Patent ID: 8962969
Filing Date: 2015-02-24
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A thermoelectric device comprising: first and second legs having first ends in contact with a first heat source and second ends in contact with a second heat source, the first leg comprising first and third thermoelectric conducting elements extending continuously between the first heat source and the second heat source, wherein the third thermoelectric conducting element is adjacent to the first thermoelectric conducting element and separated from the first thermoelectric conducting element by a first insulator; the second leg comprising second and fourth thermoelectric conducting elements extending continuously between the first heat source and the second heat source, wherein the fourth thermoelectric conducting element is adjacent to the second thermoelectric conducting element and separated from the second thermoelectric conducting element by a second insulator; and a selecting device configured to be in a first state to form a first thermocouple only from the first and second thermoelectric conducting elements and to be in a second state different from the first state to form of a second thermocouple different from the first thermocouple, from at least the third and fourth thermoelectric conducting elements.