Patent ID: 7629531
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A thermoelectric generator, comprising: a top plate and a bottom plate disposed is spaced parallel relation to one another, each one of the top and bottom plates being thermally conductive and having a generally circular shape; a spirally wound foil segment captured between and thermally interconnecting the top and bottom plates, the foil segment comprising: wherein: each one of the p-type thermoelectric legs is electrically connected to adjacent ones of the n-type thermoelectric legs at opposite ends of the p-type thermoelectric legs such that the n-type and p-type thermoelectric legs are electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel; the top plate and bottom plate being electrically connected to respective ones of opposing ends of the series of alternating n-type and p-type thermoelectric legs; the thermoelectric material for the p-type thermoelectric legs being a semiconductor compound having the following formula: