Abstract: Disclosed is a passive, fast-response thermocouple probe for accurately measuring temperatures of fixed or moving areas of surfaces, particularly of lightweight, low-thermal-conductivity materials, with only a minimal modification of their temperatures being caused by the probe's contact therewith. In making the probe, an approximation of the areal heat capacity of the object, the surface temperature of which is to be obtained, is determined. This information is then utilized to determine the required thickness, density, specific heat, and thermal conductivity of the layer of insulating material which is mounted on the mounting block of the probe. A thin, low-areal-heat capacity thermocouple is positioned on the upper surface of the insulating layer, and a thin, low-areal-heat capacity cover film is mounted over the foregoing elements and extends partially down the sides of the mounting block.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device sensitive to a temperature gradient or to a heat flow comprising at least one elementary cell formed by a thin layer made from a first electric conductor or semiconductor, such as constantan, coated with a very thin electrolytic layer of a second electric conductor or semiconductor, such as copper.It has been discovered that induced electric currents flow through the surface separating the conductors, the electric voltages observed in each of the conducting or semiconducting layers being proportional to the instantaneous spatial mean of the surface thermal gradient.The invention also relates to the application of such cells for measuring temperature gradients and heat flows and for converting heat energy into electric energy.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator panel and heater device is disclosed. A heater element is disposed along the normally cool side of a solar panel, comprised of a substantial plurality of substrate strips carrying a plurality of thermocouples, printed in series, and in metallic inks, along one side of the respective strips. Terminal tabs are provided on opposed ends of each strip of thermocouples which are electrically interconnected, in parallel, and a voltage regulator, connected between the panel strips and a heater device, monitors the voltage to maintain a predetermined voltage, 12 volts for example.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator panel and heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger, in a preferred form, is comprised of a water compartment or chamber, fixed relative to the normally cool side of a solar panel, comprised of a substantial plurality of substrate strips, each strip carrying a plurality of thermocouples, printed in series, and in metallic inks, along one side of the respective strips. Terminal tabs are provided on opposed ends of each strip of thermocouples which are electrically interconnected, in parallel, and a voltage regulator, connected between the panel strips and a pump, serves to energize the pump when the voltage reaches a predetermined voltage level, to circulate water from any suitable source, such as ground water, through the water chamber to enhance the cooling of the normally cool side of the thermocouple panel.

Abstract: An improved thermopile is provided. A plurality of thermocouples constituting the thermopile are composed of segments of one metal and segments of the other metal, and the segments of different metals are connected to one another alternately so that the thermocouples are arranged in series on a heat-resistant, electrically non-conductive substrate. Each segment has a portion plated on one surface of the substrate, a portion plated on the other surface of the substrate and a portion plated on the inner wall of through holes formed in the substrate to connect the two portions plated on the two surfaces of the substrate with each other. The thermopile is prepared advantageously by utilizing plating and photo-etching techniques.

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 thermal converter is constructed with thermoelectric element composed of a honeycomb structural body having a large number of parallel channels extending therethrough and separated by thin walls, a part of the channels forming a region for flowing a high temperature fluid and the other part of the channels forming a region for flowing a low temperature fluid. A honeycomb structural body to constitute P type thermoelectric element and a honeycomb structural body to constitute N type thermoelectric element are preferably alternately arranged in a plurality of numbers.

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: A thermocouple and thermopile formed of conductor elements. The conductors are joined at thermocouple junctions, with the junction areas being relatively large compared with the normal cross-sectional area of the conductor elements. By providing large cross-sectional areas of the thermocouple junctions, reduction in resistance and heat concentration is achieved, so that the resulting thermocouple and thermopile may easily be used for solar energy collection to produce an electrical current and voltage related to the available solar energy.

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 apparatus for measuring an exothermic reaction in a thin film of a photopolymerizable, ethylenically-unsaturated mass, which apparatus comprises a thin foil differential thermocouple means, a pore means adjacent to and mounted above the thermocouple means, a perforated plate means positioned above the pore means and an ultraviolet light source means positioned above the plate means is disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal fluxmeter is disclosed, comprising a sensor or pick-up incorporating at least one interconnected series of thermocouples, the sensor comprising a board or plate-like element having metallic plating applied to both sides of the element and to the interior surface of the orifices, the plating being divided into local areas and being formed of different metals in different areas thereof to provide thermocouples having low temperature and high temperature junctures at opposite side faces of the sensing element, which junctures are interconnected by plating within the orifices.

