Abstract: A probe (10) is formed to provide a topographical and thermal image of a semiconductor device. The probe (10) is made from a first ribbon of material (11) and a second ribbon of material (12) which forms a thermocouple junction (13). A probe tip (15) is then attached to the thermocouple junction (13) with an epoxy (14). In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a probe (20) has a point region (17) which is formed by bending a portion of the thermocouple junction (13) and coating the point region (17) is coated with a thermally conductive material. An optical signal is then reflected off a planar portion of the first ribbon of material (11), the second ribbon of material (12), or the thermocouple junction (13) so the motion of the probe (10,20) can be monitored by an optical detector.

Abstract: Thermoelectric material contains one or more than one element selected from the transition metals and the rare earth metals, and the element promotes the amorphous phase in the thermoelectric material so as to increase the figure of merit.

Abstract: A thermoelectric semiconductor material is used for thermoelectric conversion in a thermoelectric conversion device. The material comprises a double oxide having one of a normal spinel crystal structure and an inverse spinel crystal structure, the double oxide comprising a composition that is represented by MIn.sub.2 O.sub.4, wherein M represents a metal element that can be changed into a divalent ion.

Abstract: There are sintered Bi.sub.2 Te.sub.3 -based thermoelectric materials containing Ag.sub.2 S, which prevent p- to n-type transition of Bi.sub.2 Te.sub.3 -based thermoelectric materials during polycrystalline sintering and have improved thermoelectric properties.

Abstract: A coaxial thermoelement having a thermocouple wire coaxially disposed in a tubular metal sheath. A ceramic powder electrically is disposed in the tubular metal sheath to insulate the thermocouple wire from the tubular metal sheath. A thermocouple is formed by fusing the thermocouple wire to its metal sheath in each of two coaxial thermoelements and joining the fused ends of the two coaxial thermoelement to form a thermocouple junction.

Abstract: Ultrathin film thermocouple devices, which are extremely small in size and thickness and flexible, allow measurement of temperatures during processing of flexible elements which flex during processing. The invention includes temperature measuring devices where the thermocouple is deposited on the flexible element being processed. Such thermocouple devices are useful in a variety of applications where conventional temperature measuring devices can not be used. Such thermocouples devices are made from a variety of thermocouple metals including copper-constantan and copper-nickel and may be fabricated on flexible substrates by evaporation. Detailed fabrication procedures are also described. These devices are surprisingly robust, able to withstand extensive flexing without alteration or deterioration in thermocouple properties, and exhibit thermal EMF's which are reproducible from sample to sample and readily measurable.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material is provided which consists of an oxide with a perovskite structure, wherein the oxide is of the formula (Ln.sub.1-x A.sub.x).sub.2 MO.sub.4 with 0.01.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.05, where Ln is a rare earth element, A is an alkali earth metal element, and M is a transition metal element. The thermoelectric material is particularly useful for Peltier cooling elements to produce low temperatures below room temperature.

Abstract: A thermocouple having an electropositive leg formed of a noble metal-Al alloy and an electronegative leg electrically joined at respective ends thereof to form a thermocouple junction. The thermocouple provides for accurate and reproducible measurement of high temperatures (600.degree.-1300.degree. C.) in inert, oxidizing, or reducing environments, gases or vacuum. Furthermore, the thermocouple circumvents the need for expensive, strategic precious metals such as rhodium as a constituent component. Selective oxidation of rhodium is also thereby precluded.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material can be obtained by co-pulverizing and mixing a material containing at least bismuth and a material containing at least tellurium, without being alloyed by melting, and then molding and sintering. This thermoelectric material has high performance and can be utilized in a variety of fields such as thermoelectric power generation and thermoelectric cooling, a temperature sensor, space development, marine development, and electric power generation in the remote areas. Since metal elements are used as a starting material, the starting material can be easily prepared. Moreover, in the production steps, the thermoelectric material can be produced in a high yield at a low energy consumption level by a simplified manner, without a complicated operation or special apparatus, and its production cost can be decreased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring temperature, using a thermocouple such as a ceramic thermocouple which has no compensating lead wire or has only such a compensating lead wire that is difficult to manufacture. More specifically, the invention is intended to provide a method and an apparatus for accurately measuring temperature even if a temperature difference exists between both cold junctions of the main thermocouple. An auxiliary thermocouple is connected to one leg of the main thermocouple to provide cold junction compensation. Extension lead are connected to both cold junctions to take thermo emf from the thermocouple. The leads are made from a material having a thermo-electromotive characteristic agreeing with the thermo-electromotive characteristic of the other leg at low temperatures at which the cold junction compensation is provided. The invention also provides a converter used to convert the thermo emf of the above-described composite thermocouple into temperature.

