Tubular thermoelectric generation device
First Claim
1. A tubular thermoelectric generation device, comprising:
- a plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole;
a plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole;
a plurality of external electrodes; and
a plurality of internal electrodes,whereinthe plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members are disposed alternately along an axis direction of the tubular thermoelectric generation device so that each through hole of the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and each through hole of the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members overlap each other;
each of the plurality of the external electrodes is in contact with the external peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other;
each of the plurality of the internal electrodes is in contact with the internal peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other;
the plurality of external electrodes and the plurality of internal electrodes are disposed alternately along the axis direction of the tubular thermoelectric generation device;
each of the plurality of the external electrodes comprises an internal flange expanded in a direction from the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member;
each of the internal flanges is interposed between the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other;
each of the internal flanges is formed of an electrically conductive material;
a first insulation film is interposed between the internal flange and the p-type thermoelectric member;
a second insulation film is interposed between the internal flange and the n-type thermoelectric member;
each of the plurality of the internal electrodes comprises an external flange expanded in a direction from the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member;
each of the external flanges is interposed between the n-type thermoelectric member and the p-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other;
each of the external flanges is formed of an electrically conductive material;
a third insulation film is interposed between the external flange and the p-type thermoelectric member; and
a fourth insulation film is interposed between the external flange and the n-type thermoelectric member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a tubular thermoelectric generation device, comprising: a plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of external electrodes; and a plurality of internal electrodes. Each of the plurality of the external electrodes comprises an internal flange expanded in a direction from the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member. Each of the plurality of the internal electrodes comprises an external flange expanded in a direction from the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member.
20 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A tubular thermoelectric generation device, comprising:
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a plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of external electrodes; and a plurality of internal electrodes, wherein the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members are disposed alternately along an axis direction of the tubular thermoelectric generation device so that each through hole of the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and each through hole of the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members overlap each other; each of the plurality of the external electrodes is in contact with the external peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the plurality of the internal electrodes is in contact with the internal peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; the plurality of external electrodes and the plurality of internal electrodes are disposed alternately along the axis direction of the tubular thermoelectric generation device; each of the plurality of the external electrodes comprises an internal flange expanded in a direction from the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member; each of the internal flanges is interposed between the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the internal flanges is formed of an electrically conductive material; a first insulation film is interposed between the internal flange and the p-type thermoelectric member; a second insulation film is interposed between the internal flange and the n-type thermoelectric member; each of the plurality of the internal electrodes comprises an external flange expanded in a direction from the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member; each of the external flanges is interposed between the n-type thermoelectric member and the p-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the external flanges is formed of an electrically conductive material; a third insulation film is interposed between the external flange and the p-type thermoelectric member; and a fourth insulation film is interposed between the external flange and the n-type thermoelectric member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A tubular thermoelectric generation device, comprising:
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a plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of external electrodes; and a plurality of internal electrodes, wherein the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members are disposed alternately along an axis direction of the tubular thermoelectric generation device so that each through hole of the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and each through hole of the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members overlap each other; each of the plurality of the external electrodes is in contact with the external peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the plurality of the internal electrodes is in contact with the internal peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; the plurality of external electrodes and the plurality of internal electrodes are disposed alternately along the axis direction of the tubular thermoelectric generation device; each of the plurality of the external electrodes comprises an internal flange expanded in a direction from the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member; each of the internal flanges is interposed between the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the internal flanges is formed of an insulator; each of the internal flanges is in contact with the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the internal flanges is formed integrally with the external electrode; each of the plurality of the internal electrodes comprises an external flange expanded in a direction from the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member; each of the external flanges is interposed between the n-type thermoelectric member and the p-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the external flanges is formed of an insulator; each of the external flanges is in contact with the n-type thermoelectric member and the p-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; and each of the external flanges is formed integrally with the internal electrode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for generating an electric power using a tubular thermoelectric generation device, the method comprising:
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(a) preparing the tubular thermoelectric generation device comprising; a plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of external electrodes; and a plurality of internal electrodes, wherein the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members are disposed alternately along an axis direction of the tubular thermoelectric generation device so that each through hole of the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and each through hole of the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members overlap each other; each of the plurality of the external electrodes is in contact with the external peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the plurality of the internal electrodes is in contact with the internal peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; the plurality of external electrodes and the plurality of internal electrodes are disposed alternately along the axis direction of the tubular thermoelectric generation device; each of the plurality of the external electrodes comprises an internal flange expanded in a direction from the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member; each of the internal flanges is interposed between the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the internal flanges is formed of an electrically conductive material; a first insulation film is interposed between the internal flange and the p-type thermoelectric member; a second insulation film is interposed between the internal flange and the n-type thermoelectric member; each of the plurality of the internal electrodes comprises an external flange expanded in a direction from the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member; each of the external flanges is interposed between the n-type thermoelectric member and the p-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the external flanges is formed of an electrically conductive material; a third insulation film is interposed between the external flange and the p-type thermoelectric member; and a fourth insulation film is interposed between the external flange and the n-type thermoelectric member; and (b) flowing a fluid through an inside of the tubular thermoelectric generation device to generate an electric potential difference between both ends of the tubular thermoelectric generation device by temperature difference generated between the inside and an outside of the tubular thermoelectric generation device.
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23. A method for generating an electric power using a tubular thermoelectric generation device, the method comprising:
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(a) preparing the tubular thermoelectric generation device comprising; a plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of external electrodes; and a plurality of internal electrodes, wherein the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members are disposed alternately along an axis direction of the tubular thermoelectric generation device so that each through hole of the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and each through hole of the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members overlap each other; each of the plurality of the external electrodes is in contact with the external peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the plurality of the internal electrodes is in contact with the internal peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; the plurality of external electrodes and the plurality of internal electrodes are disposed alternately along the axis direction of the tubular thermoelectric generation device; each of the plurality of the external electrodes comprises an internal flange expanded in a direction from the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member; each of the internal flanges is interposed between the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the internal flanges is formed of an insulator; each of the internal flanges is in contact with the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the internal flanges is formed integrally with the external electrode; each of the plurality of the internal electrodes comprises an external flange expanded in a direction from the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member; each of the external flanges is interposed between the n-type thermoelectric member and the p-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the external flanges is formed of an insulator; each of the external flanges is in contact with the n-type thermoelectric member and the p-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; and each of the external flanges is formed integrally with the internal electrode; and (b) flowing a fluid through an inside of the tubular thermoelectric generation device to generate an electric potential difference between both ends of the tubular thermoelectric generation device by the action of temperature difference generated between the inside and an outside of the tubular thermoelectric generation device.
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24. A method for fabricating a tubular thermoelectric generation device, the method comprising:
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(a) preparing a stacked structure comprising; a plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of external electrodes; and a plurality of internal electrodes, wherein the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members are disposed alternately so that each through hole of the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and each through hole of the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members overlap each other when viewed along the normal direction of the plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and the plate-like n-type thermoelectric members; each of the plurality of the external electrodes is in contact with the external peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the plurality of the internal electrodes is in contact with the internal peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; the plurality of external electrodes and the plurality of internal electrodes are disposed alternately along the axis direction of the tubular thermoelectric generation device; each of the plurality of the external electrodes comprises an internal flange expanded in a direction from the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member; each of the internal flanges is interposed between the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the internal flanges is formed of an electrically conductive material; a first insulation film is interposed between the internal flange and the p-type thermoelectric member; a second insulation film is interposed between the internal flange and the n-type thermoelectric member; each of the internal flanges is interposed between the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the plurality of the internal electrodes comprises an external flange expanded in a direction from the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member; each of the external flanges is interposed between the n-type thermoelectric member and the p-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the external flanges is formed of an electrically conductive material; a third insulation film is interposed between the external flange and the p-type thermoelectric member; and a fourth insulation film is interposed between the external flange and the n-type thermoelectric member; and (b) compressing and heating the stacked structure to obtain the tubular thermoelectric generation device.
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25. A method for fabricating a tubular thermoelectric generation device, the method comprising:
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(a) preparing a stacked structure comprising; a plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members each having an external periphery, a through hole, and an internal periphery formed around the through hole; a plurality of external electrodes; and a plurality of internal electrodes, wherein the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members are disposed alternately so that each through hole of the plurality of plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and each through hole of the plurality of plate-like n-type thermoelectric members overlap each other when viewed along the normal direction of the plate-like p-type thermoelectric members and the plate-like n-type thermoelectric members; each of the plurality of the external electrodes is in contact with the external peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the plurality of the internal electrodes is in contact with the internal peripheries of the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; the plurality of external electrodes and the plurality of internal electrodes are disposed alternately along the axis direction of the tubular thermoelectric generation device; each of the plurality of the external electrodes comprises an internal flange expanded in a direction from the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member; each of the internal flanges is interposed between the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the internal flanges is formed of an insulator; each of the internal flanges is in contact with the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the internal flanges is formed integrally with the external electrode; each of the internal flanges is interposed between the p-type thermoelectric member and the n-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the plurality of the internal electrodes comprises an external flange expanded in a direction from the internal periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member toward the external periphery of the p-type thermoelectric member; each of the external flanges is interposed between the n-type thermoelectric member and the p-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; each of the external flanges is formed of an insulator; each of the external flanges is in contact with the n-type thermoelectric member and the p-type thermoelectric member which are adjacent to each other; and each of the external flanges is formed integrally with the internal electrode; and (b) compressing and heating the stacked structure to obtain the tubular thermoelectric generation device.
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Specification