Abstract: A multi-channel remote-temperature-sensing system has a reference temperature assembly for the reference junctions of a plurality of temperature sensors for determining temperatures at remote points. The assembly comprises an array of components each adapted to make thermal contact with a reference junction of a remote-temperature-sensing thermocouple, an absolute reference thermometer situated within the array for measuring an absolute reference temperature, a thermocouple for sensing a temperature difference between the absolute reference thermometer and a component of the array, and data processing means for calculating the temperature of the component of the array from the absolute reference temperature and the temperature difference.

Abstract: Several embodiments of improved thermocouples that can be formed without necessitating welding of small diameter wires. In each embodiment, the thermocouple is formed by depositing strips of dissimilar materials on an insulating base with the ends of the strips in contacting relationship to form a junction.

Abstract: Thermoelectric device having a number of thermoelectric elements electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel. Each element is provided with two element halves, electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel, of opposite conductivity types. Each element half has two semiconducting end pieces and an electrically conducting intermediate piece which are electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device of the kind that comprises an array of thermoelectric rods of two different materials alternatingly arranged between two carrier plates with each carier plate being a plurality of discrete conductive metal junctions to which the thermoelectric rods are pairwise connected. The two carrier plates are made of synthetic polymeric materials and each of the junctions comprises a monolithic metal member directly linked to a carrier plate.

Abstract: A probe for measuring heat includes an elongate rod fitted within a sheath, and a plurality of annular recesses are formed on the surface of the rod in a spaced-apart relationship to form annular chambers that are resistant to heat flow. A longitudinal bore extends axially into the rod and within the cylinders defined by the annular chambers, and an integrated heater and thermocouple pack is dimensioned to fit within the bore. In construction, the integrated pack includes a plurality of wires disposed in electrical insulation within a sheath and a heater cable. These wires include one common wire and a plurality of thermocuple wires. The common wire is constructed of one type of conductive material while the thermocouple wires are each constructed of two types of materials so that at least one thermocouple junction is formed therein. All of the wires extend the length of the integrated pack and are connected together at their ends.

Abstract: A probe for measuring heat includes an elongate rod fitted within a sheath, and a plurality of annular recesses are formed on the surface of the rod in a spaced-apart relationship to form annular chambers that are resistant to heat flow. A longitudinal bore extends axially into the rod and within the cylinders defined by the annular chambers, and an integrated heater and thermocouple pack is dimensioned to fit within the bore. In construction, the integrated pack includes a plurality of wires disposed in electrical insulation within a sheath and a heater cable. These wires include one common wire and a plurality of thermocouple wires. The common wire is constructed of one type of conductive material while the thermocouple wires are each constructed of two types of materials so that at least one thermocouple junction is formed therein. All of the wires extend the length of the integrated pack and are connected together at their ends.

Abstract: Thermal fluxmeter with a plurality of thermocouples comprising a continuous thin layer of a first conductor or semiconductor material such as constantan, covered on at least one of its faces by a succession of areas comprised of very thin deposits of a second conductor or semiconductor material such as copper, having a thermoelectric power different from that of the first material; the characteristic of the invention is that at least one channel traverses from side to side through each deposit area and through the underlying thin layer, said channels being offset in the same direction with respect to the center of the traversed area; said channels may be provided with an inner coating of a deposit of the second material; appropriately, the thin layer is deposited on a substrate of insulating material.

