US4468854A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for manufacturing thermoelectric devices
Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices Inc
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Filing: 1982-04-29
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Granted: 1984-09-04
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Expires: 2002-04-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for manufacturing thermoelectric devices includes two conductive strip receiving fixtures, a thermoelectric element receiving fixture and a u-shaped member. The conductive strip receiving fixtures act to retain the strips in proper registry during the processing steps of screen printing insulating material, or solder paste thereon as well as during attachment of thermoelectric elements thereto. The element receiving fixture is complemental with either of the strip receiving fixtures to maintain the elements in place during the coupling of the elements to the strips in one of the strip receiving fixtures. The strip receiving fixtures are complemental with the u-shaped member to complete the coupling of the elements to the strips such that the elements are coupled thermally in parallel and electrically in series. The u-shaped member also facilitates the introduction of a ceramic potting compound therebetween. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a thermoelectric device.
Inventors
- 👤 Der-Jeou Chou
- 👤 Tetsuo Maruyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:06
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/01; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49169; Y10T29/49171; Y10T29/49172
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of manufacturing a thermoelectric device comprising the steps of: providing at least two fixtures; providing a plurality of substantially planar conductive strips; placing said plurality of substantially planar conductive strips in each of said two fixtures; coating the exposed surface of each of said conductive strips with a first insulating material which exhibits low electrical conductivity and high thermal conductivity; reversing said strips in said fixtures to expose a surface parallel to said coated surface; coating said parallel surface with a solder paste; providing a plurality of thermoelectric elements; registering said fixtures one above the other and disposing said elements between said solder paste coated surfaces; fastening said elements to be conductive strips; and injecting a second insulating material between said elements and said fixtures.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of manufacturing a thermoelectric device comprising the steps of: providing at least two fixtures; providing a plurality of substantially planar conductive strips; placing said plurality of substantially planar conductive strips in each of said two fixtures; coating the exposed surface of each of said conductive strips with a first insulating material which exhibits low electrical conductivity and high thermal conductivity; reversing said strips in said fixtures to expose a surface parallel to said coated surface; coating said parallel surface with a solder paste; providing a plurality of thermoelectric elements; registering said fixtures one above the other and disposing said elements between said solder paste coated surfaces; fastening said elements to be conductive strips; and injecting a second insulating material between said elements and said fixtures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as defined in claim 1 including the further step of providing planar strip receiving means in said fixtures arranged to receive and dispose said conductive strips in a pattern for coupling said thermoelectric elements thermally in parallel and electrically in series when said fixtures are in registry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as defined in claim 2 including the further step of applying a vacuum to said conductive strips to maintain said strips in place during processing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as defined in claim 3 including the further step of applying said vacuum through said fixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as defined in claim 3 wherein said solder paste applied to said strips in said one fixture reflows at a higher temperature than said solder paste applied to said strips in said other fixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 5 including the further step of rotating said fixtures so that said fixture with said strips having said higher temperature reflowing solder is below said other fixture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined in claim 6 including the further step of reflowing said higher temperature reflowing solder in a reducing atmosphere to fasten said thermoelectric elements thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 7 including the further step of rotating said fixtures so that said fixture with said strips having said lower temperature reflowing solder is below said other fixture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined in claim 8 including the further step of reflowing said lower temperature reflowing solder in a reducing atmosphere to fasten said thermoelectric elements thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as defined in claim 7 including the further step of providing an aligning fixture in registry with one of said two fixtures for maintaining said thermoelectric elements in place during the reflowing of said higher temperature reflowing solder.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
49 words
The method as defined in claims 1, 2, 4 or 10 including the further step of providing cavity forming means for guiding said two fixtures into registry with each other and for forming a cavity about said conductive strips and thermoelectric elements facilitating the injection of said second material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said insulating material is a thick film ceramic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said second insulating material is a potting ceramic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said conducting strips are copper.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as defined in claim 1, 2, or 12 wherein said step of applying said insulating material to said conductive strips includes the further step of screen printing said insulating material on said conducting strips.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as defined in claim 1, 2 or 5 wherein said step of applying said solder pastes includes the further step of screen printing said solder pastes on said conducting strips.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 2 including the further step of providing said plurality of thermoelectric elements equal number of p-type and n-type elements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 16 including the further step of alternating said p-type and n-type elements throughout said device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-04 | 1988-03-05 | 1988-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-04 | 1992-03-05 | 1992-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-04 | 1996-03-05 | 1996-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |