US3880674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermoelectric elements and devices and process therefor
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1972-04-05
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1992-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A thermoelectric element consisting of an end-grooved thermoelectric body having conductive granules firmly embedded in at least one end thereof is formed by placing conductive granules on a non-reactive grooved surface, placing either a preformed thermoelectric body or preferably a moldable thermoelectric powder on top of these granules, and applying heat and pressure thereto. Preferably the grooves are V-shaped and in a concentric circular pattern. A unitary thermoelectric device is formed by bonding the thermoelectric element to a conductive body, a barrier layer being present between facing surfaces of the thermoelectric and conductive bodies. Upon applying pressure to the assembly, the conductive granules pierce the barrier layer and form interlocking low resistance conductive paths between the bodies. Series-connected thermoelectric modules are formed by bonding in a single operation alternate N- and P-type thermoelectric elements grooved at both ends and containing conductive granules firmly embedded in the grooves to a conductive body at one end and to separate conductive bodies at the other end of the elements. A barrier layer which is present between the facing surfaces of the thermoelectric and conductive bodies is pierced by the conductive granules which form interlocking low resistance conductive paths between the bodies.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C Saunders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/58; H01R4/62; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/80; H10N10/81; H10N10/817; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S257/00; Y10S257/93
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE COMPRISING A THERMOELECTRIC BODY BONDED TO A CONDUCTIVE BODY WITH A BARRIER LAYER THEREBETWEEN, THE MATERIAL BONDING SAID BODIES CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF CONDUCTIVE GRANULES PENETRATING SAID BARRIER LAYER THEREBY FORMING LOW RESISTANCE CONDUCTIVE PATHS BETWEEN SAID BODIES THROUGH SAID BARRIER LAYER, SAID GRANULES BEING FIRMLY EMBEDDED AT ONE END THEREOF IN SUBSTANTIALLY V-SHAPED GROOVES PRESENT IN THE FACING SURFACE OF SAID THERMOELECTRIC BODY, SAID V-SHAPED GROOVES BEING DISPOSED IN A SUBSTANTIALLY CONCENTRIC CIRCULAR CONFIGURATION, THE BARRIER LAYER AND CONDUCTIVE BODY CONFORMING TO THE GROOVED CONFIGURATION IN THE FACE SURFACE OF SAID THERMOELECTRIC BODY.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE COMPRISING A THERMOELECTRIC BODY BONDED TO A CONDUCTIVE BODY WITH A BARRIER LAYER THEREBETWEEN, THE MATERIAL BONDING SAID BODIES CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF CONDUCTIVE GRANULES PENETRATING SAID BARRIER LAYER THEREBY FORMING LOW RESISTANCE CONDUCTIVE PATHS BETWEEN SAID BODIES THROUGH SAID BARRIER LAYER, SAID GRANULES BEING FIRMLY EMBEDDED AT ONE END THEREOF IN SUBSTANTIALLY V-SHAPED GROOVES PRESENT IN THE FACING SURFACE OF SAID THERMOELECTRIC BODY, SAID V-SHAPED GROOVES BEING DISPOSED IN A SUBSTANTIALLY CONCENTRIC CIRCULAR CONFIGURATION, THE BARRIER LAYER AND CONDUCTIVE BODY CONFORMING TO THE GROOVED CONFIGURATION IN THE FACE SURFACE OF SAID THERMOELECTRIC BODY.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the spacing between concentric circles is approximately twice that of the depth of the grooves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric body consists essentially of a telluride semiconductor, said conductive body is of aluminum, and said barrier layer is of aluminum oxide genetically derived from the aluminum body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 3 wherein said conductive granules are of a metal selected from the group consisting of tungsten metal and tungsten alloys. surfaces
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
A thermoelectric module consisting of thermoelectric bodies bonded at opposite ends to conductive bodies with barrier layers disposed therebetween characterized in that the material bonding the thermoelectric and conductive bodies consists essentially of conductive granules penetrating said barriEr layer thereby forming low resistance conductive paths between said thermoelectric and conductive bodies through said barrier layer, said granules being firmly embedded at each end thereof in substantially V-shaped grooves present in the facing surface of the thermoelectric bodies with the conductive bodies, said V-shaped grooves being disposed in a substantially concentric circular configuration, the barrier layers and conductive bodies conforming to the grooved configurations present in the facing surface of said thermoelectric bodies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
A thermoelectric module consisting of thermoelectric bodies bonded at opposite ends to conductive bodies with barrier layers disposed therebetween characterized in that the material bonding the thermoelectric and conductive bodies consists essentially of conductive granules penetrating said barriEr layer thereby forming low resistance conductive paths between said thermoelectric and conductive bodies through said barrier layer, said granules being firmly embedded at each end thereof in substantially V-shaped grooves present in the facing surface of the thermoelectric bodies with the conductive bodies, said V-shaped grooves being disposed in a substantially concentric circular configuration, the barrier layers and conductive bodies conforming to the grooved configurations present in the facing surface of said thermoelectric bodies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A thermoelectric module according to claim 5 wherein said thermoelectric bodies are of alternating N-type and P-type, a pair of said bodies being bonded at one end to a conductive body and at opposite ends to separate conductive bodies to form a series-connected current path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A module according to claim 5 wherein the spacing between concentric circles is approximately twice that of the depth of the grooves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A module according to claim 5 wherein the thermoelectric body consists essentially of a telluride semiconductor, said conductive body is of aluminum, and said barrier layer is of aluminum oxide genetically derived from the aluminum body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A module according to claim 8 wherein said conductive grandule are of a metal selected from the group consisting of tungsten metal and tungsten aloys.
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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |