Thermoelectric devices including thermoelectric elements having off-set metal pads and related structures, methods, and systems
AssigneeNextreme Thermal Solutions, Inc.
InventorsPhilip A. Deane, Ramaswamy Mahadevan, Edward P. Siivola
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Abstract
A thermoelectric device may include a thermoelectric element including a layer of a thermoelectric material and having opposing first and second surfaces. A first metal pad may be provided on the first surface of the thermoelectric element, and a second metal pad may be provided on the second surface of the thermoelectric element. In addition, the first and second metal pads may be off-set in a direction parallel with respect to the first and second surfaces of the thermoelectric element. Related methods are also discussed.
Claims24
A thermoelectric device comprising:
- a thermoelectric element including a layer of a thermoelectric material and having opposing first and second surfaces;
- a first metal pad on the first surface of the thermoelectric element;
- and
- a second metal pad on the second surface of the thermoelectric element, wherein the first and second metal pads are off-set in a first direction parallel with respect to the first and second surfaces of the thermoelectric element, wherein at least a portion of the first metal pad is non-overlapping with respect to the second metal pad in a second direction that is orthogonal with respect to the first and second surfaces of the thermoelectric element, and wherein at least a portion of the second metal pad is non-overlapping with respect to the first metal pad in the second direction;
- wherein a first axis in the second direction extends through the first pad and the first surface of the thermoelectric element, and wherein a second axis in the second direction extends through the second pad and the second surface of the thermoelectric element.
A method of forming a thermoelectric device, the method comprising:
- providing a thermoelectric element including a layer of a thermoelectric material and having opposing first and second surfaces;
- forming a first metal pad on the first surface of the thermoelectric element;
- and
- forming a second metal pad on the second surface of the thermoelectric element, wherein the first and second metal pads are off-set in a first direction parallel with respect to the first and second surfaces of the thermoelectric element, wherein at least a portion of the first metal pad is non-overlapping with respect to the second metal pad in a second direction that is orthogonal with respect to the first and second surfaces of the thermoelectric element, and wherein at least a portion of the second metal pad is non-overlapping with respect to the first metal pad in the second direction;
- wherein a first axis in the second direction extends through the first pad and the first surface of the thermoelectric element, and wherein a second axis in the second direction extends through the second pad and the second surface of the thermoelectric element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.