초록 ▼

A thermoelectric module having a gapless insulating eggcrate providing insulated spaces for a large number of p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements. The absence of gaps in the walls of the spaces virtually eliminates the possibility of interwall shorts between the elements. Electrical connection

A thermoelectric module having a gapless insulating eggcrate providing insulated spaces for a large number of p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements. The absence of gaps in the walls of the spaces virtually eliminates the possibility of interwall shorts between the elements. Electrical connections on both the hot and cold sides of the module electrically connect the elements in series or in parallel as desired. Usually, most or all of the elements will be connected in series. In a preferred embodiment, the gapless eggcrate is formed from a high temperature plastic. In a preferred embodiment, two lead wires are added before adding the hot and cold side electrical connections. In this embodiment, electrical connections on the hot and cold sides comprise a thin layer of molybdenum and a coating of aluminum over the molybdenum. The surfaces are ground down to expose the insulating eggcrate walls except where connections between the elements are desired. In this preferred embodiment a seal is then applied over both the hot and cold surfaces. The seal preferably is comprised of a very thin electrically insulating layer and over this electrically insulating layer a thin metal layer is provided.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A thermoelectric module defining a cold surface and a hot surface comprising:a) a molded single piece gapless crate having the form of an eggcrate defining a plurality of thermoelectric element spaces,b) a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements,c) a plurality of n-type thermoe

[ We claim:] [1.] A thermoelectric module defining a cold surface and a hot surface comprising:a) a molded single piece gapless crate having the form of an eggcrate defining a plurality of thermoelectric element spaces,b) a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements,c) a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements, said p-type and said n-type thermoelectric elements being positioned in said thermoelectric element spaces,d) a metallized coating on said cold surface connecting p-type thermoelectric elements to n-type thermoelectric elements on said cold surface,e) a metallized coating on said hot surface connecting p-type thermoelectric elements to n-type thermoelectric elements on said hot surface, the position of said p-type and said n-type elements, the configuration of said eggcrate and said metallized coatings being effective to cause a plurality of said thermoelectric elements to be connected electrically in series.