US3884726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermoelectric element
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-19
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1993-04-19
Abstract
Abstract Thermoelectric elements are disclosed comprising N conductor and a P conductor, connected together at a working junction and adapted to be connected to an external current source, or an electrical lead.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt Landecker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:36
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N19/00; H10N19/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A THERMOELECTRIC ELEMENT COMPRISING AN N CONDUCTOR AND A P CONDUCTOR CONNECTED TOGETHER AT A WORKING JUNCTION AND ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO AN EXTERNAL CURRENT SOURCE OR AN ELECTRICAL LOAD BY MEANS CREATING A NON-WORKING JUNCTION AT LEAST ONE SHUNTING CONDUCTOR PROVIDING A LEAKAGE CURRENT FLOW-PATH BETWEEN THE N AND P CONDUCTORS IN PARALLEL WITH THE WORKING JUNCTION, AND MEANS TO MAINTAIN SAID SHUNTING CONDUCTOR AT A POTENTIAL INTERMEDIATE THE POTENTIALS OF THOSE ENDS OF THE N AND P CONDUCTORS HAVING DISPERATE POTENTIALS.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A THERMOELECTRIC ELEMENT COMPRISING AN N CONDUCTOR AND A P CONDUCTOR CONNECTED TOGETHER AT A WORKING JUNCTION AND ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO AN EXTERNAL CURRENT SOURCE OR AN ELECTRICAL LOAD BY MEANS CREATING A NON-WORKING JUNCTION AT LEAST ONE SHUNTING CONDUCTOR PROVIDING A LEAKAGE CURRENT FLOW-PATH BETWEEN THE N AND P CONDUCTORS IN PARALLEL WITH THE WORKING JUNCTION, AND MEANS TO MAINTAIN SAID SHUNTING CONDUCTOR AT A POTENTIAL INTERMEDIATE THE POTENTIALS OF THOSE ENDS OF THE N AND P CONDUCTORS HAVING DISPERATE POTENTIALS.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 1 wherein said means to maintain the shunting conduction at a potential intermediate the potentials oF those ends of the N and P conductors having disparate potentials is a potential divider.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 1 wherein said shunting conductor contacts said N and P conductors along a major portion of the largest dimension of said N and P conductors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 1 wherein said working junction comprises an endplate connecting said N and P conductors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 1 wherein the shunting conductor comprises a silver coating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A thermoelectric element as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dimensions of said shunting conductor is such that heat conduction and Joule heat production by said thermoelectric element are minimal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 1 wherein said shunting conductor is located partly within the N conductor and partly within said P conductor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 7 wherein, said N and P conductors are elongated bars each with a longitudinal hole which accommodates part of said hunting conductor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 8 wherein said shunting conductor comprises a plurality of wires twisted together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 8 wherein said shunting conductor comprises a tubular wire mesh sleeved on a flexible insulating core.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 8 wherein said shunting conductor is insulated from direct contact with end portions of said N and P conductors adjacent the ends thereof furthest from said working junction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 1 wherein said N and P conductors are circular or annular discs in which current flows radially.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 12 wherein said N and P conductors each comprises two layers sandwiching a washer of the shunting conductor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 12 wherein said shunting conductor comprises two pairs of washers, each pair sandwiching one of said N and P conductors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 13 wherein said washers are circular or annular wire meshes connected by tapping wires.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 12 wherein the centres of said N and P conductors are connected to terminal means and the outer peripheries of the N and P conductors are in electrical connection to form said working junction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
A thermoelectric element according to claim 1 and being of cascade type.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3074242A
Cited
US3632541A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |