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.
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Citations
67 Claims
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1-36. -36. (canceled)
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37. A method for providing electrical energy to an electrical device in an environment having a first and a second temperature region comprising the steps of:
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providing a means for transmitting ambient energy collected in the first temperature region, providing a thermoelectric device having a first side and a second side, providing the means for transmitting the ambient energy collected in the first temperature region in communication with the first side of the thermoelectric device, and providing the second side of the thermoelectric device in communication with the second temperature region. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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- 38. The method of claim 38 wherein the thermoelectric device is selected from the group consisting of metallic wire thermocouples, discrete element semiconductors, and thin film semiconductors assembled in alternating p- and n-type arrays, and combinations thereof.
- 50. An apparatus for generating electrical energy from an environment having a first temperature region and a second temperature region comprising a thermoelectric device having a first side and a second side wherein the first side is in communication with a means for transmitting ambient thermal energy collected in the first temperature region.
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67-85. -85. (canceled)
Specification