Patent ID: 7032389

Claim:
A thermoelectric heat pump module comprising: a plurality of spaced thermoelectric elements, the thermoelectric elements comprising first ends connected in pairs by electrically and thermally conductive cold-side connectors, the thermoelectric elements comprising second opposite ends connected in pairs by electrically and thermally conductive hot-side connector sinks comprising extended, spaced heat exchange portions forming a hot sink array, the cold-side connectors connected directly to and supported by a rigid, unitary cold sink, further comprising potting material extending from the cold sink to a point beyond the cold-side connectors, the potting material sealing and supporting the first ends of the thermoelectric elements and the cold-side connectors, wherein the cold-side connectors are connected to a support surface of the cold sink whose area is greater than an area bounded by the thermoelectric elements, and wherein the potting material is built up from the support surface around the cold-sink supported cold-side connectors to form an additional support for the thermoelectric elements and connectors.