Patent ID: 9105808
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: B60N,F25B,H01L

Abstract:
1. A thermoelectric system comprising: a pair of opposing substrates, each substrate having a peripheral edge and a face that generally opposes a face of the other opposing substrate; a plurality semiconductor elements positioned between the opposing faces of the opposing substrates, the plurality of semiconductor elements comprises at least two groups of dissimilar semiconductor elements, wherein the plurality of semiconductor elements are electrically coupled in series by conductor elements arranged so the two groups of dissimilar semiconductor elements are connected in an alternating pattern; a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal electrically connected to the conductor elements with the third terminal being positioned electrically between the first and second terminals along a circuit created by the plurality of semiconductor elements electrically coupled in series by the conductor elements, and a switch electrically connected to at least one of the first, second and third terminals, so as to permit electric current to selectively flow between the first and second terminals and between the first and third terminals, wherein the switch permits a total number of semiconductor elements through which electric current passes to be adjusted; wherein the electrically coupled semiconductor elements comprise a plurality of first nodes and a plurality of second nodes, wherein the first and second nodes emit or absorb heat according to electric current flowing through the semiconductor elements, and wherein an impedance of the thermoelectric system is controlled by activating the switch.