Thermoelectric heterostructure assemblies element
AssigneeBsst LLC
InventorLon E. Bell
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Abstract
Improved thermoelectric assemblies are disclosed, wherein layers of heterostructure 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.
Claims12
A thermoelectric element comprising:
- at least two heterostructure thermoelectric portions of the same conductivity type;
- an electrically conductive material coupled to the thermoelectric portions;
- and
- a bonding material between the at least two heterostructure thermoelectric portions.
A thermoelectric element comprising:
- at least two heterostructure thermoelectric portions of the same conductivity type;
- and
- an electrically conductive material coupled to the thermoelectric portions, wherein the heterostructure thermoelectric portions are of substantially the same thermoelectric material.
A thermoelectric element comprising:
- at least two layers of substantially the same thermoelectric material and of the same conductivity type;
- at least one electrically conductive material coupled to the thermoelectric material;
- and
- a bonding material between the at least two layers.
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, wherein the step of forming comprises bonding said at least two layers with a bonding material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.