Variable watt density thermoelectrics

A thermoelectric device, comprising:

• a top plate operable to be coupled to a central processing unit (CPU);
• wherein a surface of the top plate includes a first portion and a second portion;
• wherein the second section of the top plate is approximately centered on the top plate;
• wherein the first section of the top plate surrounds the second section of the top plate;
• a first plurality of thermoelectric elements coupled to the first portion of the top plate;
• a second plurality of thermoelectric elements coupled to the second portion of the top plate;
• wherein each of the second plurality of thermoelectric elements include a first block of thermoelectric material coupled to a second block of thermally conductive and electrically conductive material;
• wherein each of the first and second plurality of thermoelectric elements are approximately the same height as other ones of the first and second plurality of thermoelectric elements;
• a base plate coupled to the first and second plurality of thermoelectric elements;
• wherein each of the second plurality of thermoelectric elements are electrically coupled in series to other ones of the second plurality of thermoelectric elements;
• wherein the first plurality of thermoelectric elements are divided into at least first and second rows of thermoelectric elements;
• wherein each of the thermoelectric elements in the first row are electrically coupled in series to other ones of the thermoelectric elements in the first row;
• wherein each of the thermoelectric elements in the second row are electrically coupled in series to other ones of the thermoelectric elements in the second row;
• wherein the first row and the second row are electrically coupled in parallel;
• wherein the second plurality of thermoelectric elements receives a greater amount of electrical current than the first plurality of thermoelectric elements;
• wherein the first and second plurality of thermoelectric elements are operable to transfer thermal energy from the top plate to the base plate;
• and
• wherein the second plurality of thermoelectric elements transfer more thermal energy per unit area of the top plate than the first plurality of thermoelectric elements.

A method, comprising:

• coupling a first plurality of thermoelectric elements to a first portion of a top plate;
• coupling a second plurality of thermoelectric elements to a second portion of the top plate;
• coupling a base plate to the first and second plurality of thermoelectric elements;
• wherein the first and second plurality of thermoelectric elements are operable to transfer thermal energy from the top plate to the base plate when an electrical current is passed through the first and second plurality of thermoelectric elements;
• wherein the second plurality of thermoelectric elements receives a higher electrical current density than the first plurality of thermoelectric elements;
• and
• wherein the second plurality of thermoelectric elements transfer more thermal energy per unit area of the top plate than the first plurality of thermoelectric elements.