CZ273694A3 - Peltier effect employing cascade of thermo-electric cells - Google Patents

Abstract

A cascade of thermoelectric couples utilizing Peltier effect, consisting of layers of semiconductor elements (1, 2) connected electrically in series and mutually connected with conductive members (3), comprising more than one layer of said P-type and N-type elements without inside insulating means between the layers, wherein the semiconductor elements of type P and of type N alternate regularly. Individual layers of the cascade may include P-type and N-type semiconductor elements of different specific electrical properties and/or dimensions.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a cascade of thermoelectric cells utilizing the Peltier effect useful in cooling, thermoregulation and similar techniques.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, thermoelectric cells using Peltier effect in refrigeration technology, such as handheld car refrigerators for food refrigeration, are used to stabilize the temperature in microelectronics, but can also be used as a power source for driving pacemakers, anti-corrosion cathodic protection steel structures, pipes or rails and the like.

The base element of the thermocouple consists of a P-type semiconductor element and a regular-type second N-type semiconductor element of suitable semiconductor materials, where the upper ends of the two elements are connected by a conductive jumper. An electric current is applied to the lower end of the P-type semiconductor element, which passes through the P-type element, the conductive jumper to the N-type element, and the other conductive jumper.

Passing the current produces a temperature difference, which depends on the properties of the semiconductor materials, the dimensions of the semiconductor elements, the voltage and the intensity of the electric current. For most practical applications, this basic cell is repeated in a surface thermoelectric battery, where the individual P and N semiconductor elements alternate regularly and are electrically connected in series, while thermally parallel. On the one hand, the thermal battery generates cold, on the other hand heat.

In applications requiring higher temperature differences, a cascade of several layers of superimposed surface batteries is superimposed on each other, wherein the bottom warm side of the surface battery is cooled by the top cold side of another surface battery. The individual surface batteries are separated from each other by an electrical insulator, such as a corundum plate, or special ceramic materials, to maintain the series electrical wiring of the cells.

The need for an electrical insulator is a disadvantage of this solution, since the electrical insulator is also a thermal insulator, which causes significant heat loss and thus both a reduction in the thermal difference between the hot and cold side and a decrease in overall efficiency. The necessity of using insulating inserts made of expensive materials also means higher production costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These drawbacks are largely overcome by a Peltier effect cascade composed of at least two layers of series-connected P-type and N-type semiconductor elements that alternate regularly and are connected to each other by conductive jumpers according to the invention. each additional cascade of thermocouple casings has conductive jumpers of P-type semiconductor elements and N-type semiconductor elements in common with the preceding layer.

Individual cascade layers may contain P-type and N-type semiconductor elements of different specific electrical properties or dimensions.

The advantages of the thermocouple arranged in this way are primarily the elimination of the inner insulating layers and thus the elimination of the temperature difference losses caused by the temperature gradient on the inner insulating plate. There is no need for heat to pass through the inner insulation plate, thereby increasing the achievable temperature difference between the cooling cascade and the cooling capacity.

The saving of internal insulation plates has a positive effect on production costs, while increasing the cascade's compactness, reducing its thickness and weight, which is particularly important in miniature and space applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art thermocouple; FIG. 2 illustrates a cascade of thermocouple in a conventional embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows the basic element of the cascade of thermocouples according to the invention; and Fig. 4 shows a possible cascade solution with three layers of the original cells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The base element of the thermoelectric cascade (Peltier cells shown in Fig. 3) is formed by adding two more semiconductor elements 1,2 to the original thermoelectric element of Fig. 1 consisting of a P-type semiconductor element 1, a N-type semiconductor element 2 and more conductive jumpers 3. of type P and N, such that a conductor jumper 3 with a conductively connected prior art P-type semiconductor element 2 is conductively connected on the other side and a conductor jumper 2 ^{with a} conductively connected prior art N-type semiconductor element 2 a P-type semiconductor element 1 is conductively connected on the other side, the other ends of the P and N-type semiconductor elements 1,2 being also connected by conductive jumpers 3.

From Figure 4, which shows a specific embodiment of the three-layer cascade, it is clear that the basic elements described in Figure 3 alternate regularly.

A cascade of semiconductor elements is enclosed between insulating plates 6, for example of corundum.

In this way, two, three or more layers of cascade can be created as needed.

Industrial applicability

Most applications can be expected in the field of cooling, thermoregulation technology, in the electrical industry, for example, for microprocessor cooling, space technology and the like.

Claims (2)

PATENT CLAIMS A thermoelectric cell cascade utilizing a Peltier effect consisting of at least two layers in series of connected P and N semiconductor elements which alternate regularly and are interconnected by conductive jumpers, characterized in that the second and each additional thermoelectric cell casing has conductive jumpers (3) 'of the P-type semiconductor elements (1) and the N-type semiconductor elements (2) in common with the preceding layer. , A cascade of thermocouples according to item 1, characterized in that the individual cascade layers comprise P-type semiconductor elements (1) and N-type semiconductor elements (2) of different specific electrical properties or dimensions.