Patent ID: 8674208
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A thermoelectric generation method using a thermoelectric generator that includes (A) a first support member; (B) a second support member disposed opposite the first support member; (C) a first thermoelectric conversion element disposed between the first support member and the second support member; (D) a second thermoelectric conversion element disposed between the first support member and the second support member; and (E) a first output section, a second output section, a third output section, and a fourth output section, wherein the first thermoelectric conversion element includes (C-1) a first thermoelectric conversion member disposed between the first support member and the second support member; and (C-2) a second thermoelectric conversion member disposed between the first support member and the second support member, and that is made of a material having a different conductivity type from that of the first thermoelectric conversion member, and is electrically connected in series to the first thermoelectric conversion member, the first and second thermoelectric conversion members having a tapering shape that increases from the second support member side to the first support member side, the second thermoelectric conversion element includes (D-1) a third thermoelectric conversion member disposed between the first support member and the second support member; and (D-2) a fourth thermoelectric conversion member disposed between the first support member and the second support member, and that is made of a material having a different conductivity type from that of the third thermoelectric conversion member, and is electrically connected in series to the third thermoelectric conversion member, the third and fourth thermoelectric conversion members having a tapering shape that decreases from the second support member side to the first support member side, the first output section is connected to the first thermoelectric conversion member, the second output section is connected to the second thermoelectric conversion member, the third output section is connected to the third thermoelectric conversion member, the fourth output section is connected to the fourth thermoelectric conversion member, and a relation τ the method comprising: placing the thermoelectric generator in a temperature-changing atmosphere; drawing to outside during a first time period a current that is generated due to a temperature difference between the first support member and the second support member when the temperature of the second support member is higher than the temperature of the first support member, and that flows from the second thermoelectric conversion member to the first thermoelectric conversion member, using the first output section as a positive terminal, and the second output section as a negative terminal; and drawing to outside during a second time period a current that is generated due to a temperature difference between the first support member and the second support member when the temperature of the first support member is higher than the temperature of the second support member, and that flows from the fourth thermoelectric conversion member to the third thermoelectric conversion member, using the third output section as a positive terminal, and the fourth output section as a negative terminal.