Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Thermoelectric – Processes
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-04
2003-09-16
Ryan, Patrick (Department: 1745)
Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
Thermoelectric
Processes
C136S238000, C136S239000, C136S240000, C136S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06620994
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the thermoelectric generation of electricity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are three principle thermoelectric phenomena: the Seebeck effect, the Peltier effect, and the Thomson effect. Advantageous thermoelectric generation is based on the interacting relationships of these effects. The Seebeck effect is the production of an electrical potential occurring when two different conducting materials are joined to form a closed circuit with junctions at different temperatures. The Peltier effect relates to the absorption of heat occurring when an electric current passes through a junction of two different conductors. The third thermoelectric principle, the Thomson effect, is the reversible evolution of heat that occurs when an electric current passes through a homogeneous conductor having a temperature gradient about its length.
The Seebeck effect is the phenomenon directly related to thermoelectric generation. According to the Seebeck effect, thermoelectric generation occurs in a circuit containing at least two dissimilar materials having one junction at a first temperature and a second junction at a second different temperature. The dissimilar materials giving rise to thermoelectric generation in accordance with the Seebeck effect are generally n-type and p-type semiconductors.
While these thermoelectric principles have been known for more than a century, the extreme high cost of generating even a small amount of electricity has prevented any widespread use of these thermoelectric effects for power generation. In fact, previously the Seebeck effect has been employed almost exclusively for thermocouples. Thermocouples in accordance with the Seebeck effect allow temperature measurement based upon a current induced in couples of metals, such as PT-Rh or Fe-Constantan. However, these couples cannot be advantageously used to generate electricity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A thermoelectric generator consistent with the invention includes a couple of bismuth telluride thermoelectrodes, wherein one thermoelectrode is doped with either palladium (Pd) or selenium (Se), and the other thermoelectrode of the couple is doped with either antimony (Sb) or gold. Accordingly, the thermoelectric generator consistent with the present invention achieves highly efficient thermoelectric conversion.
A method for producing thermoelectrodes consistent with the invention herein is provided wherein the individual constituent metals are first purified. Following purification the constituent metals of each thermoelectrode are combined in precise stoichiometric ratios to produce stock salts. Finally, the stock salts are subjected to a sliding electrical resistance whereby the stock salts experience directional fusion. The directional fusion process produces an oriented crystalline structure in the final salts.
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“Evaluate&Demostrate Broad Applications For Thermoelectric Devices for DOE's Office of Fossil Energy”DOE Contract No. DE-AM26-99FT40465, Product, Program and Project Engineering and Analysis (P3EA) Task 51304 submitted to: US Dept. of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory by: Concurrent Technologies Nov. 21, 2001.
“Evaluate&Demonstrate Broad Applications for Thermoelectric Devices for DOE's Office of Industrial Technologies”DOE Contract No. DE-AM26-99FT40465, Product, Program and Project Engineering and Analysis (P3EA) Task 50517B submitted to: US Dept of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory by: Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), Energy and Environmental Efficiency Management, Inc. (E3M, Inc.) and Leonardo Technologies, Inc. (LTI) Nov. 27, 2001.
Grossman Tucker Perreault & Pfleger PLLC
Leonardo Technologies, Inc.
Parsons Thomas H.
Ryan Patrick
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