DIRECT HEAT REJECTION PATH RADIOISOTOPIC THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR

• US 3,833,428 A
• Filed: 09/25/1969
• Issued: 09/03/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald L. Snyder, John H. Himes, Milton F. Pravda
• Original Assignee: Donald L. Snyder, John H. Himes, Milton F. Pravda
• Inventors: Pravda, Milton F., Snyder, Donald L., Himes, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Behrend, Harvey E.
• Application Number:
  US04/860,884
• Time in Patent Office: 1,804 Days
• Field of Search: 136/202,211,212,205,230,208,201
• US Class Current: 136/202
• CPC Class Codes: G21H 1/103 Cells provided with thermo-electric generators

Abstract

Compression springs on the hot side, bias the thermoelectric elements of the radioisotopic powered thermo-electric generator into contact with the casing wall. The bus straps, which electrically connect the cold ends of the thermoelectric elements are bonded directly to the inner wall of the casing by a pressure sensitive epoxy adhesive which is preferably a dielectric but a good thermal conductor thereby eliminating the need for cold-end hardware.

Claims

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the opposed end walls of said sector shaped block have recesses and said spring means comprises compression springs with their ends respectively positioned within opposed recesses.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thermoelectric elements have their cold ends joined by copper straps with the outer surfaces of said straps being bonded directly to said casing by a dielectric adhesive which is a good thermal conductor.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said adhesive comprises one compound selected from the group consisting of epoxy, polymide, amide-imide and polybenzimidazole adhesives.

5. The thermoelectric generator assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thermoelectric elements carry copper bus straps electrically connecting the same on the cold sides thereof with the outer surfaces of said copper bus straps bonded directly to said generator casing by a dielectric adhesive which is a good thermal conductor.

6. The thermoelectric generator assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said sector shaped blocks have a polygonal exterior configuration when assembled and said casing is formed of thin sheet metal stock bent into like cross-sectional configuration.