Patent ID: 7655858

Claim:
A system, comprising: a first single-thermoelectric-junction thermoelectric couple that includes: a hot side when the system is operating; a cold side spaced from said hot side when the system is operating; a first thermoelement having a first end in thermal communication with one of said hot side and said cold side, and a second end in thermal communication with the other of said hot side and said cold side, said first thermoelement comprising at least one first electrical and thermal conducting portion and a first energy storage device that includes a first insulating region connected in series with said at least one first electrical and thermal conducting portion between said hot side and said cold side so as to inhibit flow of heat through said first thermoelement and to inhibit the flow of electricity across said first energy storage device; a second thermoelement having a third end in thermal communication with the one of said hot side and said cold side in which said first end of said first thermoelement is in thermal communication, and a fourth end in thermal communication with the other of said hot side and said cold side in which said second end of said first thermoelement is in thermal communication, said second thermoelement comprising at least one second electrical and thermal conducting portion and a second energy storage device that includes a second insulating region connected in series with said at least one second electrical and thermal conducting portion between said hot side and said cold side so as to inhibit flow of heat through said second thermoelement and to inhibit the flow of electricity across said second energy storage device; and only one thermoelectric junction, said thermoelectric junction being formed by and between said first end of said first thermoelement and said third end of said second thermoelement; and energy harvesting circuitry in electrical communication with each of said first energy storage device and said second energy storage device for periodically harvesting electrical energy from said first energy storage device and said second energy storage device.