GB1042512A - Improvements in or relating to thermo-electric devices - Google Patents

Abstract

1,042,512. Thermopiles. PHILIPS ELECTRONIC & ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES Ltd. April 5, 1963 [April 10, 1962], No. 13668/63. Heading H1K. The electrical components of a thermopile are housed in a trough-like container, which has openings in its base accommodating bridging members providing good thermal connection between the thermopile and the exterior, and is closed by a cover member. In one embodiment (Fig. 1) bodies of bismuth telluride, alternately of P and N type, are disposed between and soldered to T-shaped copper bridging members 3. These members extend through openings 4 in the base of a trough 5 of extruded thermoplastic material and in a cover of similar material. Various configurations of bridging members are described (Figs. 3-8, not shown). An arrangement is described (Fig. 10, not shown) which includes a thin film of insulating adhesive between the bridging members and a copper cover. In another embodiment (Figs. 11 and 12, not shown) the cover for the trough is hollow and provided with passageways for coolant fluid. Convective heat transfer between hot and cold junctions is reduced in some arrangements (Figs. 18-20, not shown) by means of cardboard baffle plates mounted on projections formed in the inner sidewalls of the trough. To facilitate mounting the devices in multiple the external side walls may be provided with projections and recesses designed to engage with mating recesses and projections on an adjacent device. Heat transfer through the sidewalls may be reduced by providing them with cavities which may be filled with thermal insulation. The bridging members may be provided with integral cooling fins coated with gold or lacquer to reduce corrosion by the coolant fluid. The bismuth telluride bodies and bridging members may be soldered together after assembly in the trough, preferably by passing current pulses through the thermopile to effect local heating at the joints.