermoelectric device is provided. The thermoelectric device includes a P-type thermoelectric component, an N-type thermoelectric component, and an electrically conductive layer. Each of the P-type thermoelectric component and the N-type thermoelectric component includes a substrate and a nanowire structure. The conductive layer connects the P-type thermoelectric component set with the N-type thermoelectric component set. The thermoelectric device is adapted for recycling heat generated by the heat source, and for effectively converting the heat into electrical energy.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Ya-Wen Chou, Ming-Shan Jeng, Shih-Kuo Wu, Chang-Chung Yang, Kuei-Chien Chang