Abstract: A temperature difference detecting element utilizing thermoelectromotive force which is generated by a Seebeck effect when temperature gradients are applied to a semiconductive ceramic material. A substrate has a plurality of thermoelements. Each thermoelement comprises a semiconductive ceramic material and a pair of hot-side and cold-side electrodes which are provided on the semiconductive ceramic material with a prescribed spacing, to form a hot junction and a cold junction respectively. A plurality of such hot-side electrodes are arranged on a first region of the substrate to be adjacent to each other, while a plurality of such cold-side electrodes are arranged on a second region of the substrate to be adjacent to each other. The plurality of thermoelements are sequentially connected in series with each other by electrically connecting, for example, the hot-side electrodes of the thermoelements with the cold-side electrodes of those adjacent thereto.

Abstract: Silver, thallium, copper and tellurium-based thermoelectric semiconductor materials, characterized in that they are represented by the general formula (I)Ag.sub.x Cu.sub.y T1Te.sub.1+z (I)wherein, x, y and z verify the ratios:0.55<x<0.75; 0.25<y<0.40 and 0<z<0.10.

Abstract: A thermoelectric cooler device having thermoelectric elements of n and p type semiconductor material arranged in rows and columns between insulating substrates of alumina or beryllia, or ceramic materials having a known emissivity is coated with material(s) having an emissivity substantially lower than that of the thermoelectric cooler. The coating includes a layer of insulating material on at least a portion of the surfaces of the thermoelectric cooler, a layer of diffusion barrier forming material on the insulating layer, and a layer of low emissivity material on the diffusion barrier layer. For example, the insulating layer is silicon dioxide having a thickness of about 10,000 Angstroms, the diffusion barrier layer is titanium tungsten having a thickness of about 400-500 Angstroms, and the low emissivity layer is gold having a thickness of about 1,000 Angstroms.

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: 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 flame detecting thermocouple for use with a gas valve to insure that the pilot flame exists before the gas valve can turn on the main burner. The thermocouple has a first rod shaped element which is composed of a high potential side thermoelectric material such as Chromel, Inconel, iron-chromium alloy and a second rod shaped element composed of a low potential side thermoelectric material formed of a 0.7 to 2% yttrium, 45-70% copper and the remainder of the alloy is nickel, and the elements are welded together at their ends to provide a junction which can be heated by a flame to produce a thermoelectric output at the other ends of the element.

Abstract: A thick film thermocouple matching the performance of solid wire thermocouples and capable of operating at high temperatures with minimal drift is produced by (1) forming two powdered metal pastes of differing compositions, each including a frit which is substantially neutral with respect to the metal components of the respective paste and has essentially no effect upon the thermoelectric EMF, (2) applying the pastes to a surface to form a pair of thick film elements overlapping at one point which form a thermocouple upon firing, (3) firing the applied pastes, and (4) attaching leads to the fired elements and assembling the finished thermocouple. Optionally, the thermocouple elements or legs may be overglazed to protect them against damage to the metal films and to improve stability during continuous use at high temperatures.

Abstract: The contact members used with thermoelectric legs formed from self-segmenting thermoelectric compositions (compositions in which a constituent migrates under the influence of combined thermal and electrical gradients to create a gradation of doping levels that is beneficial for thermoelectric conversion) should be specially chosen to compensate for and best take advantage of the self-segmenting feature. In general, at least an exterior thickness of the contact member against the end of the leg toward which the migrating constituent moves should include the constituent at substantially its free-state chemical potential.

Abstract: Thermocouples are fabricated by painting lines of two dissimilar thermal-ment materials on a non-conducting substrate such that the painted lines intersect at the location where temperature is to be measured. Alternatively the paint may be thinned to the consistancy of ink and used in a printing process. Thermocouples may be thus formed on paper, cloth or plastic surfaces, for example.

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: Improved alloys suitable for thermoelectric applications and having the general formula:(AgSbTe.sub.2).sub.1.sub.-x + (GeTe).sub.xwherein x has a value of about 0.80 and 0.85, have been found to possess unexpectedly high thermoelectric properties such as efficiency index, as well as other improved physical properties.