US4257822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous thermopile
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-01-02
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Granted: 1981-03-24
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Expires: 1999-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A current generator is disclosed located in a temperature gradient between a heat source region and a heat sink region. The generator comprises a first continuous material having thermoelectric characteristics and having a repetitive shape with one portion extending between the source and sink and the other portion between the sink and source, and a second material having thermoelectric characteristics electrically connected with only one of said first or second portions of the first material. A thermopile is thus formed and plating techniques can be employed to connect the second material to the first material in the repetitive first or second portions of the first material. In this way, the thermopile is formed of a repetitive series of thermocouples.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernesto E. Gomez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:08
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A current generator located in a temperature gradient between a heat source region and a heat sink region, said generator comprising a first continuous rigid material having thermoelectric characteristics and having a first portion extending between said source and sink and a second portion extending between said sink and source, and a second material having thermoelectric characteristics electrically connected with only one of said first or second portions of said first material, said first material serving as a rigid base for said current generator, said second material overlapping a portion of said first material, said current generator comprising a plurality of thermocouples formed of said first continuous material and said second material, connected at junctions with said junctions of said thermocouples formed where the second material overlaps the first material and is electrically joined thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A current generator located in a temperature gradient between a heat source region and a heat sink region, said generator comprising a first continuous rigid material having thermoelectric characteristics and having a first portion extending between said source and sink and a second portion extending between said sink and source, and a second material having thermoelectric characteristics electrically connected with only one of said first or second portions of said first material, said first material serving as a rigid base for said current generator, said second material overlapping a portion of said first material, said current generator comprising a plurality of thermocouples formed of said first continuous material and said second material, connected at junctions with said junctions of said thermocouples formed where the second material overlaps the first material and is electrically joined thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second material comprises a different composition from said first material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second material is plated onto said first material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second material is in continuous electrical contact with said first material where they overlap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first continuous material comprises a single square wave-shape comprising a base portion located in the sink region and a top portion in the source region and two step portions connected between said top and base, said second material being in continuous contact with said first material along one of said two step portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second material is plated to said first material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second material is folded about said first material such that a sandwich of said first and second material is formed at said one step portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first continuous material comprises a triangular shape formed of two legs with the top of said triangular shape formed by said two legs being in the source region and the base being in the sink region, said second material being in continuous contact with said first material along one of said legs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second material is plated to said first material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second materials are conductors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second materials are semiconductors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
126 words
A current generator located in a temperature gradient between a heat source region and a heat sink region, said generator comprising an electrically first continuous material having repeat segments with each of said segments having one portion extending from said source to sink regions and at least a second portion extending from said sink to source regions, and a second electrically conductive material overlapping and electrically connected with at least a portion of said repeat portions of said repeat segments of said first material, said continuous material being rigid and forming a base for said current generator, said current generator comprising a plurality of thermocouples formed of said first continuous material and said second material joined at junctions, with said junctions formed at said overlapped portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
126 words
A current generator located in a temperature gradient between a heat source region and a heat sink region, said generator comprising an electrically first continuous material having repeat segments with each of said segments having one portion extending from said source to sink regions and at least a second portion extending from said sink to source regions, and a second electrically conductive material overlapping and electrically connected with at least a portion of said repeat portions of said repeat segments of said first material, said continuous material being rigid and forming a base for said current generator, said current generator comprising a plurality of thermocouples formed of said first continuous material and said second material joined at junctions, with said junctions formed at said overlapped portions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 12, wherein said second material comprises a different composition from said first material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 12, wherein said second material is plated onto said first material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 12, wherein said second material is in continuous electrical contact with said first material when they overlap.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first continuous material comprises a single square wave shape comprising a base located in the sink region and a top in the source region and two step portions connected between said top and base, said second material being in continuous contact with said first material along one of said two step portions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 16, wherein said second material is plated to said first material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 16, wherein said second material is folded about said first material such that a sandwich of said first and second material is formed at said one intermediate connecting portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
62 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first continuous material comprises a triangular shape formed of two legs with the top of said triangular shape formed by said two legs being in the source region and the base being in the sink region, said second material being in continuous contact with said first material along one of said legs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A current generator as claimed in claim 19, wherein said second material is plated to said first material.
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) | 1984-03-23 | 1984-09-22 | 1985-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-23 | 1988-09-22 | 1989-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-23 | 1992-09-22 | 1993-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |