US3617376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Antisublimation coating and method for thermoelectric materials
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1967-03-16
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Granted: 1971-11-02
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Expires: 1987-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A protective ceramic composition and method for protecting thermoelectric elements, particularly those which are telluriumcontaining, from sublimation. A thin coating of a metal oxide having the formula M2XO3 is applied to the thermoelectric material, wherein M is an alkali metal and X is a Group IVB metal (Ti, Zr, Hf). Further electrical connection of copper straps may be made to the thermoelectric element contact caps by brazing in a reducing atmosphere thereby reducing at least a portion of the M2XO3 to M2XO2.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman C Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:39
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/10; H10N10/17; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/26; Y10T428/263; Y10T428/264
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
11 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric material is tellurium-containing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
29 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the coating is of lithium titanate, and the thermoelectric material is selected from the class consisting of of lead telluride and lead-tin telluride.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermoelectric article comprising a lead telluride thermoelectric material coated with a protective layer of about 0.001-0.0015 in. lithium titanate.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of protecting a thermoelectric material from sublimation, which comprises applying onto the surface of said thermoelectric material a powder of the metal oxide M2XO3, wherein M is an alkali metal and X is a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium and hafnium to form a coating on said surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said M2XO3 powder is sprayed onto said thermoeletric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said spraying is plasma-arc spraying.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
37 words
A method of protecting a tellurium-containing thermoelectric material from sublimation under severe environmental conditions which comprises plasma-arc spraying lithium titanate powder onto said thermoelectric material to form a coating thereon having a thickness of about 0.001-0.0015 in.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said lithium titanate powder is of a mesh size of about -140 to +325, and said tellurium-containing thermoelectric material is selected from the class consisting of lead telluride and lead-tin telluride.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of protecting a tellurium-containing thermoelectric material from sublimation under severe environmental conditions which comprises plasma-arc spraying lithium titanate powder onto said thermoelectric material to form a coating thereon having a thickness of about 0.001- 0.0015 in. an then making electrical connection to said material wherein said material is heated in a reducing atmosphere thereby reducing at least a portion of said titanate to titanite.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |