초록 ▼

The present invention provides a thermoelectric converter including a series of thermoelectric cells bonded to a hot surface and to a waste heat conductor. The heat conductor is in turn bonded to cooling pipes which have corrugations to prevent the build up of thermal stresses in one direction. Ther

The present invention provides a thermoelectric converter including a series of thermoelectric cells bonded to a hot surface and to a waste heat conductor. The heat conductor is in turn bonded to cooling pipes which have corrugations to prevent the build up of thermal stresses in one direction. Thermal stress is avoided in a second direction, perpendicular to the first, by having spaces located between the thermoelectric cells. The converter can be folded into a compact configuration and is applicable to satellite power systems.

대표청구항 ▼

A thermoelectric converter comprising a hot surface, a plurality of thermoelectric cells bonded to said hot surface, said plurality of thermoelectric cells each having a waste heat conductor portion, a plurality of cooling pipes bonded to the waste heat conductor portions of said plurality of thermo

A thermoelectric converter comprising a hot surface, a plurality of thermoelectric cells bonded to said hot surface, said plurality of thermoelectric cells each having a waste heat conductor portion, a plurality of cooling pipes bonded to the waste heat conductor portions of said plurality of thermoelectric cells, and means for preventing the buildup of cumulative thermal stresses due to temperature differences and resultant thermal expansion differences between said hot surface and said cooling pipes, said means for preventing buildup of cumulative thermal stresses comprising means for accommodating differential thermal expansion in a first direction including a plurality of corrugations in said cooling pipes and means for accommodating differential thermal expansion in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction including gaps located between adjacent thermoelectric cells.