US4971632A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniature thermoelectric converters
Assignee: British Gas PLC
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Filing: 1988-06-22
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Granted: 1990-11-20
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Expires: 2008-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A thermoelectric semiconductor multicouple array comprises a substrate of semi-insulating material 10, alternate n-type and p-type strips or legs ion implanted into said substrate and connected together electrically in series, and terminal means 11 connected to said series-connected strips or legs. The array may be incorporated in an integrated circuit chip. A method of making such thermoelectric semiconductor multicouple arrays is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Rowe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:32
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/80; H10N10/81; H10N10/817; H10N10/85; H10N10/851; H10N10/853
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
A thermoelectric semiconductor multicouple array comprising a substrate of semi-insulating material, alternate n-type and p-type strips or legs ion implanted into said substrate so as to be disposed within said substrate and connected together electrically in series and terminal means connected to said series-connected strips or legs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
A thermoelectric semiconductor multicouple array comprising a substrate of semi-insulating material, alternate n-type and p-type strips or legs ion implanted into said substrate so as to be disposed within said substrate and connected together electrically in series and terminal means connected to said series-connected strips or legs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An array as claimed in claim 1, in which the semi-insulating material of said substrate comprises gallium aluminum arsenide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An array as claimed in claim 1, in which the semi-insulating material comprises silicon germanium strips deposited onto an insulating oxide layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An array as claimed in claim 2, in which the n-type strips or legs are ion implanted with silicon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An array as claimed in claim 2, in which the p-type strips or legs are ion implanted with beryllium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An array as claimed in claim 1, in which said substrate of semi-insulating material comprises a sheet or wafer and a plurality of such sheets or wafers each bearing an array of semiconductor thermocouples are stacked side-by-side to form a module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
An integrated circuit chip incorporating thermoelectric semiconductor multicouple array as claimed in claim 1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A thermoelectric semiconductor multiple array comprising a substrate of semi-insulating material, alternate n-type and p-type regions ion implanted into discrete areas of said substrate so to penetrate the surface of the substrate material and to be disposed within said substrate at positions below the penetrated surface of the substrate at the same level in the substrate, and connected together electrically in series, and terminal means connected to end points of said series-connected regions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
A thermoelectric semiconductor multiple array comprising a substrate of semi-insulating material, alternate n-type and p-type regions ion implanted into discrete areas of said substrate so to penetrate the surface of the substrate material and to be disposed within said substrate at positions below the penetrated surface of the substrate at the same level in the substrate, and connected together electrically in series, and terminal means connected to end points of said series-connected regions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An array as claimed in claim 8, wherein said n-type and p-type regions each comprise strips or legs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
An array as claimed in claim 9, in which the semi-insulting material of said substrate comprises gallium aluminum arsenide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An array as claimed in claim 9, in which the semi-insulating material comprises silicon germanium strips deposited onto an insulating oxide layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An array as claimed in claim 10, in which the n-type strips or legs are ion implanted with silicon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An array as claimed in claim 10, in which the p-type strips or legs are ion implanted with beryllium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
An array as claimed in claim 9, in which said substrate of semi-insulating material comprises a sheet or wafer and a plurality of such sheets or wafers each bearing an array of semiconductor thermocouples are stacked side-by-side to form a module.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
An integrated circuit chip incorporating thermoelectric semiconductor multicouple array as claimed in claim 8.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
An array as claimed in claim 9 wherein said strip or legs each comprise a first elongate narrow portion and a second narrow portion extending laterally from said first portion, and said strips or legs are connected together at the free ends of said second portions.
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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) | 1993-11-19 | 1994-05-21 | 1994-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-19 | 1998-05-21 | 1998-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-19 | 2002-05-21 | 2002-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |