Patent DE-102006055120-A1 (DE)
Title: Thermoelectric element for producing electrical energy, comprises flat carrier made of insulating porous material, thermopairs formed by an electrical conductor, electrically conductive connection, and connector
Inventor: SCHUETTE RUEDIGER
IPC: H01L35/12
Filed: 2006-11-21
Abstract: The thermoelectric element for producing electrical energy, comprises a flat carrier (611), which is made of electrically and thermally insulating porous material and has first and second surfaces, a first- and second thermopair or necessary further thermopair formed by an electrical conductor (615) containing a first and a second thermoelectric material running through the pores of the first surface to the second surface of the flat carrier, an electrically conductive connection to the ends of the thermopairs or the further thermopair in parallel- and/or series connection, and a connector. The thermoelectric element for producing electrical energy, comprises a flat carrier (611), which is made of electrically and thermally insulating porous material and has first and second surfaces, a first- and second thermopair or necessary further thermopair formed by an electrical conductor (615) containing a first and a second thermoelectric material running through the pores of the first surface to the second surface of the flat carrier, an electrically conductive connection to the ends of the thermopairs or the further thermopair in parallel- and/or series connection, and a connector for supplying and diverting electrical energy, which is connected with the thermopairs. The conductors electrically run from one another through the flat carrier in an insulated manner. A nearer surface of the flat carrier is electrically connected with one another. The thermoelectric materials forming the first and second thermopairs are connected with one another. The ends of the further thermopair present itself on the other surface of the flat carrier. The further thermopair is intended next to the first and second thermopairs and is connected in row and/or parallel with one another. The conductor containing the first thermoelectric material is connected with the conductor containing the second thermoelectric material. A thermopair with the further thermopair is electrically connected on the first and second surfaces. All thermopairs are connected through electrically series and/or parallel connections, so that the voltage- and/or current values are added to the thermopairs and the connector is intended at the end points of the thermopairs connected with one another. The produced thermo-voltage is measured by the connector or electrical voltage is supplied by the connector to operate the thermopairs as Peltier element. The surfaces of the flat carrier are provided with the electrical connections of the conductor and the thermopairs are provided with a foil or coating made of electrically insulating material. The flat carrier is a tissue, knitted fabric, mesh fabric, structure, felt or non-woven, which is developed from organic or inorganic polymers, glass, ceramic material, metal-or non-metal oxides, carbides, nitrides and/or borides. The flat carrier contains continuous hollows or pore or pores connected with one another, in which the electrical conductor that forms the thermopairs, is formed. The electrical connection of the conductor and/or the thermopairs is carried by an electrically conductive coating on the surface of the flat carrier. The flat carrier is contacted with a connecting layer in the form of a further flat carrier. The connecting layer has electrical conductive areas in the interior or on the surfaces, so that the areas are connected with the conductors and/or the thermopairs in the flat carrier. The electrical connection of the thermopairs is carried out with the electrical conductive areas in the interior or on the surface of the connecting layer through contacting the thermopairs with the contact position from the electrically conductive material applied on the surface of the connecting layer and with the electrical conductive areas in the interior or on the surface of the connecting layer standing in electrical connection. A contact aid (607) is intended between contact points of the thermopairs and the connecting layer for decreasing the electrical resistance. The electrical connection of the thermopairs with the further thermopair is carried out by an electrical conductive foil, which is applied on pre-determined areas of one of the surface of the flat carrier. The foil has electrically conductive area and non-electrical conductive area. The electrical conductive area connects the conductors to the thermopairs or connects several thermopairs with one another. The first and second thermoelectric materials are metals, metal alloys, semiconductors, electrically conductive polymers and electrically conductive inorganic materials. The flat carrier is equipped with thermoelectric-thighs, which contains same or different combinations of first and second thermoelectric materials, and are arranged to the flat carrier in the form of a laminated structure to a multi-layer thermoelectric-layer. The received continuous thermoelectric-thighs are electrically connected together to the thermopairs. Different flat carriers are equipped with thermoelectric-thighs from different thermoelectric materials. The contact aid is intended for the electrical connection of the thermoelectric-thighs of the flat carrier. Pipelines are intended near to the first and/or the second surface of the flat carrier. The pipelines are thermally contacted with the surfaces. A heating unit and/or cooling unit are guided through the pipelines. An independent claim is included for a method for producing a thermoelectric element.