Abstract: A thermoelectric alloy composition is described comprising from 5% to 95% silicon, from 95% to 5% Germanium, from 0.01% to 0.2% lead and from 0% to 0.2% tin, all percentages being atomic percentages. In a preferred composition at least 50% silicon and 50% Germanium is present with 0.03% to 0.1% lead and from 0 to 0.05% tin. Tin and lead in combination provide lower thermal conductivity and a greater figure of merit than with lead or tin alone. Other preferred compositions are provided and a thermoelectric material and a p-n coupling thermoelectric generator (10) incorporating the alloy is disclosed. The alloy composition provides high efficiency of power to heat loss and minimizes running costs.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator using semiconductor elements for responding to a temperature gradient to produce electrical energy with all of the semiconductor elements being of the same type is disclosed. A continuous process for forming substrates on which the semiconductor elements and superstrates are deposited and a process for forming the semiconductor elements on the substrates are also disclosed. The substrates with the semiconductor elements thereon are combined with superstrates to form modules for use thermoelectric generators.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator in which the effective figure of merit, the effective power coefficient and/or the power factor are optimized by providing thermoelements made from semi-conductor materials supported on pedestals made from materials having good electrical and thermal conductivity properties.

Abstract: An energy conversion element is disclosed which is capable of efficiently converting light and thermal energies into electrical energy. The element comprises a thermoelectric material and a photoelectric material which are different in type and joined together and is capable of efficiently converting solar energy incident on the junction between the both materials into electrical energy. The thermoelectric material is most suitably formed of a transition element-silicon compound.

Abstract: A thermoelectrical arrangement comprises a thermocouple element, each limb of which has a heat flow at one point such that a large temperature gradient is present and, as a result, the specific heat conduction at this point is reduced.

Abstract: A new and improved thermoelectric device of the type which provides electrical energy in response to a temperature gradient applied across the device exhibits both structural integrity and improved efficiency. The new thermoelectric device includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements, coupling means on opposite respective sides of the thermoelectric elements for interconnecting the elements electrically in accordance with a predetermined pattern, and encapsulant means including an encapsulant material covering the exposed surfaces of the thermoelectric elements. The encapsulant forms void spaces between the elements for providing effective thermal insulation between the elements and confining substantially all of the heat flow from the temperature gradient to through the elements. The coupling means includes electrically conductive plate segments for electrically interconnecting the thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: A new and improved thermoelectric device and a method of manufacturing same takes advantage of the anisotropy of the materials employed to provide a substantially increased power output over prior art devices. The individual thermoelectric elements are pressed using techniques such as those employed in powdered metallurgy and electrically coupled such that a current path is established through the elements in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of pressing.The method and device of the present invention also achieve a substantially thinner device than was previously possible with no concomitant sacrifice in individual thermoelectric element integrity or increased resistance of the electrical connections between the individual thermoelectric elements. The individual thermoelectric elements are dimensioned such that each has a first dimension substantially greater than either its second or third dimensions.

Abstract: A method of operating a thermoelectric generator includes: cyclically producing increasing then decreasing temperature differences in the thermoelectric material of the generator; and generating a cyclically increasing then decreasing electrical generator output signal, in response to such temperature differences, to transmit electrical power generated by the generator from the generator. Part of the thermoelectric material reaches temperatures substantially above the melting temperature of the material. The thermoelectric material of the generator forms a part of a closed electrical loop about a transformer core so that the inductor voltage for the loop serves as the output signal of the generator. A thermoelectric generator, which can be driven by the described method of operation, incorporates fins into a thermopile to conduct heat toward or away from the alternating spaces between adjacent layers of different types of thermoelectric material.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device includes first and second sets of spaced apart copper plate segments. Thermoelectric elements which generate electricity are disposed between the sets of copper plate segments. The elements are electrically and thermally fastened thereto by a solder paste screen printed on the inner surfaces of the sets of copper plate segments. A ceramic potting compound which absorbs thermal expansion of the device fills the voids between the thermoelectric elements and the copper plate segments and a thick film ceramic insulator coats the outer surfaces of the sets of copper plate segments.Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the device of the present invention.

