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 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: 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 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: A thermoelectric element having two annular components of dissimilar thermoelectric materials and a working junction therebetween and providing radial current flow.

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: A thermocouple extension wire composition comprising, as expressed in percent by weight, nickel 0.5% - 1.5%; manganese 0.25% - 0.4%; balance copper.A pair of thermocouple extension wires, one wire having the above composition, the other wire being composed essentially of copper, exhibit a differential electromotive force substantially equal to the electromotive force developed by a thermocouple using noble metals principally of platinum between 32.degree. F to 400.degree. F.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device having constant voltage characteristics over an extended temperature range.

Abstract: A length of metallic wire is positioned inside a length of metallic tube in approximate axial alignment with the tube. A short sleeve is placed around the end of the wire. The sleeve is a different metal from the tube. The difference between the thermoelectric coefficients of the sleeve metal and the wire metal is larger than the difference between the thermoelectric coefficients of the tube metal and the wire metal. The tube metal is more resistant of oxidation than the sleeve metal.

Abstract: A temperature-measuring device has an elongated tubular housing in one of ose closed ends is received a noise-temperature resistor having at least one side connected via a wire constituting a thermocouple element to a lead connected to temperature-measuring apparatus. The other side of the noise-temperature resistor is connected to the tubular housing which therefore constitutes the other element within the housing and connected via leads to apparatus without the housing. The thermocouple element or elements may extend from the noise-temperature resistor outside the housing, or may be wholly contained within the housing and connected via a pair of leads to apparatus outside the housing.