Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Thermoelectric – Thermopile
Patent
1997-06-30
1999-01-26
Gorgos, Kathryn L.
Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
Thermoelectric
Thermopile
136201, 136205, 136238, 136239, 136240, H01L 3502, H01L 3514, H01L 3534
Patent
active
058640878
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This is a national stage application of PCT/JP96/03204, filed Oct. 31, 1996.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a thermoelectric device, by which a high voltage can be readily obtained, which is good in terms of responsibility to heat, and which is full of oxidation-resistance.
2. Background Art
Thermoelectric devices are devices whose purpose is for directly converting heat to electricity. As for thermoelectric devices, there are bulk thermoelectric devices whose purpose is for producing an electric power, and which is prepared by a fusing process or a sintering process, and thin-film thermoelectric devices whose purpose is for the applications to sensors, and which are formed by CVD or PVD.
The bulk thermoelectric devices have a large volume, and accordingly require a relatively long time to obtain a predetermined output. Moreover, in order to obtain a high voltage, it is necessary to connect a plurality of pairs of thermoelectric devices in series. However, there is a problem in that it is difficult to connect bulk thermoelectric devices. On the other hand, thin-film thermoelectric devices output voltage quickly, but output electric power of extreme weakness.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermoelectric device which is quick in terms of responsibility to heat, which exhibits a large thermal electromotive force (or voltage), by which an electric power can be produced in a relatively large quantity, and further which can be manufactured at reduced cost.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
As a result of series of trial and errors for developing a thermoelectric material of high output, the inventors of the present invention discovered that a sufficient electric power can be obtained by thickening a thin-film type thermoelectric material, thereby completing the present invention. For instance, a thick-film thermoelectric device according to the present invention comprises: a substrate having a thickness of 2.0 mm or less; and a pair of thick-film type thermoelectric materials formed on the substrate, having a thickness of from 0.01 mm to 1.0 mm, and including a p-type thermoelectric material and an n-type thermoelectric material, the p-type thermoelectric material and the n-type thermoelectric material connected with each other at an end thereof.
The thick-film type thermoelectric device according to the present invention is extremely thin as a whole, and accordingly can be heated readily to produce a predetermined output for a short period of time. Moreover, despite the film construction, the thermoelectric material is formed as a thick film of 0.01 mm or more, and consequently a relatively large electric power can be obtained. In addition, the thick-film type thermoelectric device according to the present invention can be manufactured by simple operations, such as coating to the substrate, and baking, and accordingly can be manufactured at reduced cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thick-film thermoelectric device according to a preferred embodiment;
FIG. 2 is an electron micrograph for showing a metallic structure of a thermoelectric material constituting the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 3 is an electron micrograph for showing a metallic structure of a raw thermoelectric material which was sintered at a temperature of the melting point or less;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for illustrating relationships between "x" in FeSi.sub.x, i.e., a material composition of a raw thermoelectric material, and a thermoelectromotive force;
FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating a relationship between a thickness of a raw thermoelectric material and a thermoelectromotive force;
FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating a relationship between a thickness of a raw thermoelectric material and an effective maximum output;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating relationships between an elapsed heating time and a temperature difference, relationships which were exhibited by specific kinds of substrates;
FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustrating relationships between a burning tempe
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Amano Takashi
Kamiya Naoki
Okabayashi Makoto
Carroll Chrisman D.
Gorgos Kathryn L.
Technova Inc.
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