US3898080A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Germanium-silicon Thermoelectric elements
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1972-04-03
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1992-04-03
Abstract
Abstract The thermal conductivity of doped germanium/silicon alloy thermo-electric material is reduced, without corresponding reduction of electrical conductivity, by a process of manufacture which results in a fine grain structure, or, more significantly, as low characteristic scattering length as possible in the range 0.01 microns to 10 microns.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan William Penn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:00
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/80; H10N10/85; H10N10/851; H10N10/8556; H10N10/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
A THERMOELECTRIC ELEMENT COMPRISING AN ALLOY OF GERMANIUM--SILICON FORMED INTO A UNITARY STRUCTURE SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOUSLY CONSTITUTED BY THE ALLOY AND HAVING A FINE STRUCTURE OF LATTICE BOUNDARIES FOR WHICH THE CHARACTERISTIC SCATTERING LENGTH LIES IN THE RANGE 0.01 MICRONS TO 10 MICRONS.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
A THERMOELECTRIC ELEMENT COMPRISING AN ALLOY OF GERMANIUM--SILICON FORMED INTO A UNITARY STRUCTURE SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOUSLY CONSTITUTED BY THE ALLOY AND HAVING A FINE STRUCTURE OF LATTICE BOUNDARIES FOR WHICH THE CHARACTERISTIC SCATTERING LENGTH LIES IN THE RANGE 0.01 MICRONS TO 10 MICRONS.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermoelectric element as claimed in claim 1 wherein the alloy is doped so as to have enhanced thermoelectric properties.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A thermoelectric element consisting of germanium-silicon alloy and a dopant for enhancing the thermoelectric properties thereof, the alloy having a fine structure of lattice boundaries for which the characteristic scattering length lies in the range of 0.01 microns to 10 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A thermoelectric element consisting of germanium-silicon alloy and a dopant for enhancing the thermoelectric properties thereof, the alloy having a fine structure of lattice boundaries for which the characteristic scattering length lies in the range of 0.01 microns to 10 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A thermoelectric element comprising an alloy of germanium and silicon, doped so as to have enhanced thermoelectric properties, and formed into a unitary structure substantially continuously constituted by the alloy and having a fine grain structure in which, to reduce the thermal conductivity of the element below that of a single crystal of the alloy, at least a bulk proportion of the grains have a size in the range 0.01 microns to 10 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A thermoelectric element comprising an alloy of germanium and silicon, doped so as to have enhanced thermoelectric properties, and formed into a unitary structure substantially continuously constituted by the alloy and having a fine grain structure in which, to reduce the thermal conductivity of the element below that of a single crystal of the alloy, at least a bulk proportion of the grains have a size in the range 0.01 microns to 10 microns.
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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |