US3852118A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermoelectric composition
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1972-04-07
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1992-04-07
Abstract
Abstract Thermoelectric generators that include N-type thermoelectric legs cast from alloy compositions that consist essentially of silver, tellurium, and selenium, and, in some embodiments, minor amounts of copper or sulfur.
Inventors
- 👤 E Hampl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:44
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/80; H10N10/85; H10N10/851; H10N10/854; H10N10/852
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
IN A THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR, AN N-TYPE THERMOELECTRIC LEG, AT LEAST A SECTION OF WHICH CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF A CAST ALLOY COMPOSITION OF AT LEAST FOUR INGREDIENTS REACTED TOGETHER WHILE IN MELTED CASTABLE FORM AND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SILVER, COPPER, TELLURIUM, SELENIUM, AND SULFUR IN PROPORTIONS, SUCH THAT THE TOTAL OF SILVER AND COPPER IS IN EXCESS OF 66 2/3 ATOMIC PERCENT AND LESS THAN 67.7 ATOMIC PERCENT OF THE COMPOSITION, WITH COPPER BEING PRESENT IN AN AMOUNT BETWEEN 0.1 AND 5 ATOMIC PERCENT OF THE COMPOSITION; SULFUR IS PRESENT IN AN AMOUNT BETWEEN 0 AND 5 ATOMIC PERCENT OF THE COMPOSITION; AND THE BALANCE OF THE COMPOSITION IS
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
IN A THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR, AN N-TYPE THERMOELECTRIC LEG, AT LEAST A SECTION OF WHICH CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF A CAST ALLOY COMPOSITION OF AT LEAST FOUR INGREDIENTS REACTED TOGETHER WHILE IN MELTED CASTABLE FORM AND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SILVER, COPPER, TELLURIUM, SELENIUM, AND SULFUR IN PROPORTIONS, SUCH THAT THE TOTAL OF SILVER AND COPPER IS IN EXCESS OF 66 2/3 ATOMIC PERCENT AND LESS THAN 67.7 ATOMIC PERCENT OF THE COMPOSITION, WITH COPPER BEING PRESENT IN AN AMOUNT BETWEEN 0.1 AND 5 ATOMIC PERCENT OF THE COMPOSITION; SULFUR IS PRESENT IN AN AMOUNT BETWEEN 0 AND 5 ATOMIC PERCENT OF THE COMPOSITION; AND THE BALANCE OF THE COMPOSITION IS
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A thermoelectric generator of claim 1 in which copper is included in the alloy composition in an amount between about 0.6 and 2 atomic percent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a thermoelectric generator of claim 1, a P-type thermoelectric leg, at least a section of which consists essentially of either copper, silver, and tellurium or copper, silver, and selenium.
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) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |