Patent ID: 6020671
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: H02N

Abstract:
A thermoelectric module comprising at least one electricity generating unit having a first end and a second end and further comprising:a first thermoelectric element made of a thermoelectric material,a second thermoelectric element made of a thermoelectric material,a hot member made of an electrically conductive material and arranged to heat one side of said first thermoelectric element and to heat one side of said second thermoelectric element,a cold member made of an electrically conductive material and arranged to cool another side of said first thermoelectric element and to cool one side of said second thermoelectric element,wherein said hot member, said first thermoelectric element, said cold member and said second thermoelectric element are supported in a fixture means, are electrically connected respectively to provide said electricity generating unit, and are arranged respectively in positions along an in-line axis,and wherein said module further comprises:in-line clamping means for clamping said first and second thermoelectric elements and said first hot and cold members in said respective in-line positions,means for connecting the first and second ends of said electricity generating unit to an electrical circuit,heating means for heating said hot member, andcooling means for cooling;wherein said fixture means comprises a lower mounting plate, a lower insulating plate one side of which is supported by said lower mounting plate and the other side of which supports said generating unit, an upper insulating plate supported by said generating unit, an upper mounting plate supported by said upper insulating plate, and compressing means for resiliently engaging said upper mounting plate and said lower mounting plate to clamp therebetween said upper and lower insulating plates and said generating unit, said resilient engagement being provided by resilient means positioned between said compressing means and at least one of said mounting plates to prevent excessive clamping forces due to thermal expansion when said hot member is heated by said heating means.