Thermogenerator and process for producing a thermogenerator

Method for producing a thermogenerator comprising a plurality of thermocouples formed of p-type thermoelements and n-type thermoelements, the p-type and n-type thermoelements respectively comprising p-type thermoelectric material and n-type thermoelectric material, wherein the following steps are performed:

• a) a thermally and electrically insulating wafer is provided, the wafer having a first face and a second face, the second face being opposite the first face, the first face being provided with a plurality of first blind holes extending in the direction of the second face, the second face being provided with a plurality of second blind holes extending in the direction of the first face,
• b) powder of p-type thermoelectric material and powder of n-type thermoelectric material are provided,
• c) a first layer is formed from one of the powders of p-type and n-type thermoelectric material, the first layer is placed against the first face of the wafer,
• d) a second layer is formed from the other of the powders of p-type and n-type thermoelectric material, the second layer is placed against the second face of the wafer,
• e) a pressure is applied on the first and second layers so that the powder from the first layer penetrates into the first holes and the powder from the second layer penetrates into the second holes,
• f) heat is applied for a duration D at a temperature T, so that each of the powders of p-type and n-type thermoelectric material sinters, thus forming in the first and the second holes a plurality of p-type and n-type thermoelements contained in the wafer,
• g) the thickness of the wafer on the side of its second face is reduced until the thermoelements formed in the first holes reach the second face,
• h) the thickness of the wafer on the side of its first face is reduced until the thermoelements formed in the second holes reach the first face, the wafer, thus thinned, forms a matrix in which the thermoelements are contained, and
• i) while preserving the matrix, the p-type and n-type thermoelements are connected to form thermocouples, whereby a thermogenerator is obtained, said matrix allowing spacing and holding the p-type and n-type thermocouples.