US3873370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermoelectric generators having partitioned self-segmenting thermoelectric legs
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1972-09-25
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1992-09-25
Abstract
Abstract Thermoelectric generators comprising thermoelectric legs that are partitioned into at least two longitudinally spaced sections that each consist essentially of thermoelectrically useful selfsegmenting alloy compositions having the same ingredients. A barrier member is disposed between the two sections in electrical and thermal contact with the sections and prevents movement between sections of a metal element that does migrate within the sections.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Edward F Hampl
- 👤 William C Mitchell
- 👤 Robert S Reylek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:47
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/80; H10N10/81; H10N10/817; H10N10/85; H10N10/851; H10N10/852
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
19 words
IN A THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR, A THERMOELECTRIC LEG THAT A. COMPRISES AT LEAST TWO LONGITUDINALLY SEPARATED FULLTRANSVERSE-AREA SECTIONS THAT EACH
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
IN A THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR, A THERMOELECTRIC LEG THAT A. COMPRISES AT LEAST TWO LONGITUDINALLY SEPARATED FULLTRANSVERSE-AREA SECTIONS THAT EACH
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
CONSIST ESSENTIALLY OF THE SAME AMOUNTS OF THE SAME METAL AND NONMETAL ELEMENTS UNITED IN A DISTINCT CRYSTAL LATTICE STRUCTURE THAT IS NONSTOICHIOMETRIC BECAUSE OF AN EXCESS OR DEFICIENCY OF ATOMS OF AT LEAST THE MAJOR METAL ELEMENT OF THE CRYSTAL LATTICE STRUCTURE, SAID EXCESS OR DEFICIENCY OF ATOMS PROVIDING THE CURRENT CARRIERS NEEDED FOR A THERMOELECTRIC COMPOSITION,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
CONSIST ESSENTIALLY OF THE SAME AMOUNTS OF THE SAME METAL AND NONMETAL ELEMENTS UNITED IN A DISTINCT CRYSTAL LATTICE STRUCTURE THAT IS NONSTOICHIOMETRIC BECAUSE OF AN EXCESS OR DEFICIENCY OF ATOMS OF AT LEAST THE MAJOR METAL ELEMENT OF THE CRYSTAL LATTICE STRUCTURE, SAID EXCESS OR DEFICIENCY OF ATOMS PROVIDING THE CURRENT CARRIERS NEEDED FOR A THERMOELECTRIC COMPOSITION,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A thermoelectric generator of claim 1 in which the two sections consist essentially of copper, silver, and one member of the group selenium and tellurium, in proportions defined by one of the two following tables:
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
HAVE THE PROPERTY THAT ATOMS OF SAID MAJOR METAL ELEMENT MIGRATE FROM A FIRST END OF THE SECTION TOWARD THE SECOND END UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF COMBINED THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL GRADIENTS APPLIED TO THE LEG TO FORM A GRADATION OF INHERENTLY STABLE CURRENT CARRIER CONCENTRATIONS THAT IS BENEFICIAL FOR THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION, AND
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
HAVE THE PROPERTY THAT ATOMS OF SAID MAJOR METAL ELEMENT MIGRATE FROM A FIRST END OF THE SECTION TOWARD THE SECOND END UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF COMBINED THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL GRADIENTS APPLIED TO THE LEG TO FORM A GRADATION OF INHERENTLY STABLE CURRENT CARRIER CONCENTRATIONS THAT IS BENEFICIAL FOR THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION, AND
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
have the property that said copper atoms migrate from a first end of the section toward the second end under the influence of combined thermal and electrical gradients applied to the leg to form a gradation of inherently stable current carrier concentrations that is beneficial for thermoelectric conversion, and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
have the property that said copper atoms migrate from a first end of the section toward the second end under the influence of combined thermal and electrical gradients applied to the leg to form a gradation of inherently stable current carrier concentrations that is beneficial for thermoelectric conversion, and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thermoelectric generator of claim 2 in which said barrier layer comprises a layer that includes tungsten or a tungsten-rhenium alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
have substantially a single crystal phase; and a barrier member that is disposed between the two sections, extends over at least the whole transverse area of the leg, is in compatible low-resistance electrical and thermal contact with each of the two sections, has good electrical conductivity, comprises a layer that includes tungsten, and prevents migration of said copper atoms from one section to the other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
have substantially a single crystal phase; and a barrier member that is disposed between the two sections, extends over at least the whole transverse area of the leg, is in compatible low-resistance electrical and thermal contact with each of the two sections, has good electrical conductivity, comprises a layer that includes tungsten, and prevents migration of said copper atoms from one section to the other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY A SINGLE CRYSTAL PHASE, AND B. A BARRIER MEMBER THAT IS DISPOSED BETWEEN THE TWO SECTIONS, EXTENDS OVER AT LEAST THE WHOLE TRANSVERSE AREA OF THE LEG, IS IN COMPATIBLE, LOW-RESISTANCE, ELECTRICAL AND THERMAL CONTACT WITH EACH OF THE TWO SECTIONS, HAS GOOD ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY, AND PREVENTS MIGRATION OF SAID MIGRATING METAL ELEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO SECTIONS.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY A SINGLE CRYSTAL PHASE, AND B. A BARRIER MEMBER THAT IS DISPOSED BETWEEN THE TWO SECTIONS, EXTENDS OVER AT LEAST THE WHOLE TRANSVERSE AREA OF THE LEG, IS IN COMPATIBLE, LOW-RESISTANCE, ELECTRICAL AND THERMAL CONTACT WITH EACH OF THE TWO SECTIONS, HAS GOOD ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY, AND PREVENTS MIGRATION OF SAID MIGRATING METAL ELEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO SECTIONS.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
have substantially a single crystal phase; and B. a barrier member that is disposed between the two sections, extends over at least the whole transverse area of the leg, is in compatible, low-resistance, electrical and thermal contact with each of the two sections, has good electrical conductivity, and prevents migration of said migrating metal element between the two sections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
have substantially a single crystal phase; and B. a barrier member that is disposed between the two sections, extends over at least the whole transverse area of the leg, is in compatible, low-resistance, electrical and thermal contact with each of the two sections, has good electrical conductivity, and prevents migration of said migrating metal element between the two sections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A thermoelectric generator of claim 1 in which the leg is formed by casting the two sections in place against the barrier member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a thermoelectric generator, a thermoelectric leg that A. comprises at least two longitudinally separated full-transverse-area sections that each
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a thermoelectric generator, a thermoelectric leg that A. comprises at least two longitudinally separated full-transverse-area sections that each
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A thermoelectric generator of claim 5 in which the barrier member consists essentially of a foil comprising tungsten or a tungsten-rhenium alloy, and the sections are cast in place against the barrier member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A thermoelectric generator of claim 5 in which the barrier member also comprises a layer that includes platinum disposed on the hot-end side of the layer that includes tungsten.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2397756A
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US3095330A
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US3351498A
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US3452423A
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US3564860A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |