Thermoelectric hetrostructure assemblies element
AssigneeBsst LLC
InventorLon E. Bell
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Abstract
Improved thermoelectric assemblies are disclosed, wherein layers of hetrostructure thermoelectric materials or thin layers of thermoelectric material form thermoelectric elements. The layers are bound together with agents that improve structural strengths, allow electrical current to pass in a preferred direction, and minimize or reduce adverse affects, such a shear stresses, that might occur to the thermoelectric properties and materials of the assembly by their inclusion.
Claims44
A thermoelectric element comprising:
- at least two hetrostructure thermoelectric portions of the same conductivity type;
- and
- an electrically conductive material coupled to the thermoelectric portions.
A thermoelectric element comprising:
- at least two layers of substantially the same thermoelectric material and of the same conductivity type;
- and
- at least one electrically conductive material coupled to the thermoelectric material.
A method of producing a thermoelectric device comprising the steps of:
- layering at least two hetrostructure thermoelectric segments and
- connecting at least one electrode to the segments.
A method of producing a thermoelectric device comprising the steps of:
- forming at least two layers of substantially the same thermoelectric material;
- and
- connecting at least one electrode to at least one of the layers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.