Abstract: Combustible element analyzer for determining the combustible element concentration of a sample gas. The sample is routed through an inlet conduit, mixed with a source of air, heated to an elevated temperature and analyzed by the combustible element analyzer. The analyzer includes a number of series connected thermocouples forming a thermopile. Exothermic reactions induced in the sample by catalyst elements create temperature variations along the thermopile. These variations cause a voltage difference along the thermopile whose value can be correlated to the combustible element concentration within the sample. Means are included for maintaining uniform sample flow past the analyzer and for maintaining analyzer calibration should the flow rate vary.

Abstract: A thermopile type radiation detector for use in radiation pyrometry having small size and high performance in which the thermopiles are formed by evaporating the thermocouple leads onto a thin substrate together with a pattern distribution of thermocouple junctions that produces an output that is more representative of the distributed radiant energy impinging on the hot junctions of the thermopile. The thermopile performance is improved also by the incorporation of relatively large reflecting areas associated with the region of the thermopile where the cold junctions are located.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a film thermopile, whereby a film of a thermoelectric semiconductor material which is an n-type stoichiometric solid solution containing Bi.sub.2 Te.sub.3 and Sb.sub.2 Te.sub.3 is deposited on a substrate. Then heating is effected so that adjacent arms of the film are at different temperatures, some at a temperature of not above 300.degree. C, and others at a temperature of not less than 350.degree. C.

Abstract: The proposed profiled multielectrode thermocouple comprises a flexible protective shell wherein there are arranged a thermoelectrode of one polarity, constructed as a bundle of thermoelectrodes of one polarity and of different lengths, and at least two thermoelectrodes of the opposite polarity with working junctions spaced at a preset distance along the thermocouple. The thermocouple of the present invention is basically intended for simultaneously measuring temperature at several points of an industrial installation.

Abstract: A differential thermocouple combustible gas detector is provided by coating one thermocouple junction of a differential thermocouple pair with a catalyst and the other thermocouple junction with a non-catalyst. Heated combustible gases react with the catalyst to liberate heat to the catalyst coated thermocouple junction in proportion to the concentration of combustible gases and proportionally raise the temperature of that junction above the non-catalyst coated junction. The output signal from the differential thermocouple device is thus a signal indicative of the concentration of combustible gases.

Abstract: A tubular thermoelectric module used primarily as a part of thermoelectric generators, comprising an inner thermal conductor with circular thermopiles embracing the inner thermal conductor, and with strips serving to interconnect the thermopiles; an outer thermal conductor in the form of several sealed taper clamps, each embracing a circular thermopile; and electric insulation units which insulate one thermopile from another and from the inner and outer thermal conductors.

Abstract: A calorimetric transducer comprising spaced parallel metallic plates sandwiching an open region of high thermal resistivity. A plurality of wires of high thermal conductivity bridge the open space to reduce the thermal resistivity thereof to a predetermined level and further function to structurally support the plates as well as to form a plurality of differential thermocouples therewith. Means are provided to serially connect the differential thermocouple to provide an amplified response and a flux meter is provided to pesent a visual indication of the flux rate measured by the calorimetric transducer.

Abstract: A film thermoelement wherein each branch thereof comprises a film of a semiconductor material contacting on one of its sides a hot thermal bus and on the other of its sides a cold thermal bus. The contact between the thermal buses and the film is maintained through separate strips of a heat-conducting material displaced with respect to each other on the opposite sides of the film. The gaps between the contact strips may be filled with an inert gas.

Abstract: Athermopile for a microwatt thermoelectric generator suitable for implanting in the body. The thermopile comprises a series of semiconductive thermoelectric elements such as P- and N-type bismuth telluride deposited as a thin film on a substrate such as a polyimide by sputtering. After the thin film is deposited, the thermopile is heat treated to anneal the bismuth telluride. The thermopile is then ready for insertion in a microwatt thermoelectric generator.

