In-Line Thermoelectric Module
A thermoelectric module with a plurality of electricity generating units each having a first end and a second end, the units being arranged first end to second end along an-in-line axis. Each unit includes first and second elements each made of a thermoelectric material, an electrically conductive hot member arranged to heat one side of the first element, and an electrically conductive cold member arranged to cool another side of the first element and to cool one side of the second element. The hot member, the first element, the cold member and the second element are supported in a fixture, are electrically connected respectively to provide an electricity generating unit, and are arranged respectively in positions along the in-line axis. The individual components of each generating unit and the respective generating units are clamped in their in-line positions by a loading bolt at one end of the fixture and a stop wall at the other end of the fixture. The hot members may have a T-shape and the cold members an hourglass shape to facilitate heat transfer. The direction of heat transfer through the hot members may be perpendicular to the direction of heat transfer through the cold members, and both of these heat transfer directions maybe perpendicular to the direction-of current flow through the module.
- Research Organization:
- Knolls Atomic Power Lab., Niskayuna, NY (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC12-76SN00052
- Assignee:
- DOEGC; EDB-01:069795
- Patent Number(s):
- PATENTS-US-A9122853
- Application Number:
- 9-122,853; TRN: AH200127%%187
- OSTI ID:
- 782755
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 1998 Jul 28; Other Information: PBD: 28 Jul 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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