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US4054478A
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Method of manufacturing a thermoelectric device
Assignee: Nu-Pak Corp
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Filing: 1976-05-25
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Granted: 1977-10-18
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Expires: 1996-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A method of manufacturing a thermoelectric device comprising initially preparing thin coherent films of P and N type thermoelectric materials by evaporating the solvent from a suspension previously drawn over a surface, the suspension comprising the solvent, a binder and the thermoelectric material in powdered form. A coherent film of insulative material is similarly prepared. The coherent films are stacked in a hot press die with alternate P and N type thermoelectric films separated by the insulative film and subjected to heating and pressure during which the binders are volatilized so that the thermoelectric films are converted to solid, high density layers and the insulative films each become a cohesive layer which binds to the adjacent thermoelectric layers to form a monolithic laminate. Contacts electrically connecting the P and N type thermoelectric layers may be provided prior or subsequent to the pressing step. On removal from the die the assembly may be a completed device or may be further machined into slices which are subsequently reassembled into multi-couple thermopiles.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Linnon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:57
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/80; H10N10/81; H10N10/817; H10N10/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
The method of manufacturing a thermoelectric device which includes a plurality of thin thermoelectric layers and insulative layers comprising the steps of: forming a first suspension comprising a powdered P-type thermoelectric material, a binder and a liquid carrier; drawing the first suspension over a surface and allowing the liquid carrier to evaporate to form a first coherent film;
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
The method of manufacturing a thermoelectric device which includes a plurality of thin thermoelectric layers and insulative layers comprising the steps of: forming a first suspension comprising a powdered P-type thermoelectric material, a binder and a liquid carrier; drawing the first suspension over a surface and allowing the liquid carrier to evaporate to form a first coherent film;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
forming a second suspension comprising a powdered N-type thermoelectric material, a binder and a liquid carrier; drawing the second suspension over a surface and allowing the liquid carrier to evaporate to form a second coherent film;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
forming a second suspension comprising a powdered N-type thermoelectric material, a binder and a liquid carrier; drawing the second suspension over a surface and allowing the liquid carrier to evaporate to form a second coherent film;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
forming a third suspension comprising an insulative material, a binder and a liquid carrier; drawing the third suspension over a surface and alowing the liquid carrier to evaporate to form a third coherent film; stacking said first, second and third coherent films with said third coherent film interposed between and electrically insulating said first and second coherent films; compressing and heating said stack of films in a inert atmosphere to volatize said binders converting said coherent films to first and second solid thermoelectric layers and a third solid insulative layer and to bond the third insulative layer to the adjacent thermoelectric layers to form a laminate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
forming a third suspension comprising an insulative material, a binder and a liquid carrier; drawing the third suspension over a surface and alowing the liquid carrier to evaporate to form a third coherent film; stacking said first, second and third coherent films with said third coherent film interposed between and electrically insulating said first and second coherent films; compressing and heating said stack of films in a inert atmosphere to volatize said binders converting said coherent films to first and second solid thermoelectric layers and a third solid insulative layer and to bond the third insulative layer to the adjacent thermoelectric layers to form a laminate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said inert atmosphere comprises a vacuum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said heating and compressing step comprises heating and compressing said stack of films at a temperature in the range of about 150° to about 600° C at a pressure in the range of 2 to 16 l KPSI for a period of between 0.5 minutes to 1 hour.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said heating and comprssing step comprises heating and compressing said stack of films at a temperature in the range of about 350° C to about 400° C at a pressure in the range of about 6 to about 12 KPSI for a period of between 2 to 5 minutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said thermoelectric material comprises bismuth telluride.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of forming said first and second suspensions comprises the steps of mixing the binder, liquid carrier and powdered thermoelectric material according to the ratio of about 100 milliliters of liquid carrier, about 4 to 12 grams of binder and about 25 to 75 grams of powdered thermoelectric material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said powdered thermoelectric material comprises particles of thermoelectric material having a size in the range of -40 to -200 mesh.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of interposing metallic contact elements at one end of the stack of films prior to heating and compressing said stack, said contact elements electrically connecting the ends of the first and second coherent films.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said metallic material comprises gold.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of machining the laminate subsequent to its formation into a plurality of slices and then assembling said slices into a thermoelectric device.
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) | 1980-10-17 | 1981-04-18 | 1981-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-17 | 1985-04-18 | 1985-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-17 | 1989-04-18 | 1989-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |