METHOD OF PRODUCING A FLEXIBLE THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE TO HARVEST ENERGY FOR WEARABLE APPLICATIONS
First Claim
1. A method of producing a flexible thermoelectric device comprising:
- drilling a plurality of P-designated contact holes through a flexible coverlay each corresponding to a P-type conduit of a plurality of P-type conduits directly on top of a lower conduction layer of the flexible thermoelectric device, and a plurality of N-designated contact holes through the flexible coverlay each corresponding to an N-type conduit of a plurality of N-type conduits directly on top of the lower conduction layer, the flexible coverlay comprising a layer of adhesive under an internal dielectric layer;
aligning the plurality of P-type conduits and the plurality of N-type conduits under the flexible coverlay such that the each P-designated contact hole of the flexible coverlay is directly above one of the P-type conduits and the each N-designated contact hole of the flexible coverlay is directly above one of the N-type conduits,wherein each P-type conduit is electrically connected to one of the N-type conduits through the lower conduction layer directly above a lower dielectric layer of the flexible thermoelectric device;
laminating the flexible coverlay on top of the lower conduction layer by pressing the flexible coverlay against the lower conduction layer such that;
the layer of adhesive deforms and fills a space around the each of the P-type conduits and each of the N-type conduits, andthe flexible coverlay is attached to the lower conduction layer through the layer of adhesive;
aligning the flexible coverlay under an upper patterned screen, wherein the upper patterned screen comprises a plurality of first areas corresponding to the plurality of P-designated contact holes and the plurality of N-designated contact holes, and a plurality of second areas corresponding to a plurality of upper electrically conductive leads; and
screen printing an upper conduction layer of the flexible thermoelectric device on top of and through the flexible coverlay by pressing a conductive paste through the upper patterned screen such that;
the conductive paste penetrates the each P-designated contact hole to form an electrically conductive contact coupled to the top of a corresponding one P-type conduit,the conductive paste penetrates the each N-designated contact hole to form another electrically conductive contact coupled to the top of a corresponding one N-type conduit, andthe conductive paste at each second area forms an upper electrically conductive lead connecting a pair of electrically conductive contacts,wherein the plurality of P-type conduits and the plurality of N-type conduits are electrically connected in series.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and/or apparatus of energy harvesting for wearable technology through a thin flexible thermoelectric device is disclosed. A lower conduction layer is formed on top of a lower dielectric layer. An active layer, comprising at least one thin film thermoelectric conduit and a thermal insulator, is formed above the lower conduction layer. An internal dielectric layer is formed above the active layer, and contact holes are drilled above each thermoelectric conduit. An upper conduction layer and upper dielectric layer are formed, connecting the thermoelectric conduits in series. The resulting flexible thermoelectric device generates a voltage when exposed to a temperature gradient.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of producing a flexible thermoelectric device comprising:
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drilling a plurality of P-designated contact holes through a flexible coverlay each corresponding to a P-type conduit of a plurality of P-type conduits directly on top of a lower conduction layer of the flexible thermoelectric device, and a plurality of N-designated contact holes through the flexible coverlay each corresponding to an N-type conduit of a plurality of N-type conduits directly on top of the lower conduction layer, the flexible coverlay comprising a layer of adhesive under an internal dielectric layer; aligning the plurality of P-type conduits and the plurality of N-type conduits under the flexible coverlay such that the each P-designated contact hole of the flexible coverlay is directly above one of the P-type conduits and the each N-designated contact hole of the flexible coverlay is directly above one of the N-type conduits, wherein each P-type conduit is electrically connected to one of the N-type conduits through the lower conduction layer directly above a lower dielectric layer of the flexible thermoelectric device; laminating the flexible coverlay on top of the lower conduction layer by pressing the flexible coverlay against the lower conduction layer such that; the layer of adhesive deforms and fills a space around the each of the P-type conduits and each of the N-type conduits, and the flexible coverlay is attached to the lower conduction layer through the layer of adhesive; aligning the flexible coverlay under an upper patterned screen, wherein the upper patterned screen comprises a plurality of first areas corresponding to the plurality of P-designated contact holes and the plurality of N-designated contact holes, and a plurality of second areas corresponding to a plurality of upper electrically conductive leads; and screen printing an upper conduction layer of the flexible thermoelectric device on top of and through the flexible coverlay by pressing a conductive paste through the upper patterned screen such that; the conductive paste penetrates the each P-designated contact hole to form an electrically conductive contact coupled to the top of a corresponding one P-type conduit, the conductive paste penetrates the each N-designated contact hole to form another electrically conductive contact coupled to the top of a corresponding one N-type conduit, and the conductive paste at each second area forms an upper electrically conductive lead connecting a pair of electrically conductive contacts, wherein the plurality of P-type conduits and the plurality of N-type conduits are electrically connected in series. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of producing a flexible thermoelectric device comprising:
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drilling a plurality of P-designated contact holes through a flexible coverlay each corresponding to a P-type conduit of a plurality of P-type conduits directly on top of a lower conduction layer of the flexible thermoelectric device, and a plurality of N-designated contact holes through the flexible coverlay each corresponding to an N-type conduit of a plurality of N-type conduits directly on top of the lower conduction layer, the flexible coverlay comprising a layer of adhesive under an internal dielectric layer; aligning the plurality of P-type conduits and the plurality of N-type conduits under the flexible coverlay such that the each P-designated contact hole of the flexible coverlay is directly above one of the P-type conduits and the each N-designated contact hole of the flexible coverlay is directly above one of the N-type conduits, wherein each P-type conduit is electrically connected to one of the N-type conduits through the lower conduction layer directly above a lower dielectric layer of the flexible thermoelectric device; laminating the flexible coverlay on top of the lower conduction layer by pressing the flexible coverlay against the lower conduction layer such that; the layer of adhesive deforms and fills a space around the each of the P-type conduits and each of the N-type conduits, and the flexible coverlay is attached to the lower conduction layer through the layer of adhesive; aligning the flexible coverlay under an upper patterned screen, wherein the upper patterned screen comprises a plurality of first areas corresponding to the plurality of P-designated contact holes and the plurality of N-designated contact holes, and a plurality of second areas corresponding to a plurality of upper electrically conductive leads; screen printing an upper conduction layer of the flexible thermoelectric device on top of and through the flexible coverlay by pressing a conductive paste through the upper patterned screen such that; the conductive paste penetrates the each P-designated contact hole to form an electrically conductive contact coupled to the top of a corresponding one P-type conduit, the conductive paste penetrates the each N-designated contact hole to form another electrically conductive contact coupled to the top of a corresponding one N-type conduit, and the conductive paste at each second area forms an upper electrically conductive lead connecting a pair of electrically conductive contacts; and thermally insulating the each of the plurality of P-type conduits and the each of the plurality of N-type conduits so that a heat energy flows vertically through the conduit without leaking to other conduits on the sides, wherein the plurality of P-type conduits and the plurality of N-type conduits are electrically connected in series. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of producing a flexible thermoelectric device comprising:
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drilling a plurality of P-designated contact holes through a flexible coverlay each corresponding to a P-type conduit of a plurality of P-type conduits directly on top of a lower conduction layer of the flexible thermoelectric device, and a plurality of N-designated contact holes through the flexible coverlay each corresponding to an N-type conduit of a plurality of N-type conduits directly on top of the lower conduction layer, the flexible coverlay comprising a layer of adhesive under an internal dielectric layer; aligning the plurality of P-type conduits and the plurality of N-type conduits under the flexible coverlay such that the each P-designated contact hole of the flexible coverlay is directly above one of the P-type conduits and the each N-designated contact hole of the flexible coverlay is directly above one of the N-type conduits, wherein each P-type conduit is electrically connected to one of the N-type conduits through the lower conduction layer directly above a lower dielectric layer of the flexible thermoelectric device; laminating the flexible coverlay on top of the lower conduction layer by pressing the flexible coverlay against the lower conduction layer such that; the layer of adhesive deforms and fills a space around the each of the P-type conduits and each of the N-type conduits, and the flexible coverlay is attached to the lower conduction layer through the layer of adhesive; aligning the flexible coverlay under an upper patterned screen, wherein the upper patterned screen comprises a plurality of first areas corresponding to the plurality of P-designated contact holes and the plurality of N-designated contact holes, and a plurality of second areas corresponding to a plurality of upper electrically conductive leads; screen printing an upper conduction layer of the flexible thermoelectric device on top of and through the flexible coverlay by pressing a conductive paste through the upper patterned screen such that; the conductive paste penetrates the each P-designated contact hole to form an electrically conductive contact coupled to the top of a corresponding one P-type conduit, the conductive paste penetrates the each N-designated contact hole to form another electrically conductive contact coupled to the top of a corresponding one N-type conduit, and the conductive paste at each second area forms an upper electrically conductive lead connecting a pair of electrically conductive contacts; thermally insulating the each of the plurality of P-type conduits and the each of the plurality of N-type conduits so that a heat energy flows vertically through the conduit without leaking to other conduits on the sides; and sealing and protecting the flexible thermoelectric device with an upper dielectric layer, wherein the plurality of P-type conduits and the plurality of N-type conduits are electrically connected in series. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification