| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 136230000 | Having housing, mounting or support | 21 |
| 20120174956 | Thermoelectric Modules, Thermoelectric Assemblies, and Related Methods - An example thermoelectric module generally includes a first laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, a second laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, and thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the first and second laminates. At least one of the dielectric layers is a polymeric dielectric layer. The electrically conductive layers of the first and second laminates are at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the respective first and second laminates. The thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive pads of the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together. Also disclosed is an exemplary articulated thermoelectric assembly that generally includes rigid upper laminates, thermoelectric elements mechanically and electrically coupled to each upper laminate, and an articulated lower substrate mechanically and electrically coupled to the thermoelectric elements. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20100101622 | THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION MODULE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION MODULE - A thermoelectric conversion module includes a laminated body including a plurality of thermoelectric components laminated therein. Each of the thermoelectric components includes an insulating layer, and a thermoelectric conversion element section in which a plurality of p-type thermoelectric conversion material layers and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric conversion material layers are arranged on the insulating layer in a series connection. A step eliminating insulating material layer is arranged to eliminate a step between the thermoelectric conversion element section and a vicinity thereof, in a region between the insulating layers adjacent to each other in a laminating direction, around the p-type thermoelectric conversion material layers and n-type thermoelectric conversion material layers constituting the thermoelectric conversion element section. The thermoelectric conversion element section has a serpentine shape. Thicknesses of the p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion material layers constituting the thermoelectric conversion element section are greater than the thickness of the insulating layer. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100126548 | THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE, THERMOELECTIC DEVICE MODULE, AND METHOD OF FORMING THE THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE - Provided are a thermoelectric device, a thermoelectric device module, and a method of forming the thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric device includes a first conductive type first semiconductor nanowire including at least one first barrier region; a second conductive type second semiconductor nanowire including at least one second barrier region; a first electrode connected to one end of the first semiconductor nanowire; a second electrode connected to one end of the second semiconductor nanowire; and a common electrode connected to the other end of the first semiconductor nanowire and the other end of the second semiconductor nanowire. The first barrier region is greater than the first semiconductor nanowire in thermal conductivity, and the second barrier region is greater than the second semiconductor nanowire in thermal conductivity. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20090277490 | THERMOELECTRIC MODULE DEVICE WITH THIN FILM ELEMENTS AND FABRICATION THEREOF - A thermoelectric module device with thin film elements is disclosed. A pillar structure with a hollow region is formed by stacking a plurality of thin-film type thermoelectric module elements, each including a plurality thin-film thermoelectric pairs arranged in a ring. An insulating and thermal conducting layer covers the inner sidewalls of the hollow region of the pillar structure and the outer sidewalls of the pillar structure. A cool source and a heat source are disposed in the hollow region or outer side of the pillar structure, respectively. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20100243019 | SOLAR ENERGY CONCENTRATOR - The present invention comprises an arrangement adapted for an absorption of primarily thermal and/or luminous energy arising from received sunbeams, and having a sunbeam-reflecting reflector unit faceable toward the sunbeams and a thermal and/or luminous energy-absorbing means related to the reflector unit, said reflector unit and said thermal and/or luminous energy-absorbing means being coverable by a transparent protection, said reflector unit, in particular the reflector surface thereof, being formed from a thin and easily bendable material. Said reflector unit and primarily the upper reflector surface thereof is adapted for a co-operation with a plurality of discrete support members, denominated “reflector spring”, distributed along a length-oriented or longitudinal extension of said reflector unit and the upper reflector surface thereof, and oriented perpendicularly to, or at all events substantially perpendicularly to, said longitudinal extension, in order to allow said reflector unit and/or reflector surface to, depending on a temperature influence, be able to deform within an elastic range applicable for selected shape and/or choice of material, however while keeping a profile of a stable shape. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20110017254 | THERMOELECTRIC MODULES WITH IMPROVED CONTACT CONNECTION - What is described is a thermoelectric module composed of p- and n-conductive thermoelectric material legs which are connected to one another alternately via electrically conductive metallic contacts, wherein the electrically conductive metallic contacts are connected to the thermoelectric material legs by hard soldering or high-temperature soldering with a solder comprising metal and glass. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110083713 | SEEBECK/PELTIER BIDIRECTIONAL THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE USING NANOWIRES OF CONDUCTIVE OR SEMICONDUCTIVE MATERIAL - The invention relates to Seebeck/Peltier bidirectional thermoelectric conversion devices and in particular to devices employing nanowires of conductive or semiconductive material defined on a substrate by common planar technologies. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110139207 | Thermoelectric Element - A thermoelectric element for use in a thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric element includes a porous substrate coated with one or more materials, at least one of which is a thermoelectric material. There is also a method for making a thermoelectric element including providing a porous substrate and applying a coating of a thermoelectric material to the porous substrate. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20090000652 | Thermoelectric Structures Including Bridging Thermoelectric Elements - A thermoelectric structure may include first and second thermally conductive layers. The first and second thermally conductive layers may be laterally spaced apart in a direction parallel with respect to surfaces of the first and second thermally conductive layers so that a gap is defined between edges of the first and second thermally conductive layers. A thermoelectric element may bridge the gap between the first and second thermally conductive layers, and the thermoelectric element may include a thermoelectric material on respective surface portions of the first and second thermally conductive layers. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090308425 | THERMOCOUPLE - A thermocouple for use in a semiconductor processing reactor is described. The thermocouple includes a sheath having a measuring tip at one end and an opening at the other end. A support member having bores formed along the length is disposed within the sheath. A pair of wires formed of dissimilar metals are disposed within the bores, and one end of the wires is fused together to form a junction. The wires extend along the length of the bores. As the wires exit the bore, they are spatially or physically separated to prevent a short circuit therebetween. The ends of the wires exiting the bore are also free to thermally expand in the longitudinal manner, thereby reducing or eliminating the potential for the wires to fail due to grain slip. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090025775 | DYNAMIC SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM - The invention relates to a dynamic solar tracking system for making optimal use of solar energy by means of panels of photovoltaic or thermal plates, in which a modular tracker adopting the configuration of a main beam which can be aligned with others of an identical nature is developed, this assembly of main beams being able to pivot with respect to its longitudinal axis, each of these beams being formed by a variable number of modules formed by profiles which as a whole provide each beam with a configuration by way of a tetrahedron mesh, and in each of which there is assembled a secondary beam structure for supporting the panels of plates, this secondary structure being supported by two side supports with respect to which it can rotate with respect to an axis transverse to the longitudinal direction of the main beams. The assembly incorporates control means for the automatic orientation of the panels, and a weather station for providing information to the control means. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090133734 | Thermoelectric Conversion Module - To provide a thermoelectric conversion module enabling cost reduction by reducing time and work required for assembly, and so on. A thermoelectric conversion module | 05-28-2009 |
| 20120312345 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THERMAL PROTECTION OF AN ELECTRONICS MODULE OF AN ENERGY HARVESTER - A thermoelectric energy harvesting system may include a thermoelectric generator and an electronics module. The thermoelectric generator may produce a voltage in response to a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator and generate power when coupled to a load. The system may include a housing mounted on top of the thermoelectric generator. The housing may include a cavity containing the electronics module. The electronics module may condition the power generated by the thermoelectric generator. The cavity may be enclosed by an inner surface of the housing. A radiation shield may cover at least a portion of the inner surface and may block radiative heating of the cavity from the housing. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20100236596 | ANISOTROPICALLY ELONGATED THERMOELECTRIC MATERIAL, PROCESS FOR PREPARING THE SAME, AND DEVICE COMPRISING THE MATERIAL - An anisotropically elongated thermoelectric nanocomposite includes a thermoelectric material. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20120298165 | ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION DEVICE, ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION METHOD, AND ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - An electric power generation device equipped with an apparatus which vibrates and generates heat includes a thermoelectric power generation module and a piezoelectric power generation module which are formed integrally. The thermoelectric power generation module has a first surface combining thermally and mechanically with the apparatus's outer surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and generates electric power from temperature differences between the first surface and the second surface caused by the apparatus's generating heat. The piezoelectric power generation module has a fixed end combining mechanically with the apparatus's outer surface and a movable end opposite to the fixed end, and generates electric power from displacement of the movable end to the fixed end caused by the apparatus's vibrating. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20130008480 | THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A thermoelectric conversion device includes a first board, a second board, which is arranged to face the first board, and thermoelectric elements. One end of each thermoelectric element is joined to a first electrode layer on the first board, and the other end is joined to a second electrode layer on the second board. The thermoelectric conversion device includes reinforcing members. One end of each reinforcing members joined to the first insulating plate, and the other end is joined a second insulating plate. In the thermoelectric conversion device, the coefficient of linear expansion of the reinforcing members is greater than the coefficient of linear expansion of the thermoelectric elements. | 01-10-2013 |
| 136232000 | Covered and sealed sensor junction | 5 |
| 20120145215 | Thermoelectric module and method of sealing the same - Disclosed herein is a thermoelectric module including an insulating sealing part formed on portions of a thermoelectric module part or the entirety thereof, the thermoelectric module part including thermoelectric elements, electrodes, and substrates, and a method of sealing the thermoelectric module using a parylene coating method. When the thermoelectric module is coated with parylene, which is a new material having insulation, the parylene is penetrated between the thermoelectric elements to form an insulating separator. The insulating separator efficiently prevents corrosion due to water adsorption, thereby making it possible to improve reliability of the thermoelectric module. | 06-14-2012 |
| 136233000 | Contacting covering over junction (e.g., embedded, coated, etc.) | 4 |
| 20090044849 | POLYMER ENCAPSULATED MICRO-THERMOCOUPLE - A catheter comprising a catheter sleeve and a micro-thermocouple adapted to move within the sleeve, wherein the micro-thermocouple includes a first insulated conductor, wherein the first conductor has a diameter ranging from around 0.00009 inches to 0.005 inches, a second insulated conductor, and a coupled region including a bare region of the first insulated conductor coupled to a bare region of the second insulated conductor and an electrically insulative cover. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090260669 | METAL-GATE THERMOCOUPLE - A metal gate thermocouple is provided. The thermocouple is configured to measure local temperatures of a device. The thermocouple is a passive device which senses temperature using the thermoelectric principle that when two dissimilar electrically conductive materials are joined, an electrical potential (voltage) is developed between the two materials. The voltage between the materials varies with the temperature of the junction (joint) between the materials. The thermocouple device includes a first conductor comprising a first material formed over a thin oxide layer or a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure and a second conductor comprising a second material formed over the thin oxide layer or the STI structure. The second conductor overlaps with the first conductor to form a thermocouple junction or dimension at least more than an alignment tolerance. The first and second materials are chosen such that the thermocouple junction formed between them exhibits a non-zero Seebeck coefficient. A conductive film formed over the first conductor and the second conductor and a non-conductive void or film is formed over the thermocouple junction. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20100212713 | Thermoelectric Conversion Module Component, Thermoelectric Conversion Module, and Method for Producing the Aforementioned - A thermoelectric conversion module component includes a laminate formed of a plurality of stacked thermoelectric elements each including a unit circuit having repeated pn junction pairs that extend meanderingly and that are formed of p-type thermoelectric material layers and n-type thermoelectric material layers arranged so as to be alternately connected to each other on a surface of an insulating layer, and oblique joint surfaces at which electrodes are led out of the laminate. The oblique joint surfaces are such that a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion module components are electrically connected by contacting the surfaces with each other to form a ring. A thermoelectric conversion module includes a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion module components connected to each other to form a ring. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20110030754 | THERMOELECTRIC MODULES AND RELATED METHODS - An example thermoelectric module of the present disclosure generally includes a first laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, a second laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, and thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the first and second laminates. At least one of the dielectric layers is a polymeric dielectric layer. The electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the first laminate. The electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the second laminate. The thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive pads of the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together. | 02-10-2011 |