Abstract: A fast thermoelectric detector comprising a plurality of thermocouple junctions deposited on an inert supporting surface, said thermocouples being connected in series, the arrangement being such that an equal number of hot junctions and of cold junctions are distributed in a substantially uniform manner per unit area of the entire active area of the detector covered with thermocouple junctions. The thermocouples are advantageously arranged in a meandering path in a plurality of rows.

Abstract: An extremely high output and durable thermoelectric sensor for detecting the quantitative content of combustibles in an exhaust gas. Thick film coatings of lithia-nickel and doped titanium dioxide provide two thermocouple junctions on a ceramic substrate. An exhaust gas oxidation catalyst adjacent one of the junctions provides a junction temperature differential when the ceramic body is exposed to exhaust gas flow. The output difference between the two junctions is proportional to the concentration of residual combustibles in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A thermo-electric assembly comprises a plurality of metal layers, of alternately different metals, with dielectric layers between them, the layers being produced by deposition from the vapor-phase in a vacuum. Each dielectric layer separates adjacent metal layers only over part of the facing metal layer surfaces, so that the metal layers contact over the remaining part of their facing surfaces to form a thermo-couple junction. The even-numbered junctions through the stack are physically displaced from the odd-numbered junctions to enable a temperature difference to be applied between the two sets of junctions.

Abstract: Threads are interlaced with thermoelectric wires to provide a woven cloth in tape form, there being an intermediate layer of heat radiation reflecting material (e.g., aluminum foil) insulated electrically from said wires, which are of opposite thermoelectric polarity and connected as a plurality of thermocouples.

Abstract: In a thermoelectric generator, a component comprises a ceramic insulator, having over limited areas thereof, each area corresponding to a terminal end of thermoelectric wires, a coating of a first metal which adheres to the insulator, and an electrical thermoelectric junction including a second metal which wets said first metal and adheres to said terminal ends but does not wet said insulator, and a cloth composed of electrically insulating threads interlaced with thermoelectric wires.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of a thermoelement comprising a substrate having films of a semiconductor material of n- and p-types applied onto both sides thereof, which films make up the thermoelement branches. Each branch consists of two semiconductor films of one type of conductivity applied one opposite the other onto opposite sides of the substrate. Between the branches the substrate has a row of through holes and commutation buses which interconnect the branches, said buses being arranged on both sides of said row and electrically connected to each other through said holes. Disclosure is further made of a thermopile band upon the proposed thermoelement, which thermopile has a flexible substrate and is accordian-pleated along the rows of holes.

Abstract: An improved thermal generator is described which includes a plurality of film thermocouples which are vapor-deposited on an insulating carrier material. The improvement resides in the fact that at least two rows of the thermocouples, arranged on the carrier with consecutive thermocouples alternating in polarity and serially connected to each other, are bridged together by a connecting layer which is vapor-deposited between two thermocouples in each row.

Abstract: Very compact thermoelectric microgenerator providing a high output voltage (10 V) and having high efficiency, comprising a great number of thermocouples arranged in rows connected together so as to form a continuous conductor of deposited thin layers on a thin insulating support. The cold and hot sources are fitting provided with low walls parallel to one another and orthogonal to the rows of thermocouples. The even junctions of the thermocouples are placed in the vicinity of the low walls of the cold source and the odd junctions are placed in the vicinity of the low walls of the hot source. Application is to implanted medical appliances.

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: A heat-to-electricity converter is disclosed which includes a radioactive heat source and a thermoelectric element of relatively short overall length capable of delivering a low voltage of the order of a few tenths of a volt. Such a thermoelectric element operates at a higher efficiency than longer higher-voltage elements; for example, elements producing 6 volts. In the generation of required power, thermoelectric element drives a solid-state converter which is controlled by input current rather than input voltage and operates efficiently for a high signal-plus-noise to signal ratio of current. The solid-state converter has the voltage gain necessary to deliver the required voltage at the low input of the thermoelectric element.

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.