Thermoelectric devices and applications for the same
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Accused Products
Abstract
High performance thin film thermoelectric couples and methods of making the same are disclosed. Such couples allow fabrication of at least microwatt to watt-level power supply devices operating at voltages greater than one volt even when activated by only small temperature differences.
125 Citations
55 Claims
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1-36. -36. (canceled)
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37. A thermoelectric power source comprising:
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a thermoelectric module having at least one thermoelectric couple comprising a sputter deposited thin film p-type thermoelement, a sputter deposited thin film n-type thermoelement positioned adjacent the p-type thermoelement, and an electrically conductive member electrically connecting a first end of the p-type thermoelement with a second end of the n-type thermoelement;
a high-temperature heat pipe connected to a hot connection of the thermoelectric module; and
a low-temperature heat pipe connected to a cold connection of the thermoelectric module. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A TE power source comprising:
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a thin film TE module comprising multiple thin film TE p-type and n-type elements formed on a flexible substrate;
a reel having a first end and a second end and about which the flexible substrate is wound;
a low-temperature member thermally connected to the first end of the reel; and
a high-temperature connected to the second end of the reel, wherein the low-temperature and high-temperature members transfer heat to the and from the TE module. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification