Patent US4036665A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4036665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermopile for microwatt thermoelectric generator
Assignee: Nuclear Battery Corp
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Filing: 1974-07-16
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Granted: 1977-07-19
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Expires: 1994-07-16
Abstract
Abstract Athermopile for a microwatt thermoelectric generator suitable for implanting in the body. The thermopile comprises a series of semiconductive thermoelectric elements such as P- and N-type bismuth telluride deposited as a thin film on a substrate such as a polyimide by sputtering. After the thin film is deposited, the thermopile is heat treated to anneal the bismuth telluride. The thermopile is then ready for insertion in a microwatt thermoelectric generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold N. Barr
- 👤 Warren Charles Lyon
- 👤 Thomas S. Bustard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:00
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/80; H10N10/85; H10N10/851; H10N10/852; H10N10/81; H10N10/817; H10N10/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A thermopile assembly comprising a substrate and thin film thermopile means bonded to said substrate by sputtering, said thermopile means including a plurality of semiconductor thermoelectric elements, said thermopile assembly having been annealed at 250 to 450° C. after said thermopile means is bonded to said substrate by sputtering.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A thermopile assembly comprising a substrate and thin film thermopile means bonded to said substrate by sputtering, said thermopile means including a plurality of semiconductor thermoelectric elements, said thermopile assembly having been annealed at 250 to 450° C. after said thermopile means is bonded to said substrate by sputtering.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The thermopile assembly of claim 1 in which said plurality of semiconductor thermoelectric elements comprise a plurality of P- and N- type bismuth telluride elements connected in series.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The thermopile assembly of claim 1 in which said substrate is composed of an insulated metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thermopile assembly of claim 1 in which said substrate is a plastic film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The thermopile assembly of claim 1 in which said thermopile assembly has been heat treated for 2 to 18 hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
In a microwatt thermoelectric generator including a nuclear source and a thermopile assembly, the improvement in which said thermopile assembly comprises a substrate and thin film thermopile means bonded to said substrate by sputtering, said thermopile means including a plurality of semiconductor thermoelectric elements, said thermopile assembly having been annealed at 250° to 450° C. after said thermopile means is bonded to said substrate by sputtering.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
In a microwatt thermoelectric generator including a nuclear source and a thermopile assembly, the improvement in which said thermopile assembly comprises a substrate and thin film thermopile means bonded to said substrate by sputtering, said thermopile means including a plurality of semiconductor thermoelectric elements, said thermopile assembly having been annealed at 250° to 450° C. after said thermopile means is bonded to said substrate by sputtering.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The microwatt thermoelectric generator of claim 6 in which said plurality of semiconductor thermoelectric elements comprise a plurality of P- and N- type bismuth telluride elements connected in series.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The microwatt thermoelectric generator of claim 7 in which said P- and N- type bismuth telluride elements are bonded on said substrate by sputtering.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The microwatt thermoelectric generator of claim 6 in which said substrate is a polyimide film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The microwatt thermoelectric generator of claim 6 in which said thermopile means defines a plurality of hot junctions near one side of said substrate and a plurality of cold junctions near a second side of said substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The microwatt thermoelectric generator of claim 6 in which said thermopile means defines a plurality of hot junctions spaced radially apart near the center of said substrate and a plurality of cold junctions places radially apart and surrounding said hot junctions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |