Patent ID: 9601677
Date: 2017-03-21
CPC Classifications: H01L

Claim:
1. A thermoelectric structure comprising: a thermally conductive substrate; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged on a surface of the thermally conductive substrate, wherein each thermoelectric element of the plurality of thermoelectric elements consists of an entirely planar thermoelectric element that is non-parallel and non-orthogonal with respect to the surface of the thermally conductive substrate, wherein each thermoelectric element of the plurality of thermoelectric elements includes first and second opposing surfaces separated by a thickness of the thermoelectric element, wherein for each thermoelectric element of the plurality of thermoelectric elements the first and second opposing surfaces of the thermoelectric element are parallel with respect to each other, wherein for each thermoelectric element of the plurality of thermoelectric elements both of the first and second opposing surfaces of the thermoelectric element are exposed to a fluid environment; wherein for each thermoelectric element of the plurality of thermoelectric elements both of the first and second opposing surfaces are non-parallel and non-orthogonal with respect to the surface of the thermally conductive substrate, wherein each thermoelectric element of the plurality of thermoelectric elements has the first and second opposing surfaces that are first and second primary surfaces of the thermoelectric element, wherein the first and second primary surfaces are planar, wherein the thermoelectric elements are electrically connected in series and comprise alternating p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements, wherein directly adjacent ones of the alternating p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements define P-N pairs, and wherein the directly adjacent ones of the alternating p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements of each of the P-N pairs are canted in different directions relative to the surface of the substrate.