Abstract: The disclosed thermoelectric converter element includes at least one member made of thermoelectric substance whose crystal structure is so controlled that its crystallographic axis is directed to a preferred orientation which is different from the direction of a thermoelectric current therethrough.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device is disclosed which comprises the formation of a multiplicity of thermocouples on a substrate in a narrow strip form, the thermocouples being formed by printing with first and second inks formed of suitable different powdered metals with a proper binder or flux. The thermocouples are formed in series and the opposed coupled areas are melted to form an intermingling of the two metals and the strips may be formed in substantial lengths and rolled onto a reel, or in relatively short strip form and disposed in a side-by-side abutting relationship in substantial numbers to define a generally rectangular panel form with opposed ends in electrical connection. The method of forming the panels includes the steps of feeding a suitable substrate, either in a continuous roll or sheet form, through first and second printers to form the series connected multiplicity of thermocouples thereon.

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: 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.

Abstract: A thermal element arrangement having a plurality of thermal elements connected in series, and in which an insulation layer has thereon a plurality of metal conductor paths situated on the semiconductor substrate. Each thermal element has one of the metal conductor paths forming a first leg and a semiconductor region forming a second leg. A thermal contact is included having a metal semiconductor contact with the respective semiconductor regions. The semiconductor substrate is less than 10 .mu.m thick in the region where the thermal contacts which are to be heated up is located. Elsewhere, the substrate has a thickness of more than 200 .mu.m which is in that region in which there are situated the contacts which are to be kept cold during the operation of the arrangement. One preferred arrangement has the thermal contacts to be heated during operation surrounded in a star-shaped manner by thermal contacts which are to be kept cold.

Abstract: An improved method of fabricating thermoelectric power generator modules, which are particularly useful in converting solar energy into electrical power and heat, is disclosed. This method involves the formation of an array of longitudinally elongated n- and p-type semiconductor elements tightly contained in a supporting matrix; slicing the supporting matrix containing the semiconductor elements to provide a plurality of matrix plates; and the application of a pattern of electrically conductive pads on opposite surfaces of the matrix plates to connect n- and p-type semiconductor elements, in series, thereby forming a thermoelectric power generator module. This method is simpler, less expensive and more adaptable to large scale production than methods heretofore proposed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new thermoelectric generator, the operation of which is due to a new effect that takes place in a closed chain uniformly heated at an optimum temperature, the chain consisting of a semi-conductor comprises between two different metals the difference of the work-function of which are related to the value of the optimum temperature quantitatively, through a certain formula given in the specification. For maximum electric power delivered, the concentration of the holes into the semiconductor must be of the order of 10.sup.18 n/cm.sup.3, and the concentration of electrons into the same of the order of 10.sup.8 n/cm.sup.3, at 20.degree. C. Such a chain has in the absence of any temperature gradient, an efficiency near unity.

Abstract: An electrical power generating array of a semiconductor, laminar structured thermopile for producing low values of electrical power at high values of direct output voltage and a method for its manufacture including the step of lapping opposed semiconductor layers bonded on opposite sides of a glass layer to achieve a predetermined thinness.

Abstract: Thermopile mounting comprising elongated thermoelectric elements with insulation therebetween arrayed into a thermopile block, electrical interconnections for said elements, a hot plate and a cold plate at each end of the thermopile and a plurality of tensioned wires extending from the hot plate to the cold plate in a manner to transfer the stress of the wires to the thermopile to place same under compression, said wires having a strength to thermal conductivity ratio of greater than 250,000.

Abstract: Thermoelectric long-lasting microgenerator which may be implanted in the human body, using a cylinder containing a radioactive isotope as a heat source and the human body as a cold source. The connection between the heat source and the thermoelectric element is effected by means of a supple substance which is a poor conductor of electricity. The rest of the heat source is surrounded by a volume affording a very high impedance to the propagation of heat.

Abstract: A thermoelectric assembly including a plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor bodies interconnected by junction bridge elements. The junction bridge elements are in the form of thin sheets or plates of conductive material disposed edgewise with respect to the bodies and connected thereto by means of lips or tabs which extend perpendicular to the plane of the junction bridge element. A frame for directly engaging and holding the junction bridge elements and heat dissipating and absorbing means cooperate with the edges of the bridge elements.