Patent ID: 9246075
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: H01L

Claim Text:
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, 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.