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Thermoelectric conversion element and method of manufacturing the same, and thermoelectric conversion device using the element

  • US 7,317,159 B2
  • Filed: 08/02/2005
  • Issued: 01/08/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A thermoelectric conversion element comprising:

  • an insulating layer, striped p-type thermoelectric conversion parts arranged on a first surface of the insulating layer, and striped n-type thermoelectric conversion parts arranged on a second surface of the insulating layer wherein said second surface is opposite said first surface; and

    the thermoelectric conversion element having overlapping portions at which the striped p-type thermoelectric conversion parts and the striped n-type thermoelectric conversion parts intersect when viewed along a thickness direction of the insulating layer;

    wherein, at one or more of the overlapping portions,a) a first p-type thermoelectric conversion part of the striped p-type thermoelectric conversion parts and a first n-type thermoelectric conversion part of the striped n-type thermoelectric conversion parts are electrically connected via a first conducting portion arranged within the insulating layer;

    b) a second p-type thermoelectric conversion part of the striped p-type thermoelectric conversion parts and a second n-type thermoelectric conversion part of the striped n-type thermoelectric conversion parts are electrically connected via a second conducting portion arranged within the insulating layer;

    c) the first p-type thermoelectric conversion part and the second p-type thermoelectric conversion part are adjacent to each other with the overlapping portion interposed therebetween and are cut apart from each other in the overlapping portion;

    d) the first n-type thermoelectric conversion part and the second n-type thermoelectric conversion part are adjacent to each other with the overlapping portion interposed therebetween and are cut apart from each other in the overlapping portion; and

    e) the first conducting portion and the second conducting portion are electrically isolated.

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