In-line thermoelectric module

Patent · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 2000

OSTI ID:20013934

Pento, R; Marks, J E; Staffanson, C D

A thermoelectric module is disclosed 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 may be perpendicular to the direction of current flow through the module.

• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy
• DOE Contract Number: AC12-76SN00052
• OSTI ID: 20013934
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DESIGN
ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS
HEAT TRANSFER
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
THERMOELECTRIC MATERIALS