Patent ID: 8495884
Filing Date: 2013-07-30
Classification: F02G,F25B,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A thermoelectric system comprising: a first thermoelectric element, the first thermoelectric element has a first thickness along a first direction that is along a direction of electrical current flow through the first thermoelectric element, a first cross-sectional area in a plane generally perpendicular to the first direction, and a first aspect ratio equal to the first cross-sectional area divided by the first thickness; a second thermoelectric element having an opposite conductivity type as the first thermoelectric element, the second thermoelectric element has a second thickness along a second direction that is along a direction of electrical current flow through the second thermoelectric element, a second cross-sectional area in a plane generally perpendicular to the second direction, and a second aspect ratio equal to the second cross-sectional area divided by the second thickness, wherein at least one of the first aspect ratio is different than the second aspect ratio, the first thickness is different than the second thickness, and the first cross-sectional area is different than the second cross-sectional area; and at least one first heat transfer device comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion sandwiched between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element, the second portion projecting away from the first portion, and wherein the thermoelectric system is configured to have at least some current flow between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element through the at least one first heat transfer device.